http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-LS-10-Linear-PCM-Recorder/dp/B0012754UG

so how about this recorder?

I know I'd need an adapter to use an XLR microphone with it

but what about mics needing phantom power?
how would I go about that?

I'm open for suggestions for professional quality recording equipment at a great price
I mostly do field recording - interviews and other sounds; audio documentary stuff

10/15/2008 10:22:58 PM

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ZOO-H4-LIST - get this instead.

i have one of these and i love it

built in stereo x-y mics plus 2 combo xlr&1/4 jacks on the bottom

the preamps are pretty incredible for something so small and relatively cheap... will also spit out 48v on the xlrs for mics needing phantom power

if you want to use something other than the x/y cardioids on the top, i'd pick up a sennheiser md46 (http://sennheiser.us/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=005172) - relatively cheap, excellent pickup pattern/bg noise rejection, etc.

[Edited on October 15, 2008 at 10:32 PM. Reason : .]

10/15/2008 10:27:21 PM

if I'm spending $300 why not spend $500 for the Marantz?

I also want something robust because I will be banging around with it

I spent some time with a Tascam this weekend and really liked it - too bad it sells for like $800

10/16/2008 1:26:24 AM

i'd definitely go with the pmd660 then - thought you wanted to stay around the $300 price point

i've dropped my H4 many times, it's been thrown into gear bags, etc... i haven't exactly been nice to it... and it's still working great. it's more rugged than it looks in that picture.

and yeah - the tascam units are pretty much the gold standard when it comes to solid-state recording

10/16/2008 2:31:57 AM