Entry Level Recording Kit: Gear Recommendations

Recommendations for building a professional sounding recording kit at entry level prices!
Support My Channel: www.AlexKnickerbocker.com
How to Build a Pro Mix Session: bit.ly/ak-sound-session-course
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GEAR I RECOMMEND
Home Studio Basics
Budget: bit.ly/ak-bhsb-kitco
Intermediate: bit.ly/ak-mrhsb-kitco
Pro: bit.ly/ak-phsb-kitco
Recording Gear for KZbin
bit.ly/ak-ytags-kitco
Pro Recording Gear
bit.ly/ak-psfxrk-kitco
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Instagram: / axk
My IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm4122863/

[@sayantanchatterjee3626]

Underrated channel, very very VERY underrated

[@ShinilPayamal]

Sayantan Chatterjee Couldn’t agree more.👍

[@R_M_C]

I love it because he's professional, straigthforward and reliable. He doesn't blabber for minutes without end

[@mattcero1]

I agree. This guy is quick and too the point with tons of credibility!

[@soundvoyager457]

You got THE BEST field recording channel on the internet, Alex. Why is it so underrated??

[@axk]

🙏🏼 🙏🏼

[@MoCo_Filmmaker]

Thank you for putting this together Alex, appreciate it!

[@robertharker]

Great to see a video about a low cost boom n bag rig for people starting out and wanting professional level audio. This rig is almost exactly like the low cost rig I recommend for cinematography students. The Tascam DR-70d recorders are now selling on ebay for less than $125 used including shipping. An addition. Movo makes a dual channel UHF based lav kit, Movo WMX-20-DUO (Not WMX70/WMX80) that comes with separate lav mics for less than $125 used on ebay. A change I would suggest is the Neewer carbon fiber boom pole for about $100 new on ebay. Thanks again.

[@orangefrogphotography9019]

You’re making me geek out a lot more I’m audio than I thought was possible. Thx

[@HouseOfVacuums]

I've been looking to upgrade my recording game and was completely overwhelmed by the options. This is EXACTLY what I needed. Thanks, Alex!

[@oscarthis]

Amazing video! Finally a realistic budget setup! Thanks for the advice!

[@murtazakharani9460]

What knowledge he has. Nobody else on youtube. Continue please making these. We need your input.

[@Kevin-cz7li]

Found your channel through Potato Jet and I cannot stop watching your videos! So informative and you can tell that you know what you’re talking about. Very smooth speaker and of course your audio is always spot on! Thanks for providing all this knowledge!

[@-kentonwilson]

Well done! Upgrading our video sound... your video helped me resolve buying decisions I’ve had for some time. By the way, keep making video... clear, concise, professional. Thank you!

[@ocediis]

I was pleased to see your recommendation for the Sennheiser HD 280 headphones. They were recommended to me years ago, and I couldn't be happier. I've since picked up two more pairs to outfit my booth for the talent and my recording station. Gosh those things work well!

[@PaulinoAuyon]

This was the exact video I was looking for in 2020. Very informative!

[@barrycrowder]

Thanks for the video. I have the AT 897 and it's a solid performer for the price. The option to use with phantom or with a AA battery is nice and adds to the flexibility.

[@vishlaz7900]

Thank you for making a channel. so much information anyone can learn.

[@eldarsadykov]

I'm very glad I discovered this channel. Thanks a lot!

[@andrew_maccoll]

Thanks as always man. Appreciate your videos very much.

[@paulocastro3782]

I am actually watching every one of your videos since you started this channel. I find that your content is as good as taking a course in Audio :-)

[@rodrigogarcia2607]

Thanks, Alex. I needed this

[@NicoDeclerckBelgium]

Very good video, and I couldn't agree more. Love my Tascam DR-70. Got a good deal on a Rode NTG3 with a Rode blimp and used Rode NTG2 with the Rode deadcat and a boompole. For microphone stands, I'd recommend the Hercules 631 or 633 stand, it's decent, has a clip on microphone clip and the 'arm' nicely disappears into the main body of the stand. It all starts with low noise, wind free, stable standing microphones and silent recordings. Keep making these videos! ❤

[@nickpatterson9330]

Great video Alex!

[@WernerPuchert]

Love your work sir

[@mbusoguma5504]

Alex, your channel is very important because sound is So important. Great great video, as always

[@lukas_g243]

I like the new lighting

[@SimonCaouette5]

thank you for the awesome content !

[@martyc4906]

Great content!

[@veronikanotzon6008]

please keep up the the awesome work

[@VermillionCereal]

Great video! I wish it was available a couple years ago when I was starting to entering this world. It will be nice to have some other videos like this analyzing other price ranges and tools for specific needs. Also some information about how to choose wireless systems and lav mics, I'm really struggling to choose what to buy without selling my kidneys hahaha

[@fotoworkshop_stuttgart]

@Alex Knickerbocker: Always a pleasure to watch you videos. Could you do an advanced video of this if you say have double or triple the budget?

[@davidkyle5017]

More than I want to spend at this point, but it gives me a better idea of what I need to aim for. Really great vid, thanks so much.

[@ShinilPayamal]

Thanks for the brilliant video. Sharing this on Twitter!🍹👍

[@panoramicproductions2870]

Thank you!!!

[@christianhotter]

Nice, I had not seen the mic quick release mounts. That sounds like a good solution for me. I currently have too many adapters to screw onto my mic stand to move my mic from my camera. I don't do enough commercial or interview work to have a second set of audio gear for a dedicated boom setup, so the quicker I can move my mic, the better.

[@robertfeliciano5723]

Great video. I love my 7506s, I have 2 pair. But I do find them a little bass heavy. I'm not talking Beats, but definitely more than my ATH-R70x.

[@grad-dd9zj]

thank you so much! straight to the point, not much bla bla, and always with the 2 - 4 recommendations for different budgets. great work alex!! i'm using the mke600 with the c200 and i'm happy with it. now if it comes to environmental recordings for outside ambient, would you recommend the RØDE Stereo VideoMic X or something else (similar price range like the mke600)? and sorry if you already talked about this in one of your previous vids ...didn't went through them all yet...

[@SarahKchannel]

A bunch of magic arms and Manfrotto superclamps are real life savers when it comes to mount and place mics. The more accessories one has, the more flexible recording becomes, even with small recorders and simple mics.

[@domonicwhite]

This is excellent advice - I'm so glad I've found your channel. TY! Can you offer any advice for a beginner looking to record very directional wildlife sounds such as bird songs please?

[@PM-ve2xp]

Thanks!

[@MarcoAries]

Benn using the Tascam DR60mk2 for a year or so, great little tool!

[@rathuone3001]

Thank You *Audio Guru*

[@joesch1955]

Great Video. Funny, when you compared 10-year-old (Tascam HD-P2) and 5-year-old (Marantz 671) Technology, I had both those recorders sitting on my desk. I also recently got the Tascam DR-70D, and I wondered how it compared to the Tascam & Marantz. I was also thinking of getting the Zoom R5, but after watching your video, I'll stick with the Tascam 70D!

[@polgzz]

Very useful!! 👏👌

[@benfergusonishere]

Hey Alex! Thanks for the video! Could you do an in-depth video on using Fairlight in Davinci Resolve?

[@BeauHannamGuitars]

Nice video- thanks- Are your recommendations about the same still (for mics and recorders)??

[@ralphbullis40]

Great Advice

[@suhaib2789]

Thank you

[@wrealestate8778]

Thank you fantastic (tutorial). Please consider making mor for us beginners

[@axk]

Very soon 😁

[@FoundSounds51]

As to wind protection, don't stop at the zepplin; get a fur high wind cover. It makes all the difference. Well worth the expense if you're outdoors.

[@ali32]

thanks a lot

[@dsv]

Thank you for another great video! I am still wondering on what mic to pick for video narrating... I have Zoom H6 and use supplied mics, but it looks like external mic would be better, right?

[@InspiRAWtion]

Thanks for all the great tips! What do you think about the new rode ntg 5?

[@vanjalenardic6550]

First of all, I have to thank you for the detailed and user-friendly video. Second, I'm just getting into this world myself, and I'm wondering what kind of low noise xlr cable would be suitable, and what program you use to process the sounds. Thanks again and good luck

[@edferrigancoaching]

Another great overview. You are my go to person now! Thanks. Question. Ive never used a recorder. Do they store the sound? Then I just import into FCPX? Thanks

[@dangerousjave]

Appreciate the recommendations, just about to graduate from my sound design degree and looking to invest in a solid starter field recording kit in order to look for work. I've got a pretty well spec'd out desktop recording/editing set-up but decided it's high time to shelf the ZOOM H2n for something more professional.

[@birajadas293]

Guess, shouldn't be binning the h2n, its best always in the pocket, if u r into fields( don't know what will come up when 😂😂😂

[@Scottyboy2086]

Glad to know I can do some good research still as I picked up this kit over the past 3 months. I picked up lightly used dr70 along with a behringer ba85a for studio (asmr, voice overs, and food reaction videos) and field work for interviews. I also have an AT2035 but that will have to wait until a sound booth is created. I also upgraded from sony v700 to the 7506's as well as the Senal SMH-1000's. Do you have any thoughts on the Behringer ba85a mic or its original Shure beta sm58a?

[@NonalignedVideos]

I'm so used to the 7506s. I should give Sennheiser cans another try.

[@squatchnindiana3419]

Hey Alex, Hoobilly here and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!.. I remember seeing Tascam Porta 1 being the first budget battery operated "field recorder" back in the 80s, so... So now latter in life, I'm getting into this world of "Field Recording" out in the woods.. What phantom powered mics would you recommend for this use? And would you recommend them or battery powered??

[@coachjohnlucas7451]

For now I use two mics Rhode video micro and rhode smart lav+. I record them with my iPhone and the voice record pro app. It allows for gain control and live monitoring through headphones. I want to upgrade, but for cheap this is where I’m at.

[@PiotrWojnowski]

Thanks for the video. What do you think about Rodecaster Pro? It's more expensive, but the price comes with quality, in your opinion?

[@tomdchi12]

From personal experience, Alex has this just right. This isn't inexpensive stuff, but it's the level to hit to avoid wasting money on junk. I wasted money on lower-end gear that left me frustrated with bad audio - don't repeat my mistakes!

[@naveedanjum9183]

I just baught Rode NTG-3 and I am not sure which audio interface I should buy. I came across RODECaster Pro II which sound really good but not sure if its over kill for my use case. To give you the context of my usage is that I am intended to record video cources in my home studio and possibly do live streaming. But I am not intended to do any music production etc.. so not sure if I should go with this seemingly high end Rode Caster pro 2 or choose something more simpler and cheap that do the job for my use case. Please share your thoughts and advice. Thanks in advance and and keep rocking great content man!

[@dylanmurphy8628]

Hey alex. I just recently bought a Zoom H6. I'm a novice film maker in film school and always loved sound. I plan to use it to record ambient sound & some foley. What do you think? Any pointers or add ons youd suggest?

[@UlyssesAokiPhoto]

This is the video I wish I've watched before I started YT.

[@pandoraefretum]

good tips.. don't forget decent XLR cables without tab holes so they don't get stuck in your gear

[@TapTwice]

This video is quite helpful for me. I am soon going to make a documentary with many interview situations. I usually use the NTG4+ and plug it directly in my BMPCC4K Camera, which works quick and easy for me. Now i´m thinking: Should I buy an external Recorder instead and would that really improve my sound Quality ??

[@AdventureWidely]

Alex, when is it better to use the dB pad switch on a mic, versus just setting the recorder's preamp differently? For example, I have a Shure VP83 shotgun mic, and it has a +10, 0, -10 dB pad switch... I am wondering if its just there to compensate for a bad preamp, or if it would actually make for a lower noise floor, or change the sensitivity of the mic, if I matched levels in the camera... Thanks!

[@secretime3]

Cool ! What do you think about the rode nt1 ?

[@BrendanEvan]

Epic info. Came here from that older potato jet video

[@birajadas293]

Which microphone would u suggest to a naturalist ( ambience/ nature /streams etc). My current set-up: Recorder: Zoom H5 and F3 Microphone: Sennheiser mke600 , Rode stereo videomic pro( which i bought for my canon7d),is in good condition, Got aRodeM3 for general ( all purpose) use.

[@user-vo8le3rr6y]

Can you make a video about the know all the integy Mike video mic.... I want to hear a professional advice out of using the road wireless go ... I have anyone to know how a professional that can be used in more KZbin or sort of the journalistic

[@dry509]

What type of mic would you recommend for recording outside or inside ambience as well as room tone? I would like to record/hear every5hing that is going on in all directions.

[@ACoderThatMakesFilms]

In your last video you say the best budget option for a shotgun mic is the NTG4+ but here you say the MKE600 is a better sounding mic... I'm torn now. In all honesty I need a shotgun mic for short films but also one I can use in the studio to record podcasts, because, budget. I have a Zoom h4n pro recorder, which here you mention is not the best but it'll work for now. What second mic would you recommend for recording podcasting? I'm looking at the Shure SM58?

[@ephemere82]

what stereo matched pair would you suggest for stereo recordings on the field or in live events? i was looking for a pair of akg 414 but being told they have a too much peculiar sound to be an all round solution. maybe a pair of nt2 from rode? or better to stay on 2 pensil mics?

[@cubul32]

Make a video for a medium and advanced level kit.

[@nickpatterson9330]

Alex, now that we have our recorder and a microphone or two (or three or four, just don't tell my wife) where do you take the audio file? I work on an Apple platform and have Final cut Pro. What is your work flow or what would you recommend for someone just getting into audio. Thanks for your help!

[@NIKONGUY1960]

I've noticed how often dialogue sounds 'dead', no ambience at all. And other films have amazing sound. Is it done in post or what? How do you get that 'full' sound? Hope that makes sense. Love your channel!

[@aniket6103]

Hey Alex could you suggest some books (or any other resources) for beginners. Stuff that might help in difficult times.

[@policeman0077]

Hi Alex, what kind of audio interface you use in studio for recording and monitoring?

[@petergeissbuhler5223]

Currently looking for a microphone to attach to a Panasonic G7. I need a recommendation for a camera that has decent range. For instance, I will most likely have the camera 4-5 feet 4 inches away from me. Do you know any microphones that pick up sound well in this range based off of your experience? Pete

[@OMentertainment]

I'm surprised you didn't talk about cable quality options, which is prolly the topic on which I'm the most fuzzy

[@SmittieBlue]

I agree. I have heard that cable quality is an important part of the system. I've always used Hosa cables for this reason. I'd love to hear Alex's thoughts on this.

[@edferrigancoaching]

A cable video would be good.

[@MrFrank107]

a cable is a cable. Buy moderate to high-priced cables and don't nerd out over intangible things. Obsess over creative.

[@axk]

Not all cables are equal, for sure. I have some in the works!!

[@MsMaurof]

Thanks for your video, could you help me with something, I need to find a way to make a live program, and I need to use the mic directly to the computer, so far I have not been able to know which one or what devices I do need for that, so far I'm uploading videos, and the recorder works great, but for live programs, I just don't know, I have been in a couple of professional stores and the guys there don't know about it. Thanks for your imput

[@BadKarma714]

I have a Tascam Dr-40 it came with tascam headphones then I got a shotgun mic from Amazon it's a XLR mic it came with a deadcat and a foam I also want to Know if I have a XLR cable that has 2 male connection one for Right and left on my Tascam Dr-40 and the cable goes into one Female for the mic will that record on both channels like that?

[@marlonmartins82]

Got myself a 70D, modded to use internal li-ion batteries, last more than 15h of 4 channel recording. amazing bang for the buck!

[@spiritphingaz_]

I was hoping you would mention the Rode NTG3 over the NTG4

[@Juanesrevera]

Hi Alex what earbuds do you recomend ?

[@grassrunner7983]

Could I pair a field recording with video from an Insta360 one RS in post production?

[@danielkumar5195]

are the Audio Technika ATH M50x a good alternative to the Sony MDR 7506?

[@FiistFlaag]

What Do you think of the rode ai 1 as an interface

[@subbbass]

i bought a Zoom H6. do you think it's good enough to begin with it for dialog and music ?

[@Zynet_Eseled]

For making ambient, this would be good once I can afford and prepare.

[@selvakumarrajendran9872]

What are your thoughts on Rode Ntg-5 ?

[@MobileMusic]

Nice! How do you compare Zoom H6 recording quality, its mics and features?

[@Matthew_Raymond]

MobileMusic The preamps of the H6 and the two Tascam recorders he mentioned are of similar quality. Tascam built-in mics might be slightly better, but I’d use separate mics anyway. Main issue is form factor and how you use the recorder. If you insist that your recorder fit in a sound bag or under your camera, the H6 may not be right for you. That said, if you have a Zoom H6 already, I wouldn’t sweat it. The H6 is a fine recorder. You can certainly make it work for you.

[@hopenamedia3439]

thoughts on Synco D2?

[@emrahoguz4551]

a little handheld sony recorder which is one of the best handheld recorders ever made

[@victorpaul7990]

Does it make any difference if you remove the low end in post with eq vs engaging the high pass filter?

[@libitum_ad]

I guess you have way more control if you edit the eq in post as the build in HP filter will be a preset that wont act dynamically on its surroundings

[@MadDogHoek23]

Can you do an update, please 🙏🏼

[@RobKristjansson]

Alex, I suggest you setup global Amazon links - I'm sure I'm not the only Canadian fan of yours who would love to purchase via your affiliate links :-)

[@DaftRebel]

good! just need a bag ond a trolley to bring everything to the set :P

[@Joshua-iz1go]

I'd like to use earbuds for myself and use a headphone splitter for overears I'd keep on my belt for anyone who wants a listen. Except, on set I'd often have one ear free of headphones between takes, so maybe that won't work

[@AlreadyTiredOfYou]

I wanted to get tascam but they don't ship to where I live. I had to go with zoom H6. And it's quite a nice system. Anyway, thanks for the video. I'm still super new when it comes to sound and there are many things I don't understand 😅

[@axk]

That’s totally fine! Zoom H6 is great for regular recording stuff, it just struggles with really detailed or quiet sounds in my experience. Keep learning, there’s lots to get into but it’s all fascinating stuff and I’m going to keep trying to break down the more complicated things!

[@AlreadyTiredOfYou]

@@axk I'll see how far I can get with it :) I'm the meanwhile, I'm planning to get some nice speakers for audio editing (I've watched your video on it). I have one question, though: which audio interface should I buy to connect them to my MacBook?

[@mrblue2]

how about the deity d3?