Good recorder vs. MixPre+Cheap recorder at DVinfo.net

Brannon Shiflett · May 2nd, 2008, 01:42 PM

I am getting a sound kit together based around an Oktava (w/ K-tek mount, BBG, good boom etc.). I will later get a shotgun to go with it. I will sometimes be filming with an HV20 and sometimes with an HVX200. I am trying to find a balance between budget, but getting good equipment that will last me into the future as I upgrade and add.

Now the actual question:
-Boom straight to a Fostex FR-2LE when using either camera.
or
-Boom to a SD mixPre and run a line-lvl from the mixpre to a recorder like the Zoom H2.
when using the HVX200 (2 shorts from now) I could run the mixpre to either that or the H2 or both.

Has anyone used the H2 with a mixpre?
Which do you think is the better option now?
Which do you think is a better long term option?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Dave Stern · May 2nd, 2008, 07:19 PM

I haven't used the zoom H2 but one comment would be that I don't think the clocks are known to be that accurate on the cheap recorders. for long takes or maybe even not so long ones, you could get some drift between your video and audio on a cheap recorder. it could be fixed but seems like an unnecessary pain in the neck.

I can't really comment on the pre-amps from the SD mixpre vs. the fostex but I would bet the SD has better pre-amps (more gain / less noise).

are you recording only diagloge, and are you recording in HDV (HD) or DV (SD)? If SD or even perhaps if HDV, dialogue only may be ok right on the tape, and save your $$ for the mixpre pre-amps (although I think the HV20 only has unbalanced input, not sure how you would get from the mixpre to that).

good luck!

May 2nd, 2008, 01:42 PM	#1
Brannon Shiflett Tourist Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 1	Good recorder vs. MixPre+Cheap recorder I am getting a sound kit together based around an Oktava (w/ K-tek mount, BBG, good boom etc.). I will later get a shotgun to go with it. I will sometimes be filming with an HV20 and sometimes with an HVX200. I am trying to find a balance between budget, but getting good equipment that will last me into the future as I upgrade and add. Now the actual question: -Boom straight to a Fostex FR-2LE when using either camera. or -Boom to a SD mixPre and run a line-lvl from the mixpre to a recorder like the Zoom H2. when using the HVX200 (2 shorts from now) I could run the mixpre to either that or the H2 or both. Has anyone used the H2 with a mixpre? Which do you think is the better option now? Which do you think is a better long term option? Thanks for any advice you can give!

May 2nd, 2008, 07:19 PM	#2
Dave Stern Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 391	I haven't used the zoom H2 but one comment would be that I don't think the clocks are known to be that accurate on the cheap recorders. for long takes or maybe even not so long ones, you could get some drift between your video and audio on a cheap recorder. it could be fixed but seems like an unnecessary pain in the neck. I can't really comment on the pre-amps from the SD mixpre vs. the fostex but I would bet the SD has better pre-amps (more gain / less noise). are you recording only diagloge, and are you recording in HDV (HD) or DV (SD)? If SD or even perhaps if HDV, dialogue only may be ok right on the tape, and save your $$ for the mixpre pre-amps (although I think the HV20 only has unbalanced input, not sure how you would get from the mixpre to that). good luck!