Topic: Are my old favorites still 'good'?

[jasonw]

I've been out of taping for about 15 years. Before I sold everything I had a few different recorders (below). I liked the compact size of the AT853 > R-09 when I needed to stealth a OCMS back in 2006 but most of the time I'm at a taper friendly event and really enjoyed the MBHO > PMD 660.  Things seem more compact/updated obviously but would I be fine just recreating one of my old setups or are there new/impressive recorders that I should consider. I have a lot of reading to do but a point in the right direction would be helpful.

Previous rigs.
MBHO 603's > KA200n (Card Caps) > Audio Magic XLRs > Busman mod PMD 660
Franken Nak 300's + cp-1 > Bm2+p UA-5 > Iriver
Franken Nak 300 + CP-1 > Bm2+p UA-5 > NJB3 (16/44.1)
AT853(custom) > Sp batt box > Edirol R-09

[rocksuitcase]

OF course, depends on your budget.
That said, most of those mics would still be AOK, the main difference beteeen now and fifteen years ago is the recorders, and the recording technology as well.
For open, I still use a Tascam DR680 for multi-channel, but many of us have chosen the SD Mix-pre series 3, 6, 8/10 channel versions exist.
The smaller recorders in vogue are the Sony A10, Roland R09-r, or using a phone to directly record via USB signal out of a small preamp such as a Sonosax SXM2D2.
Also small-ish is the DPA 4060/4061 series going into a DPA preamp or Sony M10 (used only), Sony A10, iPhone or other small recorder. (My Film sound buddy uses an Olympus LS100 for in hat stuff)

I am not a recorder hound, so others may have more pertinent info.

[jbell]

Your old favorite recorders are all 16bit (except the R09) so I would say no to your question.  I would look for a 32 bit recorder!  Zoom F3 or Tascam FR AV2 for two channels.  If you need 4 or more checkout the Sound devices Mixpre 6 II.  As for mics, folks still run MBHO's, but they stopped making hypers. 

[grawk]

small-ish is the DPA 4060/4061 series

Wait, ISH?

[rocksuitcase]

small-ish is the DPA 4060/4061 series

Wait, ISH?

I thought twice about it, BUT still, they ARE very small, so I give you that.
I had forgotten about the Zooms and Tascam FR AV2- good addition.

[grawk]

the dpa 4061s with a GOOD microdot to stereo locking mini cable and a deity pr2-ii (assuming it's even a little better than the current pr2) is going to be hard to dethrone in the "small-ish" category.  606x series is smaller, but honestly, at that point, I don't think that makes any difference at all.

If someone would make a commercial "nbob" style cable for the neumann KK14s, those and the pr2-ii would be my definitive recommendation for "if it has to be small enough to get in anywhere" choice.  That said, I feel pretty confident I can get my dpa4015gs->dvice setup in anywhere as well.

For a value rig for open taping, it's really really hard to beat an fr-av2 (or f3) and line audio cm4s.  If the pr4 turns out to be worthy, that'd easily slot in that role as well, and be more future proof because you could add a sonosax m2d2 and better mics and be pretty solidly top tier.