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Re: [microsound] Archos 402 + SP-PREAMP-4 -- initial impressions
Thanks for the detailed report, Kim. A pocket multi-media center! I
especially love the 20GB internal drive. Make me think that for
condenser mics, the Rolls MX34 Stereo Mixer http://tinyurl.com/f5fmr
could be another outboard pre option. Definitely larger than the
SP-PREAMP-4 at 6.3"w x 3.7"d x 1.4" h but maybe small enough for
the other pocket, Rob D.
At 10:48 AM -0800 3/30/06, Kim Cascone wrote:
>after using the combination of the Archos 402 camcorder, the
>SP-PREAMP-4 and a crap JVC stereo lav mic for a week in Mexico City
>on a project I was working on here are some initial comments and
>observations:
>
>- the Archos 402 is a nice versatile device that can shoot mp4
>video, take stills and record audio with an internal mic (good for
>dictating notes/ideas) or using an external preamp (see info below)
>- the Otter case which is used to house both the Archos and the
>preamp is very rugged and well made (see link below)
> - make sure to order one with a clear lid so you can see what is
>going on with your levels and such
> - the only downside is that instant access to the preamp/Archos
>controls is limited due to the snap shut lid on the Otter case which
>means more handling in certain situations -- but then with 20G of
>hard disc space you can just keep it recording without too much
>tweaking...also, you can use the lid snap as a 'slate' of
>sorts...but grabbing it out of the case and using for shooting video
>was not too difficult so long as you had hands free and not carrying
>other bags or things...
>- the Archos 402 is a nice recorder...it stores everything in 44/16
>wav files...if you need higher res (ala 96/24 or greater) then this
>won't cut it for you but maybe an email to Archos could prompt
>higher audio resolutions for firmware updates in the future?
>- Archos will only record in stereo -- a mono mode would be very
>handy and was requested by me thru the customer service feedback on
>their site...not holding my breath but it would be a nice feature...
>- the Archos battery lasts around 3 hours and was adequate for
>morning and evening location recording outings with a recharge
>during lunch...
>- the SP-PREAMP-4 is very clean and makes some nice recordings...but:
> - you need to set the gain (0, 29, and 50dB gain settings) and
>levels (dual sliders -- which are post-preamp attenuators) so that
>your levels are good for the duration of any recording
>session...i.e, no clipping on very dynamic material...
> - there is no limiting on either the preamp or the Archos -- but
>then I never use limiting on field recordings
> - no low-freq roll-off on the SP-PREAMP-4 model which would come
>in handly for windy and rumble-prone locations -- I have exchanged
>my preamp for a custom version that does include DIP switches for
>various low-freq roll-offs
> - no clip LED -- but my request for one will possibly become
>future feature via a small daughter-board add-on which can - only -
>be added to preamp customizations (in the Sound Professional product
>pull down menus)
>- the Otter 2000 series case is small enough to hide in a coat
>pocket and allowed me to record street sounds without anyone noticing
>- the JVC stereo mic I was using was crap but even so I was able to
>get OK recordings -- although the spatial stereo quality was poor
>due to the mic being a single-point mic...my new Auris stereo mic
>should take care of that problem...
>- best to buy a small camera sling bag that can fit under a coat or
>jacket (see below) -- I haven't gotten the KATA bag yet so I can't
>say how well the Otter case fits...but this way the PREAMP and
>Archos won't get lifted by those deft pickpockets in Brussels like
>my wallet had been a couple of years ago...
>- make sure to get a right angle adapter if you have a mic with a
>straight mini-plug -- this way the preamp will slip into a pocket
>easier and without straining the mics mini-plug going into the
>preamp...
>- I have taken to wearing the Auris mic attached to my collar -- I
>drop the main line down my back and bring the two leads with the
>elements to my collar and then clip them there -- the Auris and
>clips becomes almost invisible against my black shirt and provides
>enough of an acoustic body-shadow to give a slight 'binaural'
>effect...
>- the Archos mounts as a hard drive in OS X and then files can be
>dragged off onto a hard drive or opened using your favorite sound
>editor
>- that's all I can think of for now -- my week in Mexico City
>produced some really nice recordings -- too bad my Auris mic hadn't
>arrived until I got back from Mexico...but all in all I like this
>set up very much, its small, clandestine, and high quality suitable
>for CD and film projects...
>- more later once I've played with the Auris mic and gotten my new
>preamp with the low-freq roll-off switches
>
>=============================
>
>INFO:
>======
>Archos GIGATRACKER:
>http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-GIGATRACKER
>all in one package -- but a little expensive at
>$489.00 USD
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>SP-PREAMP-4 (preamp without Archos402):
>http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-PREAMP-4
>$199.00 USD
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>SP-SPSB-5:
>http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-SPSB-5
>more expensive but then I really need a low-freq roll-off for
>certain recording situations and was willing to spend the extra
>money for it
>this model might also include a clipping LED feature in the future
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>Archos 402 ON SALE -- [Rebate expires 03/31/2006]
>http://www.compuplus.com/i-Archos-GMini-402-CAMCORDER-Pocket-Multimedia-Center-500705-1005885~t-archos%20402-sid-43oe3f7p0396lq0-track-searchViewed.html
>
>http://tinyurl.com/hsyxa
>$239.00 USD w/rebate
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>Auris stereo mics:
>http://www.reactivesounds.com/am2.php
>(this is the stereo mic I now have but haven't used it on a serious
>project yet...)
>$119.00 USD
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>Hosa 3.5mm Stereo Right Angle Adapter:
>http://www.stsi.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>KATA S 312 Camera Sling Bag:
>http://www.rainydaymagazine.com/RDM2006/GearNGadgets/March2006/Kata/RDMGG_Kata312.htm
>I bought this for $29.95 through
>http://www.videodirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=S312
>although I look at it now and the price jumped up to $39.95 since yesterday!
>***just got word that ALL the KATA stuff had a price increase on the
>video direct site effective March 30th