Audio Help

C

Centwo

Active member
Hello

I am a bit new to audio.
I am looking to do a TV Show and I have a H4N
I am going to be buying a MKH-416.
Most of the shooting will be outside do I need a juiced box to power the Mic?
I also think I will need some Lav Mic can you guys make some suggestions?
Can I run the Lav Mic to the H4N or do I need anything else?

So If I buy a
H4N
MKH-416
Boom Pole
WindShield
XLR Cables
Lav Mics
Juiced Box
Head Phones
Memory Cards

If I went to a set with this would I be missing anything?
 
Without knowing a little more about this "TV show" it's hard to tell but right off, if most of the shooting will be outdoors, wind protection is vital, and a softie may not be enough. I can't tell you how many times my blimp and windjammer allowed me to get clean dialog that would have been impossible with a lower level of wind protection.
 
Centwo,

You didn't mention what cam you are using, for talking head or interviews, recording direct to a decent video cam is fine unless you are using a DSLR. Your Zoom will supply phantom power to your Mk416, so no juiced link necessary. Lavs can be wired to XLR input and phantom power, just make sure to purchase it in that configuration. It seems like the new hot lav is the Rode Lav which has adapters available so you can easily configure the same lav for XLR or wireless.

You didn't mention a mixer, which besides what you mentioned in your list, would improve your ability to capture good audio. You might not need it if your shoot is simple, but will prove its worth in more challenging moments. There are lots of threads about mixers, search is your friend.

+1 on making sure you have good wind protection. If you are budget driven, you can purchase the Rode NTG-3 and Rode blimp for several hundred less than just the Mk416.

Grant
 
You should get a Sound Devices mixer. There have been threads on this board recently with people complaining about the battery drain on the Zoom H4n when feeding phantom power to a mic. A good mixer would solve that problem, and act as the hub for your entire location audio kit.
 
Centwo said:
Hello

I am a bit new to audio.
I am looking to do a TV Show and I have a H4N
I am going to be buying a MKH-416.
Most of the shooting will be outside do I need a juiced box to power the Mic?
I also think I will need some Lav Mic can you guys make some suggestions?
Can I run the Lav Mic to the H4N or do I need anything else?

So If I buy a
H4N
MKH-416
Boom Pole
WindShield
XLR Cables
Lav Mics
Juiced Box
Head Phones
Memory Cards

If I went to a set with this would I be missing anything?
Click to expand...

If you are using a 416 you would need a Rycote windshield kit for it (or an S-series if money is tight).

If it's for a students TV the H4N would be OK, otherwise you really need a proper recorder like a Sound Devices - minimum 702 (or a Nagra LB). The H4N is really only an emergency back-up device in the pro world.

The SD 552 mixer with built-in recorder is also an option.

The recorder should have the 48V phantom to power the 416.

Headphones - the Sennheiser HD 25-1 are the industry standard in Europe (they are very efficient, don't drain the battery so much and give a good level from battery powered devices).
 
Centwo said:
Hello

I am a bit new to audio.

...

If I went to a set with this would I be missing anything?
Click to expand...

Experience...

Sorry but with that setup.

Actually it isn't that small a thing. I don't do a lot of production but I bring a lot more than you are.
Sound Reports
pens and pencils
Sharpies (more than one)
Board Tape
Headphone extensions
LOTS of adapters
A toolkit including a butane soldering iron and lots more.
Gaffers tape
Zeppelin
Misc extra mics
MixPre or FW Mixer (for sit down lots of input gigs).
Laptop with BoomRecorder (for those same large input shows)
PonyTail ties (for securing cables), also zipties
decades of sound experience

since you haven't done this much...
Hook everything up and do a BUNCH of trials first. Know your gear. I have seen great audio come off the H4n and I also have seen s#$t come off it. Make sure your recording at a decent level. Sit down and think of all the ways you can get screwed up and pack fixers for them. Now try to think of the ones you missed, and pack for them also.
With Experience you will think up more ways to screw up (because you will have screwed up more times) and you will have more "fixers" in your kit.

At some point you will have so much stuff you carry around that there will be few times when you get stuck.

Also put some Cliff bars in your kit. You or someone you need or like will need them before you finish the shoot. I also have some basic first aid in the car.

And I have no idea what a "juiced box" is. Maybe a phantom power box? If so you don't need that, the H4n has phantom. That goes back to KNOW YOUR GEAR. I know your thinking yah, yah, yah, whatever... But that is what will save your but, and at least once on a shoot you will need your but saved.
 
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