Brian Reynolds
Forum Replies Created
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So typically both the sound recordist and the boom operator both monitor levels? I guess that makes sense. If there’s only one pair of headphones, what about self-booming? Is this feasible?
Yes they both need to have headphones BUT for different reasons.. the boom op is concerned about the positioning of the microphone and achieving the best sound he can get and the recordist is concerned about getting it on to the recorder and even more importantly what its like coming off the recorder. Yes for low budget productions you can self boom, and that’s what most TV sound recordist do, have a mixer over the shoulder to keep an eye on the levels and hold the boom pole themselves.
Here is a setup I have used on a couple of shoots…
As for the H4n being a 2-track recorder, that should be fine for the shoots coming up. What I’m trying to figure out is whether it’s possible to have 2 inputs recorded at 48KHz/24-bit on separate channels or wav files?
Yes the H4n will do that.
Or perhaps I should pose a new question: in music production, every single input is recorded on a separate track, regardless of what samplerate you use. I assumed the same should be for audio production on a film set. But someone mentioned above about using a field mixer if I have multiple inputs. But wouldn’t this mean I am mixing on set and saving a mix of the inputs to one track? Is this the way audio for film is usually done? I know that generally the boom captures all audio, but what about when you have 1 or 2 principal actors specifically mic’d?
If you want to put things on separate tracks the H4n is good for 2 tracks, If you insist on recording the 2 radio mics to seperate tracks you may need to use a second H4n unit for the purpose OR there other machines around that will do more / and better such as the Roland R44 or Tascam DR680 as well as the Sound Devices range of recorders, the film industry standard is the SD788t, there are many other makes around also but the H4n is just the first baby step in film sound recording.
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Why not use the accessory mics made by the camera maker to suit your camera or even have a look at Rode camera mics… they were / are designed for camcorders.
https://www.rodemic.com/mics/videomic/
https://www.rodemic.com/mics/videomicpro
https://www.rodemic.com/mics/stereovideomicproThe difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…
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David you mentioned… “I don’t foresee actively riding the audio levels, but I also don’t plan to just set and forget. I plan to have a separate boom operator so I can monitor the recording levels. I know most of the time on a film set a boom mic will suffice alone to capture the audio. But I’m wondering if it’s possible, and if so how, to record more than one mic input (ie, boom + 1 lav) and record each separately – either as separate mono wav files, or one stereo wav file with each mic input on each LR channel”
Is the boom operator also monitoring the sound with headphones?….. I hope so, as a microphone sort of pointed in the right direction is like using a camera pointed in the right direction WITHOUT a viewfinder it might sort of work but very unlikely do give the desired results.
As mentioned the H4n should be regarded as a 2 track recorder if this doesn’t suit the shoot you need to change the way you do things.
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First question is….. How familiar are you with the H4n and have you done much work with it?
The H4n is a good recorder but it should NOT regarded as a ‘Professional’ recorder, yes it can deliver good results if used with care.
Are you intending to actively ride the audio levels (if so how are you going to do it?)or are you going to use it as a set and forget recorder? -
So are you after a camera mic? a hand held interview mic? an SFX mic? is the mic to be seen in your shots? what sort of stuff are you shooting? what sort of locations will you be at? how far will the person be away from the microphone when they are talking?
These are all critical decisions that need to be made before recommendations could be made…. and that’s why ‘Professional’ sound people have a kit with various mics just like a golfer has a bag full of clubs and doesn’t use just one club.
Or put it another way do you have just one pair of shoes or do you have several pairs of shoes to suit various situations?
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The microphone you have posted a link to DOES NOT need phantom power to operate as it a dynamic microphone.
If you mixer or amplifier has a switch that will deliver phantom power it MUST be turned ‘off’ -
OK just think of it this way…. small cables are fragile, larger cables are stronger and EVERY connection increases the likely hood of failure.
Next question is how important is the use of this microphone and how will you feel or look if there is a failure? And is it worth the $$$$ you save.
The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…
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Time to get out the H4n operation manual…. chapter 6 explains how to use external inputs into the H4n.
The 3.5mm mic input on the back of the unit is a STEREO socket and designed for an external stereo microphone not a mono output from a radio mic, in fact it might not even work UNLESS you have a correctly made cable.
The best way is to use the XLR connections on the base of the H4n.The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…
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The H4n does not like one mic that is phantom powered and the other not.
Depending on the connections in the G3 radio mic XLR it might in fact be putting a short across the phantom power supply.
You need to run both inputs without phantom (if you use a radio mic)
If you did a record like you tried to do you might also find the audio has quite bad audio clipping as well.
Zoom H4n’s are good units BUT they are NOT professional recorders, they do have shortcomings.PS; I have one and use it often… and like what it can do.
The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…
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Hissing normally occurs due to a poor levels in the signal path rather than connections.
Is the TX levels set correctly?
Is the levels on the RX set correctly?
Is the camera being fed with the correct level, if it is to low the auto gain in the camera will take over and drag up the background noise (hiss)Recording sound on a DSLR camera is regarded as marginal at best.
