Zoom H4N + Sennheiser ew 100 ENG G3

[Peter Groom]

put the 2 radio mics xlrs into the zoom, and TEST the recording. Adjust the record levels, re test and `LISTEN back to the recordings.
Use Headphones THROUGHOUT. Dont take them off.
Get the sound RIGHT at the shoot by investing time and effort in it. It will let you down if you take your eyes off it for a moment.
Dont leave set without good, checked recordings and re takes on all problem parts that you identified during recording.

IF you want an ambient recording too, put the zoom into 4 track mode and place out of shot and make recordings of the onboard mics also.

Peter
Oh and did I mention WEAR the Headphones!!! – Bin the camera before you bin the cans. Clear?
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[India Cita]

thanks peter.

wanted to get advice because haven’t used radio mics before and we won’t have access to them until hours before the shoot.

i understand the Zoom has a pre-amp circuit – I want to make sure I get the levels set to get good clear sound from the G3’s – I think I have to dial the G3’s down to mic level for input through the Zoom XLR circuit.

anyway – you’re right – adjust / re-test / listen.

[Peter Groom]

I have a few sets of sennheiser g3 personally and always use this as my starting point

Transmitter mic set to -21
receiver outpou set to 0.

That will give you a sensible mic level output with nothing being driven too close to its maxes.
Then look at the zoom. Turn off phantom. Turn off linking. set input 1 and 2 levels independently.
Also find out what type of mics are fited to your units. If they are OMNI then Id recommend mounting inverted! That way you dont get nasal air blasting down the capsule, or plosives from the mouth if the speaker looks down at a device etc while talking, but the audio will remain un changed.
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[India Cita]

thanks peter.

we have now access to the G3’s so have been testing and listening and adjusting.

the settings we used are similar to as you suggested, but we ended up with the following:

tx sensitivity -21
rx AF out -12
squelch low

one G3 was set to Bank 5, Channel 1, and the other was set to Bank 5, Channel 2.

the H4N is set to 4CH Record Mode.

the onboard stereo mics are set to 60 record level,
the G3s are set to around 50 record level on the Zoom.

it all works decently.
the only issue is a sort of hiss heard through the Zoom on the headphones.
initially thought it was affected by the G3’s but now not so sure.
have disconnected the G3s, turned off the transmitters+receivers, and switched the record mode to Stereo….

but there is still a hiss. the hiss increases a good deal when the record level goes above 50.
however it doesn’t reduce much, even with the level reduced way down.

any ideas about this? could it be the headphones? or is it just the Zoom?

many thanks for your advice.

[Peter Groom]

Ok
I’d say the neg value on the receiver op won’t be doing anything to help the hiss as you’re just moving the recording closer to the zoom noise floor.
The input preamps on a zoom aren’t regarded as the greatest ever ( they are very cheap units) but decent results can be had by adjusting.
If you’ve no pads on the inputs don’t try to record too high. They will distort.
I have -15dbxlr pads on the inputs to help with thus but I run my tx at zero.
The radio banks need to be set I. Accordance with he local licensing arrangements.
I’m in the uk so we have to be in bank 1 but I can’t speak for you.
When you get to location do re scan the radios and check for any local interference .
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer