plainman007
Well-known member
Im thinking of buying the Zoom H2. Mainly want to do Voice Overs for some simple promotional videos. Would it serve this purpose ?
Regards
Regards
Will the Zoom H2 Mic suffice for a simple documentary/promo video home studio ?
- Thread starter plainman007
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Gregg Juke
Well-known member
The Zoom units are digital _recorders_, _with_ stereo microphones. The H2 is not a microphone.
It _might_ work for your purposes, but you'd need to be a little more specific with what, and how, you plan to do what you want to do.
GJ
It _might_ work for your purposes, but you'd need to be a little more specific with what, and how, you plan to do what you want to do.
GJ
plainman007
Well-known member
Hi,
Yes in strict parlance the zoom recorder.
I will be shooting on a HDSLR. These will mostly be documentary type videos or occasionally promotional for a product or service. I plan on adding voice over narratives at my home studio using vegas 8. And hopefully be able to record takes directly to the timeline using the zoom as a USB mic. Apart from this i would like to record some company heads giving a narrative or small intro etc from within their office. Also some comments by technicians in factories etc, on location. I will record to maybe 320Kbps mp3 or 4 channel recordings as double wavs into vegas to create a 5.1 mix if needed for a final product.
Regards
Yes in strict parlance the zoom recorder.
I will be shooting on a HDSLR. These will mostly be documentary type videos or occasionally promotional for a product or service. I plan on adding voice over narratives at my home studio using vegas 8. And hopefully be able to record takes directly to the timeline using the zoom as a USB mic. Apart from this i would like to record some company heads giving a narrative or small intro etc from within their office. Also some comments by technicians in factories etc, on location. I will record to maybe 320Kbps mp3 or 4 channel recordings as double wavs into vegas to create a 5.1 mix if needed for a final product.
Regards
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Gregg Juke
Well-known member
The Zoom will be fine as an on-location recorder for sound overlay, but I wouldn't use it for narration or voice-over anything, as I'm not sure that the USB is "pass-through," it's pretty easy to overwhelm the microphones with up-close work (condensers that don't like moisture, and make distorted popping sounds when confronted with it), and there are better options for direct USB mikes if that's what you're looking for. Also, it has stereo condensers, and for VO you want a mono signal panned center.
So, I think what you are saying is that you want one device to be your USB/post-prod. input microphone, that is also an on-location field recorder. IMO, the Zoom will be fine as your recorder, but you'll still need either a) a separate studio VO microphone (if you want something simple, look into the various BLUE lines made for that purpose), or b) a microphone that you can plug-in to the audio input of the Zoom, which you can use to record VO/narration or single-perspective on-the-spot interviews, that will give you a mono track that you can pan center. The external microphone-in on the H2 is an 1/8" mini plug, so you'd need a mike with that output, or an adaptor, or a small mixer that you could then send a stereo mix out of to the Zoom stereo input.
Sounds a lot more complicated than what you were looking for, probably, so my suggestion would be to get the Zoom recorder for location recording, and one of the Blue mikes for USB studio (Yeti, Snowball, Snowflake) or the Samson Meteor. Or, get a Shure or Blue XLR-to-USB converter, and use whatever you want.
GJ
So, I think what you are saying is that you want one device to be your USB/post-prod. input microphone, that is also an on-location field recorder. IMO, the Zoom will be fine as your recorder, but you'll still need either a) a separate studio VO microphone (if you want something simple, look into the various BLUE lines made for that purpose), or b) a microphone that you can plug-in to the audio input of the Zoom, which you can use to record VO/narration or single-perspective on-the-spot interviews, that will give you a mono track that you can pan center. The external microphone-in on the H2 is an 1/8" mini plug, so you'd need a mike with that output, or an adaptor, or a small mixer that you could then send a stereo mix out of to the Zoom stereo input.
Sounds a lot more complicated than what you were looking for, probably, so my suggestion would be to get the Zoom recorder for location recording, and one of the Blue mikes for USB studio (Yeti, Snowball, Snowflake) or the Samson Meteor. Or, get a Shure or Blue XLR-to-USB converter, and use whatever you want.
GJ
henryqiu
Well-known member
If I were you, I'd rather forget about a Zoom recorder, and do this:
1) buy a Shure SM58
2) buy an XLR-USB converter with preamp (a decent one is available for less than $40 on Amazon.com, and the most expensive one with a quality preamp is about $200).
3) buy a TRRS adapter for XLR mic for iPhone/iPod from B&H.
The overall cost = $100 + $35 + $31 = $166 (plus tax/shipping).
At home, record SM58 into a computer via USB. With a dynamic mic, it's not hard to get very clean sound with little noise while recording right next to a noisy computer like mine, which has 5 fans of size up to 120mm diametrically.
When away from a computer, record SM58 to an iPhone or iPod. I haven't tested this myself yet, but I heard the sound quality is very good (I guess it's probably on par with H2 or any cheap consumer-grade voice recorder).
1) buy a Shure SM58
2) buy an XLR-USB converter with preamp (a decent one is available for less than $40 on Amazon.com, and the most expensive one with a quality preamp is about $200).
3) buy a TRRS adapter for XLR mic for iPhone/iPod from B&H.
The overall cost = $100 + $35 + $31 = $166 (plus tax/shipping).
At home, record SM58 into a computer via USB. With a dynamic mic, it's not hard to get very clean sound with little noise while recording right next to a noisy computer like mine, which has 5 fans of size up to 120mm diametrically.
When away from a computer, record SM58 to an iPhone or iPod. I haven't tested this myself yet, but I heard the sound quality is very good (I guess it's probably on par with H2 or any cheap consumer-grade voice recorder).
Gregg Juke
Well-known member
It depends on the reason for the Zoom/digital recorder.
I also have an iPod Touch and a Blue Mikey 2.0, which is pretty close to my Zoom H1 (but not quite). But if you want ease of use and stereo recording with built-in mikes that are decent (condensers), with removable storage media, etc., then the digi is it, and the Zoom is a decent inexpensive model (not getting into the big "professional level or not" controversy-- it will suit the purpose). Assuming the OP has an iPhone or an iPod, and the necessary app(s) already, then your option might be good. Especially if mono voice-over or interview type recording is all that is necessary.
If stereo field, ambience/room sound, and "realism" of the on-location environment are important, however, then the Zoom (with a 58 available) is a much better option than an SM58 alone. And $166 plus tax isn't too far off from a Zoom H1 (I know the OP mentioned H2, but for price comparison purposes) at $99, plus an SM58 at $100, plus a few adaptors/cables.
GJ
I also have an iPod Touch and a Blue Mikey 2.0, which is pretty close to my Zoom H1 (but not quite). But if you want ease of use and stereo recording with built-in mikes that are decent (condensers), with removable storage media, etc., then the digi is it, and the Zoom is a decent inexpensive model (not getting into the big "professional level or not" controversy-- it will suit the purpose). Assuming the OP has an iPhone or an iPod, and the necessary app(s) already, then your option might be good. Especially if mono voice-over or interview type recording is all that is necessary.
If stereo field, ambience/room sound, and "realism" of the on-location environment are important, however, then the Zoom (with a 58 available) is a much better option than an SM58 alone. And $166 plus tax isn't too far off from a Zoom H1 (I know the OP mentioned H2, but for price comparison purposes) at $99, plus an SM58 at $100, plus a few adaptors/cables.
GJ
plainman007
Well-known member
Greg,
Your right. I dont have an iphone or an ipod either. Ive not tried any apple products and happy about that. Ignorance is bliss. Neither am i techno freak for "unnecessary" hi-fi gadgets. I have thousands of $s worth of live events equipment, itself which i find a huge hassle maintaining.
I would like to do Voice Overs and Realistic Ambiences, if im lucky a combination of both. I wouldnt mind buying a lapel mic to go with the Zoom or any simpler USB mic for direct to vegas timeline recording. But i was wanting the zoom because its all so self contained. Also i thought i could plunk it down on a table in a managers room while he talks about his company. For this kind of work will the zoom suffice ?
Thanks
Your right. I dont have an iphone or an ipod either. Ive not tried any apple products and happy about that. Ignorance is bliss. Neither am i techno freak for "unnecessary" hi-fi gadgets. I have thousands of $s worth of live events equipment, itself which i find a huge hassle maintaining.
I would like to do Voice Overs and Realistic Ambiences, if im lucky a combination of both. I wouldnt mind buying a lapel mic to go with the Zoom or any simpler USB mic for direct to vegas timeline recording. But i was wanting the zoom because its all so self contained. Also i thought i could plunk it down on a table in a managers room while he talks about his company. For this kind of work will the zoom suffice ?
Thanks
Gregg Juke
Well-known member
Yes, but then of course you have to transfer the files from your Zoom to the computer, open them in something like SoundForge, then pull the SF file into Vegas... Then, if you want the audio to sync with video (say the audio of the manager was recorded on the Zoom, and the video separately on camera), then you will have to move the audio track around until it is in-sync with your video.
That actually sounds like _a lot_ more work and trouble _than it really is_, once you get used to the workflow. This is the way a lot of people are doing audio-for-video now, if they don't have thousands invested in a video sound-rig.
Although, I have experimented minimally with using the Zoom as a "pass through" set of stereo mikes. It will pass audio through the line-out, but as far as I know, not through USB (which is only for file transfer). So _in-theory_, you could use the Zoom as your input microphone(s) and record audio directly to camera, once you figure out the gain-staging (the way you'd set-up your input and output volumes on both the Zoom unit and the camera).
As to doing voice-overs, in a pinch, maybe, but I have found that the stereo pair is much better at ambient live sound than it is at handling direct voice like a close-held dedicated microphone, hence my suggestion of the "Zoom, plus."
GJ
That actually sounds like _a lot_ more work and trouble _than it really is_, once you get used to the workflow. This is the way a lot of people are doing audio-for-video now, if they don't have thousands invested in a video sound-rig.
Although, I have experimented minimally with using the Zoom as a "pass through" set of stereo mikes. It will pass audio through the line-out, but as far as I know, not through USB (which is only for file transfer). So _in-theory_, you could use the Zoom as your input microphone(s) and record audio directly to camera, once you figure out the gain-staging (the way you'd set-up your input and output volumes on both the Zoom unit and the camera).
As to doing voice-overs, in a pinch, maybe, but I have found that the stereo pair is much better at ambient live sound than it is at handling direct voice like a close-held dedicated microphone, hence my suggestion of the "Zoom, plus."
GJ
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Gregg Juke
Well-known member
PS-- If you get the H1 or H2, make sure you either purchase the accessories pack, or get whatever additional items you need separately, but you'll need a wind screen, a small tripod or stand of some sort (I believe the H2 comes with), and a case. The H1 also has a microphone stand adaptor available, so you can use it with a standard mike stand to "boom" some shots, if necessary. And/or, if your camera has a hot-shoe mount, there are adaptors to put the unit right on the camera.
GJ
GJ
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plainman007
Well-known member
Gregg,
Im buying the H2 with the box packing. I dont know what you mean by accessories pack but the box carries a foam windscreen. A small table top tripod. I dont know what you mean by a case, a travel case ???
Also Gregg, i wanted to do recordings of a lonely hill station with a car maybe passing occasionally and id position the mic in such a way it approaches on the left and then passes away on the right mic side. This will give me some realistic sound movement matching the footage shot of the car. These are the kind of things id like to get the H2 for. And also voice too.
Thanks
Im buying the H2 with the box packing. I dont know what you mean by accessories pack but the box carries a foam windscreen. A small table top tripod. I dont know what you mean by a case, a travel case ???
Also Gregg, i wanted to do recordings of a lonely hill station with a car maybe passing occasionally and id position the mic in such a way it approaches on the left and then passes away on the right mic side. This will give me some realistic sound movement matching the footage shot of the car. These are the kind of things id like to get the H2 for. And also voice too.
Thanks
Gregg Juke
Well-known member
Gregg Juke
Well-known member
Ok, I left a long response, but that was cyber-dumped into the ether.
Short answer-- yeah, I meant a travel case, and yes, the H2 will make a good purchase on a budget for your applications ( but it is not top-drawer Hollywood).
GJ
Short answer-- yeah, I meant a travel case, and yes, the H2 will make a good purchase on a budget for your applications ( but it is not top-drawer Hollywood).
GJ