Just bought the Zoom h4n

[Ty Ford]

Hello Kelsie and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

You enter as a hopeful, empty bucket expecting to be filled. There is so much to learn.
I’m not sure of the best place to start. My experience is that every shoot is different.

What will be plugged into the inputs of the sound board?
Who will be operating it?
Will there be mics on people or somewhere else?
What mics will be used on which people?
What editing system will you be using?
Is your computer a Mac or a PC?

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog

[Kelsie Beck]

Hi Ty,

I will be plugging the Zoom h4n into the sound board and the sound board would be operated by the DJ and I would be operating the Zoom.

There will be a microphone on the officiant, bride and groom. Not sure what type of mic as every wedding is different.

I am using a Mac computer and edit with Final Cut Pro.

Thank you!

[Ty Ford]

OK,

I will be plugging the Zoom h4n into the sound board and the sound board would be operated by the DJ and I would be operating the Zoom.

You need to get with the DJ to settle on using mic or line level to your recorder. Line is usually better.
You need to watch the level into your recorder during the show, because he may change levels that make your level go low or high. You may need to adjust. Having both of you there for the rehearsal is a VERY GOOD IDEA.

There will be a microphone on the officiant, bride and groom. Not sure what type of mic as every wedding is different.

One mic on all three or three different mics?

I am using a Mac computer and edit with Final Cut Pro.
OK, me too.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog

[Brian Reynolds]

DJ mixers and for that matter ALL desk type mixers deliver only ‘Line out’, in my experience only some ‘Location’ mixers give an option to get mic level out.

If you plug Line level (from a mixer into a Zoom H4n) you WILL over drive the inputs and you WILL get distortion…. So many people have and still do….its a frequently asked question on many forums.
You will need to come by some PADS to lower the level 30-40 db will mean you can going the XLR inputs….. Even pro line level goes into the Line input of the Zoom H4n better with a 10-15 db pad.

[Rob Neidig]

Well once again “that depends”. The Mackie and Behringer mixers that would be pretty common in DJ applications I believe, do usually have an option to send the main outs either MIC or LINE level. However, those outputs may already be what the DJ is using to send to his amp/speakers, so what he/she is sending to the video person may have to come from some other output. And yes, those other outputs are going to be LINE level. And not to complicate things even further, but probably -10 dB consumer line level vs. +4dB professional line level.

Good info from both Brian and Ty here. The bottom line is that you really have to have a basic understanding of audio levels and how your H4N works, as well as a basic understanding of mixers so you know what you are being sent. I’m sorry to say there are many DJs out there who really have no idea how to send you a proper feed. And of course it is not really their job to do that, their job is to provide sound for the live event. So the more you know about it yourself, the better off you will be. There have been a number of discussions on this forum about getting a feed from a mixer and about what kinds of cables and adapters are handy to keep in your bag to assist in that endeavor. I would search using terms like “board feed”, “line from mixer”, maybe “board cable adapter”, etc.

Have fun!

Rob Neidig
R&R Media Productions
Eugene, Oregon

[Ryan Elder]

Yeah as long as you work with the person operating the sound board, you should be able to record the audio through it. I did once with my friends wedding so far, with a field recorder plugged in.

[Ty Ford]

Ryan, et al,

While this is true, there are things you do have to be on top of. There’s “Gain Staging”, which is the study of connecting multiple pieces of audio gear together successfully. Observance of the right impedances, levels and either balanced or unbalanced audio allow audio to be transferred and recorded successfully.

Sending line level to a recorder set to receive mic level is a recipe for disaster. Sometimes the output level of the mixer is set to line, but the operator is running the mixer at a lower than standard level and the levels coming out of the mixer are closer to mic level. Everything’s fine until the people start talking at normal levels and then, if the levels are to low, the DJ turns them up and your recording is toast. If they are too high, the DJ turns them down and there went your signal.

There’s a lot to know. The operator of the mixer may or may not have a clue what level is coming out of the mixer. It’s not the DJ’s job to solve your problems. Unless you listen constantly to the recorder during the shoot, you have no idea what’s being recorded or what levels are set.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog

[Ryan Elder]

Oh okay, when I did it, I set the levels till they sounded right, and I just adjusted accordingly. If it got louder, I would turn the levels down, if it got quieter, I would turn them up and I just kept my eye on it, turning when necessary.

[Ryan Elder]

Also, why don’t the videographer and DJ work together more often? I think it is the DJ’s job, if he is connected to the audio, then that makes his work part of the video, technically speaking, so I think it’s good to work together, but that’s just me.

[Brian Reynolds]

Any person that works as a video professional / wedding videographer needs to be able to go to a location and get sound from almost ANY DJ setup… and its YOUR responsibility to get it into YOUR gear at the correct level.

NEVER rely on other people to supply adaptors, pads, to get into YOUR gear…..
Audio outputs will ALWAYS be on one of these types of connectors, XLR Male or occasionally Female, RCA, 3.5mm or 6.5mm.
In YOUR kit you need a breakout cable to fit ALL of these and any pads to match the levels YOU need.