Playing the Angles with the Zoom Q3HD

The Zoom Q3HD has a much better audio subsystem than most cameras costing under $2000. Stereo directional mics, an option to turn of auto-level, wide bandwidth and low distortion, a line input, and PCM format should all add up to excellent audio. But some folks who visit the Homebrewed Music Blog and other discussion sites have complained about the quality of the audio from the Q. In this video I try to demonstrate using the Q3HD up close to the solo guitarist, optimizing the audio while seeing the video from a new angle.

I shot the commentary for this video on my lovely new Panasonic Lumix GH2 - it's still intimidating to have to think about all the adjustments, but the results are making me very happy. Even the audio is much better than any other camera I've used so far.

In addition to this demo I actually assembled a music vid from the clips I created here. I stitched together shots from four different performances and four different camera angles, using REAPER as my NLE. Be sure to check that video to see a demonstration of the different angles and their effect on the sound as well as the image. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HJwiPID51s

You can always get more information on the videos I post here by visiting my blog at http://www.homebrewedmusic.com

The specific entry related to this clip is at http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2011/03/12/playing-the-angles-with-the-zoom-q3hd/

And for more slack key please stop by http://www.kaleponi.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• homebrewed music
• fran guidry
• kaleponi
• zoom q3hd
• panasonic lumix gh2
• audio
• solo
• acoustic
• guitar
• recording
• slack key
• music

[napman99]

Thanks so much Fran, such an eye opener!

Or should I say ears opener :-)

So much valuable info. here for me to explore on my own too.

[homebrewedmusic]

@napman99 I hope you have fun fooling around with the ideas illustrated here. I know it gave me some ideas for future shoots.

Fran

[ikciwon1]

Thanks for this

[homebrewedmusic]

@ikciwon1 You're quite welcome. Thanks for taking time to comment.

Fran

[fridrikur]

Very thorough review. Thank you. Very pro. Difficult to find the right with out sacrificing either video or audio. You get both in the box but not the optimal of both at the same time.

[homebrewedmusic]

@fridrikur I think you're right, the Q3HD will require a compromise to get the best audio and video for a quiet source like an acoustic guitar. With a fiddle or horn, piano, accordian - probably much less of a problem.

I hope you've visited the blog or looked at some of the other videos. I have used a field recorder as a "powered mic" for the Q3HD and the combination worked well.

Fran

[NghiaBTX]

@franguidry Thank you so much for your advice!

Have a good night!

[franguidry]

@NghiaBTX One important thing is to upload a high resolution file to YouTube. I use the 720p and PCM settings for my uploads, and this causes YouTube to transcode them to higher quality versions.

Fran

[NghiaBTX]

Thanks for the great video!

Would you please help! I uploaded video using The Zoom Q3HD but the sound is not so strong.

I can watch video on my pc with good sound but when uploaded to youtube, the sound is there but not so great.Why and what should I do to make my video have good sound once uploaded to youtube?

Thanks!

[franguidry]

@jimmyp73 If your video is dark, you still need more light. I have about 500 equivalent watts going when I shot that video. 250 overhead, 150 in one spot, and 100 in another. Video with these low end cameras is all about lots of light.

Fran

[jimmyp73]

ive had some problems withmy videos coming out dark, even with every light in the room on. any suggestions? thanks cool vid

[gitarbest]

Hear the differense from his voice to 2:09 to 2:15 I want this thing soo muchh §!!!!!!!!!!

[drwklam888]

Very educational and nice playing.

[franguidry]

@guitarevibration Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Fran

[franguidry]

@gblanco737 Unfortunately no, when you plug into the line input it disables the mics.

Fran

[gblanco737]

Great video and to much useful !!

Could I Record an electric piano using the line in for it,and rec vocals with the q3hd built in mic at same time ?

Thanks for your time !!