Should I get an external recorder vs. Rode VMP?

Hi guys, I would like to get some inputs on whether I should get an external recorder, e.g. Zoom H4n or Tascam DR100, instead of a Rode Videomic Pro? The external recorder pricing is slightly higher and worth considering for future recordings with xlr mics. My questions are:

1) Can I hook up the external recorder to the mic input of my Canon 5D2? Will the built-in mics in the external recorders give me better sound quality than the rode vmp?
2) Is there any horseshoe support and damper for the external recorder?

Thanks!

Magic Lantern with an on camera video mic produces very good audio and is much easier to handle during the editing process, thats what I would start with if I was you..

I have ML on my 600d and have the Zoom H4N and just ordered a Rode VMP. We'll see what happens eh.

The syncing really isn't that big of a deal, really. Just keep your on-boards running.

I find an external recorder (especially one with external inputs like the Zoom h4n or tascam DR-100) are infinitely more useful and more future-ready than just an on-cam shotgun.

Chippy569 wrote in post #13035211
The syncing really isn't that big of a deal, really. Just keep your on-boards running.

I find an external recorder (especially one with external inputs like the Zoom h4n or tascam DR-100) are infinitely more useful and more future-ready than just an on-cam shotgun.

Gotta agree. Although shotguns can be useful in applications, they are just that, mics. They have to be plugged into something. A simple H1n will serve as a mic and as the recorder for a shotgun mic. Not to mention if you get a recorder you can monitor or atleast see your audio levels. I'd say get the recorder first.

BrickR wrote in post #13037724
Not to mention if you get a recorder you can monitor or atleast see your audio levels. I'd say get the recorder first.

He will be able to see audio levels as well as adjust them with magic lantern installed on his camera.

Chippy569 wrote in post #13035211
I find an external recorder (especially one with external inputs like the Zoom h4n or tascam DR-100) are infinitely more useful and more future-ready than just an on-cam shotgun.

David for what it is worth we are in the process of dumping the majority of our wireless gear and will begin utilizing multiple Tascam DR-100 recorders in lieu of wireless.

The decision to do so was after three “out of our control” wireless failures, the last one being the loss of a grooms lav just before the event was to begin due to another wireless system being brought on-line at the last minute by a news crew. The other two failures were systems we didn’t own but where feeding from, however none the less it convinced me for “must do” applications microphones will be phantom powered and hard wired to a camera or recorded on the person.

Wayne

Channel One wrote in post #13039940
David for what it is worth we are in the process of dumping the majority of our wireless gear and will begin utilizing multiple Tascam DR-100 recorders in lieu of wireless.

The decision to do so was after three “out of our control” wireless failures, the last one being the loss of a grooms lav just before the event was to begin due to another wireless system being brought on-line at the last minute by a news crew. The other two failures were systems we didn’t own but where feeding from, however none the less it convinced me for “must do” applications microphones will be phantom powered and hard wired to a camera or recorded on the person.

Wayne

What mics and pre-amps will you be using? I have read elsewhere that some xlr condenser mics do not work well directly with the DR-100 or H4n

Channel One wrote in post #13039940
David for what it is worth we are in the process of dumping the majority of our wireless gear and will begin utilizing multiple Tascam DR-100 recorders in lieu of wireless.

The decision to do so was after three “out of our control” wireless failures, the last one being the loss of a grooms lav just before the event was to begin due to another wireless system being brought on-line at the last minute by a news crew. The other two failures were systems we didn’t own but where feeding from, however none the less it convinced me for “must do” applications microphones will be phantom powered and hard wired to a camera or recorded on the person.

Wayne

Ive been thinking this is a better (and cheaper) route to go myself. I was kicking around maybe the Sony M10 with a CountryMan lav mic. What are you guys going to be using?

mrmarks wrote in post #13040510
What mics and pre-amps will you be using? I have read elsewhere that some xlr condenser mics do not work well directly with the DR-100 or H4n

For lavs we are using Shure SM93’s, very small microphones and they seem to take a licking and keep on ticking, handhelds are couple of old EV 635A’s and just for fun a couple of old, really old EV PL-10’s for recording WHEN IT IS LOUD.

As for why “some” condenser microphones fail to play well with DR-100 or the H4n is something I cannot comment on but the fact they work with neither of those recorders leads me to believe the problem lies on the microphone compatibility side not the DAR.

Wayne

Wayne,

Why not use the H1 instead of dr100's if you're looking for a "wired wireless" solution. Clipping a dr100 onto anyone would be rather bulky. If you're running a lav into the unit anyways, is there that much of a difference between an H1 and a dr100? I would figure you could just dump the h1 into the talent's pocket

ben_r_ wrote in post #13041008
Ive been thinking this is a better (and cheaper) route to go myself. I was kicking around maybe the Sony M10 with a CountryMan lav mic. What are you guys going to be using?

Don't think the Sony supports XLR.

Wayne

gibsonla wrote in post #13042838
Wayne,

Why not use the H1 instead of dr100's if you're looking for a "wired wireless" solution. Clipping a dr100 onto anyone would be rather bulky. If you're running a lav into the unit anyways, is there that much of a difference between an H1 and a dr100? I would figure you could just dump the h1 into the talent's pocket

Again no XLR, no phantom power.

Another of my primary drivers for the Tascam is the rechargeable battery that can be backed up with a dry-cell which equals one less possibility of a fukup.

Wayne

/facepalm

forgot the h1 doesn't have xlr

Channel One wrote in post #13042634
For lavs we are using Shure SM93’s, very small microphones and they seem to take a licking and keep on ticking, handhelds are couple of old EV 635A’s and just for fun a couple of old, really old EV PL-10’s for recording WHEN IT IS LOUD.

As for why “some” condenser microphones fail to play well with DR-100 or the H4n is something I cannot comment on but the fact they work with neither of those recorders leads me to believe the problem lies on the microphone compatibility side not the DAR.

Wayne

Here's an example of the low level issue I'm referring to http://www.dvxuser.com …e/index.php/t-246811.html