My Gear: Audio
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A list of field recorders that I have used for productions of various sizes. From a full-blown narrative production to a single-camera interview. You will find what you need here. |
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A variety of microphones for capturing your audio on-set. From camera-top to wireless. |
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for monitoring your audio in the field or in post-production. |
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Was a bit surprised not to see the Zoom h4n handheld recorder – I’ve read a number of people use it on DSLR video shoots, but then again, it’s a cheaper solution than these, definitely.
I used to use the HD 280 Pro headphones. Now I’ve switched to the Audio-Technica ATH-A900 – but I use these for everything. The 280 had a pretty flat frequency response and the ATH-A900 seems to have a reputation for exaggerated stereo separation (it certainly has a lot more than the 280) but I like it more. I can pick up very faint sounds with both just fine.
I’m learning quite a bit from these lists, thanks!
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No the H4N should be up there and will go up soon! I use the 744T but as I mentioned we’re working on this and continuously adding toit!
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During your 3-day online class, may I know about the thin wire around your ear, and the handheld mike used, please?
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 12:45 am
@Billy, Not sure what those were – they were supplied by the creativeLIVE crew…
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I’m wondering what you recommend for audio with amateur filming. I purchased a Canon 550D and a couple lens, but since the 550D has no audio input, when does someone with a low budget go from here?
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If it’s ok with you, I would like to request permission to use your article as it fits to my topic. I will be happy to negotiate to pay you or hire you for this.
With Regards from
Republic Polytechnic
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One thing I can say is : that my kids were always getting on me about smoking every time I would light up they would start coughing,covering their faces and constantly trying to find ways to get me to stop.
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Great work soul mate, keep it up.|i’m bookmarking this blog & visiting another timefor updates.
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Do you have any more affordable ideas for wireless mics? I’d like to record the audio directly into the movie file via wireless mic and receiver…
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Vincent, it seems that with respect to the ew 100 G3 Wireless Microphone System you may choose to buy multiple systems in the same frequency range (i.e., in Frequency Range A: 516–558 MHz, Frequency Range B 626–668 MHz, or Frequency Range G 566–608). I was confused by the commentary since I thought I should go for different frequency ranges when buying more than one system but in fact you can buy many systems on the same frequency range—if you want interoperability between receivers and transmitters you have to select what Senheisser calls Channels in in the same Bank (the ew 100 has 12 channels per Bank and a total of 20 Banks). In any case, I just ordered the Sennheiser EW 100 G3 Series Dual Basic Kit (A / 516 – 558 MHz) from B&H and wanted to thank you for all of the advice and information from your Gear section. It is unparalleled and has been instrumental in helping me navigate the myriad of choices out there.
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I am looking at investing in some audio gear for my DSLR shooting. If I bought the H4n recorder, could I plug the Sennheiser transmitter into it with the 1/8″ to XLR cable? I’m not familiar with enough with the Senn setup to know if it’s capable of going line level, or only mic level? And furthermore, is the H4n able to record, lets say, two channels of audio from the onboard mics, and the other two record what comes into the transmitter from the wireless pack?
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should i use the h4n internal mic or is it bether to connect an external mic on one of the 2 inputs ?
grtz
e.s.
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Re the recommendation for the Zoom H4N . . . In researching various recorders in the same price range, the Sony PCM-M10 and Olympus LS-10/LS-11 seem to have better spex (although no XLR inputs) and seem to get excellent reviews.
Just wondering if you (or others) have looked at these and had any comments.
Thanks.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
August 27th, 2011 at 12:15 am
I wouldn’t buy any recorder w/o XLR – you’re going to severely limit yourself long term as you’ll likely want to use mics…
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@Brett Alton,
slate the piece and then write the sound file on the slate. This would be how you slate a piece, you will have to use a digital recorder with shotgun mic, probably a H4N because it keeps sync, and or a marantz, remember people can forgive bad picture but never bad sound, ok that is my response
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are you pleased with the results of the h4n in “quiet”/indoor environments? that seems to be the rub with this device — a fair amount of “hiss” when there is not a lot of ambient sound to overtake the hissing, some report that it is even difficult to remove this in post. is the 3d mic in the video above (sounds great!) going directly into the h4n, or do you have the signal passing through a preamp or other circuitry first? the cables drop below the frame so i can’t follow the path visually 🙂
although i’m watching for IBC2011 news before buying, i’m about to purchase the h4n (after happily using an edirol r1 for years — love the analog input volume dial), one of the main reasons being the usb audio interface option for recording to my mac and/or ipad — very handy to have a decent portable recorder that doubles as a decent stereo i/o box for DAW sketches. any experience with this operation, the usb i/o with a computer? i have read that the quality is usable in this mode but is diminished from the internal recording. subjective comments, i know, but this is why i come to you for guidance.
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As a freelancer on a budget (just starting out in the business world)…I could not go out and get my dream camera, (something like a Panasonic 615) but I do have a nice Canon Vixia HFS100 and the audio was always an issue…..until a few days ago.
I just got a Zoom H4n, a product I’ve been meaning to get for a while and probably should have picked up a long time ago. This little recorder is outstanding in price and the quality is great for the price range. Now I can skip those XLR/Mini cable adapters and just run all XLR as well as have a backup source of audio running directly with the on board camera audio.
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About the 744T entry: phantom power is independent of the ultimate power source of the recorder or mixer that provides it. It does not depend on that source having rechargeable batteries.
The post-sound process you seem to be describing (and calling voiceover) is called ADR, which stands for Automated Dialogue Replacement. It is also sometimes still informally referred to as “looping” because of how it used to be done. Voiceover is a way dialogue overlays picture in a particular way.
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I had a question regarding audio equipment for an extremely skeleton crew. I was asked to follow some friends down to Phoenix to shoot a documentary on them as they go through the process of recording an album. Now, given they will be having small quarters for living and will be taking me down with them I figured I may be the only person in my crew. What would you recommend for capturing the best audio outside of sit down face to face interviews?
Thanks.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
October 13th, 2011 at 12:36 am
The Zoon H4N has done me a lot of good. I use the Sound Devices 744T as well (see audio page in gear section for all of this) but it’s overkill for what you’re talking about. These are all digital recorders and in my opinion the mics and the way you use them should be the primary focus…
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@Rodman,
I am looking into getting the same dual kit that you mentioned (Sennheiser EW 100 G3 Series Dual Basic Kit (A / 516 – 558 MHz) and was wondering how it has worked out for you.
Are you able to run both of the lavs simultaneously, specifically two individuals speaking at the same time?
This is a requirement for a project and am hoping this set will do the trick.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
-Alex
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I know this is very low end, but I’ve found excellent results from the Zoom H1. If setup correctly and positioned correctly it delivers excellent results, and only costs $99. It’s like a baby H4n. 🙂
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Bonjour Vincent
What is you opinion on audio-technica’s stereo and shotgun mics?
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 20th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Haven’t used them – I own Rhode mics – but I’m not an audio guy to be honest!
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I’m LOVING the potential of a 3D Mic Pro. A lot of my work is a quick set up interview where it’d take too long to lav mic each individual person. Or two person interviews.
Would a 3D Mic Pro be good for this? I’m willing to spend the money, and I’d rather not have to have a kit of different mics for different situations (although I know it’s not unavoidable), but would it pick up too much ambient noise (if it’s an interview in a semi-crowded room? Not a party, or anything, just typical office noise.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I’m afraid you’d pick up too much ambient… you’d want two shotgun mics more likely for what you are looking to do. (or two lavs) IMO
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My Gear: Audio Vincent Laforet's Blog I was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You are amazing! Thanks! your article about My Gear: Audio Vincent Laforet's BlogBest Regards Yoder
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Hi Vincent,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. As an audio guy in the video business here is a link to our ‘LittleVoice Tech’ blog. We have just started it and will populate it with much more if people want to learn more about audio for video:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28B9D883A38DF99C&feature=plcp
Best
Rob
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I heard the Zoom H4n has poor preamps and do not work very well with the NTG-2. What is your opinion on this? Thank you very much.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
May 8th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Haven’t had an issue on our end.
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Hi Vincent,
Was interested to see which headphones you were using and I see you went for the Sennheiser HD 380 Pro’s. I recently wrote a short blog on what some of the best headphones for film editors might be and I ended up choosing between the 380’s and the BeyerDynamic 770 Pro’s, but in the end I went for the 770’s. Thought your readers might be interested in the run down of the best headphones available…
http://jonnyelwyn.co.uk/film-and-video-editing/what-are-the-best-headphones-for-film-editors/
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Hi Vincent, Great info, thanks for sharing.
I picked up a NTG-2 and have been using it a lot.
I run a local public access station and recently I have been asked to do outdoor live band recordings.
Plugging into the sound board is not always an option.
The NTG-2 on camera gives me cleaner audio than the sound board but it does sound a little distant or tinny. Is there a better option for outdoor band recording? 3D mic ?
– J
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It’s funny but looking over your audio page i have purchased everyone of your suggestions from the lav, shotgun, 3d and the h4n. not to mention many of your other suggestions and i gotta say i have been very happy. i don’t have much opportunity to work with filmmakers in my small town so blogs like yours are very helpful to purchase this stuff without a hands on chance. so thanks!
i am looking for a better lav mic than what came with the 100 G3 and i didn’t know do you have any suggestions? is there anything that can be worn under a shirt? something you can conceal without the noise of movement? any direction on this it would be appreciated… not sure if this is even possible?
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hello, can you propose a hanheld recorder to use iwth my 3d mics?
i have the SP-TFB2 binaural MICS by sound professionals, so wich recorder you think would work best with them? THANKS!
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Nice Blog! And thanks for sharing many audio equipments and their information which are very helpful and interesting for us.
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i want to buy these parts as shown at video .
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Hey Vincent,
Just curious which settings you use while recording on the Tascam DR-40 for the best quality.
Thanks!
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Hey Vincent, take a look at the new TASCAM DR-60D. It is a real time saver in post. I think you might like it. I have 2 of them and they work great.
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David Peterson Reply:
April 2nd, 2014 at 6:37 pm
I agree with @Ron Tyler, would be nice if you covered the Tascam DR-60D 🙂
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Thanks for sharing wonderful information.
Apex Solutions
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great article…. it is necessary for every film shooting that audio system should be perfect in the shooting place. you have given deep information about this. I have really really liked this blog post.
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Hey,
I am setting up an ASMR youtube channel. I read here: http://discoverasmr.com/what-is-asmr/asmr-microphone/ that I need a microphone and recorder. Is this the case? So expensive
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Helpful ideas . I loved the details – Does someone know where my company could locate a blank a form form to work with ?
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Isabel Ortman Reply:
March 23rd, 2016 at 4:42 am
@Pauline Davidsoun, Hi Pauline Davidsoun, my partner filled out a template a form copy using this http://goo.gl/Lq2qC4
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As Charlie Sheen says, this article is “WNNGINI!”
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Interesting to see what gear you use! We also find the HD 380 pros are a pretty solid pair of headphones.. especially if you’re on a budget!
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Hey,
I am starting out a new youtube ASMR channel for different types of ASMR triggers, I selected my microphone to be the blue yeti pro after going through this website https://cuzgeek.com/best-microphones-for-asmr/ is my choice good or should i reconsider
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What do you think is the best for ASMR : https://www.asmrmag.com/asmr-effective-method/ ? I need some advice to record ASMR videos, thank you very much
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