Audio recorder for remote video call

N

norway

Well-known member
I have to do an interview with a client over Zoom. They are OK with the lower video quality, but I'd like to ship a recorder to them to get better audio.

Do you have any suggestions on what is the easiest solution out there in terms of easy setup (levels) and storage/offloading? I imagine that during COVID most of you tried various solutions.
 
I've done this with a Zoom H1 and a wired lav meant for a phone.

It was easier with the recorder because I could buy/set them up properly and send one over with accessories (a mini tripod, wind filter and pop filter).

Some people were patient/tech savvy enough to record a test and send the file or show me (literally via the video call) where the levels were bouncing (and usually they were good for pretty much everyone with a lower setting around 60-65 in the Zoom with the individual speaking a couple of inches away from it).

The lav required a bit more troubleshooting.

[You could also hook up audio equipment and run it into OBS/Zoom/etc. but that's obviously more work.]
 
Much appreciated!

I just want to send them a device that they just switch on when the video call starts. The Zoom H1 is also cheap enough that we can let them keep it.

Did you try to set the H1 to "auto" levels? Did that work well? Or did you always go through the levels setup with them?
 
If it's set up beforehand, you could pretty much just switch on any recorder that has a built-in microphone and use it as is, but it depends on what you end up doing with the settings/how much you trust it.

The H1 is definitely one of the easier ones to work with - but 'auto' does not work well (at least on the older units, but there is a H1n now) because it wants to go really high most of the time, so I just left it at 60-65 and with experience found it to be fine if everyone kept it an inch or two away and spoke normally (most of the time I had to boost the levels a little in post for everyone besides a few louder talkers but that's better than clipping).

If this recording is important, a 5-minute test should be planned, it's so easy.
 
NorBro said:
If it's set up beforehand, you could pretty much just switch on any recorder that has a built-in microphone and use it as is, but it depends on what you end up doing with the settings/how much you trust it.

The H1 is definitely one of the easier ones to work with - but 'auto' does not work well (at least on the older units, but there is a H1n now) because it wants to go really high most of the time, so I just left it at 60-65 and with experience found it to be fine if everyone kept it an inch or two away and spoke normally (most of the time I had to boost the levels a little in post for everyone besides a few louder talkers but that's better than clipping).

If this recording is important, a 5-minute test should be planned, it's so easy.
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Awesome! Looks like the way to go.
 
Just FYI; you really have to use a pop filter with it or at least the windscreen because without something it's extremely sensitive to the P-sounds and what not.

And tape over the switches on the back so they are not accidentally changed.
 
I do remote recording as part of my job. I use a usb microphone into my laptop. This could be the H1 but there are a lot of choices that are better suited to this application. Then I use OBS software to record the zoom audio and simultaneously record the usb mic and mix them together. Note I wouldn't spend too much on the usb mic because the primary source is the person on zoom which the quality will significantly lower than your usb mic.
 
Peter C. said:
I do remote recording as part of my job. I use a usb microphone into my laptop. This could be the H1 but there are a lot of choices that are better suited to this application. Then I use OBS software to record the zoom audio and simultaneously record the usb mic and mix them together. Note I wouldn't spend too much on the usb mic because the primary source is the person on zoom which the quality will significantly lower than your usb mic.
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Thanks, Peter. So I just want to make sure I understand. The USB mic will record the audio onto a memory card? I guess you can't see it as a source on the OBS?
 
norway said:
I just want to send them a device that they just switch on when the video call starts.
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Isn't this pointless? They have a device they do that with now. It is going to be down to the room acoustics and mic positioning.

You might be better sending them, or getting them to buy something like a Logitech HD Pro 920 which has a good camera and good microphones. The Logitech apps that come with it give you a chance to adjust things. Otherwise, get them to get, as others have suggested, a cheap wired lav for better mic positioning.
 
Would a Plantronics or Jabra USB headset be too obtrusive?

The Tascam DR10L records a safety track.

If you want to run a minijack lav into the computer, it would be best to use a USB audio interface with gain adjustments, but you might get away with a sensitive lav run into a dumb minijack audio-in to USB adapter, and you'll have to direct them how to adjust the levels in their operating system's sound settings.
 
norway said:
Thanks, Peter. So I just want to make sure I understand. The USB mic will record the audio onto a memory card? I guess you can't see it as a source on the OBS?
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It should show up as an audio interface, although I've never tried it.

While you could record it separately to the H1, recording it directly to the computer as usb mic saves an extra step to sync it and avoids audio drift for long recordings.

In addition, it's best to wear head phones. Otherwise the audio from zoom will bleed into your usb mic. Alternatively you could get a headset that you see gamers use. This combines the headphones and mic in one package. Some of them also have physical buttons for mute and volume that can be handy. I personally use a table top conference speaker/mic that has buttons and noise canceling. Maybe this is over kill if this is a one off interview but I thought I would point it out. If you already own an H1 that will do the job.
 
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Use an H1 with its internal 24-bit 96 kHz WAV recording; not as a mic in a computer, there are many better dedicated microphones to be used with a computer/software.
 
JAMedia said:
Isn't this pointless? They have a device they do that with now. It is going to be down to the room acoustics and mic positioning.

You might be better sending them, or getting them to buy something like a Logitech HD Pro 920 which has a good camera and good microphones. The Logitech apps that come with it give you a chance to adjust things. Otherwise, get them to get, as others have suggested, a cheap wired lav for better mic positioning.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about the a situation where the Zoom call freezes and the audio is lost and people continue to say something profound.
 

Love Matt's docs and that he is sharing from his wealth of experience, but this is a good example of the audio situation I am trying to avoid...
 
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