<1> Is the AT822 the only piece of audio recording gear you own currently? Just trying to get a lay of the land before thinking about options and recommendations.
<2> What's your total budget for everything, whether it be recorder, preamp, etc.? Reason I ask is it may be necessary to use an external preamp if you're recording very quiet ambient sounds.
<3> Do you have access to power (electricity) for charging batteries, or do you need a recorder that takes commonly available batteries (like AA cells)? This, of course, may impact recommendations.
<4> I take it you plan to sync the audio with the video in post-production?
ad<1> besides the AT822 I have socalled 'iriver Giant Squid mono omnis', two of them, recording to an iFP-799 , and a socalled VW-VMS2 Panasonic camcorder Mic. The AT822 usually records my Panasonic GS400 camcorder ( which does 16 bit recordings with level adjustments ) Very likely I will try to sell the Pana mic on ebay and I was thinking to get a socalled 'Videomic', which is a mono shotgun..but could get some other mics you recommend instead in case I reallly get into audio taping.
ad<2> I was thinking that 150 to 250 USD would be enough, but I am willing to spend a bit more...let's say 300 to 350 USD. Eventually, very likely soon, it will be more $$$ again anyway.., so, well, it could be more if I feel happy with what I get! Actually if you recommend an external preamp, on 'yard sale' there is a AD-20 with a Phantom, powering box thrown in which I was eyeing.. for 190, and an H1xx I could get for about 150 here in Japan..that could make a perfect match!
ad<3> usually I'd have access to power, still AA or AAA certainly would be of advantage if e.g. while in south India the Akku dies with no substitute available.
ad<4> yes, I do!
it is very important that all together weighs little and takes little space, and looks nothing special or expensive....
WARNING:
bla.. bla.. follows from here on:
why should it rather look crapy?...well, that needs a long explanation and for the reason why I take long time to decide: I am in Japan now and will return to my home country Austria during october. I do carry a videocamera, adapter lenses, videolight, filters, tripod, monopod, the mics, the iFP-799 +++, everything I bought during the last 2 years somewhere in Asia, cost me abt. 2000 Euro what would have cost me 4000+ back in Europe, all never has been imported in Austria. Austrian customs officials are harsh, but to import all my stuff officially would be very difficult: many bills in japanese language, confusing, including other items bought for my friend, and a percentage bonus system on every item bought which are discounts for next buy, those are used again, some items bought via internet auction, some second hand without any proper bill,...wha.. I don't even want to think of all the troubles I had to go through if I wanted to declare everything officially. Less I want to imagine what would happen if I did not declare but they find the stuff. If it was not for this problem I'd go ahead and buy e.g. an RH10 for 150 USD and another H120 for the same prize, play with them, decide which one to keep and sell the other. Here in Japan I cannnot sell via internet though, only buy. Short, I don't want carry many more items I will have bought outside when entering Austria....since I will walk by the customs..
Stuff buying on ebay in the US is a problem too: for something bought for 100USD one could end up paying 40USD for shipping and another 70!USD or so for costums...
that AD-20 though...he says shipping included, well, to Austria he would charge me...but he'd have to put a VERY low price to pass austrian customs cheaply...
how big and heavy is the AD-20? well, better I wait what you recommend!
thank's so much for your help!