I was going to type shed loads of info but I realised you guys don't want to read loads of prose so here's bullet points.
- I shoot a lot of bands, often outside, walking about, playing randomly in the streets.
- Sometimes the bands will be clustered together, maybe sat down somewhere, other times they'll be moving or going off in random directions.
- I currently have a Zoom H4, into which I normally put a Rode NT4, using the dual XLR inputs for stereo sound (vs the single jack input which I could also use).
- I typically also used a camera mounted shotgun and/or the Ex1's internal mics to complete the sound.
- I recently purchased 2xG2's, which I can use to mic the singer(s) to ensure I get the vocals.
- I also am moving from the Ex1 to the 5D Mark II b/c I love the 35mm adapter look but often shoot handheld. Handheld Ex1 w/adapter + lenses = heavy, hard to hold, and looks like a shotgun, unfortunately!
- I am therefore trying to figure out my audio setup, knowing that people will forgive temperamental visuals, but not bad audio, my ambition therefore is to have great sound!
My thoughts are:
1 - Buy an Edirol R-44 - £637+ £69 for case (=£706)
- This has 4 XLR/Jack inputs, simultaneously recorded, and can be put in it's own case and worn by my sound guy.
- Into this we could plug the 2 G2 receivers, which I'd probably clip to the bag somewhere or put in their own compartment inside the bag if the signal can handle it, and the NT4 into the remaining 2 inputs (2xXLR) or even the NT4 into one input (1xJack) and another mic into the final input.
- I could then mount my current H4 to my 5D on the hot shoe (have ordered a cheap mount from China on ebay!), and take on-cam sound into that and take the 5D's internal mic too to complete the mix.
- Or I could plug the H4 into the 5D and get double system.
- This would give me the G2's and NT4 into the R44 and the Zoom on camera - all could be recorded at 24/96. (I think the 5D is 16/44 so might not be worth it but whatever)
2 - Buy a Zoom H4N - £299 (+ £unknown of bag)
- The new Zoom H4N allows 4 simultaneous channel recording - 2 from the inputs (xlr/jack) and 2 from the internal mics.
- I can plug my 2 G2's into my existing H4, which can be put away in a bag w/the receivers clipped on the outside or placed in the bag if the signal allows it.
- I can then plug the NT4 into the H4N's inputs and record that and the H4N's internal mics as a double attack of stereo audio.
- This might be a bit difficult for my audio guy to wield but would offer potential flexibility, either as two handheld mics. I've used to booming the NT4 and having the Zoom H4 attached to the boom, in this config the Zoom's mics aren't useful - fine for the H4 when you can't simultaneous record, not so good for the H4N.
- This would leave me, the camera guy, free from any audio restrictions, having no external mounted mic (and/or I could get one of those small Sennheiser MKE 400's I guess - £160). This is a good/bad thing depending on your opinion I guess.
What are your thoughts on which is the better option?
- the H4N is obviously half the price but the 4 XLR inputs of the R-44 are great and also frees up my current H4 to be placed on my camera.
- Whilst the idea of a sound guy wielding the NT4 in one hand and the zoom H4N in the other as a 4 track attack sounds bizarre, maybe it could work in letting him have an agility of movement.
- That being said, w/the R-44's case, he could keep a low profile only needing to hold the Rode.
- From a recording pov it seems to boil down to ambient sound coming from either the on board mounted zoom h4 or from the handheld h4n in 4-track simultaneous.
As I mentioned above, the quality is first priority for me, to deliver really excellent sound. But at the same time, I'm no millionaire and if I can do much the same for cheaper, well that seems a good trade off too.
Thanks!
- I shoot a lot of bands, often outside, walking about, playing randomly in the streets.
- Sometimes the bands will be clustered together, maybe sat down somewhere, other times they'll be moving or going off in random directions.
- I currently have a Zoom H4, into which I normally put a Rode NT4, using the dual XLR inputs for stereo sound (vs the single jack input which I could also use).
- I typically also used a camera mounted shotgun and/or the Ex1's internal mics to complete the sound.
- I recently purchased 2xG2's, which I can use to mic the singer(s) to ensure I get the vocals.
- I also am moving from the Ex1 to the 5D Mark II b/c I love the 35mm adapter look but often shoot handheld. Handheld Ex1 w/adapter + lenses = heavy, hard to hold, and looks like a shotgun, unfortunately!
- I am therefore trying to figure out my audio setup, knowing that people will forgive temperamental visuals, but not bad audio, my ambition therefore is to have great sound!
My thoughts are:
1 - Buy an Edirol R-44 - £637+ £69 for case (=£706)
- This has 4 XLR/Jack inputs, simultaneously recorded, and can be put in it's own case and worn by my sound guy.
- Into this we could plug the 2 G2 receivers, which I'd probably clip to the bag somewhere or put in their own compartment inside the bag if the signal can handle it, and the NT4 into the remaining 2 inputs (2xXLR) or even the NT4 into one input (1xJack) and another mic into the final input.
- I could then mount my current H4 to my 5D on the hot shoe (have ordered a cheap mount from China on ebay!), and take on-cam sound into that and take the 5D's internal mic too to complete the mix.
- Or I could plug the H4 into the 5D and get double system.
- This would give me the G2's and NT4 into the R44 and the Zoom on camera - all could be recorded at 24/96. (I think the 5D is 16/44 so might not be worth it but whatever)
2 - Buy a Zoom H4N - £299 (+ £unknown of bag)
- The new Zoom H4N allows 4 simultaneous channel recording - 2 from the inputs (xlr/jack) and 2 from the internal mics.
- I can plug my 2 G2's into my existing H4, which can be put away in a bag w/the receivers clipped on the outside or placed in the bag if the signal allows it.
- I can then plug the NT4 into the H4N's inputs and record that and the H4N's internal mics as a double attack of stereo audio.
- This might be a bit difficult for my audio guy to wield but would offer potential flexibility, either as two handheld mics. I've used to booming the NT4 and having the Zoom H4 attached to the boom, in this config the Zoom's mics aren't useful - fine for the H4 when you can't simultaneous record, not so good for the H4N.
- This would leave me, the camera guy, free from any audio restrictions, having no external mounted mic (and/or I could get one of those small Sennheiser MKE 400's I guess - £160). This is a good/bad thing depending on your opinion I guess.
What are your thoughts on which is the better option?
- the H4N is obviously half the price but the 4 XLR inputs of the R-44 are great and also frees up my current H4 to be placed on my camera.
- Whilst the idea of a sound guy wielding the NT4 in one hand and the zoom H4N in the other as a 4 track attack sounds bizarre, maybe it could work in letting him have an agility of movement.
- That being said, w/the R-44's case, he could keep a low profile only needing to hold the Rode.
- From a recording pov it seems to boil down to ambient sound coming from either the on board mounted zoom h4 or from the handheld h4n in 4-track simultaneous.
As I mentioned above, the quality is first priority for me, to deliver really excellent sound. But at the same time, I'm no millionaire and if I can do much the same for cheaper, well that seems a good trade off too.
Thanks!