T2i T4i and the H4n... can it run directily into cam???

J

jrod81

Veteran
So I used to have a T2i and I ran the audio from my H4n straight into the camera using a cable by SESCOM (as seen in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwPE6FQEuJ8)
But when I use that same cable with the T4i, I get very soft with hissing audio...
Here is what I'm wanting to do...
I am shooting a set of 10 interviews on Friday. The thought of having to sync the audio to the video frustrates me and seems needless if I can figure out how to run the audio straight into the camera... So, please help... I have a T4i, a Zoom H4n, and two lav mic (along with XLR cables). Can I just get a normal 1/8 to 1/8 cable and run straight out of the Zoom into the T4i?
thanks for the help
 
Yes, you can run the Zoom H4n directly into the camera. You then select which channels you want to monitor out of the left and right output of the H4n and it sends those out to your camera. Works pretty well. Obviously you cant output all four channels that the H4n is able to record as you only get 2 outputs at any given time.
 
I will mess with this tomorrow evening a bit, but can you answer a few questions for me:
1. what cable do i need to buy to run from the zoom to the camera?
2. i went to the t4i menu and cannot find how to monitor audio?
3. even though it will only be sending one of the channels to the camera, is the h4n still recording everything (by everything, i plan to run a lav mic into xlr 1 and then a video mic pro into xlr 2)... i figure i will make the lav mics run into the camera but would like to still make sure xlr 2 is getting recorded for backup audio needs...

OR...

Can I just skip the zoom all together and run a lav mic straight into the t4i directly?
 
Okay... I had an audio technica lav (ATR3350) and plugged it straight into the t4i... works like a charm...
I also figured out that I was not in "manual" mode and that is why I could not see the audio controls...
now for my next question...
can i monitor the audio while recording video? i am nervous that the lav mic will run out of battery and end up getting no audio from the interview if i am not physically able to see the audio bars popping around as I shoot...
 
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For what it's worth, I find double-system sound to be much more reliable. You can use the videomic into the camera as a backup track, and record the lav into your H4n and monitor it. If you don't like slating or syncing your clips, Pluraleyes will do it for you (although it's not $99 anymore).
 
ProfessorU said:
For what it's worth, I find double-system sound to be much more reliable. You can use the videomic into the camera as a backup track, and record the lav into your H4n and monitor it. If you don't like slating or syncing your clips, Pluraleyes will do it for you (although it's not $99 anymore).
Click to expand...

With Magic Lantern you can make the Left Channel External and the Right Channel Internal Mic. This is the BEST method for double-system sound. The downside is that the built-in mic of the DSLR's don't have good reach and side rejection.
 
Here's the problem...even when you have everything set up properly, the audio in the T4i will still sound crappy. It's just the nature of the beast. I use the Sescom cable all the time...there's really no reason not to, and it makes syncing possible by eye even. But there's no way I'd use the audio recorded internally vs the audio recorded from the H4n.
 
Thanks for all the help guys! After the shoot last week, I think it might have been my last "documentary" style shoot with an SLR... there was so many audio junk going on that me (as a one man show) got overwhelmed and stressed. I wasn't dealing with actors and no one else was on set to manage all the issues... I'm looking at going with an HMC I believe for my tripod setup shot with audio running straight into it and then using an XLR for my cutaway shots... just need to make sure the two cameras will mix properly to the eye...
 
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