Field recording foley. What to buy?

[abes]

Hi guys,

I am about to do some location recording for a film, so I have the necessary equipment for recording the dialogue and wild tracks etc. I am also doing the post sound too.

As I am going to be working on my own, and with limited time, I am looking to buy a portable recorder, just to quickly capture footsteps, seagulls, atmos etc when and where I need it.

Say for example I need footsteps, the portable recorder would be much quicker and easier for me to record with, while working alone.

I know the microphones are not as good quality, but is there a good buy out there for these type of recordings?

Thanks.

[promixr]

I supplied The Music Department at Stony Brook University here in New York for just this purpose, with some Samson (Zoom) field recorders, and they are quite happy with them:

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h4n/

This Tascam one is new, the price is right, and it will do 4-tracks:

http://tascam.com/product/dr-40/

But I haven't had too much experience with it- it just started shipping this week.

There are definitely some less-portable, higher end field recorders, Fostex makes one:

http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...s/FR-2LE.shtml

No built-in microphones - you supply your own, like these:

http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...ts/MC10S.shtml

This field recorder has some advanced sync to video features, could come in handy for Foley or location sound:

http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...cts/FR-2.shtml

[abes]

Great, thanks for the links. I'll check them out

[peter5992]

If you want something inexpensive and very light / portable, you might consider the Zoom H1 as well, for around $ 99. Feels a little flimsy but the recording quality is excellent, and battery life is very decent. It's so small, I carry it around just in case I fancy some wild sound recording of traffic etc. I would get the accessory kit as well, and to make sure the recording is decent, connect a pair of closed ear headphones.

You can hook up an external mike through a 1/8 inch plug. It can't supply phantom power so if you are using an external directional mike, make sure it is self powered. Also, by contrast to its bigger brother H4 it can only hook up one external mike (or alternatively the built in stereo mikes), although just for foley you probably don't need four tracks anyway.

[mr.armadillo]

Sony PCM-D50.

[HD2]

Originally Posted by abes

Hi guys,

I am also doing the post sound too.

just to quickly capture footsteps, seagulls, atmos etc when and where I need it.



Thanks.

While it's a good idea to get as much ambient sound (backgrounds) on location as possible, you may want to consider the time that will be involved in post having to cut footsteps to the correct speed and matching on screen. Unless you can shoot many different FS sequences on location, it may end up taking a lot more time (and money) than it would hiring a professional foley artist to shoot live when the edit is complete.

[Craig F]

you can see most of the equipment used in the demo videos
http://hissandaroar.com/