Better audio recording tips for DSLR filming. - DSLR Film NOOB

[IPOXstudios]

What mic are you using for this particular video? Is it the H4n? Or is it a different mic? Sounds pretty good and I'm looking for a good video mic like this. Thanks, and keep the awesome videos coming :)

[zZsmithXx]

What were you using to record sound in this video?

[mcspargeslarg]

This seems like a good idea but I tend to just turn on mono mix and then put a general comp on. Never really had too much trouble but this is a smart idea.

[rs8342]

Hey is it possible to have a mic double adapter, so i can plug two mics into one input? I'am new to this kind of stuff so i have a feeling that it wont work but can you PLEASE help me. Thanks

[yoclay]

@kdwantsasnack

Yeh, sure why even bother looking at visuals? Why not just go back to radio? Who needs the cinema and television and youtube? Heck, let's just poke each other's eyes out right now.

[blossombogart2]

I just subscribed...mainly just to see the end of all your vids....it makes me laugh....

[lindoselectronics]

Check out our new microphones, preamp, accessories and camera adapters for recording music videos with high quality audio. Connects to an H4n, Tascam, sound-card etc. or direct to a DSLR using one of our adapters that ensure that minimum noise will be added by the camera and that you'll get proper bass on your recordings - check out a demo video at lindos.co.uk. On-Camera mics also available.

[monstertunes]

Great Tip. I can't believe I've never thought of this... and I've owned the H4n for 2 years.

[Diefordethklok333]

Split the signal... simple but extremely effective!

[thinkourlife]

can i put for my Nikon D5100/D7000?

[javideosjoetonyjr]

Great videos. Is the remote wireless? I see it on amazon but it's wired? Thanx.

[1001Hobbies]

I am sure it's been said many times already, but the use of the Y-splitter is precious!!! What a great "save your butt" idea.

[ZabooProductions]

the splitter is genius ! good jerb !

[fergsworld7]

I need a good wireless mic to go on a shirt collar. I will be using this to record audio of a live singer. any suggestions??? oh I'm not trying to go broke by buying it... cheapest as possible

[vrobert1979]

@fergsworld7 sennhieser g3 lav mic, costly but worth it man

[TheFulkanelli]

my setup is a macbook, mixer,tascam dr 05 and pro technica 24 mic, i dont have XLR capabilities so how should I go about geting the best quality sound. im trying to land a gig as a sound mixer in a few weeks ,can anyone please offer any advice???

[vrobert1979]

@TheFulkanelli do lots of student films to have a great portfolio

[V8toytruck]

Wow...great idea on the splitter. Thumbs up

[pablix809]

what shotgun mic do you recomend to use directly into the H4n XLR INPUT?

tHAT SOUND POWERFUL AND CRISP WTHOUT ADDING PRE AMPS?

tHANKS

[turnipsan]

Please help me i just got the h4N and its on board mics work but whenever i attach the shotgun mic it doesnt pick up any sound! I also do not use the y connector thing and i dont know if its the setting i need to change or something.

[vrobert1979]

@turnipsan what microphone are you using? does it turn on and off, does it use a battery? are you using phantom power to power up your mic? make sure to read your manual for the H4N

[poetsguide]

Thanks for this great tip! Works great for me!

[EITRPRODUCTIONS]

On the last comment was going over field mixers. I notice that nobody talks about them that much for dslr.

[EITRPRODUCTIONS]

You said something about a field monitor. What is a good on to get? And can you go over usinging one with a boom mic, or point me in the right direction. Thank you great stuff.

[BebopVox]

Great as always for helping with tips. Got a splitter myself now

[theryaner]

how do you work with 2 separate channels of audio? like if your high channel volume peaks, how do you transition smoothly to the low channel? Sorry if this question seems dumb cus i really can't process on how its done in my editor. I don't own a h4n yet so maybe thats why i'm confused.

[Vertigokev]

Hey I like your idea of using a Y cable for staggering two different channels but I'm confused about how you're doing that on the H4n. What mode do you have it in? Is it in Stereo mode or 4Channel or MultiTrack? If you wouldn't mind walking me through your set up on the H4n I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

[onelonedork]

@Vertigokev If you upgrade your Zoom H4n to the latest firmware version. You'll be able to adjust the levels on channel 1 and channel 2 interdependently. I have a video on it.

[brandnutopian]

@onelonedork I think you meant independently, but which video describes which mode(s) you can perform this splitting technique with different levels?

Also, why not just use the built-in limiter to achieve a clean signal without peaking? Is there some sort of lost quality as a result of using the limiter?

[stacy6903]

...(con't).. 3-channel preamp/recorder/mixer for DSLR use? I'll probably go with a low cost solution that includes the Juicedlink DS214 and your adapter for it until this new unit comes out! The CX211 you mention would be great for more $, and similarly I think would the Beachtek DXA-SLR active DSLR adapter. I'd use the latter device or the cheaper solution you demonstrate for monitoring headphones right from the camera!

[stacy6903]

(con't): Maybe something like an ART MP Pro (and velcro) could fix the problem, but I have yet to try tha(just ordered a very good hypercardioid for indoor recording to try all this on - the AT4053b). Have you had similar experience with degradation. Any degradation from using the Y-split XLR cable (someone told me it might be more prone to degradation than a passive adaptor box, but I'd rather use a small cable too).

[onelonedork]

@stacy6903 If I'm recording very subtle sounds I usually use the Y cable with a field recorder that has better pre amps, mainly the fostex fr2 with the oade Super MOD. If you're having problems with a weak input signal, you might want to take a look at something like the Juicedlink CX211. I'm guessing it has cleaner gain then the Art you mentioned and it's probably a better form factor. You'll probably see better results with the AT4053b, it has a very strong signal if I remember right.

[stacy6903]

@onelonedork Thanks for your response! Great content! Yeah on recording subtle vs. louder sounds, it seems the smaller recorders are better suited for recording lively concerts than classical music - where I suppose a weaker preamp arguably has an actual advantage of not so easily getting overloaded. That will be cool if you're right about the AT4053b having a strong signal. You mention the Fostex. Have you heard of the new and (more or less) unreleased Fostex DC-R302 (con't)...

[stacy6903]

Onelonedork, and others: I like this approach, but I've heard that the pre-amps can be quite weak in recorders that are small enough for mounting on a camera rig that use XLR like your H4N and my DR-100. This is not a problem for recording loud sounds but for recording soft sounds it's been shown this can cause audible problems of too much noise over signal. I'm guessing a simple measure of adding a little extra pre-amp power might help?

[gradek83]

Sennhieser błąd w opisie ma być Sennheiser :)

[gradek83]

Sennhieser mistake in the description is to be Sennheiser

[dinkerambe]

How do you sync audio from the h4n to a canon 7d / 60d ? which framerate should i film at to sync it properly

[wolf22]

can you hook up 2 lavs to the zoom h4n?

[MrBernie001]

This guy is awesome! Thanks!

[tko741]

Thanks dude! Just picked up the H4n, love it. About to pick up a few of these gadgets to go along with it. "Like" button pressed.

[onelonedork]

@tko741 Rock!

[paltema]

awesome video and tip man. I really like what your doing. One questions though, the zoom built in mics vs the big shotgun mic your using. which do you prefer and why?

[onelonedork]

@paltema I use my shot gun mic a lot more then the the H4n's on board mic, but the H4n's on board mic often comes in handy when I need to travel lite.

[flow1ner]

What do you use to compress your audio? Like, how does it sound so good? Love your videos too my dude!

[onelonedork]

@flow1ner I don't compress the audio. It's recorded into my zoom at 44.1 16bit. 

[MaghoxFr]

wow, great tips mate, the splitter is really clever!

[flexibilityenvelope]

Great tip! I will definitely use this for my podcast recording!

Is there a software that can automatically replace the parts

in the high volume channel that have clipped with the

corresponding part of the low volume channel part,

that hopefully is OK?

[MBooneFamilyVids]

So I just bought the H4N, and I have a t2i.. I have been experimenting, but have just used the open Stereo option when recording. When using the splitter.. does it correlate w/ your Sennhieser G2 Wireless mic system..?

[tiagoespindola]

Very, very clever, the splitter idea!!! Awesome!

[bbabybry]

How would I connect the H1 to my t2i so I don't have to go through the hassle of syncing. Like what hardware would I need?

[onelonedork]

@bbabybry Sescom makes a few cables with a built in resister for that. The magic lantern firmware should also help.

[bbabybry]

@onelonedork Thanks! And YES!!! I JUST INSTALLED MAGIC LANTERN! Its awsome!

[JTBproject]

Hey, one question, about those spliters, hmmm, ok, I have audio interface with 8 mic preamps, but I need 10 mic inputs, so can you split 2 mic inpust with this split cabels, so that I have 10 mics inputs at once, I know, I know, that than I could not control those 2 mics separate but for mics that should be sterao like overheads I think should be good?

[onelonedork]

@JTBproject Yes you could do that. The resulting audio on those tracks would no longer be stereo. Or if you can get your hands on a little 4 or 6 channel stereo mixer, just pre mix those 4 channels into 2 stereo channels on your recorder. That way you have preserved the right and left. You can also accomplish this with 2 splitters but I'd have to draw you a diagram.

[Ashinobio]

thanks, your vids are so helpful. Keep up the awesome job

[CanonProductionz]

So if i dont have that xlr splitter, can i still get stereo audio with my shotgun mic plugged into the input 1 on the zoom h4n? I noticed that when my shotgun mic is plugged in, only the "L" audio bar is moving, the "R" is doing nothing unless i turn on Mono Mix. whats the deal??

[onelonedork]

@CanonProductionz No because your recording mono (single channel of audio).

[shinviroz]

thanks for the great video!

do you recommend anything for concert taping?

[onelonedork]

@shinviroz I like to get a recording directly off the board, and one from the back of the crowd (if I can). That way I can mix in the board audio with the live noise and get a good balance.

[Ashinobio]

@onelonedork what device would you recommend for taping directly from the board? And for back of crowd? could I use my zoom?

[onelonedork]

@Ashinobio Yes your zoom would work just fine.

[toms900]

how good is the quality of the h4n when recording audio directly from it?

[onelonedork]

@toms900 XLR inputs or built in mic?

[toms900]

@onelonedork Built in mic on the h4n.

[onelonedork]

@toms900 built in mic works well, but you'll want to use a wind screen on it. Also the closer to the actors the better. If you just plan to use the on board mic, then the zoom h1 might be a better buy. I've got a video comparing both on board mic's. Check it out.

[MJPICKify]

Hi, I have tried to use an XLR splitter like this with a mini jack into the camera, but this didn't work. Am I right in thinking that the 7D isn't capable of recording from an external mic? even if it was capable I couldn't tell as I couldn't turn off the on board mic, so got terrible sound. I usually record separately but sometimes it would be handy to record audio without all that kit.

[onelonedork]

@MJPICKify You can record directly into the 7d but the AGC will probably give you problems. It is the only model in canon's line up that doesn't have fix out. Which is sad because its my favorite camera. The splitter is wired a bit different from a mini jack to xlr Y cable. The unit i have just takes the output of the mic and doubles it.

[CYNFELYN23]

"and if you like this content please subscribe", we bloody love your content!!

Is the RODE mic good for a beginner or are there any cheaper high quality options?

[onelonedork]

@CYNFELYN23 Rode makes some very good value mic's. If you want the cheapest "usable" mic then the nady sgm-12 is it. Self powered very strong signal and usable audio. I'm not in love with it but at the price of $24, there's nothing else even close in that price range.

[DoubleODude]

I really enjoy your content.

[onelonedork]

@DoubleODude Thanks!

[fuckthisnick]

Nice, very helpfull. I'll be shure to pick up one of those splitters, thanks!

[BebopVox]

Awesome job, was something I was asking you about too. Thanks for helping this n00b :D

[LucidDreamTricks]

That's a great idea on the y splitter. One question though, let's say you have the low signal at half the volume of the normal audio signal. Will the lower setting be degraded much if you need to use it? Also, if it's not degraded (and it might not be since it's digitally amplified) then maybe you could just use that for the entire thing and not need the y splitter?

[onelonedork]

@LucidDreamTricks The lower level signal Wouldn't be degraded but if you need to raise the volume on the lower level signal in post you'll have a higher noise floor (which could still be just fine). But it is always preferable to to use the loudest signal possible with out peaking. This gives you a higher signal to noise ratio. Often I've found in practice a few minutes of room noise recording will easily cover up a high noise floor.