• DSLR Video

  Zoom-H4N-based Sound Overmodulated on HDSLR? – Sample Included

  Posted by Antonio Svarenga on February 8, 2011 at 8:25 am

  Here’s a link to the audio problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Z43yU0zDg

  I went XLR into H4N, 1/8″ cable from H4N into the 60D’s mic input. My voice, from where I was standing off camera, sounds good and strong, though obviously it wasn’t intended to be the main sound source (nor will it be used at all).

  Zoom H4N sent to 60D DSLR. Sounds nasty and over modulated, but
  a) the levels are not blown out
  b) the recorded audio files that were recorded straight onto the H4N sounds fine

  Is there a common connection problem? Plugging a Rode mic (with 1/8″ connection) directly into the camera’s mic input sounds fine. Should i have made it a line input?

  Thoughts? I’m not freaking out, as I can sync it up later with the the good backup audio.

  Your help makes all the difference.

  Dennis O’clair replied 15 years, 2 months ago 3 Members · 6 Replies
• 6 Replies

• 

  Konstantin Sautier

  February 8, 2011 at 9:53 am

  Hi,
  the Zoom Recorder is outputting a pre-amplified signal (line level).
  You must not feed a line level signal into the Mic input of the Camera.
  The signal is distorted by the cam´s mic preamps, BEFORE it can even be damped by the automatic level control circuit.
  That´s why you get distortion without blown out levels being shown, I suppose.
  There are field mixers that have an optional mic level output, so you can connect them easily to the Camera´s mic input. They would be the thing to use.
• 

  Dennis O’clair

  February 8, 2011 at 2:21 pm

  The Zoom H4n can be connected to a DSLR. However the Line Level signal needs to be attenuated with a pad cable. -25db is just about the right amount to get the job done. Several companies make these cables. There is one available that also has a Headphone Monitoring jack.

  -25db pad cable: https://bit.ly/i4CxKL
  -25db pad and headphones: https://bit.ly/eoND64
• 

  Antonio Svarenga

  February 8, 2011 at 5:20 pm

  Thanks very much. Is there another work around, until I get this in the mail?

  In other words, a radio shack cable I can buy? 🙂

  Your help makes all the difference.
• 

  Dennis O’clair

  February 8, 2011 at 6:10 pm

  No you can’t find a cable like these at Radio Shack. A pad cable has a tiny resistor soldered into it that provides the Attenuation of the signal.
• 

  Antonio Svarenga

  February 8, 2011 at 6:11 pm

  Wow, I just read this on B+H Photo’s site!

  i’m certain this is a great product, but it just doesn’t fit the mic connection for my 60d! what gives?! i’ve heard it works in a 5d, what can it be?

  Yikes.

  Your help makes all the difference.
• 

  Dennis O’clair

  February 15, 2011 at 3:22 pm

  Antonio,
  What do you mean it doesn’t fit? It has a 3.5mm TRS connector, same as your camera. Please explain.

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