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Kit guidance needed for a newbie...

Subject: Kit guidance needed for a newbie...
From: Rob Danielson <>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 01:50:37 -0600
Thanks for the clarifications. Stereo is a good
choice. That works out to $2500 - $4000US if I'm
using the right converter info. There are quite a
few options in that price range. Mics are usually
the best place to make long term investments. For
the maximum "reach," a dish will perform better
than any shotgun but of course dishes aren't best
for capturing expanse or context. An M-S rig with
a shotgun "Mid" mic and a figure 8 "Side" mic
might be one way to go. For a compact rig in high
humidity locations, there aren't too many figure
8 mic choices. The MKH30 or a used MKH80 is
around $1300-$1500. An MKH50 or 60 shotgun goes
for about $900 used, $1200 new. That would leave
you enough for the HD-P2 or a Fostex FR-2 and a
shockmount/zepplin. If you want to move a bit
slower, you could try a new Rode NTG-1 for the
shotgun Mid. Its only $200 and people who use
mkh50/60's are raving about how good it is.  The
NTG-1 will have lower output and more noise but
should be pretty decent. The mkh's will run from
the phantom power of your MT2496 but the NTG-1
says is requires 44 volts minimum, so it may not
work on the MT 24-96. Hope I got your budget
numbers right. I'm sure others will have some
thoughts.  Rob D.


At 4:40 AM +0000 1/8/06, Kevin Wooding wrote:
>Hi Rob,
>
>Monaural is OK, but would prefer stereo. Budget would stretch a bit higher
>than that though I'm in the UK, so often prices here are higher for the sa=
me
>gear in the US . So if I said a =A31500 budget as OK, at a stretch could g=
o as
>high as =A32500. I like to buy for future too, so if an item is slightly m=
ore
>expensive but appreciably more useful than a less expensive item I'll go f=
or
>the better one. In other words, no point in getting something cheapish tha=
t I
>use once.
>
>Cheers
>Kevin
>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>>  From: 
>>   On Behalf Of Rob Danielson
>>  Sent: 08 January 2006 04:18
>>  To: 
>>  Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Kit guidance needed for a newbie...
>>
>>  Hi Kevin--  Do I interpret correctly that you are primarily
>>  interested in monaural recordings of bird calls with about
>>  $1500 total to spend?  Rob D.
>>
>>
>>  At 11:40 PM +0000 1/7/06, Kevin Wooding wrote:
>>  >Hi,
>>  >
>>  >I'm brand new here a bit of a newbie to nature recording, but I'm
>>  >friends with a few recordists who I think subscribe to this
>>  group (Hi
>>  >to you all!). For some years now I've been intrigued with the work
>>  >nature recordists do and keen to do some myself.
>>  >
>>  >I'm having a brief visit to a remote part of Costa Rica and thought
>>  >this was a great opportunity, so I need some advice on what
>>  to take to
>>  >get the best possible results budget wise.
>>  >
>>  >At the moment I have an M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 which I
>>  understand is
>>  >perhaps not as pro as it could be - however I'll try that out as I
>>  >already have it. Is there another Compact Flash recorder that might
>>  >also be good to use? I was having a look at the Marantz
>>  PMD-671 which
>>  >appeals not least because it takes ordinary rechargeable
>>  batteries. Also the Tascam HD-P2 looks interesting.
>>  >
>>  >Other recording gear ideas?
>>  >
>>  >Microphones - I'm looking at Sennheiser ME66 or 67, the MKH
>>  series is a
>>  >bit above spending atm. Should I get a preamp to boost the
>>  signal? If
>>  >so, any ideas appreciated! Any type of mic stand recommended?
>>  >
>>  >I have to bear in mind there is a weight restriction in getting to
>>  >where I'm going - all luggage including hand luggage needs
>>  to come under 25 lbs.
>>  >
>>  >Thanks all, I look forward to hearing some advice.
>>  >
>  > >Kevin
>>
>  >



________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________


"Microphones are not ears,
Loudspeakers are not birds,
A listening room is not nature."
Klas Strandberg
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