Recording Sound

[Pj]

What would people recommend for a decent quality sound recording device? I have used to use a mini disc but I gather there are better and cheaper devices.

Thanks

Pav

[carllooper]

Check out out music shops where they sell electric guitars and microphones, etc.

I acquired a solid state digital sound recorder with built in mics, mini-jack inputs as well as as inputs for traditional microphones. Files are recorded as uncompressed wav files. The recorder I obtained was a 'ZOOM' brand. Does a great job. They even do addon's for iPad.

Look at the products listed under "Handy Recorder" here:
http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/?lang=en

This is the one I'm using:
http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/h4n

[Wade]

I also use the Zoom H4n model digital recorder.

[kontrabass888]

I have had my Sony D50 for many years, it is almost perfect except the hard disk is too small. I heard that the ZOOM H4 can add the reverberation during the recording, so, it will make less job for music-editing.

[Pj]

Has anyone tried the Zoom Hn2?

Thanks

Pav

[Will2]

I also use the Zoom H4n model digital recorder.

This is a great recorder. Built-in mics are excellent and you can set it to record both with built-in mics and XLR ins so you can get 4 tracks in a small, easy to use recorder.

The only other one from Zoom might be the one with the video camera because it might help with syncing to film if you have a visual reference as well. The video section is terrible, but works for sync reference. For instance, simply set off a camera flash or clap board and you'll be able to sync easily in a modern editing program.

[Scotness]

I use the zoom h4n and find it pretty good as well.

The only drawback I've noticed is that the record level for the mic inputs is the same for both channels. So if you are filming one person interviewing another - and they both have lapel microphones on - if you run each lapel back to a separate XLR input - when you adjust the record level it will set it the same for both microphones. This is because they aren't separate mono tracks but are respectively the left and right channel on a stereo track. This can be an issue if one person talks more loudly than the other.

I've had this problem with various comedy sketches I've filmed - so what we did is: on the close ups on person A we'd set the volume for them (regardless of what it did for person B's levels) and then vice versa when we were filming person B's close ups. When we did a wide 2 shot we just averaged the recording level. Occasionally if there was a problem like a door slam or something through someone's good audio scene then we'd grab the audio from the alternate take where their level was set for the other person and just massage it to sound alright.

It's not a major problem but something to be aware of. Like wise with the 2 built in microphones and their level control as well.

So although you can have 4 inputs you are only recording to 2 stereo tracks. Too bad they haven't given you the option of recording to 4 mono tracks with separate level control - but it's not too bad - it's a pretty good unit overall.

Scot

[Will2]

This was shot with a Ultra 16 Scoopic MS, Canon 5D MkII and another cheap video camera. Audio recorded direct into the Zoom XLR ins and I believe mixed in with some room mice as well; it's been a couple of years. All synced in the computer rather easily. For the film I just looked at their strumming and started the sync there.

O.A.R.
https://vimeo.com/31451210