What is a good multiple track recorder for indi films?

[Scott H.]

The 744T is ubiquitous. But if you really need ISO tracks, your gigs probably require more than three (a mix track plus three ISO's on the 744T). And it's four tracks, not four full fledged inputs. Because in practical use the 744T provides only two more ISO tracks than a 702T, creates relevant though not disastrous RF pollution, and is heavier than a 702T, I chose to own the 702T instead. My main concern was not having back-up/redundancy recording. However, you can plug a another CF card reader/writer into it and record simultaneously to that, or an attached HD, or whatever. If paired with a 552 you have a backup recorder in the mixer, which can be fed TC from the 702T.

 

[Scott H.]

Not sure I understand the value of having the pre's in the Edirol R-4 upgraded for production use. I believe that mod arose from the music/taper world. An R-4 isn't a mixer. If one were using it as a lower priced 4-track production recorder, put a good mixer in front of it. I also like the Sound Devices MM-1 as a mic pre.

 

[conrad gaunt]

Although traditionally I've always associated ZOOM with tacky guitar effects.. but then, after seeing several soundmen who frankly had "other options" using a ZOOM HN4 recorder on the grounds that its "handy".. I bought one.

It has two XLR inputs (you can plug guitar style jack plugs into them too), phantom 12 or 24v or Line, and a great little x/y stereo pair of mics on the front (better than they should be for the money frankly..).. which my accoustic guitar loves..

£280 for recorder, then you need a CF card.

44k,48k,96k, 16 or 24bit , all saved to broadcast wave (which I believe contains timecode.. don't think it has an external timecode input though..)

You can recorder two channels, or two channels plus the stereo mics (ie, four channels). Each tack gets its own file. You can also multitrack, but I haven't had a need to try it.

Add to that a sound devices pre-amp (about £600).. and you're more or less where sound devices would have got you as far as recording quality goes..

 

[oleg kaizerman]

zoom h4 do not have tc stamp

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

zoom h4 do not have tc stamp

Oh, absolutely - if you need to write or input TC just scratch the Zoom off your list!

Its a really great sounding recorder, especially at its price point. I think it sounds better than most any camera, but not nearly as good as any professional audio recorder.

You can input TC as an audio track, if you can afford to record just one track. Practically, if you need to sync this things output on any non-trivial project, I think DualEyes sync software is in your future! (Depending on exactly how FCP X works with sound sync)

If that isn't acceptable - then just scratch it off your list right now.

I've shot two features with my own Zoom (one as DP one as Sound Recordist), and I've done a few smaller projects with it - its leaving my kit the instant I free up budget for something else.