smaller alternative to Zoom H1?

T

tikigod19

Well-known member
hi guys I have about 10 H1's which I love. I love the use of an AA battery and generally everything about them... except the size. A groom recently commented on how large it was (and I wasnt able to belt clip it as it was still obvious as he faced away from the crowd)

Any ideas on a smaller replacement? I'm more than happy to lose the built in mic if necessary if it makes the unit much smaller and slimmer. Ideally not one that has to be charged through USB like the sony unit I have. I like to have spare batteries in my bag should one run out.

Obviously a 3.5mm input for a lav mic.

Thanks!
 
tikigod19 said:
hi guys I have about 10 H1's which I love. I love the use of an AA battery and generally everything about them... except the size. A groom recently commented on how large it was (and I wasnt able to belt clip it as it was still obvious as he faced away from the crowd)

Any ideas on a smaller replacement? I'm more than happy to lose the built in mic if necessary if it makes the unit much smaller and slimmer. Ideally not one that has to be charged through USB like the sony unit I have. I like to have spare batteries in my bag should one run out.

Obviously a 3.5mm input for a lav mic.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Ever thought about adding a pair of wireless mics to your kit?
 
I have used those in the past but would require too much equipment in total as I sometimes have to mic up 5 or 6 speakers. I love the portability and simplicity of a portable recorder with lav. It's just not quite small enough. I'm sure they must do smaller even if it means sacrificing battery life or audio quality a bit
 
Yeah you would think that if Apple could build the iPod shuffle with a headphone jack, DAC, amp, battery and storage all built in, with hours of playback time per charge, someone could build the same thing but with the headphone jack as a mic jack, the play button as a record button and the volume buttons to control record level. With the little clips built in and all. Those would be super handy, especially at $50 each.
 
tikigod19 said:
I have used those in the past but would require too much equipment in total as I sometimes have to mic up 5 or 6 speakers. I love the portability and simplicity of a portable recorder with lav. It's just not quite small enough. I'm sure they must do smaller even if it means sacrificing battery life or audio quality a bit
Click to expand...

Too much equipment?

You put your 2 wireless mics on your important subjects like the bride and groom. What extra equipment is there besides the 2 small receivers and 2 small cables?
 
David W. Jones said:
Too much equipment?

You put your 2 wireless mics on your important subjects like the bride and groom. What extra equipment is there besides the 2 small receivers and 2 small cables?
Click to expand...
2 receivers, 2 cables, zoom h4n or similar (I shoot DSLR so no XLR inputs).. plus during speeches when there are 5 or 6 speakers it would mean tripling that. Definitely not what I'm after
 
roxics said:
Yeah you would think that if Apple could build the iPod shuffle with a headphone jack, DAC, amp, battery and storage all built in, with hours of playback time per charge, someone could build the same thing but with the headphone jack as a mic jack, the play button as a record button and the volume buttons to control record level. With the little clips built in and all. Those would be super handy, especially at $50 each.
Click to expand...

totally agree. Thats why I assumed something would exist
 
mico said:
Never heard of these?:

http://www.juicedlink.com/

http://tascam.com/product/dr-10c/
Click to expand...

nope, never heard of them. Have now researched both.

juicedlink. Dont think its for me. The menu system and the hassle you have to go through when formatting (copying back config files on manually etc - all explained in this video) plus the extra expense doesn't make it worth it to me. If it was smaller then maybe, but I can't see me preferring it to the H1 especially as it's 3 times the price

tascam. preferred it, nice size but the fact I'd need to buy all new mics/adapters puts me off a bit. Again, if it were REEEEEALLY small, I'd probably go for it, size is critical for me but without researching this some more and finding something to blow my socks off, i don't think this is worthy of replacing my multiple H1's either..
 
Last edited:
tikigod19 said:
nope, never heard of them. Have now researched both.

juicedlink. Dont think its for me. The menu system and the hassle you have to go through when formatting (copying back config files on manually etc - all explained in this video) plus the extra expense doesn't make it worth it to me. If it was smaller then maybe, but I can't see me preferring it to the H1 especially as it's 3 times the price

tascam. preferred it, nice size but the fact I'd need to buy all new mics/adapters puts me off a bit. Again, if it were REEEEEALLY small, I'd probably go for it, size is critical for me but without researching this some more and finding something to blow my socks off, i don't think this is worthy of replacing my multiple H1's either..
Click to expand...

Both have a locking 3.5mm connector for a reason. They won't come pop off by accident. Thats a plus not a negative. You can modify your lavs with a locking connector or buy a locking to regular adapter.

Smaller? These are almost non existent. I really don't know how much smaller these can get if you want any features. i have the tascam and its 2.5"x2"x .75". I believe the juiced link is almost the same size. Anyway whatever. You've been given choices.
 
Last edited:
ah i see so the 2 compatible mics are the ones that have the 3.5mm locking adapter. You're right thats a nice feature.
They just dont look that small in videos but I think I need to try to get my hands on the tascam and take a look for myself.
I appreciate your suggestions greatly, despite the fast you seem to have taken it personally that I said I wont buy them
 
tikigod19 said:
ah i see so the 2 compatible mics are the ones that have the 3.5mm locking adapter. You're right thats a nice feature.
They just dont look that small in videos but I think I need to try to get my hands on the tascam and take a look for myself.
I appreciate your suggestions greatly, despite the fast you seem to have taken it personally that I said I wont buy them
Click to expand...

dude I could care less if you buy them or not. but to ask for something small then complain that something 1/3rd the size of what you were using before is too big . Man I have to shake my head at and feel maybe you're trolling or just wasting peoples time. Go in peace.
 
Last edited:
Yes.:) I bought one of those and used it last Saturday. I plugged a lav mic into it and it worked well. It's smaller than any other option I've found, including the H1. I mic'd the groom with the dr10 and used a wireless on the pastor. From now on I'm using wireless and non-wireless both in case of wireless trouble. My sennheiser lav mics and azden locking lav mics both work. I like the azdens because they have a glued on windscreen that doesn't come off on accident.
mico said:
Never heard of these?:

http://www.juicedlink.com/

http://tascam.com/product/dr-10c/
Click to expand...
 
firehawk said:
Yes.:) I bought one of those and used it last Saturday. I plugged a lav mic into it and it worked well. It's smaller than any other option I've found, including the H1. I mic'd the groom with the dr10 and used a wireless on the pastor. From now on I'm using wireless and non-wireless both in case of wireless trouble. My sennheiser lav mics and azden locking lav mics both work. I like the azdens because they have a glued on windscreen that doesn't come off on accident.
Click to expand...

Do you know if only locking mics will work? Would my non locking mics fit but just not benefit from the added security of the locking jack?
 
firehawk said:
Yes.:) I bought one of those and used it last Saturday. I plugged a lav mic into it and it worked well. It's smaller than any other option I've found, including the H1. I mic'd the groom with the dr10 and used a wireless on the pastor. From now on I'm using wireless and non-wireless both in case of wireless trouble. My sennheiser lav mics and azden locking lav mics both work. I like the azdens because they have a glued on windscreen that doesn't come off on accident.
Click to expand...

Yes and the added beauty of the Tascam and probably the reason you can't get them in the US ( patent litigation) is that you can also use it as a pass through to your wireless so you can monitor the audio and have a backup if there are frequency issues. As well as it recording a second track at a lower db for overload protection which the juiced link also has, at even a much lower db.

And if you're worried about windscreens falling off there are the Rycote overcovers that you can stick on a lavs for wind protection
 
Last edited:
tikigod19 said:
Do you know if only locking mics will work? Would my non locking mics fit but just not benefit from the added security of the locking jack?
Click to expand...
I plugged in a non-locking lav mic this morning and it fit securely also. So I'm not sure what all other mics you can use.
 
mico said:
Yes and the added beauty of the Tascam and probably the reason you can't get them in the US ( patent litigation) is that you can also use it as a pass through to your wireless so you can monitor the audio and have a backup if there are frequency issues. As well as it recording a second track at a lower db for overload protection which the juiced link also has, at even a much lower db.

And if you're worried about windscreens falling off there are the Rode overcovers that you can stick on a lavs for wind protection
Click to expand...

yes there are several benefits about those tascams like you mentioned. I'm not exactly fond of the pass through piggy back thing because it adds more size and cables but until the patent expires I guess there won't be any other options except zaxcom to actually have a wireless transmitter that also can record built-in.

I thankfully never had a job ruined due to wireless dropouts but it was just a matter of time until I did. Since my friend has ungraciously beat the crap out of my dual wireless system I have used for weddings it has forced me to use other gear which might be a good thing.
 
mico said:
And if you're worried about windscreens falling off there are the Rode overcovers that you can stick on a lavs for wind protection
Click to expand...
I have some furry ones that have a slit and will fit over small foam windscreens on lavs. Is that like you are talking about? Those seem to fit pretty snug. Look kind of like a small mouse, haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top