H4n for feature film
- Thread starter Indyreel
- Start date
polfilmblog
Well-known member
Hey guy,
Recently saw a review that included the H4n. The overall winner for best sound was a JuicedLink brand preamp. Don't have the link to the review, but you can google it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563070-REG/juicedLink_CX231_CX231_Audio_Mixer_and.html
Gives you 48v phantom power, also there is a cheaper model by the same company (and more expensive models too).
Recently saw a review that included the H4n. The overall winner for best sound was a JuicedLink brand preamp. Don't have the link to the review, but you can google it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563070-REG/juicedLink_CX231_CX231_Audio_Mixer_and.html
Gives you 48v phantom power, also there is a cheaper model by the same company (and more expensive models too).
Chadfish
Veteran
I have the H4, and find it OK for simple recording with the built-in mics, and with self powered mics that run on battery (Like the Rode NT3) when using the XLR inputs. The limiter is not too great, and I stopped using it. I have tried running mics that require phantom and the powere the H4 provides is not enough, though you do get a recording. I suspect the H4N will be similar.
On the other hand I have done short films with the Edirol R4 Pro with great results. Granted that is a 2,000.00 recorder with a hard drive. However, there is the r-44, which is around 1,000.00 and records to SDHC cards. You can even get a moded one for 1,050.00 with improved pres for very quiet recordings. Battery life is not so hot though. Still, you get 4 channels of XLR/Phantom recorded very cleanly, in MONO files (not stereo like the Zoom). You can also link 2 R-44 together for 8 channels.
Moded R-44
http://www.oade.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=OBA&Category_Code=EDIR44-Concert
As a side note - there is a cool software that allows you to sync up recorded audio with camera audio without time code. It analized the wave forms and lines them up. I have not tried it yet, but there is a little video about it here:
http://www.singularsoftware.com/autosync/
On the other hand I have done short films with the Edirol R4 Pro with great results. Granted that is a 2,000.00 recorder with a hard drive. However, there is the r-44, which is around 1,000.00 and records to SDHC cards. You can even get a moded one for 1,050.00 with improved pres for very quiet recordings. Battery life is not so hot though. Still, you get 4 channels of XLR/Phantom recorded very cleanly, in MONO files (not stereo like the Zoom). You can also link 2 R-44 together for 8 channels.
Moded R-44
http://www.oade.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=OBA&Category_Code=EDIR44-Concert
As a side note - there is a cool software that allows you to sync up recorded audio with camera audio without time code. It analized the wave forms and lines them up. I have not tried it yet, but there is a little video about it here:
http://www.singularsoftware.com/autosync/
Chadfish
Veteran
No need. The MixPre has attenuation, scratch that - 65db of GAIN for each channel anyway - as well as pre & post preamp limiters. It's virtually un-clippable. Not to mention 2 levels of bass rolloff, a tape return so you can run a mini cable from your H4n/camera's headphones back to the MixPre. That way you plug your cans into the mixPre, but you are monitoring what the camera is recording. You have much more headphone level too. A mixer is always better.
TimTheFoolMan
Well-known member
I've used a variety of phantom power mics with the H4n, both on booms, and studio mics. It doesn't seem to have any problem with powering them.
My most common usage for the H4n now is recording worship services for my church. I put the H4n on a tripod at the base of the stage (using the built-in mics for ambient sound), feed the output of the main audio system into one of the inputs, and it's all good. Here's one of our more recent services, recorded in just this manner:
http://audio.ph-church.org.s3.amazonaws.com/11152009.mp3
Because of the acoustics of the auditorium, we mic only a high hat on the drum set, nothing on the tambourine, etc.
If I used the built-in mics for any kind of narrative filmmaking, it would be for ambient sound for post mix-down. However, the built-in mics are VERY sensitive to wind noise (wave your hand in front of it while it's live to see what I mean) and vibration, so you'll have to shock mount the H4n, and/or put a muff on it. Because of the polar patterns of the built-in mics, you'll have to be on a very quiet soundstage, and have disciplined actors/crew, who don't move around a lot. - Tim
My most common usage for the H4n now is recording worship services for my church. I put the H4n on a tripod at the base of the stage (using the built-in mics for ambient sound), feed the output of the main audio system into one of the inputs, and it's all good. Here's one of our more recent services, recorded in just this manner:
http://audio.ph-church.org.s3.amazonaws.com/11152009.mp3
Because of the acoustics of the auditorium, we mic only a high hat on the drum set, nothing on the tambourine, etc.
If I used the built-in mics for any kind of narrative filmmaking, it would be for ambient sound for post mix-down. However, the built-in mics are VERY sensitive to wind noise (wave your hand in front of it while it's live to see what I mean) and vibration, so you'll have to shock mount the H4n, and/or put a muff on it. Because of the polar patterns of the built-in mics, you'll have to be on a very quiet soundstage, and have disciplined actors/crew, who don't move around a lot. - Tim
thisisapocalypse
Well-known member
Any chance you can post some sound samples of the Zoom H4N with the MixPre and then some without the MixPre? I am really curious about the difference between the preamps.