These days, the audio tracks I lay down are most often recorded directly to the video recorder at the camera, whatever its format. But the best way is still a two-part system, as done for film. I have a high resolution digital audio recorder with full time code capability (Sound Devices 702t); this can be used as primary audio, or as a backup for the tracks at the camera. I can also backup tracks with an excellent little Zoom MP3 recorder always available in my bag. Backups are especially recommended when using a wireless link to the camera, as is common when working ENG-style.

It’s also very common for me to record audio for interview transcription purposes, with or without camera time code, usually as an MP3 file to be FTP’d to a transcription service.

Equipment List

Mixers
 Sound Devices 442 and 302 (These can be ganged together for 7 inputs)

Microphones
  Schoeps CMC/MK41
  Sennheiser MKH60 “shotgun”
  Sanken COS-11, Sonotrim, and Sony ECM-77 lavalier mics
  Rode NT-4 Stereo Mic (x/y pattern)
  Byerdynamic M58 hand mic (wireless transmitter, too)

Recorders
  Sound Devices 702t
  Zoom H4n
  Zoom H2 (MP3)
  3 Olympus Voice recorders for transcriptions

Wireless Systems
  Lectrosonics 411a, 211, 190 and 185 (VHF) (8 total)
  Comtek 216s (one transmitter, 4 receivers)

Live Kit
  JK Audio Remote Mix 3 (phone interface)
  JK Audio THAT-2 (phone interface)
  IFB Boxes, IFB dialers, amp/speaker boxes, distribution amps, ear buds, etc.

Accessories

  Too numerous to mention. I got you covered.