zoom h4n or tascam dr-100 mrk ii

C

cuervo.taylor

Active member
Hi guys,

I'm planning filming a documentary and I want to take audio directly into the camera while filming so I don't need to bother with sync in post. I'm planning:

Zoom h4n or Tascam DR100--->sescom cable adapter---->Panny GH2

Do you think that for interviews the Tascam is better than the Zoom?

thanks.
 
Have you looked at the DR-40?

It costs about $100 less and it has a 4 track recording mode called Dual Recording Mode. (The DR-100 and h4n are only 2 track recorders.) From Tascam:

Dual Recording records a second copy of your performance up to -12dB lower as a safety track. This mean if your recording gets accidentally distorted, you'll have a backup copy that isn't distorted.

Dual Recording works in addition to the peak limiting and low cut filter features which also prevent distortion.

The Dual Recording mode is perfect for recording your band live. Just set the unit to record and hit the stage without worrying about the recording getting blown out.

View attachment 50985
Click to expand...

I own a DR-40 and love it. I also use a sescom cable so I record audio directly into the GH2, but there are times when I'm glad I have the DR-40 as backup, like when a subject gets excited and starts talking louder. Having a track on the DR-40 that's set to record a few decibels lower than the camera can really be useful.
 
cuervo.taylor said:
Hi guys,
I'm planning filming a documentary and I want to take audio directly into the camera while filming so I don't need to bother with sync in post. I'm planning:
Zoom h4n or Tascam DR100--->sescom cable adapter---->Panny GH2
Do you think that for interviews the Tascam is better than the Zoom?
Click to expand...
If your going to use the camera's audio tracks, why get a separate audio recorder at all?.. For the pre-amps? The pre-amps are usually 'less-than-stellar' anyway in budget reorders. The money would be better spent on a quality mixer/preamps if that's your workflow.
Regarding the H4n, it is a 4-track recorder, however recording four 'external' mics with it is not so easy.
IMO, the Tascam DR-40 (or 100) would be a better choice if recording audio separately. Better yet, get a high-quality preamp as a front end and use line level to the recorder.
 
Last edited:
I really like my DR-40. While it has 4 tracks, the biggest thing is the ability to take the feed into one input and put it on two separate recordings with a safety track. You can decide how much lower to record on the second track. I also run a feed into the camera and match audio. I like having more back up. It is really helpful if you are recording an interview. There is nothing worse with a once and a lifetime event audio recording and your track is awful. The nice thing about the DR-40 is that I use a wired lag (Sony ECM-55, 10 years old, working like new) and then I use a Sennheiser G3 with ME2 to the camera. It works for me. Good luck.
 
So the DR40 is the best for record syncronized while shooting? (please I'm a newb try to explain without too much technical concepts)
 
"So the DR40 is the best for record synchronized while shooting?"
The best? Not really, for the money maybe.
 
If your going to use the camera's audio tracks, why get a separate audio recorder at all?.. For the pre-amps? The pre-amps are usually 'less-than-stellar' anyway in budget reorders. The money would be better spent on a quality mixer/preamps if that's your workflow.
Click to expand...
I'm thinking the same thing, unless you want a recorder for backing up your tracks. Also, with a budget of 500 dollars, you can get better 2-track recorders on the used market than a DR-40 (unless you want the 4-track mode of that). The DR100mkII is supposedly better quality, but there's also the Tascam FR2-LE and Marantz PMD661.
For recording into camera, I would spend my money on a used sound devices mixpre.
 
Jema said:
I'm thinking the same thing, unless you want a recorder for backing up your tracks. Also, with a budget of 500 dollars, you can get better 2-track recorders on the used market than a DR-40 (unless you want the 4-track mode of that). The DR100mkII is supposedly better quality, but there's also the Tascam FR2-LE and Marantz PMD661.
For recording into camera, I would spend my money on a used sound devices mixpre.
Click to expand...

Which one Jema? I don't understand what pre-amps or "mixpre" means. Thanks
 
For under $500, it's more of a desired feature set issue than quality. All things being equal, you would not notice any quality difference between the DR-100 and DR-40.
"Pre-amp" is a (generic term) microphone amplifier. For instance, each 'microphone' input on a mixer would have one. Not to be confused with a "Power amp", which drives your loud speakers or monitors.
The "MixPre" is a portable dual pre-amp made by Sound Devices which is very highly regarded as are their other products.
 
So as a run-n-gun docummentary maker, it would be best for me the dr-40 as the alternative is the Rodevideomic which is more expensive and the desing is so flimsy...

Seems the dr-40 the best for me, as it is also light weighted.
 
Rick R said:
For under $500, it's more of a desired feature set issue than quality. All things being equal, you would not notice any quality difference between the DR-100 and DR-40.
"Pre-amp" is a (generic term) microphone amplifier. For instance, each 'microphone' input on a mixer would have one. Not to be confused with a "Power amp", which drives your loud speakers or monitors.
The "MixPre" is a portable dual pre-amp made by Sound Devices which is very highly regarded as are their other products.
Click to expand...

thanks for the explanation
 
cuervo.taylor said:
So as a run-n-gun docummentary maker, it would be best for me the dr-40 as the alternative is the Rodevideomic which is more expensive and the desing is so flimsy...

Seems the dr-40 the best for me, as it is also light weighted.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand this question: are you looking at the DR-40 as an alternative to the RØDE VideoMic? That's comparing apples to oranges. Even if you go with second-system sound (using an external recorder), you're still going to need a microphone. The built-in mics on these hand-held devices are not suited for recording dialog. And it's not just the microphone, since on-camera is the last place you'd want to have a mic. You'll need a suspension mount (shock mount), wind protection, cables, and a fish pole (boom). Are you running as a one-man-band? You may not be able to swing a boom if that's the case, but you'll need a floor stand with boom arm for seated interviews. Also, you must have good headphones.

For budget recorders, the DR-40 is in my opinion the best offering in its price bracket. However, there are drawbacks to the design elements of any hand-held (see the $300 Recorder sticky for more on that). The advice to look at something like a used Fostex FR2-LE is great. You can find them lightly-used and in great condition for around $400. You'll get a better design and better pre-amps.

As a side note, and since folks have raised the question... recording to camera in terms of DSLR (like the GH1 or GH2) uses generally worse pre-amps than the ones found in budget recorders, so I can understand wanting to use this in conjunction with your camera.
 
Get the sound device pre-mixer... or 3 channel mixer...

and much better: have a soundguy... there are people who also do stuff for free if money is the isue... But don't "fool" with them....
 
I'm solo, can't get a soundguy nor a boom mic.

AlexH.

Can you explain this:
As a side note, and since folks have raised the question... recording to camera in terms of DSLR (like the GH1 or GH2) uses generally worse pre-amps than the ones found in budget recorders, so I can understand wanting to use this in conjunction with your camera.
Click to expand...
 
yes, but don't be afraid to do it with 2 people.... And to "charge the invoice"....

Well if it's for "own bussiness" it's more difficult... But I think you will be more "happy" when you did it with 2 people (you and a soundguy)
then trying to do it all on your own...with as result....
 
Last edited:
cuervo.taylor said:
I'm planning filming a documentary and I want to take audio directly into the camera while filming so I don't need to bother with sync in post.
Click to expand...

What mics do you plan on shooting with?

What type of locations will you be filming your documentary at?

If you are a one-man-crew how much gear do you plan on using for each shoot?
 
Can you explain this:
As a side note, and since folks have raised the question... recording to camera in terms of DSLR (like the GH1 or GH2) uses generally worse pre-amps than the ones found in budget recorders, so I can understand wanting to use this in conjunction with your camera.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I'll take the liberty of answering this:
It has to do with keeping a high qulity signal path. Every mic outputs a signal that is to weak to record well, so you have to amplify it - this is what a preamp do. Essentially, it's the "gain" control. This preamp adds some noise of it's own, especially cheaper ones like those in a DSLR. They also can not take a very strong signal so they distort easily. Having a mixer, or external recorder, with a better preamp before going into the camera gives a much cleaner signal, as well as other advantages like better gain control, metering and monitoring, bass cut filters, limiters etc.
 
Jema said:
I'll take the liberty of answering this:
It has to do with keeping a high qulity signal path. Every mic outputs a signal that is to weak to record well, so you have to amplify it - this is what a preamp do. Essentially, it's the "gain" control. This preamp adds some noise of it's own, especially cheaper ones like those in a DSLR. They also can not take a very strong signal so they distort easily. Having a mixer, or external recorder, with a better preamp before going into the camera gives a much cleaner signal, as well as other advantages like better gain control, metering and monitoring, bass cut filters, limiters etc.
Click to expand...

Many many thanks. It was like chinese for me but know I understand what a zoom/tascam is for.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top