Do I need a DAT?

[Ty Ford]

As with the two 1/4" reel to reel decks I have, I think the answer is probably "not often."

OTOH, I have a reel here now someone dropped off so it could be transferred to CD and those are billable hours.

Regards,

Ty Ford

[SiuChung Leung]

So guys, any suggestion on entry level field digital recorder? The model I am looking at is around $1000(Fostex FR2, TASCAM HD-P2), and it wouldn't fit into to our budget...

I come across with Marantz PMD660, is about $500 with XLR input but without time code.

the other one is Zoom H4 around $300...

[Gerry Gallegos]

Either one will work just fine with a little work in post. remember you can sometimes make up features with elbow grease in post. the time code just makes it easier to sync, but with out it you can still do it manually , like in the old school days.

[Allen Green]

Originally Posted by SiuChung Leung

I am working at a small studio; my job is working on production sound and post production sound. We mostly do wedding, MV for indi band and Internet video (short drama and documentary). For short drama, I would use boom mic plug into Azden FMX32 filed mixer then connect to camera. It works fine for me.

Now I am working on a short film project, 80% of audio will be in post-production. I am thinking should I get a DAT for this project. I would use that for location sound reference and ambient noise. Also some foley may need to record outdoor with DAT.

So should I get one?

All of the answer threads are solid, but what kind of mics are you going to plug into a dat/harddisk recorder? What video camera are you shooting on? Most of the higher end mini DV cameras or if you are using HDV have XLR inputs and a decent audio set up. I would put my money in some good mics maybe a boompole or upgrade the mixer, invest in a wireless or a number of other upgrades instead of spending the money on a recorder. Many short films and indies are recording into the camera. If you have a good soundguy who will monitor the return and pays attention to the details you can get what you need from the camera. JM2C
Good luck.

[SiuChung Leung]

Originally Posted by Allen Green

All of the answer threads are solid, but what kind of mics are you going to plug into a dat/harddisk recorder? What video camera are you shooting on? Most of the higher end mini DV cameras or if you are using HDV have XLR inputs and a decent audio set up. I would put my money in some good mics maybe a boompole or upgrade the mixer, invest in a wireless or a number of other upgrades instead of spending the money on a recorder. Many short films and indies are recording into the camera. If you have a good soundguy who will monitor the return and pays attention to the details you can get what you need from the camera. JM2C
Good luck.

I am using Sennheiser ME66 as boom mic, plug into Azden FMX-32 3-Channel Field Mixer and goes into JVC GY-HD251E Professional Video Camera PAL and Panasonic AG-HPX500 DVCPRO HD Camcorder by XRL cable.

I am also thinking put the money to get a better location headset to monitor the sound.