Phantom power on H4n, can I use a wireless lav and a shotgun at the same time?

F

Fernando Torres

New member
So, I'm looking to upgrade my sound equipment. I do a lot of indoor interviews and outdoor documentary filming, therefore I thought the best addition to my gear would be a proper wireless lav (senn G3 ew-112) and a proper shotgun mic. Now the lav uses bateries and the shotgun mics I´m looking at use phantom power. I have a zoom H4n and I know either mic works fine individually, but I want to use them at the same time. Does the phantom setting send power to both XLR inputs? If so, will it kill my lav mic? What would be the proper setup to be able to record using both mics at the same time?

BTW I'm having a hard time deciding on which shotgun mic to buy. I'm between the senn mkh416 and the rode NTG 3. These are my main choices because they're built tough and withstand adverse climatic conditions ( I live in Costa Rica, it is VERY humid here, specially when I film in the jungle) I found the rode for $700 on amazon while mkh416 is still $900. I'm wondering which would be the smartest investment.

I hope to get some help soon, I got to buy my equipment to continue shooting a documentary I'm working on.
 
If the 416 is only 200 dollars more, I would jump for that before the NTG-3. The Rode is a good value, but the 416 is a fantastic solid mic that have been proven to withstand the most harsh conditions for decades.

Regarding phantom, then yes the H4n send it to both channels. If you're using a wireless system, then it wont hurt the reciever, and in most other events it is highly unlikely that there will be any damage (maybe some noise issues though). Others probably have more info on this.
 
Thanks a lot! Does the wireless reciever still need the batteries then? Or will it be able to run on phantom as well? Do you think the noise will be fixable in editing?
 
The Sennheiser is well known for having good performance in high humidity, and I guess it comes down to money - if you have the £200 available in the budget, then the 416 is a very safe bet. You'd be happy with the Rode, no doubt - but if you can afford it, the industry standard can't be a bad choice, can it?

Phantom power wise, most mics will ignore the phantom power on their input - the battery powered mics I have all function normally even when phantom is supplied. A couple will work without the battery if phantom is available. I think the designers of better quality mics appreciate how phantom power needs to be designed in so it won't be destructive.
 
Sometimes I found 416 quite a challenge for boom op, the pick-up pattern is just too narrow! slightly off-axis the sound becomes distorted!
If you don't have a skilled boom op i suggest you stay away from 416, get a NTG3, or MKH8060 if you have the budget.
 
Marvin brings up a valid point - inexperienced hands will probably appreciate that the NTG-3 has a little wider pickup, but then this also means that it wont be able to cancel out certain noises as well as a 416. And for your other question, I don't think the G3 can run on phantom power.
 
marvinhello said:
Sometimes I found 416 quite a challenge for boom op, the pick-up pattern is just too narrow! slightly off-axis the sound becomes distorted!
If you don't have a skilled boom op i suggest you stay away from 416, get a NTG3, or MKH8060 if you have the budget.
Click to expand...

I find this comment very surprising!

The 416 too narrow? - no, it's a normal short gun mic. and the industry standard.

The MKH 70, 816 and 8070 are far more narrow in pick-up.

If the 416 is a challenge for a boom op, he/she should not be a boom op.

The 8060 has the same polar-pattern as the 416 - but the off-axis response is much smoother (after all, the 416 is basically a 40-year old design) which is why you think the 416 is narrower. It's not, it's just that the off-axis response of the 8060 is much better.
 
I had to comment. The H4n is notorious for draining battery quickly when Phantom power is used. I have a PZm that will drain fresh batteries in under 20 minutes. What ever mic you buy make sure it has a battery option.
 
I concur w/ John about the 416.
The G2/3 portable receiver WILL NOT run on Phantom Power. In some cases, the presence of PP to the G2/3 portable receiver's unbalanced connection will drain the recorder's batteries rather quickly.
 
The MKH-60 is a far better choice for inexperienced boom operators. Not only does it have a forgiving pickup pattern, but it is built for tougher conditions and most importantly has very low self and handling noise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top