Using cameras such as Canon’s 5d and 7d may mean you need an additional recording device to capture sound. You won’t have a problem finding such a device, this particular market place offers a wide choice of top quality gadgets.
From the Zoom hn 4 and Edirol R-09HR to the Tascam DR100, purchasing such a device could really benefit the quality of your video production, podcasts and session recordings. If you are tight on budget and cannot afford £300+ per day to hire a sound person then a separate recording device might be the answer.
In this blog I am going to focus on the Zoom H4n in particular as Dragonfly Productions have just purchased one.
Unlike the Tascam DR-100 or the Edirol R-09HR, the first obvious difference is that the Zoom recorder features two microphones set up in a V-shape. By pointing inwards at a cross angle the recorder can cover a wider area, capturing directional defined sound as well as the perimeters. There are no issues with phase differences because sound is picked up simultaneously by both mics.
The Zoom H4 allows 24-bit/96 kHz linear PCM recording in WAV format or MP3 – either appropriate depending on the duration of the session. There are two phantom powered XLR-1/4″ input jacks that allow you to plug in external microphones and you can simultaneously record on two tracks with the option to playback on four. It can record continuously for roughly four hours on two AA batteries and there is an AC adaptor for extended use. It can also be powered by USB and has an SD card facility.
One happy customer gave the recoding device a shimmering review;
‘The interface overall is a pleasure to use. You can operate it easily with one hand. It’s very intuitive and all the controls feel solid. I usually go through the manual once anytime I get a new piece, but for basic recording you really wouldn’t have to. Even the 4-track mode is a breeze.’
However compare the Zoom H4n to the Tascam DR-100 a few people would question this. One Tascam fan says of the Tascam DR-100 ‘Build quality far surpasses the Zoom H4, as well as design. There is a small difference in price too; I found a Zoom H4 on Amazon for £289.000, the Tascam DR-100 was £319.00.
It seems these nifty little sound recorders are are not only being used for video production companies. I stumbled across a musician Danni Nicholls who toured the USA with her Tascam D-100,
‘All I did was sit in front of my Tascam D-100 and press record. Most songs were recorded a few days after I wrote them and one – minutes!’
Whatever sound recorder you decide to go with one thing is for sure, I would highly recommend buying this gadget as part of your production kit.