Hello. Sorry for the noob question.
I recently put up a post on here about the equipment I want to buy as a starter package. I want to start a small sound effects label with professional sounding sounds. I know (and believe) I can do this if my technique is proper, even if the equipment I am using isn't 'top professional quality'.
It looks like I'm settling on a Fostex FR2 LE recorder, a Rode NTG-3 shotgun microphone, a Rycote 18cm Softie kit (with pistol grip) and K&M mini boom pole (I was told the thread is stronger on this boom pole, than it is on the Rode boom pole - any other mini boom pole suggestions??). I do currently have a small Zoom H2 recorder for extreme portability - but the sound quality of it really is quite poor.
I feel this is a good kit and I'm hopefully getting it for just over £1000. Still alot of money in anyone's book! But this seems like a package.
I'm planning trips all around the UK already to start recording. And I am planning a trip to South East Asia with the main purpose of recording.
BUT... My budget just cannot cover getting a stereo microphone too. Unless I sacrifice the Rode NTG-3 for a cheaper shotgun and get a stereo microphone as well. I'm not sure this is wise, but maybe it is?
When it comes to using sound effects made by another, how important is stereo really? Of course, I understand that ambience should be recorded in stereo (or more channels) but I really want to get this project off the ground. But I also don't want to mess up my opportunities for not having a stereo microphone. I do have the Zoom H2, but it is a bit rubbish (the noise of it is the worst thing, all my Borneo recordings were rubbish because of this - though I didn't focus on sound on that trip).
For example, recording a bird call. Would that be in stereo? Or mono? Recording sounds of the jungle, stereo or mono? Etc. etc. Should I be worried about not having a stereo microphone in my starter package as I start to go on these missions of recording?
Many thanks, James