Curtis Judd 3/25/24 Curtis Judd 3/25/24

Zoom H4essential: I'm Ambivalent...

In this episode we have a look at and listen to ZOOM’s newest handy recorder, the H4essential. This new iteration of the 4-track handy recorder adds 32-bit float recording capability to the classic user-friendly design so you don’t have to worry about clipping. In this episode we do a quick overview of the H4e’s features and discuss whether or not this is the recorder for you. Let’s take a closer look and listen!

Have a listen to our raw audio samples and unprocessed tests here.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- ZOOM H4essential 4-Track Handy Recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- ZOOM H1essential Single-Track Handy Recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- ZOOM H6essential 6-Track Handy Recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

Some of my other studio gear:

- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Curtis Judd 3/18/24 Curtis Judd 3/18/24

SHURE MoveMic Tiny Dual Transmitter Microphone Direct to Mobile Phone

In this episode we have a look at and listen to the new MoveMic wireless microphone system from SHURE. This consumer wireless microphone system easily records 24-bit/48 kilohertz audio to your phone, tablet, computer, or camera, and is a great addition to any videographer, content creator, or journalist’s audio kit. Noteworthy features include direct-to-mobile (no need for a receiver), a charging case with 24-hour battery capacity, and up to 100 meters of transmission range. Let’s take a closer look and listen!

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- SHURE MoveMic Lineup — Sweetwater, Amazon

Some of my other studio gear:

- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

Curtis Judd 3/12/24 Curtis Judd 3/12/24

Sound for Video Session — ZOOM H4essential first test & Q&A

The ZOOM H4essential is a new version of a very well known handy field recorder. The original H4 was my first audio recorder back in 2007. It was super convenient and affordably priced and a great way to get a start in recording sound for podcasts and video. But it had some major weaknesses, too: Preamps which didn't supply much gain and were quite noisy when pushed to higher gain levels, odd controls, and not the greatest build quality. But the newer versions have become progressively better and, astonishingly, the newest version H4essential is still priced at only $200 USD. So we bought one to try it out. Oh, and they added 32-bit float recording which a lot of prosumers, in particular, find quite useful.

We'll also answer your sound for video questions.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini, Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio, and Mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.

Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- ZOOM H4essential audio field recorder — Amazon

- ZOOM H6essential audio field recorder — Amazon

- ZOOM H1essential audio field recorder — Amazon

- Mackie DLZ Creator XS adaptive audio mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive audio mixer (the original, bigger one) — B&H, Amazon

- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixing board — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 field recorder/mixer with Dante — B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- Teleprompter Ikan 17" high bright — B&H

- Canon C200 Camera - B&H

- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 lens — B&H, Amazon

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

- Universal Audio 6176 channel strip pre-amp, EQ, compressor — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Curtis Judd 3/12/24 Curtis Judd 3/12/24

MOVO X3 II Budget Shotgun Mic: Quality Audio for Cheap?!

In this episode we have a look at and listen to the new MOVO X3-II shotgun microphone. This budget shotgun mic is a solid option for anyone building out their first filmmaking kit, but its audio quality is definitely good enough for pro-sumer applications as well! Noteworthy features include both camera-top and boom pole mounting solutions, an inbuilt high pass filter, and multiple powering options. Let’s take a closer look and listen!

You can find more from Allen on his channel here.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- MOVO X3 II Shotgun Microphone — Amazon

Some of my other studio gear:

- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

Curtis Judd 2/26/24 Curtis Judd 2/26/24

SHURE SLX-D Digital Camera, Bag Wireless Mic receiver and XLR Plug-on Transmitter

In this episode we have a look at and listen to SHURE’s SLXD5 portable receiver and the SLXD3 plug-on transmitter to make any XLR microphone a wireless microphone. This new addition to the SLX-D wireless ecosystem represents SHURE’s jump into the pro-sumer UHF wireless space; it’s their first camera-top and/or sound bag receiver in this price range. Noteworthy features include digital predictive frequency switching, 118 dB of dynamic range, and a multi-source monitoring mode. Let’s take a closer look and listen!

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- SHURE SLX-D ecosystem — B&H, Amazon

Some of my other studio gear:

- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

Curtis Judd 1/29/24 Curtis Judd 1/29/24

Sound for Video Session: Choosing a microphone with Audio Buff and Matt Ruff

In this week's session, we're joined by Audio Buff and Matt Ruff to talk about how to choose the right microphone for various situations. Audio Buff and Matt both have experience in front of house mixing so we'll pick their brains on what they've learned about choosing microphones!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini, Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio, and Mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight.

Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Mackie DLZ Creator XS adaptive audio mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive audio mixer (the original, bigger one) — B&H, Amazon

- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixing board — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 field recorder/mixer with Dante — B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- Teleprompter Ikan 17" high bright — B&H

- Canon C200 Camera - B&H

- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 lens — B&H, Amazon

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

- Universal Audio 6176 channel strip pre-amp, EQ, compressor — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Curtis Judd 1/29/24 Curtis Judd 1/29/24

RODE DS2 Premium Desktop Microphone Stand

In this episode we do a quick overview of RODE’s DS2 desktop mic stand. This premium stand is a solid step up from the average desktop mic stand in terms of design, functionality, and overall quality. In this video we’ll walk through the DS2’s feature set as well as test its stability, durability, and resistance to picking up extraneous sound and vibrations. Let’s take a closer look!

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- RODE DS2 Desktop Mic Stand — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODE NT1 5th Generation Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODE NT1 Signature Series (same as 5th gen but without USB — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

Some of my other gear used in this episode:

- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

Curtis Judd 1/22/24 Curtis Judd 1/22/24

DJI Mic 2 Review! But...

In this episode we discuss some speed bumps we’ve encountered while researching and testing out the DJI Mic 2 during our usual in-depth review process. Something isn’t sounding right so we contacted DJI and their engineers said that there is a bug that they’ll fix in an upcoming firmware update. We’ll finish our review when that firmware ships. Let’s take a look and have a quick listen!

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- DJI Mic 2 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

Some of my other gear:

- Mackie DLZ Creator XS adaptive digital mixer — B&H

- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive digital mixer (the big brother) — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODECaster Pro II digital mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODECaster Duo digital mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODECaster Steamer X USB audio and video interface — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

Curtis Judd 1/16/24 Curtis Judd 1/16/24

Best Small Podcast and Livestream Sound Mixer? Mackie DLZ XS

In this episode we review the Mackie DLZ Creator XS. This podcast/livestream/creator audio mixer competes most directly with the RODECaster Duo. It is nearly half the size of the Mackie DLZ, but has most of the same, amazingly powerful features. Let’s have a closer look and a listen!

Comparison table of RODECaster Pro II, Mackie DLZ Creator, and Mackie DLZ Creator XS can be found here.

Video covering how to get audio from your podcast mixer to your livestream can be found here.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

Some of my other gear:

- Mackie DLZ Creator XS adaptive digital mixer — B&H

- Mackie DLZ Creator adaptive digital mixer (the big brother) — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODECaster Pro II digital mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODECaster Duo digital mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODECaster Steamer X USB audio and video interface — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

Curtis Judd 1/8/24 Curtis Judd 1/8/24

2024 Sound Bag & Cart Tour

In this episode we give you a behind-the-scenes look at our sound bag and cart setup for recording on location!

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Sound Cart Mini Cart — (not an affiliate link)

- Orca OR-34 Sound Bag — B&H

- Sound Devices 888 Field Recorder/Mixer — B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices SL-2 Slot Receiver System — B&H

- Sound Devices A20 Wireless Mic System — B&H

- Sound Devices A20 Mini Wireless Mic Transmitter — B&H

- Deity Theos Wireless Microphone System — B&H

- HiQ/Inspired Energy Smart Batteries — B&H

- PSC Triple Play Power Distribution System — B&H

Some of my other gear:

- Sennheiser MKH 8050 Supercardioid Condenser Mic — B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre Series II Recoders — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon