Marantz CDR300 for location and atmos recording?

[dayton]

hi there,

anyone had any experience with the cdr300?

am thinking of buying one instead of the tascam DAP1, primarily for recording sound fx and atmos in the field but also for production dialogue.

cheers in advance,

dayton

[Eric Toline]

It should be fine for efx & atmos but how will you deal with any time code requirements for dialog? I don't believe the unit has SMPTE time code.


Eric

[dayton]

good point, thanks eric.

how about any other alternatives to the DAP1, any hard-disk or solid-state options that don't cost alot more than the tascam?

time code is a bonus but i'm primarily interested in fx and atmos recording.

cheers

dayton

[Eric Toline]

Depends on how much of a rush you're in. If you can wait till the early spring, Sound Devices will be out with their 744T & 722 Hd recorders priced at $4k & $2k respectivley. Check them out at: www.sounddevices.com.

A DAP-1 is a good investment if you can't wait. If you're going to use it for sync dialog just be sure to use a clap slate for start marks.

Use a good mixer as the front end, the SD 302 would be my 1st choice.


Eric

[jayrose]

Eric, if he can use a 722 or DAP1 without timecode, he can also use the CDR300. Same kind of crystal control.

Dayton, I did a full review of the CDR300 for Digital Video Magazine, including sweeps and distortion/THD. Bottom line: pretty darned good, reasonably rugged build (considering the mechanical aspects), and having audio on rippable CD is a plus if you'd otherwise have to do an analog transfer from DAT.

Mic preamp isn't wonderful, but better than the DAP1. With a MixPre or Denecke s/pdif adapter, it's awesome.

Full review is at DV.com. You have to register, but it's free and they don't spam.

Also consider Marantz's new PMD-670 FC / MiniHD recorder, about the same price. Media is much more expensive and not archival the way CDs are, but it can be used in relatively high vibration environments.

[dayton]

thanks guys, thats a great help...