What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of using external multi-channel recorders?
Configurations
In LA recording studios , the audio signals from all microphones are mixed into a single group of stereo tracks. There are lots of different types and configurations for such recorders on the market.
Such cases it is therefore recommended that users do some research first before deciding which devices to buy if they intend on capturing multiple audio tracks in a single go.
Only if two or four channels need to be recorded however then even simple voice recorder/tablet computers with built-in microphones may offer suitable options and greater portability than most conventional external microphone units (if access to an external mixer is not possible).
Advantages of using external multi-channel recorders
• Ability to modify volume levels after recording • Capability to synchronize multiple playback devices for surround sound reproduction • Ability to make use of microphones with different pickup patterns (i.e., omnidirectional, bi-directional and cardioid) on a single recording • Greater flexibility in post-production editing if multiple performance takes have now been captured using different microphones for each take Disadvantages of using external multi-channel recorders: • Larger mobile audio recorders are far more expensive than single microphone units of similar specifications (but some cost less) • May be difficult to synchronize acquisition from multiple recorders when using time code based synchronization • More cables are expected for multi-channel configurations (but that's the case with most recording devices)
You will find two main forms of four-microphones recording devices found in data acquisition:
Although similar in appearance, the similarities between these two methods end there. In the first one, all channels are mixed and recorded onto a single group of stereo tracks (i.e., channel 1 will undoubtedly be made up from microphone 1's left + right mix while channel 2 will be constructed from microphone 2's left + right mix).
The 2nd method (4-channel) on one other hand involves recording each audio track separately onto a unique separate group of stereo tracks allowing users to modify signal levels for every independent sound source once it has been recorded. Both these microphones are utilized by LA recording studios !