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Portable Recorder for Podcast "Foley" work

Luke19Boarder

Luke19Boarder

Jul 5, 2001
1,524
2,083
Chicago, IL
lwke.bandcamp.com
#1
Hello!

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, as it's not specifically about recording bass ... but I'm hoping I can get a good answer...

The most recent project that I've become a part of is a podcast with a bunch of friends. I recorded a half dozen episodes last weekend, which is all well and good, but now I am tasked with recording all of the non-vocal sound effects (footsteps, doors opening and closing, general background noises, some ripping and tearing, etc...).

I am looking to pick up a portable recorder for this, but I'm not exactly sure which one will be best for me. Really, I'm wondering if it's worth spending more for one of them that has phantom power and external mic inputs.

http://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-DR-05-P...dheld+recorder

http://www.amazon.com/DR-40-4-Track-...dheld+recorder

Those are two of them that I am considering. Will the internal mic of the less expensive one be of high enough quality, or should I splurge for the more expensive one, and use an external mic?

As far as external mics, I have an sm58 and the MXL 990/991 pair (which I used for all the voice tracking).

Any input is greatly appreciated - Thanks!
 
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#2
If you want to do it yourself, many many of these portable recorders with the built in mics are great. Tough choice. There's no clear better.

There are all kinds of sound effects libraries and sites.

Foley is all about substituting one sound for what people think it should sound like. Every punch sound in a movie is not really what a punch sounds like. Stabbing in Phycho was a shovel in dirt.

You might be surprised how unrealistic that real samples sound. No matter how good of recorder you get expect to post process it to get it to sound real. Just like you have to do with recording a bass. :)
 
#3
I have the Tascam DR40 and LOVE it.

When our acoustic trio jams at my place, i have each of the two internal mics splayed outwards,pointing at each guitarist. I plug my DI into one of the external mic / line inputs.
What I get is total separation of the three of us. The internal mics pick up the guitar and voice of the person in front of it with no spillage from the other guitarist or my bass amp.
Really easy to use. Pretty good battery life too.
Easy to transfer files via USB to a PC. Very high quality recordings can be made with this.
Hope this helps you
 
#4
seamonkey said:
If you want to do it yourself, many many of these portable recorders with the built in mics are great. Tough choice. There's no clear better.

There are all kinds of sound effects libraries and sites.

Foley is all about substituting one sound for what people think it should sound like. Every punch sound in a movie is not really what a punch sounds like. Stabbing in Phycho was a shovel in dirt.

You might be surprised how unrealistic that real samples sound. No matter how good of recorder you get expect to post process it to get it to sound real. Just like you have to do with recording a bass. :)
Click to expand...

I've scoured the internet for effects libraries and whatnot ... I've found a handful of sounds that are usable for this project, but there are a number of sounds that are pretty specific to some scenes that I'm going to have to capture myself.

I'm definitely planning on doing a lot of post processing to get a natural sound with everything. One of the big issues that I've found with online sound libraries is that there isn't consistency between the samples ... different qualities, vastly different room tones, etc ... I think by recording the majority of them myself, I'll be able to keep them sounding relatively consistent/believable.

Thanks for the input!
 
#5
BazzTard said:
I have the Tascam DR40 and LOVE it.

When our acoustic trio jams at my place, i have each of the two internal mics splayed outwards,pointing at each guitarist. I plug my DI into one of the external mic / line inputs.
What I get is total separation of the three of us. The internal mics pick up the guitar and voice of the person in front of it with no spillage from the other guitarist or my bass amp.
Really easy to use. Pretty good battery life too.
Easy to transfer files via USB to a PC. Very high quality recordings can be made with this.
Hope this helps you
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input - I think I'm going to go with either the DR-40, or the Zoom H4N ... I've been recommended that as well.

Amazon.com: Zoom H4N Handy Portable Digital Recorder: Musical Instruments
 
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#9
BazzTard said:
dont forget to post a link when it's all done

best of luck with it

PS yes the Zoom models are great too
Click to expand...

Thanks - It's going to be a while before any of it is released, I think we are talking about early-mid July for the first episode (we want to have 6 more episodes written before we start releasing them).

I think I'm leaning toward the zoom H4 unless there are any objections?
 
#10
The build quality on the ZOOM is better but to me that's its only strong point against the DR-40.

I like the menu on the tascam better.

I do video work and use these recorders for syncing in audio later in post. So I've used the H4N, DR-40, and DR-100mkii quite extensively. They all sound no better than the other so either one will do.

However, my vote would be for the DR-40.

I also own it as well. :laugh:
 
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