[microsound] Re: [ot] archos 402 camcorder

[Kim Cascone <kim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"p. hendricks" <ph@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> For line level recording it seems fine, but for using it with mics,  
> what are
> you using for a pre?

some quick thoughts as I head out the door for a meeting:

I concur with your opinions on the Archos402...
- video is lo-fi in a cool way but nice enough for gathering footage  
for VJ processing
- the 402 does need a preamp for external mics so...
	- I bought the Sound Pro SP-PREAMP-4:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-PREAMP-4

the SP-4 houses the 402 and includes a small, very clean preamp...see  
link above for specs...

I've done some experiments with a small crap JVC stereo lav mic and  
the files sound very clean...so I can't wait to get a higher quality  
stereo microphone

caveat: I used the mic to record some car ambiance and was getting  
low freq road noise rumble which resulted in distortion -- so having  
a 100Hz roll off in the pre-amp would be nice but I think I can make  
a similar EQ tweak on the Archos itself...more experimenting needed...

I was impressed with how sturdy the SP-4 preamp is as compared to the  
website picture - which almost turned me off since it 'appeared' to  
be really flimsy

but the preamp is well made and worth the $199.00

but all in all I like the fact I can record with this whole thing in  
my jacket pocket, wear the lav mic on my collar AND I can listen to  
my material as I record -- I don't know about others but I hate  
recording without being able to monitor and why those in-ear  
binaurals don't work well for me...