Two channel audio recording

Laszlo Horvath · October 15th, 2012, 08:21 AM

Thanks for ll of you.
So, I can setup my Sennh G2 lav to my Zoom and the Rode videomic to the camera? Or both to the Zoom and I don't even need the Rode?
Also, I need the H4n or the H1 is enough?
Thanks

Jeff Harper · October 15th, 2012, 08:35 AM

I don't understand why you need or want to hook your wireless to the zoom.

Just use a shotgun on the camera. That's one audio track.

Then use the Zoom (H1 shoud be fine) as a recorder. Put it wherever you want to and then record the performance.

Later you download the zoom file and bring it into your editing program just like you do a video file.

How you manage the audio file when you edit is a separate issue, but pretty easy to deal with.

Laszlo Horvath · October 15th, 2012, 10:49 AM

I recording from the band or the DJ's output. In post I edit the mic's and the board's out, so the final audio is very clear. This is how I recording live events always.

Guy Smith · October 15th, 2012, 01:30 PM

My $0.02...

The camera's mic preamp can be quite noisy when used with an external microphone and it seems to be related to the microphone's output impedance. Trying to get rid of the noise is very difficult because it happens across a broad spectrum, not just in the high frequency range.

I have a Sennheiser MKE 300 shotgun, 600 Ohms - noisy
My Sennheiser G2 wireless, 600 Ohms - noisy
Audio Technica 835b shotgun, 300 Ohms - noisy
Audio Technica Pro 70 lav 150 Ohms - dead quiet

I was about to dump my Sennheiser MKE 300 until I tried it on the Zoom H1 - absolutely clean.

I also tried my G2 system with the Zoom and it was also noise-free. (sold the AT shotgun so I didn't try it).

Someone recommended using the Zoom's built-in stereo mics instead of the shotgun. After purchasing the Zoom H1 I did a quick test and found that in a quiet environment (my home) the Zoom's built-in mics picked up sound as well as the Sennheiser shotgun from 3' out to 10' - and it was stereo, not mono.

You've received several suggestions here on how to use the Zoom. IMHO all the suggestions are quite good; the method you choose will depend on your preference for a given situation. Just know that the Zoom is an excellent tool and well worth the money.

FYI, I also considered the BeachTek adapter but went with the Zoom so that I'd have headphone outputs to monitor the audio that was being fed to the camera. If a cable was not plugged in all the way or had a mechanical issue that was causing noise the camera's audio meters could show that audio was being recorded and you'd have no way of hearing that there was an issue with it.

William Hohauser · October 15th, 2012, 02:25 PM

The Zoom is cheaper than the correct Beachtek for the GH2 (at least when I bought it). I tried the Zoom as an on-camera mic, didn't work out so well. Too clumsy. I might be shooting a small concert this week and the Zoom's on board mics will make a much better room recording than my excellent Rode mike plugged directly into the camera. The only problem is finding a safe place to mount the Zoom away from audience noise.

Laszlo Horvath · October 15th, 2012, 06:26 PM

Thanks for all of you. I already purchased today a Rode videomic and look like I'll order a Zoom H1 from B&H.
This way I can try my self.
Thanks again for all of you.
Laz

Chris Duczynski · October 24th, 2012, 10:22 PM

William, what do you mean by the "correct" Beachtek. I notice there is the DXA pro and the DXA 5D, with a big price difference.
I have Sony wireless mics and a Rode NTG 2.
I would prefer the beachtek as it has more versatility, but not sure if I need the "pro" version.

William Hohauser · October 25th, 2012, 10:50 AM

Beachtek offers a battery powered adapter that sends out a signal that overrides the AGC on the camera so you can get stabile audio levels. It's not worth it to me if I can get a backup recording in a better quality audio file for less. Plus route the audio to the camera just like a Beachtek.

Chris Duczynski · October 25th, 2012, 03:02 PM

For field recording as a ENG type set up (radio mics and Rode) I'm split between a zoom and a beachtek. Currently I just plug into XLR's on my Z5 and monitor on headphones, but I'm unsure about which option and what model for the GH2 - zoom HN1 or H4n or beachtek DXA 5d or Pro.
Any suggestions as it seems pretty 50/50 on this thread.?

William Hohauser · October 25th, 2012, 05:00 PM

The Beachtek is ergonomic in that it attaches to the camera and you can leave it on forever where the Zoom is another device that you have to worry about setting up, cables, pushing buttons, syncing up, etc. That's a big plus for the Beachtek.

Chris Duczynski · October 25th, 2012, 06:09 PM

Thanks William,
I'll probably go with the Pro version as I like the ability to see levels and monitor from the camera. It is more expensive but audio recording is not something I want to save money on. I think you get what you pay for.

October 15th, 2012, 08:21 AM	#16
Laszlo Horvath Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LaSalle Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Images: 5	Re: Two channel audio recording Thanks for ll of you. So, I can setup my Sennh G2 lav to my Zoom and the Rode videomic to the camera? Or both to the Zoom and I don't even need the Rode? Also, I need the H4n or the H1 is enough? Thanks

October 15th, 2012, 08:35 AM	#17
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Two channel audio recording I don't understand why you need or want to hook your wireless to the zoom. Just use a shotgun on the camera. That's one audio track. Then use the Zoom (H1 shoud be fine) as a recorder. Put it wherever you want to and then record the performance. Later you download the zoom file and bring it into your editing program just like you do a video file. How you manage the audio file when you edit is a separate issue, but pretty easy to deal with.

October 15th, 2012, 10:49 AM	#18
Laszlo Horvath Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LaSalle Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Images: 5	Re: Two channel audio recording I recording from the band or the DJ's output. In post I edit the mic's and the board's out, so the final audio is very clear. This is how I recording live events always.

October 15th, 2012, 01:30 PM	#19
Guy Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 48	Re: Two channel audio recording My $0.02... The camera's mic preamp can be quite noisy when used with an external microphone and it seems to be related to the microphone's output impedance. Trying to get rid of the noise is very difficult because it happens across a broad spectrum, not just in the high frequency range. I have a Sennheiser MKE 300 shotgun, 600 Ohms - noisy My Sennheiser G2 wireless, 600 Ohms - noisy Audio Technica 835b shotgun, 300 Ohms - noisy Audio Technica Pro 70 lav 150 Ohms - dead quiet I was about to dump my Sennheiser MKE 300 until I tried it on the Zoom H1 - absolutely clean. I also tried my G2 system with the Zoom and it was also noise-free. (sold the AT shotgun so I didn't try it). Someone recommended using the Zoom's built-in stereo mics instead of the shotgun. After purchasing the Zoom H1 I did a quick test and found that in a quiet environment (my home) the Zoom's built-in mics picked up sound as well as the Sennheiser shotgun from 3' out to 10' - and it was stereo, not mono. You've received several suggestions here on how to use the Zoom. IMHO all the suggestions are quite good; the method you choose will depend on your preference for a given situation. Just know that the Zoom is an excellent tool and well worth the money. FYI, I also considered the BeachTek adapter but went with the Zoom so that I'd have headphone outputs to monitor the audio that was being fed to the camera. If a cable was not plugged in all the way or had a mechanical issue that was causing noise the camera's audio meters could show that audio was being recorded and you'd have no way of hearing that there was an issue with it.

October 15th, 2012, 02:25 PM	#20
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Two channel audio recording The Zoom is cheaper than the correct Beachtek for the GH2 (at least when I bought it). I tried the Zoom as an on-camera mic, didn't work out so well. Too clumsy. I might be shooting a small concert this week and the Zoom's on board mics will make a much better room recording than my excellent Rode mike plugged directly into the camera. The only problem is finding a safe place to mount the Zoom away from audience noise. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

October 15th, 2012, 06:26 PM	#21
Laszlo Horvath Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LaSalle Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Images: 5	Re: Two channel audio recording Thanks for all of you. I already purchased today a Rode videomic and look like I'll order a Zoom H1 from B&H. This way I can try my self. Thanks again for all of you. Laz

October 24th, 2012, 10:22 PM	#22
Chris Duczynski Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sydney Posts: 304	Re: Two channel audio recording William, what do you mean by the "correct" Beachtek. I notice there is the DXA pro and the DXA 5D, with a big price difference. I have Sony wireless mics and a Rode NTG 2. I would prefer the beachtek as it has more versatility, but not sure if I need the "pro" version.

October 25th, 2012, 10:50 AM	#23
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Two channel audio recording Beachtek offers a battery powered adapter that sends out a signal that overrides the AGC on the camera so you can get stabile audio levels. It's not worth it to me if I can get a backup recording in a better quality audio file for less. Plus route the audio to the camera just like a Beachtek. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation Last edited by William Hohauser; October 25th, 2012 at 12:36 PM.

October 25th, 2012, 03:02 PM	#24
Chris Duczynski Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sydney Posts: 304	Re: Two channel audio recording For field recording as a ENG type set up (radio mics and Rode) I'm split between a zoom and a beachtek. Currently I just plug into XLR's on my Z5 and monitor on headphones, but I'm unsure about which option and what model for the GH2 - zoom HN1 or H4n or beachtek DXA 5d or Pro. Any suggestions as it seems pretty 50/50 on this thread.?

October 25th, 2012, 05:00 PM	#25
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Two channel audio recording The Beachtek is ergonomic in that it attaches to the camera and you can leave it on forever where the Zoom is another device that you have to worry about setting up, cables, pushing buttons, syncing up, etc. That's a big plus for the Beachtek. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

October 25th, 2012, 06:09 PM	#26
Chris Duczynski Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sydney Posts: 304	Re: Two channel audio recording Thanks William, I'll probably go with the Pro version as I like the ability to see levels and monitor from the camera. It is more expensive but audio recording is not something I want to save money on. I think you get what you pay for.