Does anybody use an audio-recorder?

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ElenaH

ElenaH

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During my last trip to Zimbabwe I wated to record hippos snoring and grunting and I actually let the camera+mic running for that for a long time. I didn't need the footage but just the calling sound. Now I have a long and big file for the purpose of audio. Stupid, right?
This is why I started to be interested in some small, light but good external audio recorder. The files must be small and I assume I can cut them and extract the sounds I need.

Does anybody use an audio recorder?
Who can share the experience?

I saw some like Tascam DR-40x, Zoom H8, Zoom H5, Roland R07, Zoom H1n.
I think Zoom H1n can be good enough for my purpose (??) It is small, light, has a reasonable price, the quality is good and I can plug my Rode mic to it.
Does somebody have something like that?
 
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Yes, I carry a Zoom H1N in my pocket for capturing ambient sounds separately from the video. Even having a few extra seconds of good quality audio on hand can be very valuable. I will pull it out when hiking if there's something interesting to record, then overlay it in post. When it comes to wildlife videography, most audio is contrived.
 
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jhallettbc said:
The newer iPhones do a great job of recording sound, and of course as well as making videos.
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It is true! I noticed it! But sometimes I need to record a lion roaring while being inside the tent. And iPhone is quite weak for that when an external Mic is excellent. I can connect ext. Mic to iPhone, I suppose. But I didn't try it and need to inverstigate with what cable. The other point is that I film with iPhone as well and sometimes you just need a parallel audio-recording, just in addition to iPhone which is busy with filming. This is why I thought about the external audio recording on the first place. I can do it every time independently with what I film.
 
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ElenaH said:
Great! And are you happy with sound-quality? Have you ever used and external microphone with Zoom H1n? Do you have also a dead cat for that?
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It comes with a small dead cat IIRC which I Ieave on it but it's not very effective at suppressing wind noise. Sound quality is fine. To keep it small I don't use an external mic. It's very small and the controls are tiny to operate, but that's what I like about it -- easy pocketability. Careful with the micro SD card -- that thing is tiny!
 
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Curtis Judd has a YouTube channel reviewing all things Audio. https://www.youtube.com/@curtisjudd You should be able to get a review on portable audio recorder in your price range by listening to a few of his recordings. He also reviews very high end audio as well as more consumer oriented products. If you look for one of the newer 24 bit recorders, you will save yourself a lot of time in learning to set levels properly.
 
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I have a Tascam DR-05 recorder, don't recall ever using it. I just turned t on and recorded myself and the TV, super at that distance.
If postage is affordable to Austria, I'd be pleased to give it to you.
 
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I have both the Zoom H1N and the Rode VideoMic Go II. I've used the H1N both by itself and with the Rode plugged into it. I prefer to record through the Rode because you getter better directionality, and you also avoid the very loud audio spikes you get when trying to handhold the Zoom while recording. It's extremely sensitive to even the slightest hand movement.
 
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wildlifr said:
I have both the Zoom H1N and the Rode VideoMic Go II. I've used the H1N both by itself and with the Rode plugged into it. I prefer to record through the Rode because you getter better directionality, and you also avoid the very loud audio spikes you get when trying to handhold the Zoom while recording. It's extremely sensitive to even the slightest hand movement.
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Good point about having to be careful holding the H1N when recording -- it amplifies everything.
 
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H1N should be fine for you. Set the sample rate to 48KHz for video work. 16 bit should be fine with an external mic. The quality of the mic is key. Record Wav files rather than mp3s. On the higher end Zooms (I have an H6) you can set them to record a safety copy, in addition to the main, at a lower level. Saved me many times when you get a loud sound causing distortion on the main recording.
 
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Zoom H5 but if I could go back in time Id hold out for the Zoom F3. Here is a photo of my current setup.

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Charles Loy said:
If postage is affordable to Austria, I'd be pleased to give it to you.
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thank you very much, @Charles Loy , I really appreciate your offer! The problem is that I need to be registered at Customs and also pay customs and probably value-added tax. We ordered Megadap adapter from US and we are waiting more than a month for it, it is soemwhere in Customs... Normally I avoid to order or get something from US.
The other point os that I tend to buy Zoom H1n because it is smaller. I watched a video of comparison. And I need something to put into the pocket :)
 
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ians said:
H1N should be fine for you. Set the sample rate to 48KHz for video work. 16 bit should be fine with an external mic. The quality of the mic is key. Record Wav files rather than mp3s. On the higher end Zooms (I have an H6) you can set them to record a safety copy, in addition to the main, at a lower level. Saved me many times when you get a loud sound causing distortion on the main recording.
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Very interesting! I am not such an expert as you and they say that Zoom H1n is good for beginner ;-) Thank you for the tips! I thought wav files are mainly for Windows operational system ;-)
How can I cut the files? Is some software from Zoom provided? Can you also trim the files in the recorder?
 
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ElenaH said:
Wow! It is a great setup! :love: Is it 400/2.8 with 1.4x adapter? And waht is in front? Some Insta?
Why would you get F3 instead of H5?
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600f4 with 1.4tc The thing on the front is a 360 camera. The F3 has a smaller form factor and records in 32 bit float which essentially means you never have to adjust your levels to prevent clipping. The problem with the H1N is its inputs and lack of phantom power. That pretty much limits your microphone upgrade possibilities in the future.
 
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The Sony PCM-A10 is a popular compact recorder with two integrated mics so ambient recordings in stereo are simple to do. It also records 24-bit audio which provides more range between soft and loud sounds. It has an internal rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 15 hours of recording and can be recharged from a USB power bank.

I use the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II recorder that uses external mics and can be powered by a USB-C cable to a small rechargeable power bank. For travel I have been using the Audio-Technical BP4029 that is a mono or stereo shotgun mic. For wildlife a shotgun mic is great for recording wildlife at a distance and minimizing other external noises being recorded.

For video having amibient sound recordings along with specific animal sound recordings makes for much more interesting watching. George Lucas stated that sound was half the picture and he was right. People will continue with a program when the picture is lost but the audio continues but not the reverse. More and more attention is being given to obtaining high quality audio recording of wild life, even insects, with more recent films and it adds a great deal to the overall experience.
 
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Calson said:
sound was half the picture and he was right
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exactly!
I heard from any filmmakers (youtube channels for video- and filmmaking) that sound is actually more important than the footage!
That is probably because we are thinking in images (normally) and can recreate the picture in our mind if we follow some thread as the sound or voice.
The other important thing is story-telling.
We know a lot of excellent old movies of not so good quality, made with old equipment. But they still can compete with new movies. And we love them becasue they speak to our emotions.
I think, I need to learn the story-telling, camera movements and how to materialize my ideas into videos. The technical aspect comes from itself becasue I will then think - I need this or that to achieve my goal.
 
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ElenaH said:
And iPhone is quite weak for that when an external Mic is excellent. I can connect ext. Mic to iPhone, I suppose. But I didn't try it and need to inverstigate with what cable. The other point is that I film with iPhone as well and sometimes you just need a parallel audio-recording, just in addition to iPhone which is busy with filming. T
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There are external microphones that are one piece including cable and TRRS plug for plugging into an iPhone.

Mine is a "Movo" brand that plugs into my old iPhone 6S. The little mic even comes with a foam mini pop-filter with a lapel clip. Mic cable length about 48-50 inches.

Voice/sound recorder apps available in app store to record just sound with iPhone if shooting video with separate camera.
 
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ElenaH said:
During my last trip to Zimbabwe I wated to record hippos snoring and grunting and I actually let the camera+mic running for that for a long time. I didn't need the footage but just the calling sound. Now I have a long and big file for the purpose of audio. Stupid, right?
This is why I started to be interested in some small, light but good external audio recorder. The files must be small and I assume I can cut them and extract the sounds I need.

Does anybody use an audio recorder?
Who can share the experience?

I saw some like Tascam DR-40x, Zoom H8, Zoom H5, Roland R07, Zoom H1n.
I think Zoom H1n can be good enough for my purpose (??) It is small, light, has a reasonable price, the quality is good and I can plug my Rode mic to it.
Does somebody have something like that?
Click to expand...
I always have a Zoom H1N in my bag to use it in situation like yours and I happy with it
 
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