Zoom H1

Hi Jean,

I gave one a whirl. The Zoom H1 is a great bargain recorder for $99. The popular Edirol R09 was over $300! In regards to the lav, it really depends on what your version of a good/cheap lav is. For some it might be a small watch battery powered, consumer grade Audio Technica lav for under $100. Next step may be the Sennheiser ME2 ($129). Next step up may be something from the Sony line such as the ECM44 if you can get it in the correct wiring for 3.5mm. From there I'd be looking at the Countryman B3. Lots of lavs to listen to in this article http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/lavs_brockett.html Just be careful how you get them wired. For example the locking Sennheiser 3.5mm connector will pop off of the mic input jack of an H1. It will not stay secure unless you gaff tape the heck out of it. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the Zoom H1 works well with the RODE Lavalier as long as you use the correct Micon 3.5mm connector. The Micon 2 is flush. Listen to the two paired together in the video below. No processing/eq.


Actually, there is now a package on the DVeStore site that has the Zoom H1, RODE Lav, Micon 2, plus a HOSA Y cable.
 
I have one and like it for what it was intended.
I like my H4N's a lot better though because you just have more control.
I use the H1 with the Sennhiser ME2 and it works well and doesn't (Didn't) pop off, but it did pop off of my H4N's so I removed the collar.

Nice little recorder for a hundred bucks!
 
Guy, thanks so much for all the info! I'm pretty new to audio and I'm really confused where to begin. I was originally going to buy the following products (my use will be for narrative filmmaking):

Zoom H4n Handy Recorder Kit with 8GB SD Card and Remote Control - $319.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/669360-REG/Zoom_H4n_Handy_Recorder_Kit.html

Rode NTG-2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone - $269.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367747-REG/Rode_NTG_2_NTG_2_Battery_or_Phantom.html

Rode Micro Boompole - 3-Section Boom Pole - $49.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/757123-REG/Rode_MICRO_BOOMPOLE_Micro_Boompole_3_Section.html

Rode WS6 Deluxe Windshield for the NTG2 - $59.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573091-REG/Rode_WS6_WS6_Deluxe_Windshield_for.html


However, I started to worry that using a shotgun-mic and a boom-pole will limit my audio recording - especially for wide shots. That's why I've become very interested in lavalier microphones. The setup in your Vimeo link looks awesome. Do you think it's wise to own both the setup I've listed above, and a lavalier setup? The only worry I have with lavalier setups is not being able to hide the mics well enough whilst still getting clean audio...have you had experience with that?

Thank you again :)
 
Peternap said:
I have one and like it for what it was intended.
I like my H4N's a lot better though because you just have more control.
I use the H1 with the Sennhiser ME2 and it works well and doesn't (Didn't) pop off, but it did pop off of my H4N's so I removed the collar.

Nice little recorder for a hundred bucks!
Click to expand...

Hey Peternap - how'd you get the Sennheiser locking collar off?
For anyone not know what these look like, here's a quick video I made for someone that I was on the phone with...sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words....and a video is worth um...more :)


Jean Dantes said:
Guy, thanks so much for all the info! I'm pretty new to audio and I'm really confused where to begin. I was originally going to buy the following products (my use will be for narrative filmmaking):

Zoom H4n Handy Recorder Kit with 8GB SD Card and Remote Control - $319.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/669360-REG/Zoom_H4n_Handy_Recorder_Kit.html

Rode NTG-2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone - $269.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367747-REG/Rode_NTG_2_NTG_2_Battery_or_Phantom.html

Rode Micro Boompole - 3-Section Boom Pole - $49.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/757123-REG/Rode_MICRO_BOOMPOLE_Micro_Boompole_3_Section.html

Rode WS6 Deluxe Windshield for the NTG2 - $59.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573091-REG/Rode_WS6_WS6_Deluxe_Windshield_for.html


However, I started to worry that using a shotgun-mic and a boom-pole will limit my audio recording - especially for wide shots. That's why I've become very interested in lavalier microphones. The setup in your Vimeo link looks awesome. Do you think it's wise to own both the setup I've listed above, and a lavalier setup? The only worry I have with lavalier setups is not being able to hide the mics well enough whilst still getting clean audio...have you had experience with that?

Thank you again :)
Click to expand...

That looks like a good set-up as individual components. However, the NTG-2 and the H4n don't play too well together as far as levels go. You may want to go with the Audio Technica 875r if you're deadset on an h4n it offers a hotter output and Dan Brockett gave it some glowing reviews. I myself prefer the Tascam DR100 as it has better limiters, a real knob to adjust levels, a built-in lithium ion battery and AA's, plus separate Line output and Headphone output. It's also made of metal and feels more robust.

An NTG-3 with a DR100 is pretty rockin' - there's a sample up on my Vimeo page if you want to hear it. http://vimeo.com/dvgeartalk/
Lavs might be they way to go depending on the talent's attire, and if you do or do not have a good boom op. Someone with no experience on a boom making all kinds of handling noise is going to drive ya nuts. It's wise to have both set-ups. Hire a pro if you can, look at their kit and see how it all works together. There's a good section in Dean Mile's book on mounting lav mics - you can find the book online it's called, "Location Sound Simplified" http://www.locationaudiosimplified.com/
 
A boomed mic is going to yield better result (in properly-trained hands, of course) than lavs. The other thing that stands out is your mention of purchasing a couple of H1 recorders and a couple of lavs. Am I assuming correctly that the plan would be to place both the lav and the recorder on your talent?

There's been a lot of discussion around here lately on just that setup, and the (few) pros and (many) cons.
Such as: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?250787-Alternative-to-Wireless-Microphones

Not being able to monitor audio during recording is my first and foremost concern in a setup like this. Leaving audio to chance is a recipe for disaster. You're better off using the recorder in tandem with a mixer/pre-amp and a good mic on a pole. Or, at the very least, a tried and proven combination of shotgun and field recorder, as mentioned by Guy.
 
Guy_Cochran said:
Hey Peternap - how'd you get the Sennheiser locking collar off?
For anyone not know what these look like, here's a quick video I made for someone that I was on the phone with...sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words....and a video is worth um...more :)

/
Click to expand...
I carefully cut it off with a Dremil cutoff disk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top