Your suggestions -- please!

S

sparkizoid

Member
I'm currently shooting a series of talking heads for a documentary using the GH1 and Zoom H4n. I'm getting great results visually shooting highest quality AVCHD files in the Intelligent Auto Mode. For audio I'm using a wired Azden 400udr radio lav on the subjects. I'm recording in Stereo Mode with the H4n but WHAT OTHER SETTINGS should I use? I'm under the gun here, have done lots of tests, and still haven't discovered what works best.

Your suggestions on everything - especially the H4n - are GREATLY appreciated!
 
I suggest you do some searching through the Audio forum. You might find similar questions asked and answered.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?235546-Zoom-H4n-best-settings-for-recording-dialog

Other than that, you might also want to look into the merits of different wireless systems. (By the way, "wired radio lav" is a contradiction in terms... it's either a radio mic system, or a wired lav.) You'll find little/no love for Azden systems, and for good reason. They are pretty much rubbish.
 
Thanks for your help. (The Azden 400udr lav is a radio mic -- unfortunately, it's all I've got for now.) What other inexpensive lav's would you recommend? I've tried the Mono Mix setting on the H4n, recording 48/24 WAV's, and it seems to work pretty well. I guess what I'm really looking for here is if there's a VOCAL LIMITER SETTING that will cover me for all kinds of voices. I want all the voices to sound as clear and consistent as possible -- but some people speak very low and others knock your earphones off. Without having to constantly ride the audio and monitor it for each person (I'm a one man band here), isn't there a settings on the h4n that will cover everybody?
 
Well I think in a way you do have to control it a little. A compressor/limiter will "control" it... But it's not that you can say "I leave it compressing for..... 60dB"... then you have to turn it lower.
Compressing is more to avoid clipping, but you still need to react...a little....

People have time.... Don't think about people not having time... So let them say someting first...take a look and if needed lower the rec level.

But I think COMP2 will be the best.
 
sparkizoid said:
I guess what I'm really looking for here is if there's a VOCAL LIMITER SETTING that will cover me for all kinds of voices. I want all the voices to sound as clear and consistent as possible -- but some people speak very low and others knock your earphones off. Without having to constantly ride the audio and monitor it for each person (I'm a one man band here), isn't there a settings on the h4n that will cover everybody?
Click to expand...

Don't try to pawn your audio off onto some kind of "set it and forget it" feature. You're not going to find one anyway. When you are putting mics on various people, you need to set the mic's gain staging for each person. This means setting the record level, before you record, on each person. Set it to record around -12dB with occasional peaks as high as -6dB. That leaves you some headroom. Anything else that needs to be done to even the different voices out across the production will be done in audio post.

Limiting will help avoid sudden peaks. Compression affects the overall dynamic range, but if it isn't applied very carefully it can create some artifacts (pumping, or breathing) in the recording that you won't be able to get rid of later.
 
Sparkizoid,

I do the one man band often enough, and it will always be a compromise, remember that. There is no really good way to do this and get really consistent great audio but here is how I cope:

First is to field test your audio setup ahead of time and get an good idea of what your settings will need to be with different types of speakers. Thus, when you meet your victims, and hear them, you'll have a good idea where you need to be for a given scenario. Record two tracks if you can, one from you wireless and something else...anything else. For example, if they are sitting in front of a desk, I might even clamp a hidden shotgun on a drawer slightly pulled out and aim it up at them. Not the best, but it gives you a backup track. Although it may not be the best thing, I have asked people to try and keep their voice levels consistent. Realizing this isn't the best for creative aspects, it is a tactic for folks that are all over the place; to make them aware it is a problem for you. To summarize: control the scene to avoid movement of both the interviewee and the cam and you'll have more time to attend to audio.

Second, you do need a way to control your audio, and for that you need to monitor. You didn't mention if you use headphones but that is a must. Using some "intelligent audio setting" is going to give you pretty weak results, especially if there is much background noise or your victim is moving around. If I am doing a one man band gig and going to interview, I try to set up for minimal movement of both the cam and victim. I use a tripod if possible, and make my camera setup such that I can have less need to tweak the cam during the interview giving me more time to attend to audio. I place a mixer on a arm and shelf mounted on the tripod so I can really get a sense of the audio while simultaneously keeping an eye on the cam. A decent mixer will really help as you can ride the levels via better meters and you'll get the benefit of line in on your zoom instead of using the Zoom preamps. Don't know much about the Adzen stuff, but I have never heard a good word said about ANY of their products.

Third, if you are moving around without a tripod, AND you want record audio, AND you want to be a one man band, I can't even imagine trying to use a DSLR with a remote recording device. This would be very hard even with a regular video cam designed to do this. You really need an extra body or two to assist with this scenario...you just have to be realistic.

I think if you have a fast moving documentary, folks will give you a break on audio, but for talking heads scenarios where you can exert some control, it would be important to look at minimizing your one man band weaknesses by taking as much control over the shoot as you can. While it isn't perfect, the stuff I mentioned can really help.

Grant
 
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