Zoom H4N + Rode Video-mic. Yep, another dslr h4n question haha.

R

RobTilbury

Member
Hi guys,

Im new to audio recording in general, I was just wondering if anyone had any objection to my setup.
Im using a Zoom H4N and a Rode Video-mic (mini jack) with a rode extension cable on a boom pole. (no XLR gear here)

The Zoom is set to 48 KHz 24 Bit. Btw, Im recording video on a 5d2 at 24fps (no syncing issues).

- Are these the best settings (within reason)?
- Is my mic up to the task? or should I be upgrading it to a NTG1/2? (or something with an XLR input), will the sound be noticeably different?
- I get a bit of 'handling sound' like tacky flat sounds of the mic moving a bit etc, is this normal (aka down to user error, or due to non XLR quality input)

Like all of us here, I'm trying to get 'hollywood' style sound on a budget, I know its not going to happen but id like to get it as good as I can.

I have done some tests and the results are pretty nice but I thought I would seek some advice from the pro's.

Thanks very much for your time guys,
Rob.
 
48kHz 24bit is fine ... 48kHz is the video standard. And the mic's 1/8 unbalanced connection shouldn't be a problem. Balanced (XLR) is inherently no better than unbalanced in terms of the quality of the signal itself ... where it makes a difference is in long cable runs where balanced is better at rejecting electrical noise and interference. The XLR connector itself is also physically more robust. But it would make no difference at all in the handling noise you are experiencing - that's caused by user technique, perhaps made worse by an inadequate shock mount. As in real estate, quality starts with location, location, location. Getting the mic the right distance from the talent ... try for above and forward just out of frame roughly 20 inches from the speakers mouth and having a practiced boom operator who can devote his undivided attention at keeping it aimed right on target will do more to improve your sound than any other single thing you might do.
 
RobTilbury said:
Like all of us here, I'm trying to get 'hollywood' style sound on a budget, I know its not going to happen but id like to get it as good as I can.
Click to expand...

Hire a sound guy. If you can't afford to, get someone that is learning sound to do it for experience.
 
Mitch.Kear said:
Though I still think video guys need to hire a sound guy.
Click to expand...

Not disagreeing with you. Clean production dialog is the starting place. If you look closely at Steve's post, you'd see:

Steve House said:
... and having a practiced boom operator who can devote his undivided attention at keeping it aimed right on target will do more to improve your sound than any other single thing you might do.
Click to expand...
 
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