DAT Recorder

[slimdog55]

What exactly is a DAT recorder? I know that it's a VCR type of device that records sound (In a PCM format?) from a shotgun microphone onto a tape. I just want someone to confirm that this is what a DAT recorder is.

[reflexive_cinematics]

Yeah, it uses little digital tapes to record onto. Here's a tascam portable / field recorder



They usually have sample rates like 48khz, 44.1 khz , and 32khz. I personally would just use 48.

I heard that they are becoming extinct but not sure. They seem to work pretty darn well.

[crb]

DAT recorder was originally a recording device that recorded the sound on large tape like stuff. What film stock is to film, is what the stuff used in DAT recorders is to a DAT recorder. IT looks like the stuff in tapes, but larger. Like if you saw someone recording in a recording studio. Well, then came along tapes and CD's so alot of recorders became CDRW-field recorder, or mini tape recorder, or tape recorder. They just technoloicallly better versions of a tape recorder. Sound that is recorded seperate from the video sounds better.

[reflexive_cinematics]

Sound that is recorded seperate from the video sounds better.

Why?

If your meaning because the microphones on camera usually are shitty then , ok. Good sound more depends on what quality of mic you are using along with getting good levels ( good signal to noise ratio ) And then later being able to sweeten it up.

[crb]

Not exactly just mic. The audio recording device in the camera is not as good a quality as a device like a DAT recorder or field recorder.

[reflexive_cinematics]

huh? the audio is recorded to the tape in both cases. Maybe the DAT sounds bettter becuase you can set it to 48khz and I DO notice a difference using that sampling rate compared to 44.1

Other wise they both record at 44.1 \ 16 bit and doubt anyone in the world can tell the difference between the two , given that you use the same microphone and get the same level in both cases.

[crb]

If that was the case, why would anyone like Soderberg use the XL1 and record sound seperate?

[Epsilon]

DATs can record multi channels too. Although they can record with very nice quality, they are going obsolete very quickly due to the overtaking of digital sound recording.

Professionals ALWAYS record audio sperately from the video. Period. A camera will never be as versitile or as high of quality as a separate device. You can even link the two systems together and synchronize the timecode these days. But if you need a several channel recording, you camera cannot handle it. The only advantage gained from using only the cameras' audio recording is practicality.

[Raptor]

In the case of most vid cams, the audio processing circuit is , well, pretty bad. Even higher end cams like the VX2100, XL's, GL's etc have to remain price competetive, and since the video is more easily recognized for quality by the average person, the audio circuits often use cheap, noisy preamps to keep the overall price competetive. Remember, it's not a direct line from any mic to the recording media.