Alternative to H4N Just need 2 channels of decent audio and monitoring

salils

salils

Well-known member
Is there a significantly cheaper solution out there besides the H4N or H4? All I need to do is have 2 XLR inputs, be able to record 2 channels of audio, have headphone out, manual levels, date/time stamp, records to some sort of memory card. What's a good alternative? I'm just a camera guy that wants to have audio capabilities for his 7D when they don't hire the sound guy.
 
You could combine a Tascam DR-07 with a Beachtek or Juicedlink adapter.
The Tascam is $130 or so, and the smallest beachtek XLR -> 1/8" unit is maybe $150.

Not really a big difference in the price from an h4n though.
 
JordanBlock said:
You could combine a Tascam DR-07 with a Beachtek or Juicedlink adapter.
The Tascam is $130 or so, and the smallest beachtek XLR -> 1/8" unit is maybe $150.

Not really a big difference in the price from an h4n though.
Click to expand...

Yeah looking for a solution under $200 or I might as well get an H4N.
 
Last edited:
I can't think of anything under $200 with XLRs. If you're working with a very short cable run, you could just wire an XLR->1/8" cable and go to an H2 or the DR-07 and maybe get away with it.
 
I would say get the H4n because when you get that low in price you are not going to get a piece of hardware that you really want to use and rely on.
 
I have to say the more and more I use my H4N, the more I like it - I was sort of down on it at first because I didn't think the mic preamps on the XLR inputs were quite good enough with phantom powered condensers...but the more I've used it, I'm starting to think that they are totally adequate - but the thing this little guy does so well is room tone, nat sound, etc., I recorded an interview with a friend of mine (pre-production planning) at a Starbucks just using the built in mics and when I put it through my system yesterday, I was taken aback by how great the sound quality was with regards to the ambient sound - it would be totally usable in a feature film - nice dynamics, crisp, clear, nice fidelity - and I wasn't even trying to record the Starbucks nat sound...for the price you pay you get totally decent XLR inputs, a very nice interface, and great sounding built in mics...oh, and did I mention portability?

I'm using a Fostex FR2-LE for my XLR mics and the Zoom for its built in mics and as a backup to the Fostex, and if I could only have one, I'd probably go with the Zoom - ultra portable, great sounding stereo mics, decent xlr inputs...and did I mention it's small?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top