Last Update: November 2024
My students sometimes ask me for advice about purchasing their own recorders and mics. Here are my recommendations for flexible recording equipment that is appropriate for serious sound recording. There are links to other people’s advice at the bottom of the page. (Any links to merchants are for reference only. I don’t get referral kick-backs for your clicks.)
What to look for:
- “Quiet” mic preamps: Quiet in this context means the recorder adds minimum hiss to your recordings. It is expressed as “A-weighted EIN” and lower numbers are better (example: -128 dB is fantastic but -112 dB is pretty noisy)
- Clear and responsive level meters
- Manual level controls that are accessible during recording (not buried under menus)
- Uncompressed WAV format recordings (not MP3)
- No special software required to transfer recordings to computer
- Quick startup (so you don’t miss important opportunities)
- backlit display for dark environments, but also readable in bright sun
My Take on 32bit Recording
In the early 2020’s many new devices were introduced with “32-bit float” recording. This feature is amazing because it allows you to capture the quietest and loudest sounds in the same clip without changing the gain knob. (Normally, setting the input gain is critical because the recorder will distort when the gain is too high, or add noise then the gain is too low.) Here are my observations:
- Essential for some applications: 32bit is life-changing for video shoots where nobody is paying much attention to sound, or documentary work where anything can happen. It’s perfect for field recorder “drop rigs” where you leave your setup overnight to capture whatever happens or amplified music where sound levels change a lot. I’d consider 32bit to be an essential feature for these applications.
- Monitoring implications: Recording is full of active decisions that happen in the moment (choosing mics and their placement, assessing changes in the environment). I “ride the gain” during recording, not just to avoid clipping but also because I need to hear what I’m doing. Some 32bit recorders make monitoring changes difficult (no gain knobs) but others are more flexible.
- 32bit encourages more work in post: A few minutes getting it right in the moment can save hours trying to “fix it in the mix”. It looks cool in a YouTube video to recover clipped peaks and boost inaudible whispers, but do you want to do that with everything you record?
- 32bit doesn’t guarantee good quality: 32bit float is just a file format. If the mic preamps are cheaply designed then your recordings will be noisier than a good 24bit recorder. (See the Zoom “essential” series for an example of the problem.)
- A good summary video from Curtis Judd
Why not use a smartphone?
- The built-in mic and preamp on a smartphone has no wind protection, does not support stereo recording, and adds considerable hiss to quiet sources. (You can get better quality by using a snap-on accessory like the Rode iXY that bypasses the phone’s mic and preamp. These often cost as much as a dedicated audio recorder though.)
- The voice-recording app on your phone probably doesn’t support live headphone monitoring, so you have no idea what you recorded until you play it back. (There are apps that can enable this feature, but many have other annoying problems.)
- There’s an excellent roundup of smartphone recording info on the Wild Mountain Echoes field-recording blog. (When I checked in 2017 it hadn’t been updated to reflect the unfortunate disappearance of headphone jacks on many phones.)
Best Tiny Hand-Held Recorders:
The main advantage of these recorders is their small size. (The best recorder is the one you brought with you!) The microphone inputs are small 3.5mm jacks (like headphones), not professional XLR jacks, so most good mics will require adapters. These recorders typically run a long time on each set of batteries, but have noisier preamps than their larger cousins. (There are several great discontinued recorders like the Roland R-05 and Sony PCM-M10 that have great preamps. Nice if you can find one used.)
- This recorder is probably being discontinued in 2025. Zoom introduced the 32bit H1essential in 2024 as a replacement, but it’s not very good.
- Tip: These recorders come in different colors like grey and red that are sometimes cheaper. They are electrically identical to the black one!
- A good value for micro budgets. Historically, Zoom recorders have been popular because they’re cheap, not necessarily because they sound good. The H1n is the 2018 update to the previous H1. There are many user-interface improvements and it’s a great all-around recorder for beginners.
- Hissy compared to more expensive recorders. (It’s predecessor had A-weighted EIN: -112 dBu.) As far as I know, there are no similarly-sized recorders with better preamps, so we’ll need to take what we can get.
- Decent built-in stereo mics, but not recommended for quiet sources due to preamp noise and handling noise.
- All Zoom recorders also function as USB audio interfaces, so you can connect mics to your computer and record live to Reaper, Logic, Pro Tools ,etc.
- Transom has an in-depth review
- This recorder is probably being discontinued in 2024. Zoom introduced the 32bit H1essential and the prices of the H1n have dropped a lot.
- Not recommended
- Hissy (no better than the older H1n)
- 32bit only (no 16 or 24 bit recording)
- No gain knob or limiter
- Very bad handling noise. You really can’t hand-hold it while recording. (much worse than the already bad H1n)
- Pro: Complete multilingual voice prompts for blind or visually impaired users.
- Pro: It can record in mono mode (The earlier H1n was stereo only.)
- Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upAzEX4kexY
Best Recorders With XLR Inputs <$400:
These recorders may be larger, but they have XLR inputs (with phantom power) for professional mics. Battery life is usually not as impressive as tiny hand-held recorders.
- Best tiny recorder with XLR inputs and 32bit format
- It records in 32bit float format, so you don’t need to set recording levels! (Scroll down for more recorders with this feature.)
- Excellent mic preamps (A-weighted EIN: -127 dBu). There is noticeably less hiss than Zoom H-series recorders below, barely distinguishable from Sound Devices and other high-end recorders.
- 192kHz samplerate for recording ultrasound (for capturing bat calls, or pitch shifts for sound design) The analog outputs also perform well at ultrasound frequencies: The line out is only -1dB at 85kHz. The headphone out is -1.9dB at 85kHz.
- Rugged metal body that literally fits in the palm of your hand. It’s not really designed for over-the-shoulder use, but you can put it in a belt pack or sling bag, or get creative with velcro straps looped through the metal rails.
- All Zoom recorders also function as USB audio interfaces, so you can connect mics to your computer.
- 2x AA battery life is mediocre (2-3hrs with phantom power enabled) but no worse than other pro-level recorders, and extendable via a USB-C power bank.
- No 1/8″ mic input, which is disappointing. The recorder pairs very well with low noise electret mics (DIY with Primo or PUI capsules, LOM Usi, FEL Clippy, etc). The capsules in those mics are designed for 1/8″ cables and low voltage “plug-in-power.” To use them with the F3 you need to get the XLR version of the mics (slightly more expensive), or add 2 powered XLR – 1/8″ adapters to the 1/8″ mics. In either case you’ll need to keep phantom power enabled (which drains the recorder’s batteries quickly).
- Acoustic Nature has and excellent in-depth review.
Zoom H Series Recorders
The older Zoom H4 (and later H4n) had the low end market cornered for years despite being hissy, flimsy, and full of weird user-interface quirks. Thankfully they started releasing much smarter H series recorders in 2013 with improved preamps, smarter user-interfaces, and snap-on interchangeable mic modules. (They also released the H4n Pro which includes the updated preamps but retains the other quirks, so I don’t recommend it.) In the 2020s they released the “essential” series with 32bit recording, but they’re generally not great.
- Best mix of small size, reasonable price, low(ish) noise (A-weighted EIN: -121 dBu), good battery life, and good user interface
- Probably being discontinued in 2024 (in favor of 32bit “essential” series)
- 2 XLR inputs with phantom power
- Includes a snap-on XY cardioid mic module with a nice stereo spread (+ 1/8″ input with plug-in power). The XLR and snap-on module inputs can be recorded simultaneously for a total of 4 tracks.
- If you buy the snap-on EXH-6 input module to replace the XY mics you can record 4 XLR inputs simultaneously (without phantom power on the second pair).
- Good battery life considering it runs on 2x AA batteries
- All Zoom recorders also function as USB audio interfaces, so you can connect mics to your computer.
- In-depth review from transom.org.
- I’ve noticed that the low-cut filter and limiter are digital, and thus worthless (since a low rumble from your mic will clip the digital converter before the signal gets filtered or limited). This is a sad oversight indeed.
- Not recommended
- This a 32bit version of the older H4, but it sounds worse and is missing features.
- Noisier than what it replaced. You will hear hiss when recording quiet sounds!
- No gain knobs so you’ll need to boost or cut all files in post
- Pro: Complete multilingual voice prompts for blind or visually impaired users.
- Curtis Judd review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MsmGfaQeaQ
- Probably being discontinued in 2024 (in favor of 32bit “essential” series)
- The H6 is like the H5 but bigger: It has 4 onboard XLR inputs, plus the included XY mic module like the H5.
- The H8 is a beast with 6 XLR inputs sticking out in all directions, plus the included XY mic module.
- Same noise performance as H5 (A-weighted EIN: -121 dBu)
- 6 tracks of simultaneous recording (nice for surround recording, panel discussions…)
- Weird physical design: seems like it should be camera-mounted but it’s huge, has a color LCD that you can’t see well outside, wires coming out of all sides, no easy way to use it over the shoulder.
- Like the H5 above, the low-cut filter and limiter are digital, and thus worthless (since a low rumble from your mic will clip the digital converter before the signal gets filtered or limited).
- This a 32bit version of the older H6. Otherwise it doesn’t sound any better, and is missing some features. Overall, it’s probably the best of the “essential” series but none of them are compelling upgrades.
- Same noise floor as the recorder it replaces.
- No 3.5mm input for “plug-in-power” mics
- No gain knobs
- The built-in mic module sounds better than the H4essential, but no better than the older H6. It’s removable, but uses a new design that isn’t backwards-compatible with the older series recorders.
- Pro: Complete multilingual voice prompts for blind or visually impaired users.
- (Also see the upgraded Tascam DR-701D, now discontinued but available used. I describe both below.)
- These recorders are the cheapest way to get 4 excellent preamps & shoulder-hung form-factor.
- 4 XLR mic inputs with phantom power + stereo 1/8″ mic input with plug-in-power (any 4 recordable simultaneously)
- Great low-noise mic preamps (70D: -126 dBu, 701D: -128 dBu A-weighted EIN, both better than Zoom H series)
- Limiters are digital, so they don’t protect against severe clipping (typical for this price range)
- Designed to mount on/under a DSLR, or hung from a shoulder strap, so it hangs with the meters facing you, essential for many field recording situations.
- The internal mics are omnis and mediocre, but shoulderable recorders are not really designed for hand-holding, so that’s nothing to complain about.
- Battery life isn’t great using 4x AA, but you can power via USB power banks. (Other multichannel recorders also have short battery life when using AA cells.)
- I find the menu pretty cumbersome, but there are shortcuts to simplify it.
- 701D improvements over 70D: Metal chassis with more durable connectors, better preamps, 192kHz sampling (in stereo mode only), SMPTE TC generator with HDMI & BNC inputs, can monitor individual channels during recording (a very useful thing).
- 70D reviews from transom.org and Sam Mallery.
- 701D reviews from Sam Mallery and Curtis Judd
Pro “Field Mixer” Recorders
The following recorders are on the affordable end of the spectrum of professional film sound machines. They’re designed to hang from the shoulder with all controls facing up so you can operate them in a bag. (This leaves your hands free to hold mics and such.) They have better preamps and ergonomics than most of the recorders above, but they’re more expensive. They record each input to its own “iso” track and also produce a stereo mix. The physical knobs can usually be mapped to control the input gain of each track (called “trim”) or the track’s presence in the stereo mix (called “fader”). Each recorder has its own way of handling these assignments, some better than others.
Sound Devices MixPre Recorders
This company have been the standard on film sets and field-recording locations for years. They have the best preamps and ergonomics you can buy. They are expensive but they hold their value on the used market. NOTE: In late 2019 Sound Devices released version II of these recorders, which are described here. They added 32-bit recording and internal timecode generators. The original series sounds just as good. They are common on the used market – a great option if your budget is tight and you don’t need the new features of the version II recorders.
MixPre-3 II: $895
MixPre-6 II: $1000
(There are more recorders in the MixPre series but I focus on these because they’re the most affordable)
- Awesome preamps. (A-weighted EIN: -130 dBu)
- All-metal construction, thoughtfully designed.
- The MixPre-3 has 3 XLR inputs (no 1/4″ inputs) & an 1/8″ stereo input with plugin-power. It can record a maximum of 3 inputs simultaneously. (2023 update: The $79 +2 plugin adds 2 more simultaneous tracks)
- The MixPre-6 has 4 XLR inputs (each accepts 1/4″ too) & an 1/8″ stereo input with plugin-power. It can record all 6 simultaneously. It can also record in ambisonic formats with headphone decoding to stereo.
- In 16 or 24-bit mode, the limiters are analog and very transparent, so unexpected loud signals generally won’t overload the digital section of the recorder. (This video illustrates why this is important.)
- Optional 32-bit recording modes means you don’t need to set input levels anymore. Loud sounds won’t clip and cause distortion (and limiters are disabled). Great for unattended recordings or very dynamic situations.
- Internal timecode generator for syncing with cameras.
- Both recorders support 192kHz sample-rates, so you could capture ultrasound signals and slow them down to become audible.
- Touch-screen interface is very intuitive, and channel setup is very quick. (Push a channel knob to immediately access its settings like routing, HPF, phantom power, linking…) Unfortunately the headphone knob is difficult to reach when recorder is in a bag.
- The gain adjustment is very configurable: In “advanced” mode the physical knobs are faders and you need to click them to adjust trim. In “basic” mode the knobs control trim and the faders are basically locked at unity gain. This is great if you care more about the ISO’s rather than the stereo mix. Transom has a very thorough explanation of this in their MixPre User’s Guide.
- Very power-hungry. The included 4xAA battery sled will only last about 2hrs. Most people buy the adapter to mount Sony camcorder batteries on the back, but it costs extra and it’s physically awkward (see reviews). I made my own DIY battery backpack for mine.
- Both recorders function as “class compliant” USB audio interfaces, so they generally don’t need drivers. (The max sample-rate in this mode is 96kHz for both recorders.)
- I have extensively used the MixPre-6 (original version). See my notes about it here
- Review from Transom (focused on journalism and podcasting) (original version)
- Short review from sound artist Jez Riley French (original version)
- Review from SFX field-recordist Zdravko Djordjevic (original version)
- Video review from Curtis Judd (version II)
Zoom F Series Recorders
These are an attempt to steal the “pro” market away from Sound Devices. They are doing a good job too! The preamps beat the Zoom H series recorders handily. They have smart physical and user-interface design, good display and metering, and they’re designed for ergonomic over the shoulder operation. Build quality is better than cheaper Zoom recorders but probably not as durable as the Sound Devices MixPre series.
Zoom F4
$used
- Discontinued, but widely available used.
- 4 XLR inputs (each accepts 1/4″ too) with phantom power + a special connector for Zoom’s mic modules, for total of 6 tracks of simultaneous recording.
- Awesome preamps. (A-weighted EIN: -127 dBu)
- The limiters and low-cut filters are not very useful, since they’re actually just software. This video illustrates the problem.
- It costs less than the cheapest Sound devices recorder, but has more inputs.
- Internal timecode generator for syncing with cameras.
- This recorder is larger but easier to use compared to the newer F6 below. The knobs are larger, it has more dedicated buttons, and the menu and metering are very clear and intuitive.
- You can assign the front panel knobs to be either trims or faders, depending on which view is selected on the screen.
- Review
- This tiny recorder was release several years after its F series siblings. It has identical preamps but differs in other important ways. At the moment I find it very annoying to use, but it has the best price/performance ratio if you want 32bit recording and > 2 XLR inputs. Many people love it.
- 6 XLR inputs (No 1/4″ or 1/8″ inputs so you’ll need adapters for those).
- Awesome preamps. (A-weighted EIN: -127 dBu)
- 32-bit recording
- Internal timecode generator for syncing with cameras.
- Excellent battery life (4x internal AA batteries last over 3 hours with all 6 channels running at 32bit / 192kHz + phantom power. Put a Sony camcorder battery on the back for much longer runtime, or use USB-C power.)
- I think the user-interface is terrible! It has no relationship to the reasonable controls of the F4 or F8, or the wonderful interface of the Sound Devices recorders. (Maybe this is just me though.) Like it’s smaller sibling, the Zoom F3, this recorder is best for “set it and forget it” roles, rather than field mixer roles. If you need to send a competent mix to camera while recording ISOs, this recorder will frustrate you.
– The knobs are tiny, and in linear mode they function as faders only, not trim. This can be addressed with a menu setting in 32bit mode, but in linear mode you need to click 2 pages deep into the menu (no touch screen) and using up/down buttons to adjust the trim. Not fun while your signal is clipping! (Irrelevant in 32-bit mode because it won’t clip.)
– Linking channels requires lots of menu wrangling and the trim linking is totally separate so you need to do everything twice.
– Not all buttons are backlit, so it’s hard to see in the dark
– The red indicators on each channel knob don’t blink when the signal clips (like they do on other Zoom recorders) and the screen is very small, so it’s hard to notice clipping if you’re far away. (Irrelevant in 32-bit mode because it won’t clip.) - Review by Curtis Judd.
Zoom F8n Pro
$1,100
- 8 XLR inputs (each accepts 1/4″ too) with phantom power + a special connector for Zoom’s mic modules, for total of 10 tracks of simultaneous recording.
- Awesome preamps. (A-weighted EIN: -127 dBu)
- 32-bit recording
- The limiters and low-cut filters are not very useful, since they’re actually just software. (This video illustrates the problem.) But with 32bit recording it doesn’t matter.
- Internal timecode generator for syncing with cameras.
- This recorder is larger than the F6 above, but much easier to use. The knobs are larger, it has more dedicated buttons, and the menu and metering are very clear and intuitive.
- You can assign the front panel knobs to be either trims or faders, depending on which view is selected on the screen.
- It has a “slate mic” (a tiny onboard mic so you can “voice-slate” your takes each time you press record). This sounds small but it’s really useful, especially if your mics are far from your recorder (underwater?) so there’s no other way to verbally mark your takes.
- Review of older 24bit version
Radio Lav Replacements:
These tiny recorders are designed to replace expensive wireless lavaliere mics. You set the levels, start recording, and conceal it on an actor’s body as they perform. Then you sync the sound to picture later. They can be useful for other purposes too, like environmental monitoring.
Zoom F1
$170
- Includes a mono lav mic (but supports external stereo mics with 1/8″ plugs)
- This is basically the same electronics and great user-interface as the Zoom H1n, but in a more rugged package and no built-in mics.
- A little bigger than the Tascam below.
- Runs for 10 hours on 2x AAA batteries
- 32-bit recording (upgraded from earlier non “pro” version)
- It records only in mono
- Includes a mono lav mic.
- Bluetooth support (with optional adapter)
- timecode support
- Runs for 8 hours on a single AAA battery
Low Noise Miniature Microphones:
These are not the expensive industry-standard production lav mics (Countryman B6, Sanken Cos11, etc). Instead I’m listing inexpensive tiny mics that are more appropriate for putting in your ears, or under rocks, or tied to kites! Transom has a great guide to Lavelier Mics to get you started.
- The mic manufacturers below use the same handful of mic capsules. Mics with the same capsule will sound the same, but are distinguished by different case designs, cable strategies, matched pairs, accessories, etc.
- The 10mm omnidirectional Primo EM272 capsule has very low self-noise (14 dB). This is much less than traditional lav mics, so they are great for quiet sources. It has a more “mellow” high-frequency response though, so it may need an EQ boost above 10kHz (somewhat negating the noise advantage).
- The 6mm omnidirectional Primo EM258 capsule has higher self-noise (22 dB) but a brighter character that needs no EQ. It sounds very similar to expensive lavs like the DPA 4060. It also has useful response into the ultrasound range.
- Cardioid mic capsules like the Primo EM204 / EM423 have low self-noise and balanced frequency response. They compare favorably with many studio mics.
- Most of these mics are very compact. They can be clipped to glasses or a headband to produce binaural-style recordings, or attached to tree branches, tripods, etc.
- Mics with 1/8″ cables require “Plug-in Power” (for small recorders).
- Mics with XLR cables requires phantom power.
- UK-based seller (but shipping is easy to North America and elsewhere)
- Individual mics, matched stereo pairs, and DIY parts (including raw mic capsules to make your own mics)
- They have mics based on the Primo EM272, Primo EM258, and other capsules (including ultrasonic-capable mics)
- Example price: Approx $140 + ship for a stereo pair of 10mm capsules
- US-based seller
- Modular mics in 2 sizes (13mm and 20mm diameters) with cables to accommodate 1/8″ or XLR connections.
- They have mics based on the Primo EM172, Primo EM258, and Primo EM423.
- Example price: Approx $200 + ship for a stereo pair of 10mm capsules with 1/8″ connector
- France-based seller
- Individual mics, pairs, and clever designs to fit common recorders (effectively adding “built-in” mics to recorders that lack them).
- They don’t publish their mic capsules, but the specs are similar to the others I show here. (The 10mm capsules look like PUI 5024, which are very similar to Primo EM272.)
- Example price: Approx $105 + ship for a stereo pair of 10mm capsules with 1/8″ connector
- Slovakia-based seller (the first to commercialize these DIY-inspired inexpensive mini mics)
- Individual mics, pairs, and a full range of mounts and accessories.
- Supplies are very limited. (Productions runs happen in batches that sell out quickly.)
- Example price: Approx $115 + ship for a stereo pair of 10mm capsules with 1/8″ connector
- Follow the link for my post about building very low noise omnidirectional mics from inexpensive capsules. They will sound very similar to the mics above, but very cheap and customizable.
- Price varies, but the capsules can be as low as $3 each!
Stereo Microphones:
Some recorders have stereo mics already built-in, but external options encourage more creative mic placements and (often) less hiss too.
- These Rode stereo mics are designed for camera mounting (which is usually the worst place for a mic, BTW) but they are reasonably small so they’re easily adapted for hand-holding or mounting on a boom pole.
- The Stereo VideoMic Pro is a good price/performance compromise, and it comes with a shockmount and windscreen. It’s powered by a common 9v battery and it sounds great for the price. It has an 1/8″ output so you’ll need an adapter to plug into the XLR inputs on some recorders.
- The Stereo VideoMic X is extremely flexible (9v battery or phantom, XLR or 1/8″ outputs) and much lower noise (12 dB) for extremely clean recordings in quiet settings. It’s expensive but seriously well-made and comes in a kit with 2 windscreens. It’s a bit heavy, and you need to press a button to turn it on, even when phantom-powered (which makes it less convenient).
- This one-piece stereo mic is expensive but it has remarkable stereo imaging and very low noise (subjectively less noise than the excellent Rode Stereo Mic X above), remarkably better than the mikes built into any recorder I’ve tried.
- Stereo imaging is very wide, but there is a bit of a “hole” in the middle. It’s a good mic for capturing the ambience of a place, but not for highlighting solo foreground sounds.
- It requires phantom power and is a bit heavy for field use.
- I modified mine to make it shorter/lighter and 3D-printed some wind protection.
Camera-Top Shotgun Microphones:
These mics are designed to mount on top of your camera (although that’s the worst place to put a mic – get it closer to the action!). Previous camera-top shotguns have tended to be hissy, harsh, and not very directional. The ones below are much better. Both have 1/8″ outputs with special circuitry to accommodate the different wiring for mobile devices, cameras, and audio recorders. They both have manual audio levels and other pro features but they don’t sound as good as larger shotguns.
$99
- Deity is a new-ish Chinese company that has been making very impressive microphones.
- Includes windscreens and shockmount
- Uses AAA battery
- 1/8″ output, or can be directly attached to computers and phones via USB-C
- Self-noise: 12 dB (A-weighted)
- Curtis Judd video review
- Similar to the Deity mic above, but doesn’t come with a fur windscreen so you’ll need to buy one to use the mic outdoors.
- Self-noise: 15 dB (A-weighted)
- 10 year warranty (if you buy from a legit reseller and register the mic online)
- Curtis Judd video review
Small XLR Shotgun Microphones:
In recent years there have been several shotguns that are shorter & lighter than the traditional foot-long form factor but sound fantastic.
$320
- Deity is a new-ish Chinese company that has been making very impressive microphones. This is a shorter version of their well-regarded S-Mic 2 (see below).
- The tone is more muffled than the NTG5 below, and it’s slightly noisier, but it’s tiny, cheap, and sounds good.
- Self-noise: 15 dB (A-weighted)
- Very moisture-resistant
- 6″ long
- Curtis Judd video review
$500
- This is my overall recommendation for best shotgun mic.
- This mic is shorter, lighter and cheaper than Rode’s “flagship” NTG3 shotgun, and sounds slightly better too (less exaggerated bass, more clarity). It’s quite amazing, comparing very favorably with the Sennheiser MKH416 (> $1000).
- Exceptionally low self-noise: 10 dB (A-weighted)
- RF-biased technology is immune to high humidity.
- Includes softie and shock-mount, so it’s a really good deal.
- 10 year warranty (if you buy from a legit reseller and register the mic online)
- 8″ long
- Curtis Judd video review
Traditional Shotgun Microphones:
This is a selection of common “foot-long” shotguns that have been used for years in motion picture work.
$360
- Deity is a new-ish Chinese company that has been making very impressive microphones. This one is a blatant ripoff of the venerated Sennheiser MKH416 (see below) and it sounds really good.
- Self-noise: 12 dB (A-weighted)
- Curtis Judd has an excellent “first impressions” review comparing it to the much more expensive DPA 4017B and the similarly-priced Rode NTG4+.
- One question: Will you be able to get it repaired 10 years from now, like Sennheiser & Rode? Hmm.
- This “RF biased” shotgun sounds similar to the Sennheiser MKH series below, with a different noise character and more bass (which can be a problem if your recorder lacks an analog high-pass filter option).
- Self-noise: 13 dB (A-weighted)
- Rode mics have 10 year warranties and excellent support
- (Rode’s cheaper NTG2 mic has much less gain and is noisier and less directional – avoid it)
- These expensive “RF biased” mics set the gold standard for shotguns for 30 years. They sound amazing and are very moisture-resistant and durable. However, the cheaper options above are generally just as good.
- The real benefit of such an expensive mic is long-term repair: Sennheiser can fix your mic or sell you parts for many years to come.
- Self-noise: 13 dB (A-weighted)
- The 416,60, and 8060 are from different eras with different sounds, but they all sound great.
Recording Phone Calls and Remote Interviews:
I often get asked the best way to record phone calls, voicemails, and remote interviews.
- “Double-Ender” Remote Interview: With this technique, you and your interviewee connect through a compressed channel (usually a laptop/tablet running Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, etc) while monitoring with headphones. Using a separate device (phone) you both record your side of the conversation and the interviewee sends their file back to you. If your interviewee has some technical competence and a smartphone, this will give you the best audio quality and flexibility in the edit. It doesn’t require any advanced tech, gives each voice its own track in the edit, and avoids the heavy data compression and echo-cancelling algorithms of your video chat software
Tips for Recording Professional Audio Remotely from Berkeley’s Journalism School
The Secret to Interviewing Remote Podcast Guests: The “Double Ender” Technique from Glow.fm - Transom has a guide to Recording Cellular Phone Calls that covers just about every common case besides the double-ender technique above. It’s clear, comprehensive, covers a variety of budgets, and includes sound samples of various techniques.
Links:
- Quiet American Links Page
excellent advice from field-recordist Aaron Ximm (aka Quiet American) - Transom Tools Portable Digital Recorder Comparison
Recorders reviewed from the perspective of radio journalism
- Microphone Input Noise Comparison from avisoft.com
comparison of mic preamp hiss levels for many recorders – very important stuff! - Sound Recording in the Field from avisoft.com
great tutorial about selecting and using mics and recorders for field-recording - naturerecordists Yahoo group
an email group archive with tons of specific info about mikes and recorders - Portable Recorder Sound Samples from Wingfield Audio
samples recorded with built-in mikes, which doesn’t necessarily reflect how they would sound with “real” mikes - Great recorder advice from Robin Parmar’s “Theatre of Noise” site
- Field recording in South-East Asia – practical advice from the LOM recordings site
- Paul Virostek’s creativefieldrecording.com has in-depth articles about choosing gear, based on interviews with prominent recordists. I especially like his description of the “gear gap” between affordable and expensive recording technology, and his suggestions for how to fill that gap by identifying goals, developing skills, and pursuing a modular approach to your equipment.
