Entry Level Recording Kit: Gear Recommendations

Thanks for all of your super information! Very helpful as I'm just learning!

Can you do an update, please 🙏🏼

As to wind protection, don't stop at the zepplin; get a fur high wind cover. It makes all the difference. Well worth the expense if you're outdoors.

Great to see a video about a low cost boom n bag rig for people starting out and wanting professional level audio. This rig is almost exactly like the low cost rig I recommend for cinematography students. The Tascam DR-70d recorders are now selling on ebay for less than $125 used including shipping.
An addition. Movo makes a dual channel UHF based lav kit, Movo WMX-20-DUO (Not WMX70/WMX80) that comes with separate lav mics for less than $125 used on ebay.
A change I would suggest is the Neewer carbon fiber boom pole for about $100 new on ebay.
Thanks again.

What type of mic would you recommend for recording outside or inside ambience as well as room tone? I would like to record/hear every5hing that is going on in all directions.

Very good video, and I couldn't agree more. Love my Tascam DR-70. Got a good deal on a Rode NTG3 with a Rode blimp and used Rode NTG2 with the Rode deadcat and a boompole. For microphone stands, I'd recommend the Hercules 631 or 633 stand, it's decent, has a clip on microphone clip and the 'arm' nicely disappears into the main body of the stand.

It all starts with low noise, wind free, stable standing microphones and silent recordings.

Keep making these videos! ❤

First of all, I have to thank you for the detailed and user-friendly video. Second, I'm just getting into this world myself, and I'm wondering what kind of low noise xlr cable would be suitable, and what program you use to process the sounds. Thanks again and good luck

I was hoping you would mention the Rode NTG3 over the NTG4

Which microphone would u suggest to a naturalist ( ambience/ nature /streams etc).
My current set-up:
Recorder: Zoom H5 and F3
Microphone: Sennheiser mke600 , Rode stereo videomic pro( which i bought for my canon7d),is in good condition,
Got aRodeM3 for general ( all purpose) use.

u the guy from sennheiser hhhhhh

Found your channel through Potato Jet and I cannot stop watching your videos! So informative and you can tell that you know what you’re talking about. Very smooth speaker and of course your audio is always spot on! Thanks for providing all this knowledge!

For making ambient, this would be good once I can afford and prepare.

Thank you fantastic (tutorial). Please consider making mor for us beginners

So is timecode generation not necessary in an entry level rig for video sound? Would editors just be happy using clapperboard sync?

Great Video. Funny, when you compared 10-year-old (Tascam HD-P2) and 5-year-old (Marantz 671) Technology, I had both those recorders sitting on my desk. I also recently got the Tascam DR-70D, and I wondered how it compared to the Tascam & Marantz. I was also thinking of getting the Zoom R5, but after watching your video, I'll stick with the Tascam 70D!

Thanks for your video, could you help me with something, I need to find a way to make a live program, and I need to use the mic directly to the computer, so far I have not been able to know which one or what devices I do need for that, so far I'm uploading videos, and the recorder works great, but for live programs, I just don't know, I have been in a couple of professional stores and the guys there don't know about it. Thanks for your imput

I just baught Rode NTG-3 and I am not sure which audio interface I should buy. I came across RODECaster Pro II which sound really good but not sure if its over kill for my use case. To give you the context of my usage is that I am intended to record video cources in my home studio and possibly do live streaming. But I am not intended to do any music production etc.. so not sure if I should go with this seemingly high end Rode Caster pro 2 or choose something more simpler and cheap that do the job for my use case.

Please share your thoughts and advice. Thanks in advance and and keep rocking great content man!

Make a video for a medium and advanced level kit.

If I wanna start with a 416 do you think it's a waste of money Alex? BH recommended a Sony D10 for that as a recorder - thoughts? I wanted to get an MKE600 vs a 416 but I wasn't sure. I keep reading from pros that mke 600 is not a pro mic, and I better dish out money once; also 416 is dealing well with moisture. I am a photogrpaher starting to DP commercials and I am doing my own sound for now; I am the kind of guy who buys top good gear and learns to use it properly - I hate limiting factors in gear because I outgrow gear. (thanks for the channel)

thanks a lot

Could I pair a field recording with video from an Insta360 one RS in post production?

Appreciate the recommendations, just about to graduate from my sound design degree and looking to invest in a solid starter field recording kit in order to look for work.
I've got a pretty well spec'd out desktop recording/editing set-up but decided it's high time to shelf the ZOOM H2n for something more professional.

good! just need a bag ond a trolley to bring everything to the set :P

i bought a Zoom H6. do you think it's good enough to begin with it for dialog and music ?

Nice video- thanks- Are your recommendations about the same still (for mics and recorders)??

You guys have no idea how cheap recording technology has become. Back in the day, (the dawn of digital) your recording studio was worth more than your house.

This is excellent advice - I'm so glad I've found your channel. TY! Can you offer any advice for a beginner looking to record very directional wildlife sounds such as bird songs please?

I've noticed how often dialogue sounds 'dead', no ambience at all. And other films have amazing sound. Is it done in post or what? How do you get that 'full' sound? Hope that makes sense. Love your channel!

thoughts on Synco D2?

You got THE BEST field recording channel on the internet, Alex.
Why is it so underrated??

Hey Alex, Hoobilly here and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!.. I remember seeing Tascam Porta 1 being the first budget battery operated "field recorder" back in the 80s, so...
So now latter in life, I'm getting into this world of "Field Recording" out in the woods.. What phantom powered mics would you recommend for this use? And would you recommend them or battery powered??

Thanks!

More than I want to spend at this point, but it gives me a better idea of what I need to aim for. Really great vid, thanks so much.

are the Audio Technika ATH M50x a good alternative to the Sony MDR 7506?

good tips.. don't forget decent XLR cables without tab holes so they don't get stuck in your gear

I have the Tascam DR40X, is it good enough to use with the shotgun mics you recommended or I should upgrade to the Tascam 60D - MKII?

Very underrated channel! This guy know his s.... ! Amazing content. Found him thanks to @PotatoJet

a little handheld sony recorder which is one of the best handheld recorders ever made

I'd like to use earbuds for myself and use a headphone splitter for overears I'd keep on my belt for anyone who wants a listen.
Except, on set I'd often have one ear free of headphones between takes, so maybe that won't work

Thank you!!!

What Do you think of the rode ai 1 as an interface

Thanks as always man. Appreciate your videos very much.

I'm very glad I discovered this channel. Thanks a lot!

Those "entry" level suggestions are way too advanced and expensive for entry level, it's already Level 2 or even 3 (i can spend 270$ and no more, but still want audio good enough for selling)

I'll share ear buds, is there any other reason not to use them

what stereo matched pair would you suggest for stereo recordings on the field or in live events? i was looking for a pair of akg 414 but being told they have a too much peculiar sound to be an all round solution. maybe a pair of nt2 from rode? or better to stay on 2 pensil mics?

how to mount a boom mic overhead?

Clearly the word " budget" doesn't mean the same for everyone

And now I feel bad for buying the Zoom H5 instead of the Tascams 🙃