Arch Stanton
Member
I have a Rode NTG-2 hooked up to a Zoom H4N and it seems I have to keep the volume at 100 to get a good level on the actors. Does that sound right?
H4N and NTG-2 Low Volume?
- Thread starter Arch Stanton
- Start date
JordanBlock
Well-known member
Depends how far the mic is from the talent and what you consider a 'good' level.
Arch Stanton
Member
It was around two feet away. I consider a good level as close to 0db as possible without clipping.
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
Expect your H4N aa batteries to be drained in about .5 hour if you are providing phantom power to the mic.
JordanBlock
Well-known member
Aiming for 0db is going to get you into trouble. Generally you should record at a lower level so you've got some extra headroom for the peaks and anything unexpected. Hitting 0dB in the digital world is a Bad Thing.
If you were using a mixer, you'd generally try to set things to 0dB on the mixer is say -20 or maybe -12 on the recorder. Without a mixer, just try to keep the 'normal' level of recording at one of those levels, and it gives you headroom for the peaks.
If you were using a mixer, you'd generally try to set things to 0dB on the mixer is say -20 or maybe -12 on the recorder. Without a mixer, just try to keep the 'normal' level of recording at one of those levels, and it gives you headroom for the peaks.
Arch Stanton
Member
Yes, point taken, but I just thought I'd be getting a hotter signal. For example, with the input set at 100 and the actor speaking at a "normal" volume from around 2 feet away, I'm getting around -12 db.
Arch Stanton
Member
Here is an excerpt from an article that makes reference to the issue I'm experiencing.
"...the H4n seems primarily targeted toward recording of music, less so to recording of quieter events, such as conversational interviews, or nature sounds. Even with high output condenser microphones, the record level needs to be turned up fairly high to record a typical conversational voice, which tends to accentuate any noise inherent in the mic preamps. So the H4n is not going to deliver pristine, crystal-clear sound in most interview situations..."
http://transom.org/?p=5851
"...the H4n seems primarily targeted toward recording of music, less so to recording of quieter events, such as conversational interviews, or nature sounds. Even with high output condenser microphones, the record level needs to be turned up fairly high to record a typical conversational voice, which tends to accentuate any noise inherent in the mic preamps. So the H4n is not going to deliver pristine, crystal-clear sound in most interview situations..."
http://transom.org/?p=5851
Screenforme
Active member
I have been experiencing this as well and it blows. Visually something is great, then you bring in the h4n audio and blah. F.