4 Track

Jim Simon said:
Another user confirmed it does, but this is getting out of my budget range. I'd love to keep the pruchase under $300.
Click to expand...

The Zoom F4 is very very VERY worthwhile buying! Especially if you have any minor aspirations whatsoever in being a dedicated sound recordist on set for productions.

The Zoom F4 is just absolutely crazy insane exceptionally good value for what little money it costs!!

However, if you must strictly stick to your budget of sub $300, then the obvious choice is buy a Tascam DR70D.

Have written an overview of the many low priced options for recorders:

http://ironfilm.co.nz/which-sound-r...various-indie-priced-sound-recorders-in-2017/
 
graywolf said:
If my camcorder had TC-out, it could start the F4 and keep it in sync. The F4 has a setting that starts recording when it received a timecode signal from the camera, and keeps it in sync until the timecode stops. Unfortunately, my old camcorders do not have TC-out and I cannot afford ones that do.

I keep thinking that maybe there might be some way of recording a timecode signal from the F4 to an audio track of the camcorder to be matched in the editing software, but have not looked real hard for a way to do that.
Click to expand...

That is what Tentacle Syncs do. (big game changer for the low budget production! When they came out a couple of years ago)

You sync your F4 and Tentacle Syncs together, then put a Tentacle Sync on each camera (even if it lacks a TC in, it can send an audio signal that in post you can interpret as TC).

I recently shot an entire feature film exactly with this process.
 
Jim Simon said:
The BMPCC does, as does the Zoom H4n and Roland R-05. That's why I want the new recorder to do so as well.

So...anyone with the new H4n Pro model? Will it record a single, 4 channel .wav file?
Click to expand...

You seem to be very very very confused here.

BMPCC/H4n/R-05 all do NOT have TC in absolutely any useful meaning of the term.

As they have no TC input (or output) whatsoever!!

What point is there in have TC stamped to the files when it matches nothing else on earth??
 
Jim Simon said:
I do not. And the Tascam records two stereo files, not a single 4 channel file.

Thank you for trying, though.
Click to expand...

Here's something for someone to try that has the DR-70D (I don't have one on hand):

Take the two sets of stereo files and convert them to mono files in wave agent. THEN, bring all 4 of those mono files back into wave agent and see if you can convert them to a BWF.P.

Based on what I'm seeing on the Davinci Resolve 14 website, there's an a whole Fairlight part of the software. This should handle most basic audio things you throw at it. You should be able to handle 2 sets of stereo files just fine, or 4 individual tracks, or any number of things.

I'm downloading the Davinci Resolve 14 beta right now to try it out. It actually looks pretty interesting.
 
Last edited:
The Fairlight section when it's fully implemented should be a serious DAW. Fairlight used to be a serious DAW for film post, Foley and Dialog editors loved it. For FX it was limited because of the dedicated hardware and track count, the software version does away with both of those issues. Full retail for Resolve 14 is under $300, not bad for a good DAW but when you toss in a full professional NLE and color correction it's a steal. It also plays well with others.

I haven't had the time to play with the DAW section much but it looks pretty nice. After a lifetime in PT it will probably be a bit of a climb to get up to speed but it is looking like a better option than the thousands it would take to update my PT setup.
 
IronFilm said:
It can do BWAF, 6 tracks at once to one file.
Click to expand...

Seems only models above my budget can.

Still hoping someone with the new Zoom H4n Pro model can confirm or deny whether or not it will also record a single 4 channel file as suggested by a staff member on the B&H web site.
 
Jim Simon said:
Well, DaVinci Resolve reports them as having it. As long as whatever recorder I buy does the same, I'm satisfied.
Click to expand...

You are not at all understanding what is going on and while you may be "satisfied" that will wear off the minute you try to use those as TimeCode. Then we or the BMD list will be getting your complaint threads about how it's not working.

I tried to avoid going down the rabbit hole on this one since it's mostly not equipment I use but broke down and did a bit of research, something you obviously didn't do.

BMPCC does not record meaningful TC, it is just TOD. For sound sync you need better than 1/4 frame accuracy with no way to jam the clock that is just never going to happen.

But over on the BMD forum there are a bunch of people using TC with the BMPCC. The way you do it is to have a audio recorder with real TC and the ability to jam sync (though just an output should work depending). You either jam the recorder with an external TC generator or jam the generator from the audio recorder. You then feed the generator into one of the audio channels of the BMPCC. In Resolve you tell the clip manager to use the LTC on the audio track as the TC source.

That is the workflow for TC with the BMPCC.

What you keep asking for A) does not exist and B) would be useless if it did.

The above info is really for anyone else thinking about this workflow who stumbles on this thread because you are not listening to any of the really good advice that has flowed your way.

But then I still have a hunch that this is a trolling game on the OP's part.
 
IronFilm said:
It can do BWAF, 6 tracks at once to one file.
Click to expand...

Yes, the 680 can record the 6 ch poly.. plus a stereo mix file..
or 3 stereo pairs & and mix file.. or 6 mono + the stereo mix.

It's also one the few recorders when in line level, completely bypasses the mic preamps. Which actually aren't
that bad to begin with.
 
One other way to skin this cat is with Boom Recorder, assuming you have a Mac laptop and an audio interface. Not really a run and gun solution but the pro version is only $260 and it will do poly Wave and TC.
 
Jim Simon said:
Seems only models above my budget can.

Still hoping someone with the new Zoom H4n Pro model can confirm or deny whether or not it will also record a single 4 channel file as suggested by a staff member on the B&H web site.
Click to expand...

a) who knows, B&H staff are not greatly knowledgeable about audio (I wouldn't be too sure myself, as I haven't use the H4n Pro specifically, but page 54 of the manual indicates it is recording to two files: https://www.zoom-na.com/sites/default/files/products/downloads/pdfs/E_H4nSP.pdf )

b) I strongly dislike all the handheld models from Zoom (the F4 & F8 however are beyond outstanding for the $!), as the form factor is just wrong for filming with.

c) these models being recommend are still often ones on the very very cheap end of recorders!
 
Noiz2 said:
One other way to skin this cat is with Boom Recorder, assuming you have a Mac laptop and an audio interface. Not really a run and gun solution but the pro version is only $260 and it will do poly Wave and TC.
Click to expand...

Good point! Did the OP say it is mostly just for sit down interviews?

Heh, he is already considering the H4n Pro which has terrible ergonomics, so why not just go the whole hog and use a laptop??? lol :-P

It would stay with his budget too! (if he has a laptop which is quiet and runs OSX)
Because a USB audio interface can be under a hundred bucks.

Noiz2 said:
What you keep asking for A) does not exist and B) would be useless if it did.

The above info is really for anyone else thinking about this workflow who stumbles on this thread because you are not listening to any of the really good advice that has flowed your way.

But then I still have a hunch that this is a trolling game on the OP's part.
Click to expand...

I don't think it is a troll (but I can understand why people might think that!), as I've seriously met people who think just like this.

I remember a short film I went to a few years back with my DR60D and the DoP had an a7S, and he thought we could sync up time code together! :-o

Errr no! But I did want to set up the internal time of day for each to be rough within a second or two of each other, just to make life a little easier for the poor editor. But that is TOTALLY DIFFERENT to using time code in the usual sense.
 
Last edited:
OT but...
I just watched a film on HBO about Disney before Micky and the mix was SO LOW I had to put earbuds in just to hear it!

It was OK, not great but who in the H$%^^ mixed it? That was ridiculous! Literally by my self in my livingroom with the volume maxed out I could not hear the dialog with out using headphones and it was a challenge even then sometimes.

---

I agree that I think he is probably not a troll but sheesh, he seems determadly ignorant of some basics and just keeps pushing for something that is just stupid.
I try to not jump to conclusions but when a poster keeps going back to something that many people keep telling him is mistaken... It just starts to feel "troll like".
 
IronFilm said:
I strongly dislike all the handheld models from Zoom as the form factor is just wrong for filming with.
Click to expand...


While such is not a 'requirement' for me, I do find the form factor of the H4n perfect for my needs, and would welcome any similar device that can record a single 4 channel file.
 
Noiz2 said:
OT but...
I just watched a film on HBO about Disney before Micky and the mix was SO LOW I had to put earbuds in just to hear it!

It was OK, not great but who in the H$%^^ mixed it? That was ridiculous! Literally by my self in my livingroom with the volume maxed out I could not hear the dialog with out using headphones and it was a challenge even then sometimes.

---

I agree that I think he is probably not a troll but sheesh, he seems determadly ignorant of some basics and just keeps pushing for something that is just stupid.
I try to not jump to conclusions but when a poster keeps going back to something that many people keep telling him is mistaken... It just starts to feel "troll like".
Click to expand...

Not stupid.
Not a troll.

Just stubborn, to only see the world in their narrow one way.

This isn't unusual, and many many people in the world are like that. Which is unfortunate, as can really confine them, and restrict their future growth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top