Should i use Mono headset to monitor? at DVinfo.net

Robert Bridgens · January 12th, 2011, 02:37 PM

This may be stupid a stupid question, do headphone exist where you can switch off one side? I find having the headset on my head with the right hand can not on my ear uncomfortable after a short while.

I have been recording audio using my Zoom H4n + Rode NTG2 and im getting very distracted by a hissing noise in my right headphone whilst monitoring the audio.

Now i assume this is because i am recording a mono track with the shotgun mic and there is no information coming through the right speaker.

- If a you cant get a set where you can switch one side off, Would a decent set of headphones stop me from hearing this hiss?

Or should i look at some decent in ear headphone buds so I can easily wear just one?

John Kilderry · January 12th, 2011, 02:58 PM

I frequently wear headphones off the ear on the unrecorded channel, especially when paying attention to a young reporter's questions.

Colin McDonald · January 12th, 2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Bridgens

...I have been recording audio using my Zoom H4n + Rode NTG2 and im getting very distracted by a hissing noise in my right headphone whilst monitoring the audio.

Now i assume this is because i am recording a mono track with the shotgun mic and there is no information coming through the right speaker...

I would be inclined to get rid of the hiss first. If you have upgraded the firmware of the H4n, you can now control the XLR inputs separately and can turn the down the level of the unused channel.

You don't say how you are monitoring the audio, from the H4n or from the camera? Either way it sounds like you have recorded a track of hiss as well as the NTG-2 audio. A specially wired cable could take care of passing only the NTG-2 signal from the H4n to the camera if you wanted.

Even when recording a mono signal, I prefer to monitor it with both ears, but maybe that's just me.

Robert Bridgens · January 12th, 2011, 05:25 PM

Thanks Colin - updated my firmware and now it has gone! I didnt realise that it would be recording track two even when there is no input connected.

I am monitoring the audio from the H4n's line out directly.

Are in ear buds any good for monitoring though ( i mean decent ones, not apple iPod ones!). Having the headset half on my head drives me nuts as it balances funny.

Unless you can recommend a decent pair of cans that are perhaps lighter/ more suited to monitoring in the field as well as editing at a desk?

Shaun Roemich · January 12th, 2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Bridgens

Are in ear buds any good for monitoring though ( i mean decent ones, not apple iPod ones!).

I have been using Sony in-ear buds exclusively for NON-music content monitoring in the field for 12 years. $20 at my local electronics big box. For speech primarily, they give me everything I need and the comfort for prolonged wearing, INCLUDING under ClearCom when I was doing live news "hits"

Be aware, I am NOT talking about the special bass enhanced stuff, just plain jane ear buds with the lowest impedance I could find... I BELIEVE I use 16 ohm, although 50 ohm seems to come to mind as well. Certainly not higher than that. They are as good as MY hearing is at least, given that I'm listening for intelligibility, distortion and noise NOT for accurate equalization. For that I have a set of flat AudioTechnica headphones.

Chad Johnson · January 12th, 2011, 09:30 PM

These are awesome cans, and one side articulates to move the pad off your ear.

Sennheiser HD 25-1 II
Sennheiser HD 25-1 II - headphones - Ear-cup, Binaural - DVeStore

Colin McDonald · January 13th, 2011, 01:52 AM

Just beat me to it, Chad. These are the ones I use for monitoring with a pair of cheapos very similar to Shaun's if I am taking a small camcorder with me on a family outing and travelling light.

Robert Bridgens · January 14th, 2011, 10:06 AM

Thanks guys - very helpful!

Sadly i have just had to spend £500 on a new exhaust / catalytic converter on my car today, so I will have to save up for the sennheisers.

Wayne Reimer · January 14th, 2011, 12:54 PM

I have a messed up head ( yeah, yeah...I know..heard it all before; from my wife) from cancer surgery, and I can't stand wearing headphones...painful. I use a pair of Shure E2C earbuds all the time for monitoring, and just leave one plug out. They really work well at isolating ambient noise, almost too well. If I have them both in my ears, I can't hear anything the mic isn't picking up

January 12th, 2011, 02:37 PM	#1
Robert Bridgens Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London UK Posts: 25	Should i use Mono headset to monitor? This may be stupid a stupid question, do headphone exist where you can switch off one side? I find having the headset on my head with the right hand can not on my ear uncomfortable after a short while. I have been recording audio using my Zoom H4n + Rode NTG2 and im getting very distracted by a hissing noise in my right headphone whilst monitoring the audio. Now i assume this is because i am recording a mono track with the shotgun mic and there is no information coming through the right speaker. - If a you cant get a set where you can switch one side off, Would a decent set of headphones stop me from hearing this hiss? Or should i look at some decent in ear headphone buds so I can easily wear just one? __________________ 5DmkII, 1DmkIV, GoPro HD - No idea how to use them for video!

January 12th, 2011, 02:58 PM	#2
John Kilderry Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Brevard, Florida Posts: 77	I frequently wear headphones off the ear on the unrecorded channel, especially when paying attention to a young reporter's questions. __________________ Beer is cheaper than therapy.

January 12th, 2011, 05:25 PM	#4
Robert Bridgens Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London UK Posts: 25	Thanks Colin - updated my firmware and now it has gone! I didnt realise that it would be recording track two even when there is no input connected. I am monitoring the audio from the H4n's line out directly. Are in ear buds any good for monitoring though ( i mean decent ones, not apple iPod ones!). Having the headset half on my head drives me nuts as it balances funny. Unless you can recommend a decent pair of cans that are perhaps lighter/ more suited to monitoring in the field as well as editing at a desk? __________________ 5DmkII, 1DmkIV, GoPro HD - No idea how to use them for video!

January 12th, 2011, 09:30 PM	#6
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	These are awesome cans, and one side articulates to move the pad off your ear. Sennheiser HD 25-1 II Sennheiser HD 25-1 II - headphones - Ear-cup, Binaural - DVeStore __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

January 14th, 2011, 10:06 AM	#8
Robert Bridgens Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London UK Posts: 25	Thanks guys - very helpful! Sadly i have just had to spend £500 on a new exhaust / catalytic converter on my car today, so I will have to save up for the sennheisers. __________________ 5DmkII, 1DmkIV, GoPro HD - No idea how to use them for video!

January 13th, 2011, 01:52 AM	#7
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Just beat me to it, Chad. These are the ones I use for monitoring with a pair of cheapos very similar to Shaun's if I am taking a small camcorder with me on a family outing and travelling light.

January 14th, 2011, 12:54 PM	#9
Wayne Reimer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 255	I have a messed up head ( yeah, yeah...I know..heard it all before; from my wife) from cancer surgery, and I can't stand wearing headphones...painful. I use a pair of Shure E2C earbuds all the time for monitoring, and just leave one plug out. They really work well at isolating ambient noise, almost too well. If I have them both in my ears, I can't hear anything the mic isn't picking up