Audio Recorders for Film & Video Production
For ease of browsing, we have moved the recorders onto their own web pages.
Handheld Digital Recorders
(small enough to fit into a shirt pocket)
Marantz PMD620
Compact Digital Recorders
(slightly larger, about the size of a small book, or around the size to fit
into a larger, coat pocket)
Fostex FR2/LE
Marantz PMD660
Standard size portable Digital Recorders
Marantz PMD670 (2 track, non-timecode)
Marantz PMD671 (2-track, non-timecode)
Fostex FR2 and FR2/TC (2-track, with or
without timecode)
Edirol R4 Pro (4-track, with timecode.
Currently, our FAVORITE)
Tascam HD-P2 (2-track, external timecode but
not internal timecode. What were they thinking???)
Recorder Accessories
For NAGRA...
EQE-24 AC Pwr for Nagra $225.00
A new ATN-3 power supply from Nagra sells for $780. This regulated AC power
supply, modified for use with Nagra, is a fraction of that price and does the
same job.
PortaBrace case for Nagra $250.00
Banana to XLR cables $35.00
Custom cables for line level input from a mixer (XLR female to banana) or
line output (banana to XLR male).
Guide to Nagra 4.2 book $15.00
Stereo to Mono hdphone adapter $2.50
We also stock audiotape, empty reels, and batteries for the Nagra.
Save $$$ and Time. Transfer your audio directly into your
video edit system.
  
TX-10VE 59.94 xtal $319.00
Plug this crystal box into the side of your Nagra 4.2 in order to resolve 60
Hz sync down to 59.94 Hz in order to stay in sync with film that was transferred
in telecine to video. Film shot at 24 or 30 fps gets slowed down slightly when
it goes to video. You must resolve your audio at 59.94 to compensate for this.
Transfer your audio to video or non-linear and sync dailies yourself to save
money.
For Tascam DA-P1...
Note that the DA-P1 recorder has been discontinued by Tascam and is no longer
available. Parts are expected to be available for awhile, but will become scarce
over time.
BP-D1 battery for DA-P1 $99.00
PortaBrace DA-P1 case $175.00
Best soft case for the DA-P1 with good padding, pouches, strap.
We stock Sony brand DAT tape in lengths of 60, 90, and 120.
For best results when recording in DAT, you should "retension" your tapes
prior to use. That means fast forwarding them to the end and then rewinding them
to the beginning. This will help reduce dropout due to tape stick, stretch, and
loose residue.
Setting Levels in DIGITAL
When you record too hot on a Nagra, the audio distorts gradually. But in the
digital domain, overmodulation is unacceptable and yields horrible results. On
the other hand, if you record too low on a Nagra, the sound suffers from
inherent tape hiss and system noise. Digital is relatively free from that
problem. Therefore, when recording in digital, it is wiser to record low and
allow yourself plenty of headroom in case of loud peaks. Record your reference
tone around -18 to -24, and consider that your average level for normal dialog.
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We are authorities in production sound recording
for video and filmmaking. We also have lots of accessories for videography; and
are dealers for Casablanca, AVIO, and Renommee
non-linear video editors; as well as turnkey AVID & AVID Liquid (aka
Pinnacle) editing solutions.
If you would like a copy of our
2005/2006 "cowboy cover" catalog (free, of course), please phone or
e-mail us. We are working on a new 2007 catalog, coming later this year.
