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Home: Video University Forums: Audio For Video:
Got my H2......now what?

Tim A
User

Oct 24, 2007, 11:41 AM

Post #1 of 12 (1432 views)
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Got my H2......now what?	Can't Post

Our next wedding is in two weeks and there having a band for the reception.

I have two mic's, E604 an Rhode M3.....an of coarse the H2. My cameras are VX2100's and I have several irivers. I usually setup one cam on a tripod next to one of speaker stacks.

What would be the best setup to capture good audio using what I have?

Thanks
Tim

__________________________________________________________________

Mark Foley
Veteran

Oct 24, 2007, 12:51 PM

Post #2 of 12 (1427 views)
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Re: [Tim A] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you are planning on taking a feed from the soundboard, you need to contact the band before the wedding day and find out how there mix will be...(what will go throught the board)...most likely they will only be pushing their vocals through the PA.

I would suggest using the cam to capture the PA stack...be real careful you keep levels on the cam somewhat low or move the cam farther away (but remember, the farther away you move away, the more drop in dynamic range you will be able to capture). Use the e604 w/one of you irivers to capture drums and one side of the stage and the Rode M3 to get the other. Setup the H2 to either get a feed from the board ot strategically placed to get an overall mix of the band/crowd ambiance....

_________________________
Mark

(This post was edited by Mark Foley on Oct 24, 2007, 12:52 PM)

Tim A
User

Oct 24, 2007, 1:20 PM

Post #3 of 12 (1417 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Mark,

If I place the H2 in the front-center of the stage, should it be set to low or medium? Also, I'm sure I will use 4ch....so should the 120 degree be facing the band or crowd? If I can't put the VX close the the PA stack, should I put one of the other mic's at the stack? I guess that might depend on what the band has coming thru the PA.

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Mark Foley
Veteran

Oct 24, 2007, 1:27 PM

Post #4 of 12 (1414 views)
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Re: [Tim A] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Set it to low....as far as the 120 degree mic angle...hard to say without know the size of the layout and the area where the band will perform. With the equipment you have, I would be a bit hesitant trying to mic the PA stack with the iRiver as you just don't know what sound level is going into the recorder...at least with the 2100, use can get a visual reference...

_________________________
Mark

MLiebergot
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Oct 24, 2007, 1:31 PM

Post #5 of 12 (1413 views)
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Re: [Tim A] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Tim, if using just the H2 for your live ambiant audio, then I would find the sweet spot, as Mark said, and set your recorder in this manner:
1. Mic Config: 2CH or 4CH (4 would be best, but 2 is ok) to record from both sides of the mic element.
2. Pre amp: Set to L (low) if near PA stack, M (medium) if further away.
3. Recording volume: Set it to AT LEAST 100. The reason is that Zoom placed teh input feed before teh Pre amps. So anything lower will add to your noise floor. I ahve miced near a PA stack at L pre amp and 106 with no issues.
4. Limter/Compressor: OFF. These are not responsive enough to make any difference. Just fix in post if desired.
5. Press and hold "Menu" key for 2 seconds to Lock. Again to unlock.
6. Keep batteries handy, as the H2 isn't the best with battery run times. I watch and replace every 3 hours or so.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Mark Foley
Veteran

Oct 24, 2007, 1:37 PM

Post #6 of 12 (1411 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

Keep batteries handy, as the H2 isn't the best with battery run times. I watch and replace every 3 hours or so

although a bit pricey, I would use the Energizer Lithium AA...they will last the night....

Also, since the H2 doesn't do an autosplit of the files, you will need to remember to stop and start the recorder every 50-55 minutes (in between songs) to keep from having a several second drop in recording when the recorder reaches the 2gb file size
edit...this is for the best/quality record setting...if you drop the quality of the recording, you'll get longer record time before you hit the 2gb brick wall. If you have a 2gb card handy, you can see how long the recorder will record based on the quality settings....

_________________________
Mark

(This post was edited by Mark Foley on Oct 24, 2007, 1:41 PM)

Tim A
User

Oct 24, 2007, 3:57 PM

Post #7 of 12 (1397 views)
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Re: [Tim A] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Mark & Michael, it's great to hear from experts like ya'll!

One more thought.....could I connect the 604 & M3 to the VX with a Y splitter, that way at least I could moniter them, I'll just lose the VX mic.

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Mark Foley
Veteran

Oct 25, 2007, 7:20 AM

Post #8 of 12 (1359 views)
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Re: [Tim A] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

sure can...

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Mark

MLiebergot
Veteran

Oct 25, 2007, 9:58 AM

Post #9 of 12 (1350 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

sure can...

Mark, quick question on the Y splitter method.
With my FX1 in transit to me, I have also purchased a Beachtek DXA-FX (mainly for built in limiters) for my audio capture. I normally use both shotgun mic and wireless at all times (BTW I also ordered a Z1U mic assembly to mount the Z1U mic holder on my FX1).
Would I be able to use a Y splitter, plugged directly into 1/8 mic port, with my FX1 and shotgun mic and Wireless receiver. This way I would have no need for the DXA-FX all of the time.
Although I would lose the advantage of being able to independantly control both L/R audio levels and built in limiters, I would lose the extra bulk of the DXA-FX box.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Mark Foley
Veteran

Oct 25, 2007, 10:20 AM

Post #10 of 12 (1348 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If it was me, I would use DXA--since it enables you to have control (level) over the two signals as you would not if a simple splitter was used.

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Mark

MLiebergot
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Oct 25, 2007, 10:38 AM

Post #11 of 12 (1346 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

If it was me, I would use DXA--since it enables you to have control (level) over the two signals as you would not if a simple splitter was used.

That's my initial reaction as well.
The DXA will also give me better preamps and built in limiters that are switchable.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Mark Foley
Veteran

Oct 25, 2007, 10:45 AM

Post #12 of 12 (1345 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Got my H2......now what? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

The DXA will also give me better preamps and built in limiters that are switchable

yes.....

_________________________
Mark