REQ: Minimum Setup Advice

[Michael Silverman]

Adrian, what do you think of the R-05s? How do the internal mics compare with other brands priced similarly? Also, do you plug the TR50s into the R-05s? Or do you plug them into something else?

I just purchased a Tascam DR-05 to place on the podium to record audio of readers. I have not received it yet but I'm hoping the quality will be pretty decent. If it's not then I'll look for something a bit higher in quality. I'm also looking for a recorder that I can plug a wired lav into and place on the officiant/minister. Right now I've been plugging my Countryman EMW lav into my Tascam DR-40 via XLR which works great except that it's VERY bulky and some of the minister's have seemed less than pleased to have to put it in their pocket.

[Robert Benda]

Michael, those Tascams are decent, so no worries. I like the slimmer Olympus DM600 series for the groom's pocket, with a matchstick mic, but use two Tascams for other spots.

I finally got my Tascam DR40 and will run the pastor's mic and an on camera mic into it, then into my aisle cam. I shoot DSLR and even Magic Lantern drops 2 frames (or so) at the 12 minute mark, so the DR40 will give me continuous audio, that I can sync to, and do the ol' left or right channel to mute one source as needed.

[Adrian Tan]

Originally Posted by Michael Silverman

Adrian, what do you think of the R-05s? How do the internal mics compare with other brands priced similarly? Also, do you plug the TR50s into the R-05s? Or do you plug them into something else?

Hi, I plug the Trams into the Rolands.

I'm definitely no audiophile. I think I mainly got the Rolands on the recommendation of Rob Adams's Creative Live course. I did research other recorders around the same price point at the time, but can't remember how they compared... and it's quite possible that there's something better on the market now.

Main issue I've found: Roland + Tram needs you to boost the levels up pretty high to hear anything. So, I usually have gain set to high, and levels set to 70 out of 80.

Internal mics... I find I get good sound when you park one of these on a lightstand in front of a string quartet/choir/guitar player/sound speaker. Otherwise, not sure how they compare to other recorders' internal mics! I try to avoid using internal mics when possible. But the Rolands definitely sound "fuller" than the sound from the Yamaha C24s that I use, which sound a bit tinny, but then you can fix the Yamaha sound in post.

[Paul Ekert]

Some great advice here, my thanks to everyone who has contributed.

What are the views on this camera for a safety? Just sitting at the back on a tripod, unmaned and recording a wide shot.

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[Peter Rush]

Looks like it's MPEG-2 recording Paul - I'd be tempted to look for something in the same price bracket that records AVCHD

[Paul Ekert]

Damn you're right.

I'll continue my search.