Rode smartLav and android apps? at DVinfo.net

Jason McDonald · April 21st, 2014, 10:46 AM

I have a zoom h4n and a rode stereo/video mic. I'm still getting used to audio. I wanted something I could put on my subject for interviews or something on myself to record speeches etc. where I can't have anything else around.

What is the best android app (I have no Apple devices) for recording using this lav?

Dumb question number 2: Does the way the H4n picks up audio via it's built-in mics work better or worse than say attaching the Stereo/Video mic instead?

Rick Reineke · April 21st, 2014, 11:16 AM

Whichever mic is closer to the sound source is going to sound best.
I have no experience recording to 'iphones' or other phone type devices, but would surmise a decent quality lavaliere mic plugged into the Zoom would yield the most professional sounding result. The H4n inherently doesn't have very good microphone preamps, but I'm sure they're much better than any smartphone. Depends on your expectations of what sounds 'good'.

Donald McPherson · April 21st, 2014, 01:09 PM

You could also try the iRig pre. I am told it works very well.

Jason McDonald · April 22nd, 2014, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

Whichever mic is closer to the sound source is going to sound best.
I have no experience recording to 'iphones' or other phone type devices, but would surmise a decent quality lavaliere mic plugged into the Zoom would yield the most professional sounding result. The H4n inherently doesn't have very good microphone preamps, but I'm sure they're much better than any smartphone. Depends on your expectations of what sounds 'good'.

Yeah, I figured that would be the case. It's just placing the H4n somewhere on the talent that's going to be difficult. If they're just sitting there then that's what I'll try.

Rick Reineke · April 22nd, 2014, 08:37 AM

Some use the affordable H1, it's pocket sized and will work with a most lavs w/ 3.5mm connectors.
Also likely to sound better than a smartphone and will record uncompressed PCM files (.wav).

April 21st, 2014, 10:46 AM	#1
Jason McDonald Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Japan Posts: 295	Rode smartLav and android apps? I have a zoom h4n and a rode stereo/video mic. I'm still getting used to audio. I wanted something I could put on my subject for interviews or something on myself to record speeches etc. where I can't have anything else around. What is the best android app (I have no Apple devices) for recording using this lav? Dumb question number 2: Does the way the H4n picks up audio via it's built-in mics work better or worse than say attaching the Stereo/Video mic instead?

April 21st, 2014, 11:16 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Rode smartLav and android apps? Whichever mic is closer to the sound source is going to sound best. I have no experience recording to 'iphones' or other phone type devices, but would surmise a decent quality lavaliere mic plugged into the Zoom would yield the most professional sounding result. The H4n inherently doesn't have very good microphone preamps, but I'm sure they're much better than any smartphone. Depends on your expectations of what sounds 'good'. Last edited by Rick Reineke; April 21st, 2014 at 11:47 AM.

April 21st, 2014, 01:09 PM	#3
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Rode smartLav and android apps? You could also try the iRig pre. I am told it works very well.

April 22nd, 2014, 08:37 AM	#5
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Rode smartLav and android apps? Some use the affordable H1, it's pocket sized and will work with a most lavs w/ 3.5mm connectors. Also likely to sound better than a smartphone and will record uncompressed PCM files (.wav).