Topic: REVIEWS FOR MARANTZ CDR 420

[Brian Skalinder]

...can anyone tell me where I can find some reading material on all of these "bits" and "bytes" and all of the more technical info? I read the whole 722 vs. MR1000 and a lot of the stuff just didn't make sense to me...

like what is a damn sampling freq.?

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,1167.0.html

And if I don't buy one of the two aforementioned devices I feel like I am settling for inferior technology.

I have been planning on around $3500 to get started. That includes recording device and mics....

That's a mighty fine budget for getting started.  Nick's right in the sense that generally speaking, you'll get better results out of $2,300 mics + $1,200 recorder than $1,000 mics + $2,500 recorder.  As recording gear has improved in quality and dropped in price over time, it's not as true as it was historically - e.g. there are some really great mics out there for ~$1k (AKG 480s, Beyerdynamic MC930s, etc.), and the Oade ACM Tascam HD-P2 and ACM Marantz PMD-671 are really solid pre/ADC/recorders - but generally speaking it's a good starting statement.

And if I don't buy one of the two aforementioned devices [722 / MR-1000] I feel like I am settling for inferior technology.

There are really fantastic all-in-one pre/ADC/recorders available today for < $1,500.  While there are some build-quality differences between the HD-P2 / PMD-671 and 722 - the 722 is built like a tank, the others have good build quality but not up to the same level as the 722 - the sound isn't radically different to my ears.  Check out this comparison of the 722 and Oade ACM Tascam HD-P2 as all-in-one pre/ADC/recorders.  Nick recommended the ACM Marantz PMD-671...another fine choice, and an ACM PMD-671 v. ACM HD-P2 comparison lives here.  See if your ears distinguish significant differences in the 722/ACM HD-P2 comp and other listening to help determine whether or not you're settling for "inferior" technology.  Use your ears to make that evaluation, not people's comments here, specs, marketing hype, etc.

Same goes for selecting mics.  At your price point, it really comes down to personal preference - do you prefer an uber-transparent and detailed sound (a la DPA 402x), or a very detailed but more colored sound (Schoeps CCMx / MKx-CMC6 or Neumann KM1xx or KM18x), small diaphragm (Beyerdynamic MC930, AKG 480x) or large diaphragm (AKG C414-B XLS), discrete solution (DPA 402x, Neumann KM1xx, Schoeps CCMx/MKx with active cables) or full-bodied mics (Beyerdynamic MC930, AKG 48x, Neumann KM18x), do you want the option of multiple patterns (either selectable via some large diaphragm mics, or switchable caps on small diaphragm mics), etc.

The best thing you can do is identify up front as best as possible your non-sonic requirements (discrete v. full-bodied), and then listen listen listen.  And even then you may make the wrong decision "for you".

It took me a fair amount of recording, listening, and playback upgrade to really "hear" my recording gear choices, identify sonic characteristics I preferred or disliked, and then make the appropriate changes to achieve the sound for which I was looking.  And my preferences have changed over time.  I expect the same to be true for just about everyone.  There's no "one size fits all" for recording gear options, preferences, etc.  Listen as best you're able to the options available, pull the trigger, record, listen, upgrade your playback (if necessary...and for many people here, I think it's necessary), re-evaluate, then sell & re-buy to address your experiences.  There is no shortcut to that "perfect" sound, no single set of gear that works best for everyone, in every situation, etc.