Yes a Tascam x8 but I should have brought much better mic with me to make use of it. I am using a Blue Timecode generator which writes to both my Z9 and the X8
Does anybody use an audio-recorder?
- Thread starter ElenaH
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I have the Zoom h1 and edit with Audacity. Here is a great link to a training video.
@ElenaH
The Zoom H1n is excellent for recording ambient sounds. The Zoom F3 is even better portability (smaller unit, & takes batteries and can be charged or powered by USB-C) and is a 32-bit Float recorder. If you don't know, 32-bit Float means you don't need to test incoming audio and then set the gain to avoid clipping, and then start recording like with other recorders. However, it is $349± and you need to add a small mic (like an on camera mic) as it does not have one built in. The huge advantage is some animal sounds will definitely clip and corrupt your sound, clipping is not only loss of loud sounds, it is noise corruption too. 32-bit Float never, ever clips! I have both the H1n and the F3 and hardly ever use the H1n any more because the F3 is gain-worry-free and all you have to do is hit the Record button and the recorder starts up in 1-sec, not the 3-5 sec startups by other recorders. This can be important for animal sounds— they happen and they're gone.
The Zoom H1n is excellent for recording ambient sounds. The Zoom F3 is even better portability (smaller unit, & takes batteries and can be charged or powered by USB-C) and is a 32-bit Float recorder. If you don't know, 32-bit Float means you don't need to test incoming audio and then set the gain to avoid clipping, and then start recording like with other recorders. However, it is $349± and you need to add a small mic (like an on camera mic) as it does not have one built in. The huge advantage is some animal sounds will definitely clip and corrupt your sound, clipping is not only loss of loud sounds, it is noise corruption too. 32-bit Float never, ever clips! I have both the H1n and the F3 and hardly ever use the H1n any more because the F3 is gain-worry-free and all you have to do is hit the Record button and the recorder starts up in 1-sec, not the 3-5 sec startups by other recorders. This can be important for animal sounds— they happen and they're gone.
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Not A Speck Of Cereal
Active member
I have the Zoom H6. I think it's a nice combo as it comes with the XY (stereo) mic and some packages also have the MS (variable stereo) mic, with windscreens, and you're ready to go.
Lately, now that I've been getting deeper into field recording (and joined online communities), I wish I had got the Zoom F series and got the mics separately. But this is higher cost and somewhat more of a learning curve (since you have to research the mics and stuff) and also would need mic mounts, mic stands of some variety, mic cables, etc.
The H6 is all in one and makes fine recordings of field stuff like animals. If you don't care about M/S mic'ing (mid/side for variable stereo recordings that has wider sensitivity and better mono compatibility), the ~$300 H6 package with the X/Y mic is more than enough.
Chris
PS: I just looked at the Zoom H1n. It looks like it would actually be quite capable of doing what you asked for a lot less $$. And if you get bit by the field recording bug later and want to get better, you're only out the smaller amount (and may still use the H1 at times even if you did also upgrade).
Lately, now that I've been getting deeper into field recording (and joined online communities), I wish I had got the Zoom F series and got the mics separately. But this is higher cost and somewhat more of a learning curve (since you have to research the mics and stuff) and also would need mic mounts, mic stands of some variety, mic cables, etc.
The H6 is all in one and makes fine recordings of field stuff like animals. If you don't care about M/S mic'ing (mid/side for variable stereo recordings that has wider sensitivity and better mono compatibility), the ~$300 H6 package with the X/Y mic is more than enough.
Chris
PS: I just looked at the Zoom H1n. It looks like it would actually be quite capable of doing what you asked for a lot less $$. And if you get bit by the field recording bug later and want to get better, you're only out the smaller amount (and may still use the H1 at times even if you did also upgrade).
Roy
Well-known member
I've always been a still photographer but lately I've needed to shoot video more often.
In the studio a recorder and mike work great.
But for wildlife I found just connecting a shotgun mike gave better results....
Absolutely... This is very interesting what you are writing. I had a look - z9 and H1n both recording 24bit linear PCM (what ever PCM is ;-) so, audio must be similar (I don't know if my logic is correct). The F3 is floating what helps to avoid clipping. The problem what I see is XLR - line in. I have Rode video mic that has line in like for Zoom H1n..
So, I don't know if there are some adapters but as far as I understood I will loose some quality if I use the adapter.
exactly!
The problem is not about money but I am afraid to get stressed if the setup will be a bit complicated. We are normally staying in the ground tent and not in the roof tent. In the roof-tent it will be easier, I will be less scared. Last time I was working in the dark, I was afraid to use light becasue light can attact the lions. So, with camera and Mic it was already too complicated: switch on the camera, switch on the Mic, press record, check if it is doing, cover the recording light.... Next September I will be camping in area with a lion pride of 12+ lions. Last time I did recording when 5 lions were outside of my tent
it is easy to forget to press record button or do something wrong.Today I was also thinking about it! the question is how long the recording can be and what is the quality. I need to check it for z9 !
that's true!
You can replace your 3.5 cable with an XLR to 3.5 cable
She would actually need a vxlr+ to 3.5 cable, if they make such a thing. I found out the hard way that standard xlr adapter doesn't work. The F3 only supplies zero, 24 or 48V and the rode mic needs ~3V which is what the vxlr+ does; steps down the voltage.
Actually shes stated several times that she has the Rode video mic and thats powered internally with a 9v
Oh, I for some reason assumed the video mic Go for some reason.