Rode Videmic Pro, or Zoom H4N?

D

damianisko

New member
Hi,

I'm a young filmmaker (16) and I need to get a mic. My budet is 200 € (223 $). I've done my research and I'm deciding between the Rode Videomic Pro and the Zoom H4N. I like the zoom more because it's more future proof for me, in the way that I can use it as a recorder for a shotgun, that I might be able to afford one or two years later. The thing I'm afraid of with zoom is that it's not directional enough to record dialogues in a noisy outdoor environment (although it might be good for recording indoors). The good thing is that I can do voice-overs with it.
The Rode Videomic Pro is good a on-camera mic, but It's not as versatile as zoom and I think the overall sound quality is worse (I assume this from youtube reviews).
So I'd like to know what you guys think.

Thanks a lot.
 
Apples and oranges.

The H4n is a recorder first and foremost, and the stereo mic array that is attached is categorically the wrong choice for recording dialog for video. The VideoMic Pro is a shotgun mic that is an appropriate solution for dialog in most cases.

There are two things you need to address for clean dialog recording: response pattern and placement. Dialog is a mono source, and recording with a stereo mic array poses challenges on both counts. With too wide a response pattern on both mic capsules, there's no way to avoid your dialog sounding too "roomy" (the only way to fight that is to get the mic so close that it's in the shot, and even then it isn't going to sound right). Plus, one or both of the mic elements will always be off-axis; since dialog is mono in the mix and you'll need to delete one of the channels in post, you'll also find that which capsule is off-axis changes as the actors move around.

Proper mic placement follows one, simple rule: closer is better. To get the Zoom close enough (which is already inhibited by response pattern), it would have to be placed in such a manner that neither meters nor controls would be accessible during recording. As headphone monitoring is crucial, an extension for the headphones would also be necessary.

As you're 16 and just starting out, it may be that you could be better suited with a VideoMic and a smaller recorder for the time being. Keep in mind that you'll need a boom pole and headphones as part of your kit.

But there's one missing piece of information: which camera are you using? There may be better solutions, even in your budget.
 
I'm going to make a different recommendation and then explain why.

My initial recommendation is http://www.amazon.com/TAKSTAR-SGC-598-Interview-Microphone-Camcorder/dp/B00E58AA0I

It's a cheap version in the style of the Video Mic.

Here is my reasoning. You are 16 and new to this. You want to get something decent because the built in mic basically sucks.

In general for learning filmmaking I think a video mic of some sort is a better bet than going dual system. No because it sounds better but because it will get you mostly there and you have enough to worry about with learning the camera and how to shoot and edit. You can get an extension cable and even boom it, to a certain extent. When you have the shooting more under your belt and really want to up the sound game the VM is still useful to get better guide track recordings on the video. It could take a few years to get to the point where you really need to up your sound game and by then the options will have changed for recorders.

Why the Takstar over the VMP? Well cost really. One is over $200 and the other is about $25. Rode is I'm sure a better mic but it's not 8X better.

The tendency when getting into something is to go for all the coolest toys as fast as possible. We have all been there. But it is almost always a mistake. I could be wrong but I can't imagine you have a lot of films that you have made yet. So you are really not even sure what kind of filmmaker you want to be yet. You could get into this a ways and decide you really want to make silent pictures? The point is while buying cheap is often not the best choice, buying inexpensive can be. Spending a lot now is probably not a good choice.

You could also pick up a less expensive pocket recorder to grab SFX and such, or even use the Takstar with it for booming.

Going forward my biggest recommendation is to find a partner who is really interested in sound. Have them make the lions share of sound investment while you make the lions share of camera investment. Film is really a team sport anyway and you can't do sound for film with out some film to do the sound for so it's a good deal for them also.
 
Why a Zoom H4n?...... thats like wanting windows XP on your computer, Yes it was one of the early makers into the compact recorder market but time has moved on with lots better both in price and pre-amp quality.

A lot of young local film makers are now being advised that before that you spend to many $$$$ on gear start producing material (short film etc) on iPhones or smart phones, it gets people into the headspace of using video / audio to tell a story without the capital outlay.
 
I agree. Nobody should want to buy a Zoom H4n in 2016 as it has truly awful pre amps.

Get a Tascam DR60D mk2 instead
 
Thanks for all the replies.

Noiz2, I get your point and I'm very happy that you gave me a different perspective. I just want to ask a couple of things. Have you used this mic yourself? And if so, do you think that the shock mount will be suitable for booming? And could you please also recommend a pocket recorder? Because I realized I'll have to boom it. Anyway, I'm really considering going with the Takstar, as from the reviews on the Amazon page, it seems it has the same sound quality as the VMP.
 
Damian, I think the shockmount on the Takstar is going to be workable at best, but that isn't necessarily a deal-breaker. Sub-par shockmounting will teach you how to handle the boom pole with finesse, so that when and if you are in a place to invest in a professional, high-end kit with proper shockmounting, boom handling will be a snap.

If you're going to go that route, you may look at an inexpensive recorder like the Tascam DR-05. It's a little dated, but at just under $100 and with a 1/8" external mic input it will fit the bill as a learner kit. Plus, you can ditch the Takstar and use the built-in stereo mic array to gather SFX and ambient sound beds wherever you go. For $50 more, you could get the newer DR-44WL. As for the DR-60D, while the form factor is much more preferable for field use with boomed mic work, the mkII is pretty much your entire stated budget, so you may be able to find a good deal on a used first-generation. Better form factor with the DR-60D but, for what you're doing, the on-board stereo mic array of one of the handhelds may give you more flexibility.
 
Yes I actually own one. I'm not booming it I'm using it mounted on a DSLR for essentially B roll stuff, and I did a few interviews with it. I have a lot better mics I would use for booming etc.

I suspect that it's a notch or so lower than the VMP. I did use the original VM and this is probably pretty close. THe VMP has more gain and I would bet in a side by side comparison would not sound as "good" as the VMP but? You need to be careful of Amazon reviews about this kind of gear because a fair number are going to be from folks who think anything that actually generates some sound that is a bit better than the built in mics is "pro level". It's a cheap mic and it's not going to sound like a $1,000 mic. The shock mount is OK, and helped by the mic not having a lot of low end so handling noise is pretty mitigated. The biggest issue with booming is probably the cabling. It's a coiled cable and not that long. It was designed to mount on a camera and not have a lot of cable getting in the way. So you will need an extension. And 1/8" cables and extensions are not the most field worthy so you will probably want to tape the connection when you use the extension so it doesn't pull lose. Also you will probably need a gooseneck or some kind of angle adapter since the mic mount is fixed. Depending on positioning you might be able to get away with it as is but the mic will be at a 90 degree angle from you boom pole which is not always going to be what you want.

Alex made a good recorder suggestion. Hard to tell what prices are where you are, I can't tell from your ID but I had the impression you were not in the US? not sure why. I like some of the other Tascam's better but as I was about to mention them I realized none but the DR-60 take a 1/8" mic in. You should be able to use an adapter since the Takstar is self powered, but then you have another funky connection to deal with.

The DR-05 is a good choice and like the Takstar wont go into the garage sale bin if you get a "better" recorder since it will be very handy to put in the pocket to collect sounds. And you do want to go around collecting sounds. Just getting a bunch of interesting ambiences to add to your films sound track will boost your "perceived quality" up a notch, and get you out of that dead air or slathered music indi "sound".
 
Well - I have a Zoom, and have never had any noise issues with it. I don't use deaf microphones, and it's quite happy with my 416 unless I try to record emails farting from ten feet away. Seriously, I don't find the gain an issue at all, and it's incredibly useful and pretty cheap. The noise when cranked up is higher than my other devices, but I've never had an issue with noisy audio since I have had it. I would happily buy another if it got lost or damaged. Sorry if I'm at odds with everyone else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top