Revamping our sound set up, would love some insight.

[Artin]

Hi there,
My friends and I just a few college filmmakers, we do short films that we write/direct/produce ourselves. Since high school, we've used a RODE Video Mic (not the pro), a RODE boom pole, and a Tascam DR-05. We're going to start our longest project and we want to completely upgrade our sound set up. We're still keeping it basic, but here are our options:

Mic:
Audio Technica AT897 w/ shock mount, wind screen, dead cat, xlr cables
http://www.amazon.com/Technica-Micr...94570133&sr=8-2&keywords=audio-technica+at897

OR

RODE NTG2 w/ shock mount, dead cat, cables
http://www.amazon.com/Rode-Shotgun-...TF8&qid=1394654417&sr=8-6&keywords=rode+ntg+2

Recorder:
Tascam DR-40
http://www.amazon.com/DR-40-4-Track...8&qid=1394654512&sr=8-2&keywords=tascam+dr+40

or spend $25 more and get...

Tascam DR-60D
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/929347-REG/tascam_dr_60d_4_ch_track_linear_pcm.html

I've researched all of them on youtube, looking up reviews and whatnot, but I still can't decide. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Indietalk

 

[Alcove Audio]

The difference between the NTG-2 and the AT897 are negligible although the NTG-2 has slightly better lows and mids.

The more important issue is that both the NTG-2 and the AT897 have lower output levels when used with budget recorders like the Zoom H-Series and the Tascam DR-Series. The NTG-1 and the AT875 are basically the same mics as their brothers, the only important difference being they do not have self phantom power capabilities. Budget recorders like the Zoom H-Series and the Tascam DR-Series chew batteries voraciously when supplying phantom power, and, as far as I know, only Tascam has battery packs for their budget recorders (DR-100, -40, -60d). So your choice is between low levels and not buying battery packs, or hotter levels but needing battery packs.

If you are considering the DR-60D you should also consider the DR-100mkII. The biggest difference is ergonomics; the DR-60 is meant to mount between the camera and tripod, the DR-100 is meant for "hand-held" usage. I've seen guys use some sort of wrist/forearm strap for the "hand-held" audio recorders so they can monitor levels while they boom, something that would be awkward with the DR-60D.

I would also recommend that you consider a hypercardioid mic for indoor usage. Take a look at the Avantone CK-1 ($150) or the sE Electronics SE1A ($200).