(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best portable studio recorders

u/PenguinsAreTheSenate - congratulations on your first film! With a $500 budget, here are a couple of options for clean dual system sound.

Option A

You'll get the best quality audio with a $399.99 Zoom H5 packaged with the SGH-6 shotgun capsule and a set of Shure headphones plus a $25 shock mount to mount it on a boom pole.

Option B

The next best option is probably a $199.99 Zoom F1 with the SGH-6 capsule and a shock mount plus a $74.99 set of Senal SMH-1000 headphones.

The F1 doesn't have the H5's pro feature set (e.g., XLR inputs, phantom power), but it's still a lot better than recording directly to camera.

For either option, you'll also need a $38.99 boom pole and an inexpensive 5/8" to 3/8" boom to shock mount adapter.

Please avoid the Videomic "Pro" - it won't sound much better than the Videomic GO when plugged straight into your camera.

Hope this is helpful and good luck finding the right audio solution for your needs!

I have the Tascam DR-05 and a Zoom H1N. I also have a Tascam DR60D for DSLR audio shoots. I used them in lots of different location recording aspects for video production.

I really like the Zoom H1N. For the kind of thing you are talking about, I prefer it over the Tascam. I don't know if it is the mic positioning or just the mic elements themselves, the Zoom seems to just sound better to me for quick audio grabs. They have a nice little "Cat" to go over the mics for outside recording and I found it really helps to eliminate any wind noise.

I think this kit with the shockmount kit, would do good to get you started on your project:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4KFQW7

Haven’t used this for podcasting...but the Zoom h6 is a great one for recording audio as a filmmaker. It uses a regular SD card, AA batteries, 4 XLR inputs with separate controls. We have them at my school and I love them, but again, I don’t have a portable podcast setup like what you’re looking for, so I’m not sure if this would work for you. It’s in Amazon for about $300 (ouch). Definitely take a peek though!

EDIT: links
Just recorder (refurbished) (new is +$30) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N5GF15R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RJn1DbV0Y8QN9
Podcast set up: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D464N1V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.Kn1Db36YM4M6

If you're willing to consider a small affordable hardware solution, the Line 6 Backtrack Guitar Riff Recorder is conceivably the easiest to use solution.

It goes for about $70 and up, depending on store, and is roughly the size of a pack of cards.

The idea is that you just leave it plugged in to your guitar all the time, and has a switch to toggle between pass-through and record.

It also has a "mark" button to let you mark recordings as being of particular interest.

It uses USB to upload the recorded files to your PC.

The idea is that it keeps you from feeling tethered to your computer; just pick up your guitar and noodle around, and hit a button when you feel like you're on to something.

The H4N's internal stereo mics are actually pretty good for that sort of thing; though if it's mounted to your camera you will get handling noise.

I believe that the screw on top of the BMPCC is a standard 1/4" tripod screw, so you could use something like a Rycote 046001 suspension mount combined with a 1/4" adapter to mount it to the top of your camera or a cage with 1/4" holes.

Do you need a full-height stand, or something that can sit on a desk? If you don't need full height, just get this and get a handful of good accessories as well.

It's just a 3/8 16 thread (IIRC) (1/4 20), so if that other articulating arm one has a 3/8 16 screw on it, then great. The zoom probably won't fit in the mic clip that's on there, though.

It's why they have things like this

https://www.amazon.com/Movo-WS-R30-Professional-Windscreen-Technology/dp/B012Y7ACV8/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_267_bs_tr_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=F5SEHDH57TE5AMEEX18Z

I member Matt saying higher quality video doesn't really pay any extra, but you gotta wonder if higher quality audio for car stuff would be worth it. We're talking under $300 in gear to drastically improve the audio.

I would pick about a 5 minute clip of a video (with little to no words) and strip the audio and make it yourself. You'll have plenty to do. There are some great animations on youtube and vimeo.

I recommend this portable recorder at about $110.

Look into the Moondog Labs anamorphic lens for iPhone.
For audio, I’d look at the Zoom H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder Bundle with Movo UHF Wireless Dual Lavalier Microphone System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XS8941D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1SVeAbX6VS4CV
Don’t worry about the boom mic just yet. Use the two lab mics and use the Zoom H1 as a room/boundary mic.
Let me know if you have any further questions and good luck.

I would add these to your list. They are way more sound quality oriented than the above.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Special-Edition-Recorder/dp/B0090XWZB0/

http://www.amazon.com/TEAC-VR-20-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B007N0R4C2/

http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-03-Portable-Handheld-Recorder/dp/B0044FNCY8/

or my choice although larger would be this DR05 http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-05-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B004OA6JW0/

Suggestion is go to youtube and look each one up. There will be samples like SO...

Yes?
http://www.amazon.com/Alesis-ProTrack-Handheld-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B001GVIXGU

This one has alright reviews. Might want to research pocket recorders or something.

I can't remember if the DR40 has a 1/4” tripod mount on the back. If it does you could use a super clamp, possibly with a small ball head. Here's a cheap one:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06XWTL7LC

You can use a pouch/bag to hang it from your shoulder, it will leave the display visible but there design of the recorder might make it hard to just glance down at your levels. Here's an inexpensive, decent, pouch to illustrate:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07DL5MY2R

A Zoom H6 might my be just what you’re looking for.

https://www.amazon.com/Analog-Digital-Digitizer-Recorder-Player/dp/B07834FCQ6 ?

Is this the correct one?

Line 6 makes something for guitar, should work for bass.