Sound Question on The Base I/O Expander

[Rakesh Malik]

For interviews or small projects with no more than 3 actors, I think the Sound Devices 633 -- a 3-input recorder that can record 5 channels (3 isos and 2 mix tracks) is really, really good and has decent knobs, very reliable timecode, solid construction, and built like a tank... albeit a small one. It's about $3K, but that's only for the recorder alone.

It can record three mic/line and three line inputs to ISOs, and up to two sets of stereo mix tracks, so a total of 10 record tracks.

I've been syncing audio and video using TentacleSyncs. They're inexpensive, compact, and so far, reliable. They have a very minimal physical UI, so you configure them using an application that you can download from their web site. It's been a huge timesaver in post.

The problem is the need for decent microphones, particularly good wireless transmitters and receivers and high-quality lavs. Those will cost a lot more than $3000.

As a cinematographer, I will probably be fine with the Rode Filmmaker kit. It's been reliable and given us great sound so far, though apparently they're not particularly rainproof. Top-shelf Lectrosonics will of course be better still, but most of the dedicated sound folks will have higher end mics and recorders anyway. So, I'm not planning on upgrading from the 633 anytime soon.

There are great rental companies out there who will rent you a $20,000 package of sound gear for maybe $300-$400 a day, depending on what specific components you get. This may prove to be a much more affordable option that buying this gear. And there are hundreds of sound mixers who provide their own gear as a package price.

That's probably the best solution, since the sound recordists also know their own gear.

 

[Karim Ayari]

So without buying the REDVOLT expander for the audio inputs, which recorder/boom mic setup would you guys recommend?

Personally, I would invest in a decent shotgun mic and mixer before investing in a recorder. I usually record directly into the RED via the Sound Devices MixPre-D and Wooden Camera A-box. Never had an issue and I'm perfectly happy with the sound. Some might say it's not common practice to record directly into the RED's 3.5mm plugs, but I have heard audio sound a hell of a lot worse from dedicated sound mixers that used high end recorders. Here are a couple of videos I shot with audio recorded directly into the Epic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAQLoWXHfXQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuAFBcmml04