Zoom Recorders, Recording Straight to a DSLR

[KyranFord]

I've searched around, but can't seem to find any in-depth descriptions on how to do this, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of some people getting their Zoom external audio recorders to record straight into their DSLRs as the main audio source. I'd like to do this for when I'm shooting anything with dialogue and as a workaround to having to synchronize everything in post. Does anyone know how to do this?

 

[Pookie]

So you're wanting to use a Zoom as a mic then?

 

[Peternap]

I've searched around, but can't seem to find any in-depth descriptions on how to do this, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of some people getting their Zoom external audio recorders to record straight into their DSLRs as the main audio source. I'd like to do this for when I'm shooting anything with dialogue and as a workaround to having to synchronize everything in post. Does anyone know how to do this?

It's not hard but presents several problems that you won't like.
This is for the H4n And 7D but the same setup for most if not all cameras. Some of the Canons have audio control so it works a little better.

1.Run a patch between the line out (Headphone) on the zoom, and the Mic in on the camera.

You're done with crappy setup #1. Be prepared for clipping, etc.

2. Set the volume level on the H4n, low enough to prevent clipping.
Be prepared for low volume and no way to monitor it.

3. You can pad the input and split the line to use a set of headphones.

4. Run it through a Juicedlink for the best results.

There are a couple of other ways but the bottom line is you still should have better audio on the Zoom than the camera. Until you get to cameras with XLR inputs, it's always better to stick with secondary audio.....IMO

Piping it into the camera does make it easier to sync, but destroys any redundant safeguard the camera audio offers.

 

[xenogears]

For this do you need a special cable (attenuator pad) to convert the Zoom H4n line out signal to mic level, Sescom sold a special cable for this line to mic, (with 3.5 or 2.5 jack) even a earphone can be used for monitoring purposes.
Look here
http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Audio-Cables/DSLR-Audio-Cables/Sescom/LN2MIC-ZMH4-MON.xhtml

 

[Peternap]

For this do you need a special cable (attenuator pad) to convert the Zoom H4n line out signal to mic level, Sescom sold a special cable for this line to mic, (with 3.5 or 2.5 jack) even a earphone can be used for monitoring purposes.
Look here
http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Audio-Cables/DSLR-Audio-Cables/Sescom/LN2MIC-ZMH4-MON.xhtml

That's option 3 I showed. Still get crappy camera audio though.

 

[M. Gilden]

If you are using a camera with Magic Lantern available, you can actually do live monitoring via headphones as well as watching the levels on screen. If you can adjust the headphone jack on the H4N while shooting, you should be able to avoid clipping while keeping the volume high enough to leave all camera amps at 0 gain, giving you rather clean audio with no need to sync up. But you might be better off with something like a JuicedLink that is made for this purpose.

 

[kgimedia]

If you are using a camera with Magic Lantern available, you can actually do live monitoring via headphones as well as watching the levels on screen. If you can adjust the headphone jack on the H4N while shooting, you should be able to avoid clipping while keeping the volume high enough to leave all camera amps at 0 gain, giving you rather clean audio with no need to sync up. But you might be better off with something like a JuicedLink that is made for this purpose.

I have been doing this via Magic Lantern on my T2i for several months. I actually use my Sennheiser Evolution G2 often when there is a mixing board at events. I plug the transmitter in to the headphone out of the H4n with a stereo splitter so I can check H4n audio randomly with headphones. I then select left=internal and right=external on ML settings and use the G2 receiver into my T2i. I have several large cards for my H4n so I usually just let it record all night and if the audio from my camera is compromised then I have a backup.

 

[treynolds]

If you are using a camera with Magic Lantern available, you can actually do live monitoring via headphones as well as watching the levels on screen. If you can adjust the headphone jack on the H4N while shooting, you should be able to avoid clipping while keeping the volume high enough to leave all camera amps at 0 gain, giving you rather clean audio with no need to sync up.

This is basically what i do.
I use my Zoom H1 with a beachtek xlr adapter to run my mics. Then I run the headphone out of the zoom into camera with a patch cable. I run it at around 50% power and leave the in camera amps almost off or entirely off depending on the shoot. Then i record audio in both locations and if the in camera isn't good enough then i use the Zoom track but this is rare.

 

[KyranFord]

Does anyone have opinions on whether or not they think this workaround would be better in the long run, or would saving the trouble and syncing in post be fine?