zoom h1 recorder > use with or without clip-on mic?

[pettypoh]

hi all,

just bought zoom h1 recorder, wondering if it's good to buy a clip-on mic?

will a clip-on mic be more useful than just recording directly via the zoom h1?

will there be a degradation of sound quality via the clip-on mic vs directly to zoom h1?

thanks =)

 

[eleveninth]

hi all,

just bought zoom h1 recorder, wondering if it's good to buy a clip-on mic?

will a clip-on mic be more useful than just recording directly via the zoom h1?

will there be a degradation of sound quality via the clip-on mic vs directly to zoom h1?

thanks =)

I find using a lav mic with the h1 for interviews improves the quality a tad or you could always get someone to boom the h1.

 

[ronniegogs]

Well a clip on or lavalier mic would would give audio based on the quality of mics. The on-board mics from the H1 are pretty good but compared to a good lavalier mics they wont be that good. If you dont mind the H1 in the shot or if you dont wanna buy extra mics then use the H1. H1 and lav comes in handy when you wanna hide the mic in the subjects clothes.

Also comes in handy when you are alone and dont have a boom pole operator who can hold the shotgun over the subjects head.

 

[pettypoh]

thanks for your replies

understood ... will look out for a lavalier mic, i think should be a useful tool to have (especially for interviews)

btw, just tested out the d3100 onboard mic sound and sound recorded from zoom h1 ... what a world of difference =D

in the end, i blended both together, the sound feels more "solid" as in not so "hollow" ... not sure what's the correct term to use

 

[Bamboopictures]

The term is too "dry" ie No reverb, no ambient, audio "closer" than video. (especially for wide shot)
As opposed to too "wet" (echo, overpowering background noise" audio further than video. (close-up shot but sounds like mic is far away)

 

[Deunamist]

thanks for your replies

understood ... will look out for a lavalier mic, i think should be a useful tool to have (especially for interviews)

btw, just tested out the d3100 onboard mic sound and sound recorded from zoom h1 ... what a world of difference =D

in the end, i blended both together, the sound feels more "solid" as in not so "hollow" ... not sure what's the correct term to use

remember the clap! for easy syncing

 

[hamanoshun]

The sound quality is not something that's easy to tell unless you're a trained sound engineer/soundman.

There is the obvious noise floor and SNR that we worry about, but we don't usually handle HIs MIDs and LOWs on a regular basis so honestly if it sounds good then it's probably good enough.

In this case pettypoh, I would say the choice of the lav mic is more an application requirement(easier to hide on talent) then quality(alternatively you can boom the H1 above the talent like how they boom shotgun mics, works just as well).

 

[kandinsky]

btw, just tested out the d3100 onboard mic sound and sound recorded from zoom h1 ... what a world of difference =D

in the end, i blended both together, the sound feels more "solid" as in not so "hollow" ... not sure what's the correct term to use

Thought you might find these tips helpful: http://www.lavideofilmmaker.com/loc...d-recording-shotgun-microphone-placement.html

 

[pettypoh]

thanks guys for all the useful info

@kandinsky - great learning tips ... definitely going to do staggered cuts

@hamanoshun - i'm definitely not sound expert. i have gone through several videos on zoom h1 vs others and vs with/without clip-on mic and concluded that the clip-on is a good to have (especially for interview situation). probably won't be that necessary for "background music" recording i guess

@Deunamist - yeap thanks ... i know about this. also attempted without clap, reasonably easy to get the shots synced up also (trial and error) =D

@Bamboopictures - thanks for the info, the terms are so alien to me =D