Reddit mentions of Zoom H2n Stereo/Surround-Sound Portable Recorder, 5 Built-In Microphones, X/Y, Mid-Side, Surround Sound, Ambisonics Mode, Records to SD Card, For Recording Music, Audio for Video, and Interviews

It's the best audio recording, certainly, but the poor mic couldn't handle the high amplitude of the sonic booms and attenuated the sound. Most cameras didn't do any better.

Here's a (loud) recording where the camera didn't attenuate the sound, but mostly because it didn't pick up low frequencies really at all, so there's no bass to the boom.

If it had been me making the trip out to one of these, I would bring along something that can actually do events like these justice. This classic recorder, for example, would have provided much better sound than any of the recordings I've heard thus far. (Speaking from experience -- I've used it to record things like thunderstorms and booming fireworks.)

Look like a Zoom H2N to me : http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2N-H2n-Handy-Recorder/dp/B005CQ2ZY6

Heya, I do a little tutorial series myself called Cooking With Unity. It's always good to have more tutorials out there and I like that you are focusing on scripting basics and Javascript. I'll be referring people to you for scripting basics in the future!

I want to note that you may wish to invest in another microphone; there's quite a bit of noise on your videos. I ended up picking up this one and was very happy with it. (Yeah, it's a chunk of change; I ended up splitting the cost with my business partner/sound guy; I use it for my show and he uses it for sound effects and recording) I understand that the videos are free and I can still clearly hear you on the videos so it's not a HUGE deal, but if you want to improve your audio quality it's a good place to start!

Good luck with your videos and thanks for sharing!

You have a couple of options, but the webcam and mic just... aren't going to cut it. You'll never get the sound mixed right. Best bet is going to be capture the audio and video separately, then re-combine. The problem is I've never met a camera that really captures good sound. You can get decent sound by using a video-capable DSLR with external mic connections... but you'll spend $3k - $5k to get that sort of a setup working right.

I'm assuming the primary focus here is the audio, so you can probably get away with the webcam for the video, or any digital camera that's video capable. The key to making it look good will be lighting, more than the camera. If you have a couple of halogen worklights around you can use those as cheap stage lighting. Failing that, position yourself in the sunlight from a window. Make sure the background behind you is free of distracting stuff like old clothes, random papers, etc. Even a cheap, crappy camera can usually take decent images and video if you give it enough light to work with.

Software: You'll need something like Audacity - which is free and pretty easy to use. Does everything you need.

On to hardware: Two options. I'll give you the expensive one first, then the hackier way.

If you're going for absolute audio quality, you'll need a large diaphragm condenser mic. You'll want a mic for each channel you want to capture - so one for the vocal, one for the instrument. Expect to spend ~$100 per mic give or take. Monoprice has a decent one a little cheaper. Craigslist is a good source. When you get into mics, it's as fidgety a question as "which guitar is the best" - but that's your starting place. You'll need to run the mics into a mixer board (and condenser mics usually use phantom power, so your mixer needs to support that). Again, Monoprice has some decent sub-$100 options, or you can chase Craigslist. Figure this will cost you $300 to $350 after mics, cables, stands, and mixer. You can easily spend $$$$$$ as you get better stuff, but that's the basic setup.

The cheaper way - something like a Zoom H2N. Since these will do stereo recording, I tend to hang one off a mic stand horizontally halfway between my guitar and face. That lets me catch (mostly) the voice on the right channel and (mostly) the guitar on the left. After that I can do corrections and relative volume on each at least mostly separately.

The third alternative would be a USB mic like the Blue Yeti on the desk, use the computer's webcam to record video and the audio from the mic at the same time. I have a friend who's an operatic tenor, and he records his video auditions this way. I don't have the details on the software he's using, though. The H2N I linked above can be used the same way - put it in USB mic mode, record audio and video at the same time.

Given what you're trying to accomplish, I'd recommend the H2N, and depending on just how lazy you want to be either record separately and recombine, or use it as a stereo USB mic. But you really do want a way to separate the vocals and the instrument at least a little to fix specific things on each side and match the volumes a bit.

I didn't do a stunning job with it, but about 30 minutes ago I did a quick demo of a song on the H2n. I love mine, anyway...

Edit

You can also get a better USB webcam. Many Point-n-Shoot digital cameras also can be used as a USB recording device.

So there's a million ways to do this. First, I'll start by saying that the two hallmarks of amateur video are:

1. Zero stabilization
   
2. Crap audio
   
   So to remedy that, you want:
   
   
3. Great stabilization
   
4. Excellent audio
   
   The first thing I'd recommend is to get a solid camera system setup. If you just want to make some fun short films without spending thousands of dollars, I'd suggest one of two kits:
   
   
5. A DJI Osmo Pocket camera system
   
6. A smartphone camera system
   
   The Osmo system ($400) is a tiny camera mounted to an electronic handheld stabilizer; it lets you get nice, smooth motion shots & can also be mounted to a tripod (various aftermarket systems are available for it).
   
   https://www.dji.com/osmo-pocket
   
   This setup runs about $400, plus the cost of a tripod. Here's a nice starter video tripod for $140 with a fluid head, which allows the camera to be panned & tilted smoothly:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Cayer-BV30L-Professional-Mid-Level-Camcorder/dp/B0784CWMP4/
   
   Alternatively, most smartphones shoot 1080p video these days. In addition, you can tweak them out with additional software & hardware for enhanced functionality. I highly recommend the Filmic Pro software, which is available for both iOS & Android: ($15 or $20)
   
   https://www.filmicpro.com/
   
   If you have an iPhone or a Google Pixel 2/2XL, you can buy an anamorphic lens ($150), which gives you that nice widescreen look. That's a nice step up over the Osmo, as using say an iPhone allows you tap the screen to lock focus & also use a neat glass lens to get a great picture effect.
   
   https://moondoglabs.com/collections/lenses
   
   As far as smartphone stabilizers go, there are a variety available. I have a Smove gimbal & really like it:
   
   https://smove.video/
   
   Zhiyun has a good one on Amazon as well:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHCC3BV
   
   So either the Osmo or smartphone approach gives you a great camera, plus an electric gimbal stabilizer, plus a tripod for fix shots & for doing pans & tilts, and some tricks for using it like a mini crane by tilting it & stuff. For editing video (on a computer), Blackmagic has a version of their pro-grade DaVinci Resolve 16 software available for free: (editing, color correction, etc.)
   
   https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/
   
   As far as audio goes, it's pretty simple: use an external mic, and for vocals, keep it within 12" of the person's mouth. People generally either use a mic on a boom stick, or else a lav mic that you can clip to a lapel or whatever. You typically want to capture vocals & some environmental sounds, and then do foley (adding sound effects like putting a V8 engine on a Honda Civic, haha) & add some music & soundtrack stuff. There is software available for syncing up separate, standalone mics. If you have the budget available, the Zoom H2n is a great starter microphone:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2N-H2n-Handy-Recorder/dp/B005CQ2ZY6/
   
   I use a Redhead windscreen on mine:
   
   http://www.redheadwindscreens.com/
   
   You can get cheap lapel mics too, for as low as $30 or so, that do a pretty decent job to capture people talking. But as far as making basic short films go, that's a pretty good ultra-budget setup...you get good video quality, good stabilization, and good audio recordings.
   
   The next step is adding some lighting into the mix, which really helps a ton. If you'd like to play around with things, simulation is available, from a variety of sources. One I really like is called Cine Tracer, which is a cinematography simulator for lighting etc., sold through the Steam gaming store:
   
   https://store.steampowered.com/app/904960/Cine_Tracer/
   
   Anyway, that's just a very, very basic introduction to some tools that can get you some great-looking stuff right off the bat. The minimum would just be sticking a smartphone on like a $30 tripod & shooting from there. A step up would be a gimbal system & separate audio system as discussed above, and perhaps a basic LED lighting kit. If you have a few grand to play with, they make some really stellar cameras in that pricerange now, such as this 6K camera for $2,500:
   
   https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera
   
   Great audio is also surprisingly inexpensive (relatively speaking, in terms of film equipment pricing). One of the first production-grade pieces of equipment I purchased was the Sanken COS-11D lav mic, which is used on a lot of movies & TV shows, and ran just shy of $500. That may sound like a lot, but an 8K RED Monstro digital cinematography camera starts at over $50k, so audio isn't that bad in comparison.
   
   So a big part of it begins with budget & what you plan on doing. If you're just goofing around with friends, get a decent fluid-head tripod & use your smartphone & Filmic Pro to make some cool stuff. Save up & add some lighting, and maybe a gimbal, and some audio equipment. There's so many things you can do super-cheap & still make it look cool!

Get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2N-H2n-Handy-Recorder/dp/B005CQ2ZY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=h2n&qid=1568136520&s=gateway&sr=8-7

You can record the classes you are sitting in and then replay them later at 1.5x (or whatever speed you want, it supports a wide range of variable playback speed) on headphones while you study.

Also the recording quality is really good and you can use it to audio-diary.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001QWBM62/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419523889&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005CQ2ZY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419524021&sr=8-1

I own a Zoom H5 and if I had to guess that looks more like a Zoom H2n to me.

Let me trow my two cents into the ring.

When you say HQ video I assume you mean 1080p. That can be had much cheaper and that at good quality. More than good enough for a studio setting and interview work.

This is a good perspective by Casey Neistat on gear you need:
https://youtu.be/nLSUrTxquyE

With that being said, what most people forget is that lighting, the audio, knowing how to setup and just a little prep that can make all the difference.

In all honesty you could just buy this:

• CANON VIXIA R500
  
  
• Photo Studio Lighting Kit-3
  
  
• Rode Videomic
  
  
• Zoom H2n
  
  
• RODE invisiLav
  
  Now you are at $790.96. Bottom of your budget. Now make improvements on your kit. Maybe get a whole different camera, get another light, or additional Zoom Audio recorders. The H1 is my backup to a H4.
  
  Buying a high end camera is no guarantee that you get good video if all other factors are not right!
  
  Most important are the people that will do the interview. Do yourself a favor and broswe some youtube videos like these:
  
  https://youtu.be/LWpwgDqSkQw
  
  https://youtu.be/E26xv-bZfUU
  
  
  Best of luck!

I use a Zoom H2:

https://www.amazon.ca/Zoom-H2N-H2n-Handy-Recorder/dp/B005CQ2ZY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492207444&sr=8-1&keywords=h2+zoom

You don't need to worry about microphone wires getting caught (although you can hook an external mic to the Zoom) and you can place it exactly where you want to get best sound. Provides stereo, surround or mono.

You will need to sync the sound with your video track in post, but that's simple with most any video editing software.

One of the best video tools I've bought.

I record everything with my zoom h2n. http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2N-H2n-Handy-Recorder/dp/B005CQ2ZY6 This is just to get my ideas on record, not to record an album. But the audio quality is great and you could use it to put out listenable tracks if you so desired.


It can record in stereo (two tracks), directional, or stereo with one track. Also it has a physical gain switch you can adjust while recording to get the right setting.

I use it to record both my guitar and voice. It can take a bit of fiddling to get the right mic placement to get a good balance of the vocals and guitar/amp but it's not that hard. Zoom also has a $100 recorder. There are cheaper ways to record like others have said. I used to record with my phone's mic.

Hello Princess Impeach!

First time poster, longtime lurker here! This is an integral part of my human spirit. I have spent hours and hours and hours crafting my skills to become the best opera singer I can be. This will allow me to further and advance my career... Wouldn't you want to be apart of that? Now... For the fun!

I'm a triplet, but my sisters died in utero or I ate them I don't quite remember.

I have a ragdoll kitten named walter that has an unquenchable thirst for humping my clothes.

My husband is an emmy award winning actor... Shhh... I can't say who.

and last but not least... I wipe my ass with my left hand... Dont judge me!

I own a Panasonic TM700, and I would'nt use it to shoot food. I'd go with a DSLR with a short focal lenght prime lense (like T3i or T4i with EF 50 f/2.8). I can recommend the Rode VideoMic Pro, as I have and commonly use one. It is amazing. But again, if you are to be speaking, this is what you need. It records voices like a charm and is the best recoder in the low-priced range.

the best option is the zoom h2n. 4 condensor mics recording to 4 channel audio or surround mp3, supports 96khz direct to sd card, and is battery operated with onscreen levels.

Hell, you can plug it direct to your pc from a sound booth to you daw.

For an amateur wanting decent quality sound on the cheap, you get a real great portable package.
Only $159 on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005CQ2ZY6?pc_redir=T1

There are many ways to go about this. I'm sure some people will recommend a computer interface and separate microphone, which is a very flexible option.

But for what you want to do, you might try the Zoom H2n. It's small, records 20 hours on AA batteries, and costs around $160.00. You might want to get a 32 gig SD card to max out your recording time (or borrow one from your digital camera). You could use this device to record your live shows as well. Record in WAV format for the best sound quality. You could edit the results with the free Audacity and then either burn cds (lots of options to do this) or upload to soundcloud or however you want to distribute your work.

If there's a bigger room you can record in, that'll work. Try not to be in a small space with a lot of reflective surfaces; you might get weird acoustic effects. Try clapping your hands and make sure there's no buzzing/ringing to the sound in the spot where you want to record. Another option might be a bedroom where you have a bedspread and drapes to help avoid unwanted acoustic effects.

I've heard some wonderful recordings made on the sidewalk outdoors as well. If you're recording outside, consider picking up this Rycote Mini Windjammer to go on your Zoom.

Good luck and be sure you share your results with us!

I use a Zoom H2N to record myself for auditions or personal practice and I like it .

Zoom H2n Handy Recorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CQ2ZY6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9ukaBbFVNKV4K

I know of a few AP podcasts that use a handheld recorder for their at home games and they sound pretty good for the price. You also don’t have to worry about mic technique or anyone being off axis, you can just focus on the game.

It won’t sound as good as everyone having their own mic, but it’s also a much smaller investment. And you can always upgrade later if y’all want to get more serious

I like this guy. It’ll do omnidirectional and record all in one, but don’t take my word for it. zoom H2n

I use a zoom H2. It's a pocket recorder. You can get it for ~$100 on eBay

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG

There is a newer version available online too

You don't need to worry about cables with this kind of field recorder.

Yeah that Akra sounds really nice on your Duke. You should still be able to hear the akra sound, but you could always ball out and pull a RoyalJordanian and get a dedicated mic for picking up your exhaust audio

Ti rispondo io: ZOOM H2, oltre a essere un ottimo microfono USB è un registratore a se stante con scheda SD. Su Amazon è a 168 ma in giro lo trovo anche a meno