Mike wrote:

The analogue recorder used in this research paper was a Nagra 4S, a
large tape reel recorder. I could look for a used one on ebay but surely
there must be some manufacturer who makes newer analogue recorders,
isn't there?

Nagra does. You can order a brand new 4S from the factory in Switzerland.
I don't know how much it costs but I would guess somewhere in the $5k to $6k
range if you just want the S and don't need any fancy extras like timecode.

I am aware that analogue recorders may not have the dynamic range of
digital technology but I am looking for a solution that considers both
"warmth" as well as dynamic range. Therefore an analogue recording would
be acceptable even though this decision may lead to a small sacrifice in
dynamic range.

So, rent a Nagra. Most film rental places will rent you a Nagra and a pair
of Schoeps mikes for a surprisingly reasonable price. They might even have
tape for it (which is where the real rub is today).

Now here is where my situation is a little unique:
What I find useful about the Nagra 4S is the 60 Hz pilotone signal it
can record onto the tape which is useful for synchronizing to film (for
double system sound) because the tape medium never advances at perfectly
consistant rates. Its used for speed correction in post production. This
is a more technical detail, however for some purposes this would be a
useful feature for me.

I don't think the S has pilot tone, does it? I think the S is the one
with the stripped down stereo output, no pilot no timecode.

Pilot is basically not useful today. Cameras with umbilical cables
hardly even exist any more, and everyone uses crystal synch. Speed
correction in post is pretty much a non-issue for anything other than
film work today. This is part of why the S is so inexpensive.

Which portable analogue recorders could be recommended under $500?

They don't exist new. You won't find a used Nagra for that. You might
find a Uher 4000 or Stellavox but you'll spend as much getting the thing
cleaned up.

Here are my considered options:
A new portable cassette-tape recorder (analogue)? Are these still
produced? Which are considered the most advanced today?

I don't think so, and none of them were any good anyway.

An old used Nagra 4S (its analogue).
MZ-NH1 Hi-MD minidisc (its digital)

wait until DVD digital audio recorders arrive - but I am sure they, like
minidiscs, will also be "less warm" than an analogue solution. (I have
heard DVD digital audio recorders might have a very high sample rate -
more than 48khz maybe)

What's wrong with DAT?

What's wrong with renting anyway?

I must also consider the availability of recording media and parts and
so I would prefer a recorder that is more modern rather than something
that is no longer made and difficult to find recording media and parts
for. Also, maintaining an old used analogue recorder (cleaning the heads
and demagnetizing) might prove to be difficult and expensive.

Yes, but the analogue recorder can be maintained. The Minidisc, you just
throw it away and replace it every year or two. Total cost of ownership
calculations are left to you.

Eventually (within a year), I would later digitize the analogue
recording into my computer desktop station which is at another location.
For certain applications I might also have to adjust the sound track and
so I am looking for a solution that can withstand some editing
adjustments and resampling. (i.e. for NTSC video applications I will
have to lengthen the entire sound track length 0.1%). Therefore if a
digital recording solution is used it will have to be the highest
possible sampling rate (i.e. a 48khz. recording would be better than a
44.1khz .recording)

Does this need to be in synch?

(I am not much interested in DAT because for film work I read that DAT
doesn't "resolve" in sync as easily or as well as a Nagra 4S due to the
inconsistency of DAT tape speed)

You are joking. DAT is so much more accurate for synch than analogue
tape that it's not even worth thinking about. But, if you want to synch
to film or video, you will want a DAT deck or a Nagra with timecode,
honestly.

Why do you need to synch to film or video?

I might end up just going with the Hi-MD minidisc solution as it is the
simplest solution but I thought I would first consider seriously an
analogue recording solution, but I need some advice which analogue
recorders could be used today.

Well, what are you trying to do, and what are you trying to synch to,
and what's wrong with renting? And what is your budget for microphones?
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."