Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b at DVinfo.net

Dror Levi · January 28th, 2012, 11:38 AM

I am about to get the Audio-Technica AT4053b and looking to get a good digital recorder for it.
I have the zoom 4 but as much as I read, the zoom will not give the best result, but I might be wrong.
Aa well I thought of getting the DR 680 but I am not sure if it is to much for what I need
What about the Tascam DR 40?
Other wise what will be a good recorder for the money.

P.S
I will use it for in door interviews.

Rick Reineke · January 28th, 2012, 08:09 PM

The Zoom H4n, DR-100 or DR-40 would all work OK with the AT 4053. All can supply the necessary Phantom power via an XLR connection. The DR-680 is a multichannel recorder and would not be of any advantage unless, you need to record multiple mics at the same time. IMO the DR-100 would be the better choice for adjusting levels on the fly with it's variable rotary potentiometers. The DR-40 would be a less expensive choice or with an external mixer. The Zoom has it's pros and cons... as do the other aforementioned portable DARs.

Dror Levi · January 28th, 2012, 09:31 PM

So the recording quality is just the same between dr-40,dr680 and the zoom?

Richard Crowley · January 28th, 2012, 09:37 PM

Moving your microphone 6 inches will make a MUCH greater difference in recording quality than you will see among any of those recorders.

Rick Reineke · January 28th, 2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dror Levi

So the recording quality is just the same between dr-40,dr680 and the zoom?

All things being equal, you would probably not notice a huge difference between the DR-40, 100, 680 or the Zoom. Comes down to budget, features and personal preference.

Dror Levi · January 28th, 2012, 10:13 PM

Great. Thank you all for the help.

Tony Koretz · March 25th, 2012, 04:24 PM

I would like to add the Marantz PMD661 to the list of possible portable recorders that do a good job. Two mic channels with xlr connections and reasonably good preamps. The only thing I don't like so much about them is that in sunlight the meters are very hard to see. The sound quality is pretty good though and they are very easy to operate.

James Kuhn · March 25th, 2012, 05:32 PM

I'll second the Marantz PMD 661 (although, I have the Oade Bros. Super Mod). I also have the AT 4053b with the Hyper-Cardioid capsule. Full disclosure, I had some problems with the AT 4053b. I purchased the mic. to re-do an 'Intro' for a documentary. Originally, I used the wrong mic. I used a RODE NTG-3 in a very reflective lobby location, the sound was as you'd expect, classic 'bathroom'. Wrong tool. So, after discussing it with the Producer, I talked him in to retaking the shot. Long story short, when I hooked-up the AT 4053b, I heard a pre-dominant 'hiss', I thought uh, oh, this doesn't sound good at all. I chalked it up to 'technique', or lack there of. We ended up using my Sennheiser remote Lavaliere and as luck would have it, a decision was made to do a few takes outside by a tree which allowed me to breakout the RODE NTG-3, again.

After some testing at home, I decided to send the mic. back for repair. AT 'replaced' rather than 'repair' the mic. and now it works as it should. Although, compared to my AKG C451 matched pair, the AT is a little 'sharp', but it works.

Regards,

J.

Chad Johnson · March 26th, 2012, 01:59 PM

One is supposed to have a preamp for their audio, then it doesn't matter what recorder you use. The Sound Devices MixPre-D is the tool every audio-for-video needs. Pricey? Yes! But it's a career long investment that is as important as the mic, and more important than the recorder.

Tony Koretz · March 26th, 2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Kuhn

Although, compared to my AKG C451 matched pair, the AT is a little 'sharp', but it works.

Regards,

J.

Are they recently made C451 's or one of the older models. What capsules do you have on them? I really like the older C451EB and C452EB models.

James Kuhn · March 26th, 2012, 02:47 PM

Tony...the 'new' AKG C451 B/ST.

J.

Tony Koretz · March 26th, 2012, 02:54 PM

OK cool. I The 451 is generally quite a bright sounding mic, but very handy for lots of things.

James Kuhn · March 26th, 2012, 02:57 PM

Tony;

I can hook-up my mics. XLRs directly to the PMD 661 and record directly into it. Of course, there's the added complication of having to audibly and visually synchronizing the audio with the video, but it's doable. I can't speak to the Zoom 4, and what it 'needs'.

Regards,

J.

Tony Koretz · March 28th, 2012, 04:14 AM

Yes the mic preamps in the PMD661 are quite good. Not quite up to the standard of some of my studio preamps, but certainly not going to really let you down. I have done a lot of recording with mine...mainly sound effects gathering when I'm out and about, and generally the results have been pretty good.
Syncing audio to video is always a bit of an added mission with a remote recorder, but worth it most times. Certainly having mics away from the camera is a big plus.

January 28th, 2012, 11:38 AM	#1
Dror Levi Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines FL Posts: 331	Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b I am about to get the Audio-Technica AT4053b and looking to get a good digital recorder for it. I have the zoom 4 but as much as I read, the zoom will not give the best result, but I might be wrong. Aa well I thought of getting the DR 680 but I am not sure if it is to much for what I need What about the Tascam DR 40? Other wise what will be a good recorder for the money. P.S I will use it for in door interviews. __________________ www.nostalgicFrames.com

January 28th, 2012, 08:09 PM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b The Zoom H4n, DR-100 or DR-40 would all work OK with the AT 4053. All can supply the necessary Phantom power via an XLR connection. The DR-680 is a multichannel recorder and would not be of any advantage unless, you need to record multiple mics at the same time. IMO the DR-100 would be the better choice for adjusting levels on the fly with it's variable rotary potentiometers. The DR-40 would be a less expensive choice or with an external mixer. The Zoom has it's pros and cons... as do the other aforementioned portable DARs.

January 28th, 2012, 09:31 PM	#3
Dror Levi Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines FL Posts: 331	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b So the recording quality is just the same between dr-40,dr680 and the zoom? __________________ www.nostalgicFrames.com

January 28th, 2012, 09:37 PM	#4
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b Moving your microphone 6 inches will make a MUCH greater difference in recording quality than you will see among any of those recorders.

January 28th, 2012, 10:13 PM	#6
Dror Levi Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines FL Posts: 331	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b Great. Thank you all for the help. __________________ www.nostalgicFrames.com

March 25th, 2012, 04:24 PM	#7
Tony Koretz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Posts: 44	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b I would like to add the Marantz PMD661 to the list of possible portable recorders that do a good job. Two mic channels with xlr connections and reasonably good preamps. The only thing I don't like so much about them is that in sunlight the meters are very hard to see. The sound quality is pretty good though and they are very easy to operate.

March 25th, 2012, 05:32 PM	#8
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b I'll second the Marantz PMD 661 (although, I have the Oade Bros. Super Mod). I also have the AT 4053b with the Hyper-Cardioid capsule. Full disclosure, I had some problems with the AT 4053b. I purchased the mic. to re-do an 'Intro' for a documentary. Originally, I used the wrong mic. I used a RODE NTG-3 in a very reflective lobby location, the sound was as you'd expect, classic 'bathroom'. Wrong tool. So, after discussing it with the Producer, I talked him in to retaking the shot. Long story short, when I hooked-up the AT 4053b, I heard a pre-dominant 'hiss', I thought uh, oh, this doesn't sound good at all. I chalked it up to 'technique', or lack there of. We ended up using my Sennheiser remote Lavaliere and as luck would have it, a decision was made to do a few takes outside by a tree which allowed me to breakout the RODE NTG-3, again. After some testing at home, I decided to send the mic. back for repair. AT 'replaced' rather than 'repair' the mic. and now it works as it should. Although, compared to my AKG C451 matched pair, the AT is a little 'sharp', but it works. Regards, J.

March 26th, 2012, 01:59 PM	#9
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b One is supposed to have a preamp for their audio, then it doesn't matter what recorder you use. The Sound Devices MixPre-D is the tool every audio-for-video needs. Pricey? Yes! But it's a career long investment that is as important as the mic, and more important than the recorder. __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

March 26th, 2012, 02:47 PM	#11
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b Tony...the 'new' AKG C451 B/ST. J.

March 26th, 2012, 02:54 PM	#12
Tony Koretz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Posts: 44	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b OK cool. I The 451 is generally quite a bright sounding mic, but very handy for lots of things.

March 26th, 2012, 02:57 PM	#13
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b Tony; I can hook-up my mics. XLRs directly to the PMD 661 and record directly into it. Of course, there's the added complication of having to audibly and visually synchronizing the audio with the video, but it's doable. I can't speak to the Zoom 4, and what it 'needs'. Regards, J.

March 28th, 2012, 04:14 AM	#14
Tony Koretz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Posts: 44	Re: Recorder for the Audio-Technica AT4053b Yes the mic preamps in the PMD661 are quite good. Not quite up to the standard of some of my studio preamps, but certainly not going to really let you down. I have done a lot of recording with mine...mainly sound effects gathering when I'm out and about, and generally the results have been pretty good. Syncing audio to video is always a bit of an added mission with a remote recorder, but worth it most times. Certainly having mics away from the camera is a big plus.