Hey all,
I've been doing field recording on my Zoom H4n for about a year, and I think it's time for an upgrade. I was never happy with how much noise there is on the H4n when I turn up a condenser mic. I can get an FR2-le used for a pretty good price, but I'm not sure if it's a big enough upgrade from the H4n to justify $450. Anyone here have any experience with both? Would I be better off spending my money on an external mic preamp?
Field recording: FR2-le vs Zoom H4n
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- KVRAF
- 1973 posts since 3 Jul, 2007 from Denmark
Hi.
I have not any experience with either but I got a Zoom H2 and both Zoom's are known to have noisy preamps. The Fostex is definitely up in a better end, ranking higher than the H4 when it comes to noise floor - see this comparison chart:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable- ... ml#samples
Problem is when you connect an external mic and crank up the volume with quiet ambient field recordings. Your upgrading path would be either be a quiet preamp or a better recorder with better preamp as you mention but I would go for the Fostex if I were you, or a Sound Devices 702 if you can afford it, doesn't get better than that.
I am about to upgrade myself and the Sound Devices 702 is quite tempting.
I have not any experience with either but I got a Zoom H2 and both Zoom's are known to have noisy preamps. The Fostex is definitely up in a better end, ranking higher than the H4 when it comes to noise floor - see this comparison chart:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable- ... ml#samples
Problem is when you connect an external mic and crank up the volume with quiet ambient field recordings. Your upgrading path would be either be a quiet preamp or a better recorder with better preamp as you mention but I would go for the Fostex if I were you, or a Sound Devices 702 if you can afford it, doesn't get better than that.
I am about to upgrade myself and the Sound Devices 702 is quite tempting.
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- KVRAF
- 13794 posts since 19 Jun, 2008 from Seattle
If you choose to ignore the DSLR specific aspects, this is my "upgrade" choice, for all of the recording options... @ $349.00
specs: HERE
[2c]
specs: HERE
[2c]
I'm not a musician, but I've designed sounds that others use to make music. http://soundcloud.com/obsidiananvil
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 588 posts since 3 Oct, 2011
Very nice. Well out of my price range, but I'm sure that by the time I've practiced with the Fostex more, I'll be able to afford a 702. The lower noise floor is what I was going for, so for $450 I've picked up the Fostex with a PortaBrace case included. Not bad, I say. I feel like I've genuinely outgrown the Zoom, and I do feel that damn noise floor.Luftrum wrote:Hi.
I have not any experience with either but I got a Zoom H2 and both Zoom's are known to have noisy preamps. The Fostex is definitely up in a better end, ranking higher than the H4 when it comes to noise floor - see this comparison chart:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable- ... ml#samples
Problem is when you connect an external mic and crank up the volume with quiet ambient field recordings. Your upgrading path would be either be a quiet preamp or a better recorder with better preamp as you mention but I would go for the Fostex if I were you, or a Sound Devices 702 if you can afford it, doesn't get better than that.
I am about to upgrade myself and the Sound Devices 702 is quite tempting.
Do you have any particular recommendations on an external pre-amp?
That looks pretty slick. If I had known about that yesterday, I'd probably have considered it before buying the Fostex. I may still, if I do more videos with my DSLR.Shabdahbriah wrote: specs: HERE
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- KVRAF
- 1973 posts since 3 Jul, 2007 from Denmark
For portability, battery powered? I know the preamps from Naiant are quite popular (at least among tapers) but also the preamps from juicedLink have impressed me judging from their vids on YouTube.Nanakai wrote:
Do you have any particular recommendations on an external pre-amp?