Using Zoo H1 or H2 Int Mics as primary?

askclifford

askclifford

Member
Alright. I have about $125 to spend on a decent audio solution for my T2i, preferably less. I have two options, both for about $100 each: The H1, and The H2 (I found this price local). So I'm assuming I could mount a H2 on a monopod or painters pole/DIY method and get great audio like many people, but someone told me I wouldn't because there would be a lot of pressure on the bottom screw hole and its not directional. I don't imagine the boom would be too far from the subject, is this an ok idea?
 
I strongly suggest that you read the stickies at the top of this forum. You will likely discover that mounting a small digital recorder to a boom pole may not be the most practical way to optimize your sound investment dollars.

Will it sound better than the T2i internal mic and audio, probably. Will it be great audio, not even close.

Here's a few of the shortfalls of that approach:

The microphone(s) on the H1/H2 are not as directional as a shotgun or hyper, resulting in less rejection of undesired sound.
You can't watch the meters and therefore have to be very conservative when setting levels, resulting in a higher noise floor.
On the H2, I don't know of a way to use only one microphone on the unit, so, at best, you'll end up wit 180 degree coverag

Something that will aid greatly if this approach is all you can afford is to use a headphone extension to run from the recorder and monitor what the recorder is doing. This will allow you to hear what the microphones are doing, and thereby, learn something (not alot, because of the lack of directivity) about mic placement and the importance of getting the microphone as close to the talent as possible while still remaining outside of the frame.

Despite all of the shortcoming of your suggested approach, with monitoring and practice, you will get better sound than what you can get directly from the camera.

askclifford said:
Alright. I have about $125 to spend on a decent audio solution for my T2i, preferably less. I have two options, both for about $100 each: The H1, and The H2 (I found this price local). So I'm assuming I could mount a H2 on a monopod or painters pole/DIY method and get great audio like many people, but someone told me I wouldn't because there would be a lot of pressure on the bottom screw hole and its not directional. I don't imagine the boom would be too far from the subject, is this an ok idea?
Click to expand...
 
gpforet said:
I strongly suggest that you read the stickies at the top of this forum. You will likely discover that mounting a small digital recorder to a boom pole may not be the most practical way to optimize your sound investment dollars.

Will it sound better than the T2i internal mic and audio, probably. Will it be great audio, not even close.

Here's a few of the shortfalls of that approach:

The microphone(s) on the H1/H2 are not as directional as a shotgun or hyper, resulting in less rejection of undesired sound.
You can't watch the meters and therefore have to be very conservative when setting levels, resulting in a higher noise floor.
On the H2, I don't know of a way to use only one microphone on the unit, so, at best, you'll end up wit 180 degree coverag

Something that will aid greatly if this approach is all you can afford is to use a headphone extension to run from the recorder and monitor what the recorder is doing. This will allow you to hear what the microphones are doing, and thereby, learn something (not alot, because of the lack of directivity) about mic placement and the importance of getting the microphone as close to the talent as possible while still remaining outside of the frame.

Despite all of the shortcoming of your suggested approach, with monitoring and practice, you will get better sound than what you can get directly from the camera.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with everything here...

If it were me, I'd keep saving... a couple hundred more and you could get a decent shotgun or a lavalier that's going to get you WAY better results...

I'm a sound engineer, so I'm not a big fan of crappy audio by nature, but I wasted a lot of money when I was younger trying to come up with budget ways to "get the job done."

You'd be better off saving a little more and finding a solution that will take care of your needs but also offer flexibility as new projects come up in the future.
 
Have you read the stickies?

The weak link in what you are proposing is the microphone. To start with the basics, a stereo mic on a boom pole for dialog is a bad idea. In addition, the directivity of the Azden is no better than what you first proposed. Take a look at the Rode video mic, that's going to be the absolute cheapest mic that will teach you a bit about directivity and recording dialog.

Again, don't get me wrong, you are looking in the right place. And getting the mic closer to the talent will be far better than the mic on the camera. And, technique goes a long, long way in getting good sound. And forget stereo for now. Stereo is used primarily for ambient sound and a few effects, but never on dialog.


askclifford said:
What if I was to take one of these audio recorders:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734644-REG/Tascam_DR_03_DR_03_Portable_Digital_Audio.html
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Digit...5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301427605&sr=1-5

and an Azden SMX10 Shotgun mic and put it on a boompole. Will that give me good audio?
Click to expand...
 
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