Zoom h4n recorder field update -Sound Machines continued-

Zoom H4n Update

Back in September I compared the Sony PCM D50 and the Zoom H4n field recorders (here). At the time I’d had the Zoom about a week, was impressed with the features and audio quality but couldn’t speak to its reliability in the field.

Well after a hard trip to Uganda/Sudan I have to say its performance in the field is stellar. I’m listening to the audio now. The quality is very good and most importantly the recorder survived the abuse. 

The recorder is just the right size. It fits in the outside pocket of a Domke F2 bag. It is always handy.

My main objective on this trip was to record interviews with people along the Sudan-Uganda border. The canon 7D that I carried creates excellent video, but  is just not up to the audio task  so 2 system sound was the only option (read about 2 system sound here). 

For interviews I used the Sennheiser G2 wireless lavaliere system (here) plugged into one of the Zoom’s xlr ports. Many of my subjects speak English as a second language so clean clear sound is essential. Then I’d use the Zoom’s internal microphones to record back up sound in stereo. In addition I ran a Rode Stereo VideoMic on the camera to record a clean guide track. I do all my synching with Singular software's Plural Eyes (here), it is pretty painless. Fred Taban is recorded and synched this way.

Having 2 recordings on the Zoom is great. The Senneiser picks up only voice while the onboard mikes give up more ambient for mixing options later.

I’d also use the onboard mikes for more run and gun ambient and voice. Doing this I really had to watch handling noise. The Zoom is particularly bad about handling noise. I brought the wired remote control but found it to be too cumbersome to be useful. Also, the provided foam windscreen is –well- terrible and the built in microphones pick up so much wind rumble that THEY are useless with out a screen. I added a Rycote screen that sits on the recorder all the time. It draws less attention than a red head and means I can use the onboards in all but gale force conditions.

The other Mic I carried was the old standby Electo Voice RE50. It always astounds me. Virtually no handling or wind noise and it is strong as a brick. No wonder it is so popular at NPR. It plugs straight into the Zoom’s xlr ports and the sound is great. The only problem is you have to be right in someone's face with the RE50 so not so good for on camera interviews.

Issues? Just a couple. 

One is that the input levels on the xlr ports are not independent. They are recording to a stereo track so I can’t realistically have the RE50 and the Sennheiser plugged in at the same time.

Two the thing drinks batteries. I left my phantom powered mics at home to save power, but still I was changing Lithium AA’s daily. running 48 volt phantom I would have been changing twice a day or more. Plan accordingly.

All in all a great recorder, and at $300 the price is right.

-Stephen Alvarez

Comments

[Stephen Alvarez]

Howard,
I'd check through Bruce Sharp's blog http://brucesharpe.blogspot.com/ and also look through Jem Schofield's theC47.com. Usually footage from the 5d MKII gets transcoded to a different codec for editing. Jem is giving workshop in NYC Dec 14 that should cover the topic. Hope this helps

[Howard Sheldon]

My E-mail is guru388@pacbell.net

[Howard Sheldon]

Stephan I am awed by your ability. I have the Canon 5d mk2 and I also have the Zoom h4n. Also a boom and the Rode Ntg-2. What I don't have the mac operating system or finalcut pro to sync the sound and video. Please please please tell me what Window xp program is available to do the job in the easiest way. If there is a "FOR DUMMIES" program out there it's for me.
Thank you in advance,

Howard Sheldon

http://howardsheldon.com

[ed hardy]

Agree. It's a good article that I can apply this for my routine. I loved it, so usefully. Thanks :)