My production company needs to get a pro setup to record audio for Film and video projects. We've been getting away with wired lavas direct - to - camera recordings but it's time to step it up. Can someone give me some highend configurations(mic, mixer, recorder) to some intermediate ones so we can get one a.s.a.p. When we do overduds in our studio the audio quality is unbelievablely different from the audio coming from the camera track. So Far we're looking at the MHK416 or MHK50, not sure on the recorder..etc. Just need the best setup for overall use, portability is a must...

One word- Diva

"My production company needs to get a pro setup to record audio for Film and video projects"
Maybe time to hire a pro.

how much do you wont to invest 5000 or 40000$
regular small film setup is around 15000$ for new and can rise up to 35-40 for big (portable) production setup .youhave to describe what kind of work you are planning to do and what is the budget you can throw.

I would agree with the Diva recommendation for the recorder:
www.zaxcom.com. Both of those mics will produce good results.
If you got the bread, you can buy the diva model with 8 inputs, so you
can record your mics and wireless all into one unit with super high
quality.

The Diva is even being used by classical recording engineers because
the mic pres are so good. Boat loaded you can expect to pay around
$13-15K.

Not to mention the Diva was used on top of Mt. Everest... Portable enough for ya? hehehe

After emptying the wallet on purchase? Yeah! ;)

why the f .. he need 8 chanels - usially 2 is enouth and 4 is double enouth
good small all around film- video setup can be sd 744 with 302
thats about 5400 with case
2 mikes (cs-3 , mkh-50) with rycote 3300
ext powe =charger 500
cable, headphones 800
2 booms (long , medium) 1100$
2wierless( 411) + extra capsuls 7000
1 CUB -1 PZM 500
1 OCTAVA FOR BACK UP 2O0
ZAXCOMwierless camera link (3rd wierless) + 2 capsuls and cables 4300$
ifb tx + 3 recievers 1900

25000

NO DEVA:-)

I saw the Sound Devices 744 at NAB.
http://www.sounddevices.com/products/7.htm

The sales guys were pretty amped about the 744's sound quality.

They are priced about the same as the 4 channel Deva, but the Deva
has better market recognition imho. If classical recording
snobs use and love the Deva's preamps they must be pretty good.

I used a 4 channel SD 422 mixer with a neumann usm69i and schoeps MK41
and found it not as clean as I'd hoped when having to crank the
gain way up for wildife wetlands recordings. I found the preamps
on my MOTU 896 cleaner.

I am sure that when you actually get some signal to noise, as in
most any other situation, the 422 will do a great job and I'd love
to see a shootout between the 744 and Deva.

I had a Korg 12 ch hardisk recorder. It had 4 or 6 xlr/ 1/4" trs jacks, two plain 1/4" jacks, and there was at least one event where I would have liked more. It's drawback, was the need for a power outlet.

I'd settle for 8 inputs, specially if it was self contained, and rugged enough to take harsh enviroments.

do you sure the guy is looking to record classical conserts :-)

dont do classicas -but for feature film and documentary the 442 is good enouth( in some way better then my privius sqn 4s iv) , the 744 sopose to be same or even better , so for me 6 inputs to 4 tracks would be more then enough, the only thing that sucks that 744 dosnt mirror in real time right now.

Oleg, thanks for the equipment list. Question..? Since the sd722 and the Deva are HD recorders(hard disk), couldn't I use protools/m-box on a powerbook?

yes but then it not mobile rig , the setup can work in studio but would colaps on the field bad weather and regular computer stuff outside is one way for trouble.not mwntion if you need to do over shoulder -forget it :-)
another thing the 722 record only 2 track with out the tc -not so good for double system with video in fast documentary work, not that you always can do a regular clap but it better to run synk
tc without to get the benefit of automatic synk proses on nle,
the only benefit to go for deva is internal dvd burner and internal mixer -but then it cost you 8000$ more then 744+302