Anyone use a field recorder for foley sounds?

[Add9]

So yeah, basically I saw that Virtual Riot tutorial where he used a field recorder with the mics set to maximum sensitivity, and now I want to do that too! I've never had a portable recorder before and I'm really excited to be able to turn everything I hear into a sample (I'm sure you've all been there at some point). I also want to record like crunching tin foil and boiling water and shit like that because who the hell doesn't?

Anyway if anyone has experience with a field recorder I would love to hear your input. I've watched a bunch of video reviews of recorders like the Zoom H1, H2, and H4N, the Tascam DR-05 and DR-40, and the Sony PCM-M10, and I know there are others as well, but I'm still not sure what I want to go for. I thought of all of them I liked the sound of the H4N the best, but I'm not sure I need all the features and the H1 sounded good as well for less money. The PCM-M10 is what Virtual Riot used in the video, but its more expensive. So yeah if you have experience with one or more of these, feedback would be greatly appreciated as I have no experience with this kind of device.

[nameless133]

I record samples with my H2. It's discounted btw. Not worth the record with mid or high mic gains beacuse the preamp is very noisy.
Look at http://taperssection.com/index.php if you interested about handy recorders.

[AxeD]

Yeah I have a pretty good one. Olympus ls-10 I think. It's two built in cardioid microphones.
Picks up a fair bit of handling noise though.
I want to get an actual field recorder with xlr inputs and phantom, so I can use different mics.

[nowaysj]

H4N, I would call it a professional bit of kit. There are now bigger and better. But at a minimum I would do the Zoom. Imo, it is the best, features and attributes that are outstanding, and which I've discussed what feels at length, and is probably ad nauseum, here on this subforum.

Use it like a 4 track with metronome... on a mountain peak.

I have love for mine.

[Samuel_L_Damnson]

I use a H1. Its definitely worth trying to get close to the sound rather than having the mic gain all fthe way up. Its condenser so things don't get too boomy when up close. If ur going outside make sure to get a wind shield. The ones that look like a fuzzy hair do are good.

[Aufnahmewindwuschel]

i got a good deal on the zoom h6 with two mics windshield and all that really really nice tool but you def have to check for your noisefloor like not even the inbuild sound raising jsut really quiet sounds like pc etc you catch this stuff when your recorder is pushed up can destroy a recording or can add sth to it but its an addition in any way possible for me for sure

[nowaysj]

Am jellymints. H6 is NICE!

On again off again, I do some video production, and use the H4N to do my audio. I do two lavalier mics, and use the two stereo mics for some room reinforcement. But the H6N is so much better suited to video/film production.

[zosomagik]

I don't have experience with any good ones, but whenever I go out and about, I always put this little tascam dr-03 I have in my pocket. It's not pro level by any means, but I've never gone out and not got something I couldn't use.

[fragments]

Shit, I've either got a Tascam DR 05 or 07 MKI and I successfully record vocal parts with it.

[AxeD]

Shit, I've either got a Tascam DR 05 or 07 MKI and I successfully record vocal parts with it.

I thought I could get away with doing this for a voice over assignment.. nope
Didn't really hear how shit it was until I compared the result to my resubmission done with a nice
large diaphragm mic.

[Add9]

Thanks for all the feedback guys... lots of good comments and things to consider. It's a hard decision because at the moment I'm mainly interested in creating field recordings and foley samples, but I'd rather not have to buy another recorder in a few years once I realize I want to do professional-quality audio for video and the one I got before doesn't cut it.

Anyway I appreciate the responses, it's been quite helpful so far

Also zosomagik I hope you don't mind me poking fun at your triple negative statement lololol.

I've never gone out and not got something I couldn't use.

I know what you meant to say but it still made me lol.

[zosomagik]

Also zosomagik I hope you don't mind me poking fun at your triple negative statement lololol.

I've never gone out and not got something I couldn't use.

I know what you meant to say but it still made me lol.[/quote]



Haha it's all good, I sent that from my phone while someone was talking to me. Also, couple that with the fact that I've had more than a couple beers today.

[fragments]

Shit, I've either got a Tascam DR 05 or 07 MKI and I successfully record vocal parts with it.

I thought I could get away with doing this for a voice over assignment.. nope
Didn't really hear how shit it was until I compared the result to my resubmission done with a nice
large diaphragm mic.

lol. when I say successful, I mean...good enough for goofing around making my own Trip Hop tracks w/ my own quasi-bad vocals... ;p hoping to get a decent mic in the next few months.