Need help with H4n

[Indyreel]

Sorry for the newbee questions, but I'm shooting a pretty sizable scene next week and want to be sure I don't blow the audio.

1) What should I strive for in db's? i.e. should the audio range on the H4n be in the -20's, -10's db's ?

2) I noticed that my oktava mic only records on the left channel, not stereo, when using my Oktava mik. Is this what I want when recording dialogue?

3) Should I set the H4n to 48khz/16bit or 48khz/24bit?

 

[Kent OGP]

1) I believe between about -20 and -12 is the sweet spot for dialogue
2) That's fine, dialogue is supposed to be mono. Just make sure to separate that left channel into a mono channel in editing (easy to do), or else you'll only hear it in the left speaker.
3) 48khz/24bit

 

[Vince K]

IF you wanted you could go into your menu>input>mono mix>ON>, then your mic will record in l/r channels

 

[tflak]

IF you wanted you could go into your menu>input>mono mix>ON>, then your mic will record in l/r channels

In my experience with the H4N, it's best to record with Mono Mix Setting OFF because you get a higher level that way. With it ON you need to boost the level setting by about 10 to equal the same volume as with it OFF. This translates into more noise. And the Octava tends to be a little low to begin with so having that extra leeway comes in handy.

 

[ROCKMORE]

In my experience with the H4N, it's best to record with Mono Mix Setting OFF because you get a higher level that way. With it ON you need to boost the level setting by about 10 to equal the same volume as with it OFF. This translates into more noise. And the Octava tends to be a little low to begin with so having that extra leeway comes in handy.

Good point, then just copy the file to the 2nd channel in post.