Monitoring Zoom H4N audio? Possible?

T

tikigod19

Well-known member
Hi all,
Considering a H4N for use with my GH1 or 60D but I don't like the idea of having 25 short video clips and one long audio clip and then having to sit through it syncing up.

I've read somerhing about using a attenuation cable from the output of the H4N into the camera (3.5mm so for canon only I assume.. does this exist with 2.5mm for GH1?) Which I thin kwould record a lower quality version of the zoom audio onto the camera which is suppose to make it easier to sync? I take it there is no way to get the Zoom to only record when you push record on the camera?

My question i suppose is how do people get around the ball ache of all of this audio synching? when using a H4N because at the moment if I do get one I'd only use it for wedding speeches and ceremony and work out another way of recording less frequently used, less important audio from other points in the day.
 
Yes, there is a cable with in-line attenuation that will allow you to feed the line/headphone out form the H4n to your camera's mic input. However, this does not leave you with the ability to listen through headphones as you record, which is audio 101: if you aren't listening, you're setting yourself up for disaster. After all, you wouldn't ignore your camera's monitor and leave your visual images up to chance, would you?

The bigger question, though, is: why can't you start and stop the Zoom when you start and stop the camera? The easiest way around the double-system audio setup and post syncing of the files comes from slating each take. Use a clapper board, use your hands, use what you have available. Be sure to give a verbal cue of the scene/take along with the visual slate, which will save tons of time in post searching for files. Log your shots as well, so that you know which audio files came from which takes.
 
C2V that would all be something I'd do if I were shooting a film and not a wedding. With a wedding there is just not time. I also tend to record hundreds of short clips and pushing 2 rec. buttons every time would be a royal pain in the back side.

I've read about PluralEyes which will automatically sync for you but you need to record in the manner you suggested. Would there be no other way to hear the audio when recording this way? What about using a splitter cable out of the H4N and plugging the attenuator that goes to the camera in one output of the splitter and the headphones into the other? I know you're not technically monitoring the cameras recording audio, but it is not that autio that will eventually be used it is the Zooms.
 
tikigod19 said:
C2V that would all be something I'd do if I were shooting a film and not a wedding. With a wedding there is just not time. I also tend to record hundreds of short clips and pushing 2 rec. buttons every time would be a royal pain in the back side.

I've read about PluralEyes which will automatically sync for you but you need to record in the manner you suggested. Would there be no other way to hear the audio when recording this way? What about using a splitter cable out of the H4N and plugging the attenuator that goes to the camera in one output of the splitter and the headphones into the other? I know you're not technically monitoring the cameras recording audio, but it is not that autio that will eventually be used it is the Zooms.
Click to expand...

Subject to a lot of argument, you can put a Y splitter inline before the pad to monitor audio from the H4N.

Using Plural or Dueleyes, just throw it all in the mix and it will sort it out for you if there is any reasonable camera audio at all.
 
pluraleyes can sync even if you don't connect the H4n to the camera, as long as the sound recorded by them is at least somewhat similar
 
Peternap said:
Subject to a lot of argument, you can put a Y splitter inline before the pad to monitor audio from the H4N.

Using Plural or Dueleyes, just throw it all in the mix and it will sort it out for you if there is any reasonable camera audio at all.
Click to expand...

Fact. Split it. You get to monitor and you get the Zoom H4N line straight into your camera. Here's the cable. I use it and it works just fine.
 
Would it be possible to use an adapter cable like the ones posted above to monitor audio going directly from a mic to the camera? I'm trying to figure out if I definitely need an audio recorder like the Zoom H4n if I want the ability to monitor the audio being recorded.
 
bis22 said:
Would it be possible to use an adapter cable like the ones posted above to monitor audio going directly from a mic to the camera? I'm trying to figure out if I definitely need an audio recorder like the Zoom H4n if I want the ability to monitor the audio being recorded.
Click to expand...

Well, if you have a camera with Magic Lantern (5D and t2i only currently), you can do audio monitoring directly from the camera using the AV out cable and running an adapter to a set of headphones. That's the only real way to hear exactly what the camera is hearing, however is not an option on other cameras to my knowledge.
 
Thanks! I've got a T2i and plan on installing Magic Lantern but didn't know that was one of the features.
 
How is the quality of the audio? Does the quality decrease for using the cable and having the audio recorded with the video? Or even with a splitter to monitor the audio.

For a 60D, no need for the lantern hack?
 
I use the H4N at weddings and have always been frustrated with the clipping that results when I plug directly into the DJ's soundboard, this is even with a -40 db pad attached! Anyways, I use the H4N for everything, and then synch in post and it's really not a big deal for me. However, I'm recording with the GH1, so the ceremony is one file and I only have to synch once, then I have to synch again for the bridal party introduction at the reception, and again for the speeches, besides that there isn't a lot of synching involved.
 
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