Questions about mics, preamps and recorders

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sekcija

Member
Hi, guys! I am a little confused about all the sound recording options that are out there, so your knowledge would be much appreciated :)
So far I have been using NTG-2 to Zoom H4(older model before H4n). It is pretty hard to hit -12 without being super close to the subject or cranking the gain all the way up.
That's why I purchased Sound Devices MM-1 to increase that signal and bypass Zoom's preamps. Another problem arises - SD MM-1 does a line-out signal, while Zoom is not capable of receiving it at that level. What kind of attenuators are best to use in this case?
I was also looking at other recorders, like the Marantz PMD 661 that seems to be able to take pro level line signal no problem, but then again it costs money. Would that be a wise investment?
Then I thought - what about feeding SD MM-1 straight to my GH2. How does that even work? Would GH2 use it's built in crappy preamps, thus rendering the whole line useless? Is there any chance of getting good audio that way and also avoid synching in post?
Thanks in advance :)
 
The H4 that you have, predecessor to the H4n, can accept a line level input... but it takes -10dB unbalanced (consumer) line in by way of 1/4" tip-sleeve connection. So, from the MM-1 you need to convert from balanced XLR to unbalanced 1/4".

However, upgrading your recorder is never a bad idea... the Zoom recorders were erect when they first came out, just because they broke a massive price-to-feature barrier. Since then, however, other companies have surpassed Zoom while Zoom, in my opinion, has taken a couple of steps back in certain areas (H4n, for example).
 
Thank you, Alex! I will get this cable and hope the results are going to be good.
I heard that Sound Devices use the same preamp in all of it's line, so that famous good quality can be achieved with an entry level product like MM-1. Or is that just wishful thinking?
 
Don't know about the H4, but on the H4n, the XLR is mic level only, the 1/4" unbalanced line-level (-10dB), so different values of attenuation would be needed. The MM1's output cable must be wired correctly for an unbalanced configuration as well
 
zoom h4 has line level in for XLR
zoom h4n does not

edit:
both have line in for 1/4" jack

2nd edit:
ntg2 to mm1 to h4 is a really good combo and I've been using this combo for years
but currently in the process of switching up to a sound devices 702 and sell the mm1 and zoom
 
Last edited:
J Davis said:
zoom h4 has line level in for XLR
zoom h4n does not

edit:
both have line in for 1/4" jack
Click to expand...

Not exactly, and this is one place where Zoom took a step backward from the H4 to the H4n. The 1/4" in on the original H4 can take -10dB line in. The H4n, on the other hand, is actually designed to take instrument​ level on the 1/4" in. That's lower than line, but higher than mic, and feeding it a line-level signal will result in clipping on the input.
 
just a hidden gotcha though for anyone using the MM1 and zoom h4 combo. The menu system on any of the zoom models is a pain the ass and it is really easy to forget to switch over the internal intput logic from on-board mic to line in. This usually happens when you turn off the unit to plug in the usb cable for a card dump, then turn it on and forget to switch it in the menu. Unfortunately for this price range its about the best combo around, next step up is a sound devices 702 which I'm in the process of putting into my workflow
 
J Davis said:
Unfortunately for this price range its about the best combo around...
Click to expand...

I'd argue that the TASCAM DR-40 can wipe the floor with the H4/H4n, and it's less expensive than the H4n. Not only are the pre-amps cleaner, it will accept true +4dB line-level in. While I'd always advise getting the best recorder you can, and finding something higher-end that's in a bag-friendly form factor, if the budget is just too tight (read: limited to a <$300 recorder) the DR-40 is the way to go.
 
I also used to use the ntg1 or ntg2 to mm1 to original zoom h4 combination, just keeping the levels low enough on the mm1. But then I changed to using the mm1 with a Sony m10, which works much better: the proper line level input is much more suited to the mm1, cuts any need for pads and means that the mm1 limiter can be used properly. Of course there's no such thing as a free lunch: the m10's 3.5mm input may not be robust enough for many users here. Cheers, Roland.
 
It needs to be remembered that the primary market for these were home recording musicians, who always have the problem that a line level input doesn't work on many popular guitars, that are plugged into these things. The record level however, was pretty capable of allowing connection to CD players, MD players and the other domestic line level kit they had. It's a while since I had one, but the only time I had level issues was with a pro level +4dB output into them, -10dB was fine.
 
Wow, so much good info and recommendations. I thought about dr-40 as a cheap alternative to the h4, but will try it this way first. Good to know, that ntg2-mm1-h4 is a solid combination.
 
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