Topic: First rig suggestions - 90 year-old noob taper 😀

[checht]

After 40+ years of listening to me blab about taping, my Dad's gotten the bug.

He hosts house concerts with baroque programs played on period instruments, and I've been around and recorded a couple for him. Suddenly, he gets it!

Last show I couldn't make, so had a friend drop off a Marantz with built in mics and set levels for him. Pianoforte top was down, no cellos in the mix, so gain wsa set too high and recording clipped a bit. Was able to fix in RX, but...

What very easy to use rig would folks recommend? $500 total.

Is there a low cost 32 bit recorder w decent mics? If not, esay to deploy mics a plus.

[grawk]

It's a little beyond the budget, but I think it could sound really great...the NoHype SRM1 w/ fethead transformers and a Zoom F3.

[rocksuitcase]

My opinion would be a used Sony M-10 and a pair of $200 external mics.
I have pulled relatively amazing results (No, no furburger stuff, certainly not Schoeps quality) with mine using the internals at shows where it was not open. I do not have a great stealth rig so tend to bring just the M-10. I have a Marantz PMD661 which has "interbal mics", but the internals on the M10 are 1000 percent better.

If you are in control of the location, and can get it close, it will do a great job with just the omni internals. You would need to show him how to set the gain, etc.

edited for clarity

[opsopcopolis]

It's also a bit outside of the budget, unless you find something used, but SP C-4 > Zoom F3 could be a nice relatively low cost setup. I mainly recommend the c-4 because of the swappable caps. Omnis would probably sound good for that kind of music, assuming the room is decent

[Chanher]

I like the above recs. I think the stock Sony M10 sounds plenty good. If he doesn't mind messing with separate mics then the Studio Projects C4's (the 2nd version, the MKII's) are a great option with cap flexibility as mentioned. I recently upgraded my original version C4's to the MKII's after seeing some super cheap on ebay (~$200) and I've made excellent recordings with them and a Zoom F3.

I don't think it's a bad idea to start with something super simple like a Zoom H1:

https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/handheld-recorders/handheld-recorders/h1essential/

Only a hundred bucks and very simple. Simple is the key word with newbie tapers IMO. Overloading with too much info and tasks is the quickest way to ruin the hobby. See if he can consistently make recordings with that before shelling out more money, then you can always upgrade. No it's not the higher quality F series, and that might make a difference with quieter classical music, but I really don't think you guys will make terrible recordings with that.

[Scooter123]

For that budget and use, I agree with rocksuitcase's reccommendation a used Sony M10 and external mikes  It is what I use. 

[Gutbucket]

How comfortable will he be with setting up a pair of mics and running cables?

Wondering about a recorder with decent quality built-in mics, as that would be easiest for him.
Or a recorder + a stereo mic that doesn't require to much messing around with.  One or two cables, done.

[checht]

How comfortable will he be with setting up a pair of mics and running cables?

Wondering about a recorder with decent quality built-in mics, as that would be easiest for him.
Or a recorder + a stereo mic that doesn't require to much messing around with.  One or two cables, done.

Really appreciate everyone's input. Gut, you nail it with the H1 recc. Since my retired-taper friend blew level setting last time, I just think 32 bit is kinda mandatory. Anyone have a sense of the quality of the built-in mics?

If they're terrible, he could use a pair of omnis and close mic the instruments, not worry about levels, and set balance in post maybe. Thoughts?
Could get some small/light light stands, mount H1 and mic to one, and other mic to the other, just have 1 cable to really deal with. That'd work. Maybe the

If the built-ins are ok, that'd be by far the easiest. Maybe give a try and see...

Thanks again, all.

[jefflester]

The H1 Essential is the updated version with 32-bit float.

[admkrk]

The H1 Essential is the updated version with 32-bit float.

That would be my recommendation as well. I am not sure about what external mic options it has though. And we all know at some point adding externals is going to figure into the equation. So, Maybe a different Hx Essentials would be a better choice? There should be plenty of room, with a $500 budget, to a model with more inputs.

[checht]

"The H1 Mic/Line Input is a stereo ⅛" mini phone jack that can accept two mic- and/or line-level signals. Condenser microphones requiring Plug-In Power (2.5 volts) can be connected to this jack."

Sounds like expansion/improvement would be simple.

[goodcooker]

The Sony A10 has okay built in mics and you can control it from across the room with the app. I carry mine in my pocket with a little Camvate crab clamp and ball head to just about every show. Super easy to clamp in a good sounding spot and go observe from another spot.

IT is 24 bit and the built ins are pretty sensitive but should be fine for acoustic instruments at a house concert.

[voltronic]

Hi, classical recording guy here. I say you should go for:

Line Audio CM4 pair (or CM3 if you can find them used)
Zoom F3

For the intended application, I really think you need the flexibility of separate mics, and the Line Audio mics get you close to Schoeps quality for a very low price. Check the Team Line Audio link in my signature for info on them. This may push things a little beyond $500, but it will be far better than any built-in mics.

I strongly advise you do NOT buy anything from Zoom's H line, including the new Essentials. The preamps are far too noisy for acoustic / classical use, especially on period baroque instruments which generally are quieter than their modern counterparts.

[checht]

Thanks, Volt.

I've been gravitating towards the F3 on my own, and appreciate your perspective on noise floor.

I have a set of Vanguard V1 mics, haven't used them in 2 years, could 'store' them at my Dad's and stay under his $500 limit that way.

Issue is I'm worried that this becomes a rig that's too fiddly for him. As Gutbucket mentioned in his post, complexity is an issue with someone 90 years old...

But it would likely sound much better. If I were ok not having much room sound, I could put the omni caps on, have him close-mic, and set the balance in post. That'd eliminate a lot of the need for great placement.

Hmmm

[commongrounder]

How about the TASCAM Portacapture X6? Built in mics, 32-bit float recording, plus a pair of XLR inputs feeding into decent preamps to allow for expansion/four track multi-miking. It has several modes, including one that is optimized for music recording. Power-up-and-record friendly.
The F3 w/external mics would also be on my list. Great little machine, if the extra setup hassles are acceptable.