Mike Borlace

Nagra (Nagra IVS -TC): -still being manufactured -created from the beginning as a professional machine -will work in extremes of heat, cold, humidity & dust -can drop it (to a certain extent of course) and it will still work -non existent list of problems with unit reported on sound web pages and newsgroups -quality of sound recorded is warm & rich DAT: -Fostex and HHB have discontinued their time code DAT recorders -tape transport mechanisms are not manufactured anymore for DAT recorders -created from the beginning as a consumer format that failed -will crease working in extremes of climate -if dropped, most likely will be unrepairable -regular postings of problems on film sound webpages and newsgroups -being 16 bit, the quality of sound is colder and more limited Prices for Nagras and DAT's are coming down as the new generation of non linear hard disk/DVD audio recorders come out. (There are 10 machines from 6 different companies out or on the way) Mike Borlace

Go to www.coffeysound.com, look for the "community" tab, click on it and in the list there are 3 groups that specialize in film sound recording: -RAMPS newsgroup (my favourite, it has recordists from around the world and also audio manufacturers who answer questions) -The Recording Arts Forum -CAS forum (Cinema Audio Society) Mike Borlace