Do You Use an External Audio Recorder? (Zoom H6 etc.)

[Wreckless Eating]

I think you've sucked me in to wanting to buy one right now

If you're sticking with the Zoom, I'd go for the H6 over the H4n so you don't have to deal with the painfully slow startup time. The ability to change mic modules is nice, but aside from the two included, the only one available is the shotgun, which is an additional $130. The XY mic module is extremely sensitive to wind, so factor in another $60 on a decent deadcat. It adds up pretty quickly.

If you don't need a built in mic, I'd advise looking at the Tascam DR-60D. It's a hair quieter than the H6 and can be mounted underneath a DSLR.

 

[Styxie]

just for the recorder, i'm planning on getting the mic then the recorder through time

In that case I'd suggest a second hand DR60D if you don't need a recorder with build in audio. It records a second audio track at 12-db as well and has 4 inputs as well as physical switches. You'd most probably manage to find one for that price!

 

[insidiouskoko]

i dont use one but im probably going to soon because the sound on some of my videos sucks

 

[Brodie]

In that case I'd suggest a second hand DR60D if you don't need a recorder with build in audio. It records a second audio track at 12-db as well and has 4 inputs as well as physical switches. You'd most probably manage to find one for that price!

do they record on a separate track and save it yeah? Or do they change it a bit then put it into the cam?

 

[Wreckless Eating]

do they record on a separate track and save it yeah? Or do they change it a bit then put it into the cam?

It saves on a separate track (two if you have backup recording enabled), but it's also capable of feeding a line out into the camera. You will always get better sound by using the track from the recorder. The preamps in nearly every camera (including $10k+ cinema cameras) are much noisier than those in built in recorders. I usually feed a line out into the camera and use Plural Eyes to replace the audio with the soundtrack recorded on the external. BTW, if you don't have Plural Eyes, it's usually free when you purchase any Rode mic (offer on the Rode website) or Tascam product.

 

[Styxie]

It saves on a separate track (two if you have backup recording enabled), but it's also capable of feeding a line out into the camera. You will always get better sound by using the track from the recorder. The preamps in nearly every camera (including $10k+ cinema cameras) are much noisier than those in built in recorders. I usually feed a line out into the camera and use Plural Eyes to replace the audio with the soundtrack recorded on the external. BTW, if you don't have Plural Eyes, it's usually free when you purchase any Rode mic (offer on the Rode website) or Tascam product.

I wasn't aware of Pluar Eyes being free if you did that! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Katie Hull]

I'm planning on buying the Zoom H1 soon as an external audio recorder. I won't plug it directly into the camera because of AGC and the fact that my DSLR has no audio input. I'm just hoping that the amount of white noise in my audio will drastically decrease.