I have a 5d Mkii + Zoom h4 and have a travelling project where i have to record a number of interviews. I own a sennheiser radio mic kit and a Rhode NTG mic, but i'd rather travel as light as possible. Can i plug a lapel mic straight into the Zooms XLR inputs using an adaptor, or do i need to bring the rest of the kit along?

If you can identify your "lapel mic", we can probably take a shot at giving you a useful response.

Thanks Richard. It's the standard one that came with my Sennheiser Evolution radio mic kit with a mini jack on the end.

The miniplug for the mic input on the Sennheiser transmitter is physically compatible with a conventional stereo mic input jack such as on the Zoom BUT it is NOT wired the same way. While I don't have one to try, I would not expect it to work properly. If you got anything at all, you would only be recording to the left channel.

So the only way to record interviews with the Zoom is to use the onboard mics and keep it out of shot?

This works well but means i'll need to carry an extra tripod (or stand) which i was not planning on doing.

So the only way to record interviews with the Zoom is to use the onboard mics and keep it out of shot?
Just because the wiring of the Sennheiser stock lav mic is incompatible with Zoom does NOT mean that the onboard mics are the ONLY other way to record something. Perhaps there are other constraints known to you (but not revealed here) that motivate your conclusion.

Also tell us more about how the interviews will be shot: Totally mobile/handheld? On tripod but still outdoors? Totally stationary and seated?
Wanted to double-check too that you have the original H4 and not the newer H4n. The original H4 has two output jacks; one for headphone and one for line output. The line output can be used with an attenuated dubbing cable to feed audio to your camera. Having the best audio possible on your camera makes synchronization in post much easier.
The newer H4n has only one output jack for either headphone OR line output.
You could simply connect your wireless system to the Zoom, using the transmitter and receiver along with a Sennheiser XLR output cable just as you normally would with any other recorder.
You could also use your Rode shotgun connected to the second XLR channel of the Zoom.
The Rode could be in a shockmount which would attach either to your camera shoe (or camera bracket), or it could go on a separate stand.
How do you normally use your shotgun?
You could also obtain a wired XLR lav mic if you want to keep it both simple and reliable. The only problem with using just one wired lav mic is if the subject hits the mic while gesturing during an answer or if there is clothing or jewelry noise against the mic. Unless you have an additional mic recording on another track as backup, you have no safety net.

The stock Sennheiser ME2 lavalier mic supplied in the Evolution Wireless package only needs less than 5 volts of "plug-in" power. Most consumer/prosumer gear is set-up to supply this via 1/8" miniplug - usually switchable in a menu or with a physical switch. If you get some kind of 1/8" to XLR adapter, like a RODE VXLR, you'd then have to go with phantom power from the zoom or no power - neither of which will work, you might even fry the mic. So, I'd explore the option of getting a proper hardwired lav, or just use wireless.

Depending on your shooting style, the Sennheiser wireless handheld rocks too. I know, you didn't want to carry more stuff...but this is worth checkin' out so you know your options.

How-to: Shooting ENG style with Dual System Audio on a Canon EOS 5D Mark II on Vimeo

So the only way to record interviews with the Zoom is to use the onboard mics and keep it out of shot?

This works well but means i'll need to carry an extra tripod (or stand) which i was not planning on doing.

No, you can use a lav on the subject but you need to buy one that is wired in such as way as to be compatible with the Zoom recorder if that's what you want to use.

OK. I have the zoom H4 (not the N version). I'm shooting on a 5dmkii in the Middle East next month and wish to travel as lightly as possible. I have previously shot interviews through my evolution radio mic set up plugged into the 5D which was not great, but passable. This time i wish to go straight from the zoom and leave the Sennheiser kit at home. I need a lapel mic to do this.

If i understand correctly you're saying my lapel mic on the sennheiser is not suitable so i need to get one that is hard-wired. can you recommend one at a good price?

Should the price be high, i'll have to take the Evolution kit. I need to buy another lens for the trip and hadn't factored in spending any more cash on audio. My other question is this: Can i plug the radio mic into the zoom and bypass the camera altogether? And will this produce better quality sound than going through the 5D?

Thanks to all those helping out here.

Dom

Why not take your evolution kit? It's not like it's going to break your back carrying it! I'm all for traveling light, but you do need to carry some kit...

Just spent an hour and a half trying to get this evolution kit working with the H4. It's driving me nuts. Every time i try to switch on phantom power the zoom cuts out and restarts. Any ideas?

Don't know why your unit switch off, but one thing for sure, you don't need the phantom power with the Evolution kit.

OK. Turned out the battery was low, and that was causing the device to switch off. However still not managed to get this kit working after most of the afternoon playing with it. I'm developing a deep loathing for the interface of the Zoom, and the build quality is atrocious. The onboard mics work well though. Any ideas for a reasonably priced lav mic that will work with this thing?

Do you have the Zoom instruction manual? It's also available online. While the Zoom instructions are pretty poor generally, reading it carefully should at least get you recording successfully.

The key points are:
You should be in two-track recording mode.
Inputs 1&2 need to be selected using the Input Menu switch and menu selections.
Connect the XLR output cable from your Sennheiser receiver to one of the XLR connectors on the H4.
Set the Sensitivity switch on the side of the H4 for the input you're using, to M for the moment.
Set the output of the Sennheiser receiver for a moderately hot mic-level output.
Press the Rec button on the H4 once, it should begin flashing and you should see audio indicating on the meter as you speak into the Sennheiser lav mic system.
Adjust the sensitivity switch on the side of the H4 or the output of the receiver to get a good recording level.
Monitor with headphones for audio quality.
Press the Rec button again to begin recording.

The recording levels can be adjusted in the Zoom menu, but really that's just for fine tuning. The most important is the match the Zoom sensitivity switch and the receiver's output to get a clean signal without overdriving the input.

For a wired XLR lav mic I'd recommend the AT899 for $200 in the US.
Audio-Technica AT899 - Condenser Lavalier Microphone AT899 - B&H

Many thanks for that Jay. I'll have another go tomorrow. I don't think i can face the zoom again today.

The Lav mic looks interesting. I've found 2 links from the same company with differing prices. They both look the same though one seems to have more power. Obviously i'd prefer the cheaper option.

Audio-Technica AT899c-TH (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/20012-audio-technica-at899c-th.html/?r=ks&gclid=CIeliLCnxqMCFR4B4wodAE6sXg)

Audio-Technica AT899 (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/20009-audio-technica-at899.html)

Do you think the cheaper option is suitable for high quality interviews?

Thanks

D

Be sure to order the right one, the 899 comes either with an XLR or unterminated (bare wires).

The TH denotes Theatre (beige, flesh tone, pink)

It's a pretty decent sounding lav at the price and I love the fact that it ships with a vampire clip as well as an assortment of other rigging options. I used to have one, but now switched over the COS11D with the vampire clip from LMCsound.

Here is the link to the 899 on AT's site Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more (http://www.audio-technica.com/cgi-bin/product_search/wired_mics/mics_by_type.pl?product_type=Microphones%3A+Lavalier)

Their stock photos of the two mics on the Dolphin Music site are misleading, read the full description to see the difference. The less expensive version (AT899c-TH) is just the lav mic with a connector to attach to a wireless transmitter.
The full version AT899 has the XLR power module which allows it to operate as a complete wired microphone.

I have a SWISSONIC MDR-2, cost around £70 including postage and can handle domestic line in, I will try hooking it up to a desk to see how it fares with pro line in.

Its secret is it has 1/4" jack inputs and level knobs. It does however need a preamp to handle microphones. I got a cheap one from Maplin.

I should add I am talking corporate community video stuff here, for broadcast you would defenatly need to spend a lot more.

Ben

Jay Massengill

Finally got there with your instructions Jay. I'm sure i was doing the same thing on my own, but perhaps in the wrong order. Anyway, seems ok now. The 899 looks like a good bit of kit, so i'll have to decide whether i want to save the cash, or bring along the Evolution kit.

Thanks for your help, and any other's who've helped out here.

Glad to hear it!

The only other hiccup with wireless would be since you're traveling to a foreign country... Do you know for sure you can legally use your wireless frequency there?

One more note about the H4, the settings are saved onto the SD card. So if you change cards or format a card, you need to reselect the settings again.

Jay

Hadn't thought of the wireless legality issue. I'll look into it. I wasn't aware it could be an issue. I'm going to Israel.

I may have a look at the 899 as well. Is there any difference qualitywise between that and the evolution?

The audio quality would depend on which Sennheiser lav element you have in your wireless system. I'm not personally familiar with their various models and how they sound, but there are often comments here on upgrading to something better than the stock lav.
The AT899 sounds good but not fantastic. It's a trade-off between size, price, audio quality and included accessories. The AT899 is truly great in 3 of those categories. In audio quality I think it's perfectly good, (I have 3 of them) but there are much more expensive lavs that do sound better.
If you are only recording with one mic (so there's no direct comparison between two different models) and there are no significant problems encountered, your audio with either should be fine for voice interviews. Usually a wired connection will sound superior but that difference would be subtle. Wired is more reliable (unless someone trips over the cable).

Hi Dom,
Check out this link.It is for an adapter made by Sennheiser which would give you the option to use the lapel mic from the Evolution series in a hardwired setup. Good Luck,Neil.



Sennheiser UK - MZA 900 P (http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/home_en.nsf/root/professional_wired-microphones_instrument-mics_evolution-900_500226)

Thanks for that Neil. It comes in at only 50 quid less than buying the 899, so the latter looks quite appealing.

Thanks to everyone for helping out.