naturerecordists
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: FR2-LE First Impressions

Subject: Re: FR2-LE First Impressions
From: "Rob Danielson" danielson_audio
Date: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:30 pm ((PST))
At 5:04 PM +0000 11/17/08, escalation746 wrote:
>Follow-up: bought the FR2-LE, bought some adapters, screwed stuff
>together to get a stereo mount, attached a couple of AT 3032s, made
>some recordings around the house.
>
>Went to a hardware store but didn't find anything I could repurpose
>easily to a Jecklin disk; I am constructionally challenged! Will
>likely try a simple arrangement with foam core. May not be as robust,
>but I am able to work with that material without real tools.

Hi Robin-
Foam core will not be very resistant to bending but will work okay. 
Tom Robinson uses a stiffer sheet material called, Correx (UK) 
http://www.kaysersberg-plastics.co.uk/correx.htm or Coroplast (USA) 
http://corrugatedplastics.net/CorrugatedPlasticSheets.html that can 
be cut with a matte knife. You need to cover both sides with sound 
absorptive material. John Hartog seems to be covering his with 
fabric: http://www.rockscallop.org/how/barrier10.html Others have 
used high density foam.

Jurg was very emphatic about the dimensions required for his rig. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jecklin_Disk Your (omni) AT-3032's 
should be a good match for the design.

>
>First impressions: this thing is plasticky. Fit and finish not bad but
>overall turns me off. Knobs a little small to use comfortably but no
>big thing. I don't like the confusing way the top surface buttons are
>arranged in a grid and then doubly-confusingly labelled. It's not
>clear which label goes with which button. This could have been a
>better interface with about three seconds thought on the party of an
>interface designer.
>
>On the side of the unit the Standby and Record are a piece of cake to
>use. Might make even more sense to use the remote, since then one can
>mark tracks. Mark function should likely have been on the side as
>well. Headphone jack on the end doesn't make sense if the side is the
>secondary operating surface.
>
>The hold LEDs on the side are a good way of getting a general idea of
>levels. The top LCD not so easy to read. I find I need to use the
>light which then seems to eat batteries.
>
>XLR fittings are a bit cheap; wish they had not compromised here.
>
>Others have remarked on the fiddly battery compartment and poor door
>with plastic hinges.
>
>Overall I'd rate the build a 7/10. It will work and shouldn't fall
>apart too soon. Would not use it in a wet environment without
>rainproof cover. Would not take it to the jungle. I know NASA sent it
>into space but I hear it's pretty dry up there.
>
>However, this unit is a bargain at the price I got it for.

Only the most expensive recorders provide tough, metal, water 
resistant casing. Your list is useful for the budget-minded recordist 
in outlining the compromises one must live with to get nearly 
comparable sound performance and have some money to spend towards 
quiet mics.  Thanks for reporting back. Rob D.

>
>-- robin


-- 




<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the naturerecordists mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU