Audio Upgrade

[Scorer]

Considering upgrading my audio. I basically want better clarity and hotter signal.

I am using the Tascam DR_100mkII right now so obviously there is a lot to improve upon.
I am using the Sennheiser me66 along with it.

I think the mic will do for now, but what should I upgrade?

I am primarily considering either a decent mixer, or just getting a new portable recorder all together, but which would be the better option for a better overall quality capability?

Budget would most likely be in the 500-800 dollar range.

 

[Alcove Audio]

It all depends upon your future plans. Do you just want to upgrade the kit a bit, or are you looking to get into production sound as a profession?

You may want to consider getting a hypercardioid mic for indoor usage. The Audio-Technica AT4053b ($600) is very popular, as is the Audix SCX1/HC ($500).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...4053b_Hypercardioid_Condenser_Microphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242661-REG/Audix_SCX1_HC_SCX1_HC_Microphone.html

If you get a mixer or a mic pre the DR100 will do fine as recording device for now.

Since you only have one mic you don't really need a mixer; the Sound Devices MM-1 ($500) might be a good choice - really clean, a very robust build, headphone out for the boom-op, phantom power (with great battery life), and it's Sound Devices.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...evices_MM_1_MM_1_Single_Channel_Portable.html

If you are planning on getting lavs in the future then you might want to get a mixer. The PSC DV ProMix 3 (under $500) is a good small budget choice. The Sound Devices MixPre-D ($900) is a great mixer but a little out of your price range.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300798-REG/PSC_FPSCDVMIX3_DV_PROMIX_3.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...es_MIXPRE_D_MixPre_D_Compact_Field_Mixer.html


More information would be a help in assisting you to coming to a decision.

 

[Scorer]

Thanks for your reply. Always very helpful.

And no, I don't really have an interest in going into sound as a profession, I just want to get a big better/cleaner audio because currently my video capabilities outweigh my audio by quite a bit. There is only so much you can do for good sound with a DR-100 MkII

I've heard people discuss hypercardioid mics for indoor usage before, but that opposed to a shotgun: is it really much better? If so, can you explain?

The preamp you recommended looks nice. I am strongly considering it. I wonder if I could use it as an addition when recording music as well (vocals)?

 

[Alcove Audio]

There are lots of long posts about shotgun mics vs. hypercardioid mics. The short version is shotguns are used outdoors because of their superior noise rejection. Now, I'm sure that you've heard that hollow, roomy sound in many indie films in the indoors scenes. This is because of the reflective surfaces indoors. The design of a shotgun mic that rejects noise outdoors greatly exaggerates the hollow, roomy sound when used indoors. This is why hypercardioids are preferred for indoor usage (at least for non-professional boom-ops and PSMs) as it captures less of that hollow, roomy sound than a shotgun mic does.


I have no idea if the MM-1 would be good for music, although I wouldn't think so. Production sound for film and video is all about sonic neutrality - you do not want to "color" the sound. Music is just the opposite; you want mics, mic pres, etc. that provide "warmth" and "color."