Tascam with Mixer or a SD 702T?

[Ralph Wong]

I am about to buy a sound package, and I have read through a bunch of threads but still have some confusion about certain things. The Tascam P2 HD seems to be highly regarded by a lot of users. However, most of them question the durability because of the plastic body. Also, the TC seems to fall out of sync after an hour or so. The good thing about the Tascam is that it only runs for about a $1000 which would give me enough money to by an SD 302 mixer to go with it. This brings me to the second option.

I can buy a SD 702T, but that precludes me from buying an additional mixer on top of that. I hear people gush about SD equipment and figure the aluminum body construction and TC sync is better on this recorder (Am I wrong?) When I did sound in film school, the teacher always said we needed a mixer and recorder. However, I only plan to use one boom in the beginning. The 702T has preamps, limiters, and controls to set levels correct? If I buy this recorder, would I even need to get and additional mixer?

[Jon Frost]

You can use the 702T with a boom mic and not need a mixer... The 702T has Menu settings so you can trim/limit the inputs. If you are only going to use 1 or 2 mics then I'd just buy the 702T for your budget. It's a rock solid recorder with built in TC Gen/Read/Jam Sync...

When you need a mixer jump up to the 442 mixer 4 In 2 and/or 4 out. Great Mic Pres, limiting, Low Cut filters, pan, phantom power, Runs on 4 AA batteries for plenty of hours... or buy the AC adapter for another $80...

Good luck.

[Patrick Tresch]

My favorite

http://www.sonosax.ch/recorders/sxr4/sxr4_index.html

It won't brake down, is light, small and has it all (TC/Jam/Phantom/great preampl/4 channels input/ 8 recording/ Limiter/ mirroring on CF...).


Patrick

[Alex Sutherland]

I was also considering the Tascam P2. The interface looks more familiar to my Marantz-trained eyes. The problem I have is figuring out how to TC sync the stupid thing without running a cord to my camera. Is there a wireless solution for this that anyone is aware of?

And how is it possible for a recorder to just "fall out of sync"? Ralph mentioned he heard the Tascam is known to do this, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It seems like the recorder would be in sync with the camera as long as it's tethered.