syncing audio zoom H1 at DVinfo.net

Luke Gates · September 11th, 2010, 09:41 AM

Never heard of the auto gain control on the 550d until I looked for manual gain control that I was so used to adjusting with my HV-30 when using an Azden stereo mic. I'm looking for a cheap alternative and have heard about the H4n over and over. I'm on a budget, only need one channel, and don't need xlr inputs so I'm looking into the zoom H1.

The problem is I searched everywhere and didn't find anything on how it works. I know I will connect my external mic into the H1's line in. Then what? How do I sync the audio to the video, or is that done in post?

Edward Carlson · September 11th, 2010, 09:58 AM

The software PluralEyes or DualEyes by Singular Software will sync your H1 recording with the audio from your built-in mic. PluralEyes works with Vegas, Premiere Pro, and FCP. DualEyes is a standalone app if you use another editor or don't need editor integration.

Luke Gates · September 11th, 2010, 11:14 AM

Ok thanks. I assumed you record the audio completely separate and sync later but I wasn't sure. Thanks much

Galen Rath · September 11th, 2010, 12:01 PM

Luke, buy software as soon as you can to do this, but a manual way in post is to roughly match the waveform of the H4n soundtrack to the waveform of the T2i soundtrack visually, and, with headphones on, move the H4n soundtrack back and forth 1 frame at a time until all evidence of an echo disappears when playing both soundtracks. Then replace the T2i soundtrack with the H4n soundtrack.

Don Rumsey · September 11th, 2010, 08:55 PM

I was just wondering about Plural Eyes. Is there a version for CS5 PrePro?

Edward Carlson · September 11th, 2010, 09:14 PM

There is, but it is PC only. The Mac version is on the way, but hasn't been released yet.

Terry Lee · September 14th, 2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galen Rath

Luke, buy software as soon as you can to do this, but a manual way in post is to roughly match the waveform of the H4n soundtrack to the waveform of the T2i soundtrack visually, and, with headphones on, move the H4n soundtrack back and forth 1 frame at a time until all evidence of an echo disappears when playing both soundtracks. Then replace the T2i soundtrack with the H4n soundtrack.

Is this the Ideal method?
I am looking into getting an H4n as well and didn't quite understand how you get the recorded track synced with your video..

I'd get the PluralEyes software but if I can avoid spending about $120 bucks and just take the time to match the tracks then i'll be happy.

Edward Carlson · September 14th, 2010, 08:17 PM

You can of course do it the "old fashioned" way, by using a slate at the head or tail of each take. Then you just have to sync the video of the sticks closing to the spike in the audio track.

Tim Palmer-Benson · February 1st, 2011, 05:34 PM

I have Pluraleyes running with FCP 7:02 and I am still confused about synching. I import all my Canon footage using the Canon plug in for FCP which translates the footage to Apple Pro Res LT. Then I import my Zoom H4n track recorded at 48Hz and get Plural Eyes to match it up. So far, so good. As far as I know, I now have 48kHz audio both from the Canon and the Zoom. BUT is it true that this is NOT the end of the story...that in fact the sound will drift out of sync over the course of 30 minutes or so? I can't figure out from the Pluraleyes website if this little problem is taken care of in the latest version of the software. Does this problem exist with other recorders such as the Marantz PMD671 which I use to record for an hour RC Ceremony. Is the audio from a Canon 60D, 7D and update 5DMk11 true 48kHZ audio or is it 44.1kHz? The FCP property inspector says it is 48kHz?

Bruce Sharpe · February 1st, 2011, 07:56 PM

There are two possible reasons why the sync might drift. The first is that the clock in the camera or the audio recorder is not accurate. Cameras are usually very good, and newer audio recorders are too. We haven't tested the Marantz PMD671, so I can't tell you how good it is.

The second reason is specific to Final Cut Pro. You have to be a little careful how you set it up. It is described in detail in this blog post:

25 Hour Day: DSLR Sync Drift in Final Cut Pro

Bruce

Victor Lee · February 4th, 2011, 05:19 AM

I've been syncing zoom h1 audio with t2i footage for many projects, never had a problem. Still haven't tried pluraleyes so I've been syncing it by ear and visual cue on waveforms. I've just synced a 10 minute interview with a 10 minute wav file from h1 and it turned out fine, no audio drift. I think the h1 is a pretty good tool for short interviews and if you don't need xlrs during the shoot.

Valter Ognjenovic · February 5th, 2011, 01:06 AM

I'm sure this question was covered a million times, but since we're all here...have any of you used PluralEyes to sync tracks for a music video?

Since music videos require preparation, I know people add "clicks" or "pops" to the song so they can sync it in post, but how well would PluralEyes by itself?

Thanks!

September 11th, 2010, 09:41 AM	#1
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	syncing audio zoom H1 Never heard of the auto gain control on the 550d until I looked for manual gain control that I was so used to adjusting with my HV-30 when using an Azden stereo mic. I'm looking for a cheap alternative and have heard about the H4n over and over. I'm on a budget, only need one channel, and don't need xlr inputs so I'm looking into the zoom H1. The problem is I searched everywhere and didn't find anything on how it works. I know I will connect my external mic into the H1's line in. Then what? How do I sync the audio to the video, or is that done in post?

February 1st, 2011, 05:34 PM	#9
Tim Palmer-Benson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Morgan, Vermont Posts: 130	Synching Zoom with Canon DSLRs Still condused! I have Pluraleyes running with FCP 7:02 and I am still confused about synching. I import all my Canon footage using the Canon plug in for FCP which translates the footage to Apple Pro Res LT. Then I import my Zoom H4n track recorded at 48Hz and get Plural Eyes to match it up. So far, so good. As far as I know, I now have 48kHz audio both from the Canon and the Zoom. BUT is it true that this is NOT the end of the story...that in fact the sound will drift out of sync over the course of 30 minutes or so? I can't figure out from the Pluraleyes website if this little problem is taken care of in the latest version of the software. Does this problem exist with other recorders such as the Marantz PMD671 which I use to record for an hour RC Ceremony. Is the audio from a Canon 60D, 7D and update 5DMk11 true 48kHZ audio or is it 44.1kHz? The FCP property inspector says it is 48kHz? __________________ Wedding and Events Videography www.video-vermont.com

September 11th, 2010, 09:58 AM	#2
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	The software PluralEyes or DualEyes by Singular Software will sync your H1 recording with the audio from your built-in mic. PluralEyes works with Vegas, Premiere Pro, and FCP. DualEyes is a standalone app if you use another editor or don't need editor integration.

September 11th, 2010, 11:14 AM	#3
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	Ok thanks. I assumed you record the audio completely separate and sync later but I wasn't sure. Thanks much

September 11th, 2010, 12:01 PM	#4
Galen Rath Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 323	Luke, buy software as soon as you can to do this, but a manual way in post is to roughly match the waveform of the H4n soundtrack to the waveform of the T2i soundtrack visually, and, with headphones on, move the H4n soundtrack back and forth 1 frame at a time until all evidence of an echo disappears when playing both soundtracks. Then replace the T2i soundtrack with the H4n soundtrack.

September 11th, 2010, 08:55 PM	#5
Don Rumsey Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jackson, MI Posts: 40	I was just wondering about Plural Eyes. Is there a version for CS5 PrePro?

September 11th, 2010, 09:14 PM	#6
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	There is, but it is PC only. The Mac version is on the way, but hasn't been released yet.

September 14th, 2010, 08:17 PM	#8
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	You can of course do it the "old fashioned" way, by using a slate at the head or tail of each take. Then you just have to sync the video of the sticks closing to the spike in the audio track.

February 1st, 2011, 07:56 PM	#10
Bruce Sharpe New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 15	There are two possible reasons why the sync might drift. The first is that the clock in the camera or the audio recorder is not accurate. Cameras are usually very good, and newer audio recorders are too. We haven't tested the Marantz PMD671, so I can't tell you how good it is. The second reason is specific to Final Cut Pro. You have to be a little careful how you set it up. It is described in detail in this blog post: 25 Hour Day: DSLR Sync Drift in Final Cut Pro Bruce

February 4th, 2011, 05:19 AM	#11
Victor Lee New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 13	I've been syncing zoom h1 audio with t2i footage for many projects, never had a problem. Still haven't tried pluraleyes so I've been syncing it by ear and visual cue on waveforms. I've just synced a 10 minute interview with a 10 minute wav file from h1 and it turned out fine, no audio drift. I think the h1 is a pretty good tool for short interviews and if you don't need xlrs during the shoot.

February 5th, 2011, 01:06 AM	#12
Valter Ognjenovic New Boot Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Belgrade Posts: 9	I'm sure this question was covered a million times, but since we're all here...have any of you used PluralEyes to sync tracks for a music video? Since music videos require preparation, I know people add "clicks" or "pops" to the song so they can sync it in post, but how well would PluralEyes by itself? Thanks!