ZOOM Q3 Handy Video Recorder: Audio Test

1st test of the ZOOM Q3 Handy Video Recorder, playing a Crestline pre-lawsuit LP copy through a pair of ZT Lunchboxes, stereo. Also, using compressor and delay from Pigtronix on this.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Crestline
• Les Paul
• Copy
• 1978
• Vintage
• Electric
• Guitar
• MI Audio
• Tube Zone
• Pigtronix
• Philosopher's Tone
• Echolution
• Echo
• Delay
• Damage Control
• Glass Nexus
• Reverb
• ZT
• Amps
• Stereo
• Solo
• ZOOM Q3
• Q3
• Handy Video
• Video
• BOSS
• DR880
• Drum Machine
• KRK
• V8
• Monitors

[mark4amp]

Hi! Could you send me your ZOOM Q3 setting?

[unclemark1000]

@mark4amp Hi- Thanks for watching. I recorded this video right after acquiring the Q3. It's the original, non-HD model, and the Handyshare editing update had not yet been released for free download from ZOOM. The settings used for this video were 24-bit/48kHz audio resolution/sample rate, and AUTO record level. That original Q3 software version had only the AUTO mode for lighting. After the software update, and susequent release of the Q3HD, my audio/video quality improved. -Mark

[stubee5150]

I have one of these and whenever i record something with it the playback volume is really low. It's typically at about half the volume of a normal You Tube video. Yours seems o.k. though. Did you use their editing software? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

[unclemark1000]

@stubee5150 That's how I've managed to get useable audio levels on my videos. I'm very happy to say that my most recent handful of videos have benefitted significantly from the free editing software update, which I downloaded from ZOOM a short time ago. I very highly recommend implementing the newest HandyShare editing software in 3 steps, in this particular sequence: 1st) use Trimming to crop your original video- 2nd) apply the Maximize or Ultra Maximize function, your choice- (end 5; see 6)

[unclemark1000]

@stubee5150 - 3rd) Normalize to your preference of either "Full Scale 0 db" or "-3 dB (Broadcast)". I consider it a genuine Blessing to be able to upload to YouTube now at volume levels that enable the listener to better hear and appreciate the good audio quality of the Q3's recordings. Thanks to ZOOM for providing the improvements. Eventually, I would like to get my hands on an HD version of the Q3, to upgrade the video component of my uploads, as well! (end of part 6; please see part 7)

[unclemark1000]

@stubee5150 Finally!!!!!- the last part of a 7 part reply! (Hey, I did give you fair warning!) If any of this info helps you, please let me know. For that matter, even if it was just a big pain-in-the-you-know-where, you can let me know that, too! I sincerely wish you well with your projects. Have fun! Take care & God bless. -Mark

[stubee5150]

@unclemark1000 You sir are amazing! Thank you for taking your own personal time to give me such a detailed response. This info is and will be very helpfull going forward. Liked, favorited, subbed! See you soon : )

[unclemark1000]

@stubee5150 An airplane flying overhead, a motorcycle driving by, my neighbor's lawnmower, thunder, or even just someone's footsteps elsewhere in the house, or my own manual handling of the Q3 are examples of things that can trigger the automatic levelling and cause a reduced recorded volume level. When recording at home, I try to make the subject of the recording (usually my "music") loud enough in the room to acoustically mask the unintended noise that leaks into the Q3's mic.[end 4; see 5]

[unclemark1000]

@stubee5150 The Q3's auto-levelling compression/limiting circuits do a great job of downwardly adjusting the overall recording level, to prevent signal clipping and its associated unpleasant audible distortion. During recording, each instance of an increase in the sound pressure level (SPL) "heard" by the Q3's mic triggers a lowering of the recording's overall volume level, from that point, on. Even a momentary, transient, sound will cause the volume to go down. [end of part 3; see part 4]

[unclemark1000]

@stubee5150 The Q3's Low Gain setting doesn't pick up much of anything that might be deemed "normal" sounds, but is useable on the very loudest of sources. The High Gain mode is far too sensitive in most audio environments and the recorded result tends to be horribly distorted. I have found the Auto Gain Level setting to be the way to go. In Auto mode, however, you need to be fussy about the dynamic range of the overall sound level in the venue in which you are recording. [end of pt 2; see 3]

[unclemark1000]

@stubee5150 Great question! My reply here may be somewhat lengthy ( wordy! ) and might require multiple messages, so please bear with me. My Q3 is an early production unit and is NOT the newer HD model. Every single one of my videos was shot using this recorder, and I am totally pleased with it, with only one minor annoying characteristic that used to drive me crazy: tricky volume level management! [end of part 1; please see part 2 of this reply]