Zoom H1n Review for Filmmakers - Impressive Sound Effects Recorder
After nearly a decade, Zoom has released an update to their very popular H1 stereo audio recorder. The “H” in H1n stands for handy, and I agree, that’s a very apt name for this little field recorder. In this episode, we review it from a filmmaking perspective. I find it to be a great device for recording stereo sound effects and as a general purpose learning tool for those new to recording sound.
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 at https://school.learnlightandsound.com
This episode shot with the following gear:
Zoom H1n Handy Stereo Recorder - One of my favorite tools for when I need to quickly and easily record stereo sound effects
Zoom H1n Accessory Pack - this includes the foam wind cover I find critical for recording outdoors with your H1n
Zoom Hairy Wind Cover - also critical when recording outdoors
Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini Pro Cinema Camera - Used for the talking head clips
Sigma ART 24-70mm f/2.8 OS Lens (Canon EF Mount) - This lens stays on the Ursa Mini Pro 99% of the time. Versatile and not overly sharp, which is what I wanted.
Panasonic GH5 - Used for the product shots on the white background. Small, versatile camera.
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5 most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission
Sound for Video Session: Sound Devices MixPre Re-Mix Demo
In the V2.10 firmware for the MixPre-3, 6, and 10T, Sound Devices added a handy set of new features called re-mix and re-record. This allows you to create a new mix of a previously recorded sound clip. Here’s how it works.
Gear and links discussed/used to record this episode:
Sound Devices MixPre-3 - Audio Recorder & Mixer with 3 XLR and one 3.5mm inputs
Sound Devices MixPre-6 - Audio Recorder & Mixer with 4 XLR and one 3.5mm inputs
Sound Devices MixPre-10T - Audio Recorder & Mixer with 8 XLR and one 3.5mm inputs plus an integrated timecode generator
RODE Reporter Microphone - sounded really mid-range focused on this piece. This is the mic I used when explaining things.
Electrovoice RE-20 - Channel 1 microphone with high pass filter on the mic turned on
Shure SM57 - Channel 2 microphone
Audio Technica AT2005 - Channel 3 microphone, I’m always surprised at how well this holds up to much more expensive microphones. Can also be used as a USB mic in a pinch, though it doesn't sound as good with it's in-built analogue to digital converter.
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission
Which Gear Should We Review - NAB 2018
Which gear should we review next? At the 2018 National Association of Broadcaster’s Show, we saw some interesting new audio, lighting, and camera gear. Here’s a quick look at the highlights. Let us know which of these you’d like us to review!
This episode shot with the following gear:
Sennheiser MKH8050 Microphone
Sound Devices 633 Audio Recorder/Mixer
Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini Pro Cinema Camera - Used for the talking head clips
Sigma ART 24-70mm f/2.8 OS Lens (Canon EF Mount)
Panasonic GH5 - Used on the NAB show floor
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5S most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission.
Tentacle Sync E - iOS Recording App with Timecode
Last year at NAB Tentacle Sync announced their bluetooth enabled timecode generators, Sync E. I've used them over the last year and really like that they are easy to setup and monitor via their bluetooth app (for iOS). Syncing video to audio is super simple with the included Tentacle Sync Studio app for macOS.
But one thing I've wanted to do for a long time is send timecode to my iPhone when I'm using it as a recorder, such as when I do show floor interviews at NAB.
Now you can send timecode to your iPhone, wirelessly, with Tentacle Sync E and a new app from Tentacle Sync titled "Timecode Audio Recorder."
Also, Ulrich reveals that Tentacle Sync is working on full Bluetooth jam syncing capabilities with their Sync E timecode generators. This is exciting because now you can ensure that all of the timecode generators are in perfect sync through an entire production day.
Gear covered and used to shoot this episode:
Tentacle Sync E Bluetooth Timecode Generator
RODE Reporter Microphone
RODE iXLR Adapter - Record a dynamic XLR microphone to iPhone or iPad
Panasonic GH5 - A good event shooting video camera
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5 most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission.
Sound Devices MixPre 10T & New Firmware - NAB 2018
Last year Sound Devices announced and shipped their MixPre-3 and MixPre-6 recorders and then later added the MixPre-10T with a few additional hardware features for professional sound engineers.
In this episode, Paul Issacs runs down the list of additional features in the 10T along with the new features that will be added to the 3, 6, and 10T in a new firmware update that became available earlier this week: Re-mix, cue markers, and more flexibly channel linking.
You can find the firmware update over on the Sound Devices site here.
Gear covered and used to shoot this episode:
Sound Devices MixPre-10T - 8 XLR/TRS inputs, timecode
Sound Devices MixPre-6 - 4 XLR/TRS inputs + stereo 3.5mm input
Sound Devices MixPre-3 - 3 XLR inputs + stereo 3.5mm input
RODE Reporter Microphone
RODE iXLR Adapter - Record a dynamic XLR microphone to iPhone or iPad. Works ok for short clips (6 minutes or less) but drifts on longer clips with my iPhone 7+
Panasonic GH5 - My favorite small events camera
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5 most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission.
Deity Microphones NAB 2018
Last year, Aputure made their first serious shotgun microphone for independent filmmakers called the Deity. It was an impressive first design with a decent sound and the ability to withstand water exposure. But now they've decided to get more serious by spinning off their microphone business so that the Deity team can focus 100% on sound.
In our interview, Andrew covers the S-Mic, D3, and D3-Pro shotgun microphones, Deity's first three models.
Gear covered and used to shoot this episode:
Deity S-Mic Coming Summer 2018
Deity D3 Coming Summer 2018
Deity D3-Pro Coming Summer 2018
RODE Reporter Microphone - Amazingly good dynamic reporter's mic for about $130
RODE iXLR Adapter - Record a dynamic XLR microphone to iPhone or iPad
Panasonic GH5 Camera - My main "event shooter" small camera. Love the in-body image stabilization
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5S most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission.
Audio Ltd A10 Wireless Microphone System - Sound Devices NAB 2018
The professional location sound market now has a fully digital wireless microphone system option - the Audio Ltd A10 from Sound Devices! Here we have a closer look at the A10 system with Kish Patel at the Sound Devices booth at NAB 2018.
Gear covered and used to shoot this episode:
Audio Ltd A10 Wireless Microphone System
RODE Reporter Microphone
RODE iXLR Adapter (Record a dynamic XLR microphone to iPhone or iPad)
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5S most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission.
Zoom F8n: First Look
The Zoom F8 audio recorder and mixer changed the location audio world two years ago when it was released. Zoom showed that they could make some very good preamps and most of the features pros expect in their recorders including timecode, dual card recording, and an incredibly robust build all for a price that sits under $1000 USD.
Of course the F8 wasn’t perfect. The hybrid limiters weren’t perfect, the inputs were only line level when using a TRS cable, and the headphone amp was a little rough to listen to all day. It appears that Zoom heard the customer feedback and starting summer/fall, the F8n will address many of the few remaining hardware issues.
Gear used to shoot this episode:
RODE Reporter Microphone
RODE iXLR Adapter (Record a dynamic XLR microphone to iPhone or iPad)
Panasonic GH5 - My favorite, small camera for handheld use with a great image stabilizer
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5S most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Music - MzA by Cary Judd, used with permission.
Better Sound for Your Videos: Basics for Sound Newbies
How can you make your videos sound better? Here’s a quick overview for newbies who just want better sound but aren’t really interested in becoming a sound expert. 1) Get the microphone close to the person speaking. 2) Choose the right kind of microphone. Boom mics sound more natural but lavaliers allow the flexibility of moving around more. See the videos below to help you choose the right mic for you, and if you choose a boom mic, how to boom it close to the person speaking.
My recommended microphones and how to boom a mic for not too much money:
RODE VideoMic Pro+ boom/shotgun microphone - Incredibly convenient, flexible, and good sounding microphone
Aputure A.Lav Lavalier Microphone - the best sub $40 microphone I have found
RODE VC1 Extension cable for when you boom your camera-top shotgun microphone.
How to boom a microphone like the RODE VideoMic Pro:
3 camera top shotgun microphones compared:
6 Affordable Lavalier Microphones compared:
5 Indoor Boom Microphones compared:
5 Shotgun Microphones compared:
3 Professional Indoor Dialogue Boom Microphones compared:
3 Affordable Indoor Dialogue Boom Microphones compared:
Panasonic GH5S (My current favorite small camera)
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5S most of the time
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Quality, iOS Mics, Limiters, Monitoring, G4, Lavaliers, Cameras Audio, & Quiet Voices
In this week’s Sound for Video Session, we answer your audio for video questions:
00:12 Quality Difference Between USB and SD
01:04 iOS Mics
05:37 Limiters and Quality
06:31 Getting Audio to Boom Op
09:20 Sennheiser G4
12:57 Lavalier microphones directly to Mixer
16:43 Camera Audio
21:51 Quiet Voices
Gear and links discussed/used to record this episode:
DPA d:vice - dual lavalier interface for iOS, Mac, PC
Sennheiser Clip-Mic Digital (Lightning)
Sennheiser MKE2 Digital Microphone (Lightning)
Shure MOTIV MV88 Stereo Microphone (Lightning)
Zoom iQ6 Stereo XY Microphone (Lightning)
Zoom iQ7 Stereo Mid-Side Microphone (Lightning)
RODE iXY Stereo Microphone (Lightning)
Sending wireless audio from your mixer with the Sennheiser G3 system:
WAV.REPORT’s First Look at the Sennheiser G4 wireless system:
Outro music licensed from Artlist: Keep an Eye by Back to Dream. Artlist provides high quality music tracks for your film and video projects. You can receive two months off an Artlist account by using our link.
Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd
