Mic advise.......

IftiBashir

IftiBashir

Undiscovered....
At the moment I use an Audio Technica ATR-3350 mic, directly connected to my DSLR.
I'm quite happy with the results to date, and audio quality is pretty good.

However, over the years my style of video has changed, and I find myself not only creating video with live audio, but also voiceovers.

So at the moment I sometimes find myself connecting my mic to my DSLR just to record audio, and then recording video clips after this. In my editor I then sync the two up.

This works fine, but my concern is file sizes. When recording audio, because Im using my DSLR, it obviously creates large file sizes of several GB when uncompressed upon import into my editor. I then have my normal video clips to also import. Considering Im only using the audio track of the voiceover clip from my DSLR, the video from it, and most of the file size, remains unused and sits there wasted.

Hence Im now considering a Zoom H1. I understand I can also connect my ATR-3350 to it?

Consider the following 2 scenarios:
1. I record a voiceover, which later has video clips and images sync'd to it.
2. I record live audio + video, where I want both synced together - such as an unboxing with my audio alongside what Im doing on screen.

For the voiceover sections I can keep file sizes minimal by using the Zoom H1, and syncing with any video clips and images etc.
For the live recording sections I can place the Zoom H1 on a separate tripod and record on both the DSLR and H1, and sync the two in my editor.

Seems to be a no brainer so far.
Have I missed anything though??

Also would I be better to record with only the Zoom H1, or using my ATR-3350 connected into the Zoom H1?
 
Have you thought about maybe getting a Zoom H1N or H4N to hook up to your mic? That way you can audio only :)
 
IftiBashir said:
@Styxie

You can also audio only with the H1 though?

How would the H1N or H4N differ??

Thanks
Click to expand...
The H1N and H4N are both audio only, they are mics and recorders. The main difference is the price, the H1N is a loot cheaper but has no XLR inputs and lacks many functions the H4N has, then again the H4N is a bit more expensive. Lots of filmmakers use the H4N though, it's a very good bit of kit.
 
I fall in the same boat as you. I've recently started using a Tascam 60d. It is comparable to the H4 except it is designed to be able to go between the tripod and the camera. It is a 4 track like the H4 but it doesn't have an on board mic. I felt it was a step up from Zoom and chose it because after reading reviews it seems offered the cleanest pre-amp. So far so good.
 
Thanks guys.
I may go for the H1 for now - really not looking to spend too much as Ive spent a ton on recording gear etc in the last few months!
 
TinHatRanch said:
I fall in the same boat as you. I've recently started using a Tascam 60d. It is comparable to the H4 except it is designed to be able to go between the tripod and the camera. It is a 4 track like the H4 but it doesn't have an on board mic. I felt it was a step up from Zoom and chose it because after reading reviews it seems offered the cleanest pre-amp. So far so good.
Click to expand...
How're you liking using it? I've heard a fair bit about it but never used it.
 
Styxie said:
How're you liking using it? I've heard a fair bit about it but never used it.
Click to expand...
I don't really have anything to compare it to as I was using on board mics before this, but it is much cleaner. Having analog controls for levels also helps tremendously. I find it very easy to use as well. The only downside is with phantom power it sucks down the batteries but I have rechargables.
 
What is this sorcery, no Blue recommendations. LOL

IftiBashir said:
Thanks guys.
I may go for the H1 for now - really not looking to spend too much as Ive spent a ton on recording gear etc in the last few months!
Click to expand...


It's very likely that the H1 will have a higher recording quality than your ATR-3350. That said, the ATR should connect to your computer just fine, so why mess with what works? If you're looking for better quality, the H1 isn't the most efficient use of money. The primary purpose if the H1 is "I need to record ANYWHERE". Sound designers use devices like that frequently just walking around and recording weird noises that they may or may not use later. If you're just going to be doing this either plugged in to your camera or in front of your computer, I'd suggest a better mic, not a portable recorder.
 
Tarmack said:
What is this sorcery, no Blue recommendations. LOL




It's very likely that the H1 will have a higher recording quality than your ATR-3350. That said, the ATR should connect to your computer just fine, so why mess with what works? If you're looking for better quality, the H1 isn't the most efficient use of money. The primary purpose if the H1 is "I need to record ANYWHERE". Sound designers use devices like that frequently just walking around and recording weird noises that they may or may not use later. If you're just going to be doing this either plugged in to your camera or in front of your computer, I'd suggest a better mic, not a portable recorder.
Click to expand...
But getting a better mic, he still has to use his camera to record the voice over unless he gets a USB mic or something that'll plug into a computer
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top