Reddit mentions: The best portable studio recorders

Okay this is going to be a long post, so here goes.

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If you really want to get into sound design, youre going to need a few essentials. A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), an audio interface, a handheld recorder, and a microphone.




DAWs

As far as a DAW goes, there's a few alternatives you can go with. I personally use Avid Pro Tools for near everything I do, but also mess around with Reaper. I've found that most studios will use one of these two. Most DAWs will have a pretty steep learning curve, so be ready for that.

Pro Tools First is the free version of Pro Tools. It has a lot of limitations, but for starting out it should be fine. If you want less limitations it costs big money, but I'm sure you can find a crack or two as long as you don't use it commercially.

Reaper is starting to grow on me lately. You can customize it to your needs, and the full version is only $60. You can also just deal with a popup everytime you open the program for ten seconds and use it for free. I mainly prefer Pro Tools over this because the video engine in Pro Tools is much better. But for batch editing multiple sound files, Reaper is muuuuuch better.

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Audio Interface

This basically takes over as an intermediary between high quality audio and your computer. You can plug a microphone right into it to record sound straight to your computer. You can do this with a USB microphone as well, but the quality is a million times better with one of these.
I would recommend either the Behringer UMC22 or the more advanced Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Both will do the trick, I just prefer the mic pres on the Focusrite a bit more.


Handheld Recorder
Handheld recorders allow you to record anything you want to without having to deal with any cables. They should be compact but durable.

The Tascam DR-40 is a great intro recorder. It was the first recorder I got 5 years ago, and it still holds up. I've dropped this thing so many times and it still powers through.
Another favorite is the Zoom H4N. This was a favorite among most of my classmates as it was the one my school supplied, but I didn't feel like going through the checkout process all the time so I saved up and got the Tascam. It has a newer version, the Zoom H6, which is pretty slick, but comes at a higher price point. It also comes with some interchangeable microphone capsules so you can get different types of recordings. I'll cover more of this later.
I'll leave off with the recorder I have now, the Sony PCM-M10. This thing is a godsend. It's discontinued due to a newer version coming out, but you can find this guy on eBay for around $300-400. It's smaller than a phone, and the sound quality is amazing. If you have the money to shell out for this guy, definitely go for it. Every sound designer inn the industry I know swears by it.


Microphone

So the first thing you need to know is that there's a load of different microphone types. Its a lot to cover, so I'm just going to link you to this article that will cover the basics of what you need to know. Basically I would recommend different microphones for different things, all depending on what you're trying to capture.
A good all-around microphone is the Shure SM57/Shure SM58. They're essentially both the same microphone. But these things will LAST. Like,people have run over them with trucks and they sound fine. Definitely a good starting point

For vocal recordings, I would recommend the Rode NT1A. This mic is a great starting point for capturing voice, and is durable to boot.

For capturing foley/field recording, I would go with the Rode NTG2. Its a shotgun mic with great quality for the price, and never let me down in all the years Ive been using it. I won its successor, the NTG3, in the Riot Creative Contest a few years back, but still use the NTG2 from time to time when I need to.


Some Extra Stuff


Theres a lot of cool, free plugins out there. I've used both Blue Cat's and Melda's plugins, and they all get the job done with a bit of tweaking.

As far as building up a sound library goes, I would recommend recording literally everything you can around you and playing with those sounds with plugins as a good starting point for building up a library. There's a few resources out there that give out free SFX every once in a while, GDC has had a bundle go up for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. You can also check out the BBC Sound Effects Library. Be careful about getting libraries and bundles though, as they add up quick. I have to go through my sound library soon, and I probably have around 500,00+ files but only really need a few thousand.

For all your sounds, you're going to want a file manager. A great and free one is Mutant. You just add the directory where you downloaded your sounds to, let it load them in, and voila. You can search easily for what you need.


Hopefully, all this was somewhat helpful to you, or to anyone else reading this who's interested in sound design!

/u/eligoscreps - if you're a filmmaker and don't need a still photo camera, I recommend a real cinema camera.

Sadly, the cameras recommended here are still cameras that have been modified to record video.

Some do a better job than others, but for $1500, all you're going to get is a compromise still/video camera that shoots RAW stills, but records video to an amateur 256 color 8-bit compressed codec.

For short films, it might be better to get a camera with a professional level RAW video codec and more color space than you can get from a still camera - such as the 1080/60p RAW Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera.

Here is a ~$1530 setup built around the BMMCC [Referral Links]:

• [Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera with a free Olympus 40-150 lens - $995] (https://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-Design-Micro-Cinema-Camera/dp/B01D7ZOYUG//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) (or [979€ in Europe (without the free lens)] (https://www.amazon.de/Blackmagic-Design-Cinema-Steckplatz-Speicherkarten/dp/B00WNFK0P0//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerev02-21))
  
  
• [Feelworld F570 Monitor - $196] (https://www.amazon.com/FEELWORLD-Camera-Monitor-1920x1080-Monitors/dp/B077HL14W4//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) (or [185,99€ in Europe] (https://www.amazon.de/Feelworld-Kamera-Monitor-1920%C3%971080-Bildschirm/dp/B077HRR625//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerev02-21))
  
  
• [LP-E6 battery plate for the monitor - $13] (https://www.amazon.com/Feelworld-LP-E6-Battery-Monitors-Compatible/dp/B079CD2G2N//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) (or [12,99€ in Europe] (https://www.amazon.de/Feelworld-Batterie-Bodenplatte-Monitore-kompatibel/dp/B07848R29X//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerev02-21))
  
  
• [7Artisans 25mm f/1.8 low light lens - $69.99] (https://www.amazon.com/7artisans-25mm-F1-8-Panasonic-M4/dp/B073F52N4W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) (or [89€ in Europe] (https://www.amazon.de/gestaltet-F1-8-Manueller-Panasonic-Micro-M4/dp/B074XVVM54//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerev02-21))
  
  
• [Tascam DR-05 recorder with free headphones - $99.99] (https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-Portable-Handheld-Digital-Recorder/dp/B00MWJROWY//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) (or [88€ in Europe (without the headphones)] (https://www.amazon.de/Tascam-DR-05-Tragbarer-hochwertiger-Taschenformat/dp/B00LU8K790//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerev02-21))
  
  
• [Rode Video Micro - $56.95] (https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMicro-Compact-Camera-Microphone/dp/B015R0IQGW//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) (or [47€ in Europe] (https://www.amazon.de/Rode-Microphones-VIDEOMICRO-VMMICRO-VideoMicro/dp/B015R0IQGW//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerev02-21))
  
  
• [Rode Micro Boompole Pro - $99] (https://www.amazon.com/Rode-Micro-Boompole-Ultra-Lightweight-Modular/dp/B015ZXVACI//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) (or [91,75€ in Europe] (https://www.amazon.de/Rode-Micro-BoomPole-Modular-galgenmast/dp/B015ZXVACI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?m=A1KYK2OH0QW7ZQ&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1526868101&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerev02-21))
  
  With this setup, you can get the mic close to your talent, as seen [here] (https://youtu.be/dfoopvFcY1E) and produce image quality like this in 1024 color 10-bit ProRes and 4096 color 12-bit losslessly compressed CinemaDNG RAW:
  
  Narrative
  
  
• [L’ÉCHAPPÉE SAUVAGE (fiction short film) by Loïc Porcher] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/250883189)
  
  
• [REMINISENCE (2017edit) by Roman Ruetten] (https://vimeo.com/245268799)
  
  
• [GENE Teaser by Giant Leap Productions] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/179117336)
  
  
• [Au lac by Thomas Fontaine] (https://vimeo.com/189062822)
  
  
• [G O N E - A Lost Visual Poem by Roman Ruetten] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/201612875)
  
  
• [Micro by Noam Kroll] (https://vimeo.com/152176332)
  
  
• [THE DEAD by SUPERIOR FILM] (https://vimeo.com/219680922)
  
  
• [Metaphores of Life - short film by J&J Films] (https://youtu.be/BtIqbe5b7M0) (upscaled to 2160p)
  
  
• [Love Story - Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera by JSFILMZ] (https://vimeo.com/175951426)
  
  
• [DEPARTURE - Sci-Fi / Afrofuturist / Noir Short Film by Donovan V.C.] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/2044950069)
  
  Docs
  
  
• [Behind The Scenes - “A Pirate’s Tale” by Noam Kroll] (https://vimeo.com/163465118) (BTS shot with the BMMCC, scenes from the film shot with the URSA Mini 4.6K)
  
  
• [Tim by Rove Media] (https://vimeo.com/187855177)
  
  
• [Training Day - Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera by Simon Shasha] (https://vimeo.com/155747487)
  
  Music Video
  
  
• [Dara Under the Tree - A Night like This ( LIVE ) by Hugo Brand] (https://youtu.be/zciqPcL6InE) (1080p)
  
  
• [Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera Footage - Silver Darter - 'Amnesia' Music Video by Tiddly Films] (https://youtu.be/61hGtIyUvFE) (1080p - table scenes shot with the BMMCC, bathroom scenes shot with the BMCC)
  
  TV commercials and promos
  
  
• [ACCIDENTAL LOVE // PERŁA SPOT by Tomasz Dobski] (https://vimeo.com/180172474)
  
  
• [The Gathering Karak Pancake Ad by Chema García (Mumford)] (https://vimeo.com/165262005) (shot with the BMMCC and the BMPCC)
  
  
• [I Love Rolki ŁÓDŹ by Kuba Sobański] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/182920186)
  
  
• [Carmen Steffens Beachwear 2017 by Michelangelo BernardoniPLUS] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/170094455)
  
  
• [Vogue Shareable: Abarth 695 Rivale by Daniele Piatti] (https://vimeo.com/237715868)
  
  
• [Carmen Steffens Verão 2017 by Michelangelo Bernardoni] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/166286622)
  
  
• [backstage Svetlo tm by Alexander Ladski] (https://youtu.be/XSlUlPX95kY)
  
  
• [After Hours - Maniere De Voir by Craig Murfin] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/243911486)
  
  Slow Motion
  
  
• [Black Magic Micro Cinema Camera - Slow Motion Test by Rob Ellis] (https://youtu.be/ex_FgWeXeTU) (1080p - 12-bit losslessly compressed RAW)
  
  
• [Solitude (Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera - Slow Motion Test) by Color Film Productions] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN4Q7NOFIfI) (1080p - 10-bit ProRes)
  
  
• [Maniere De Voir by Craig Murfin] (https://vimeo.com/254553988)
  
  
• [After Hours - Maniere De Voir by Craig Murfin] (https://vimeo.com/243911486)
  
  The BMMCC captures so much information at 1080p, that it still looks clean when blown up to 4K:
  
  
• [Blackmagic micro cinema camera +Glidecam HD4000 + Sigma 18-35 f1.8 Art lens by Hugo Brand] (https://youtu.be/u59w1Yke1M0) (upscaled to 2160p)
  
  
• [Open // Jezze B (Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera Music Video) by Thomas Shomo] (https://youtu.be/qxnnZBMGfEU) (upscaled to 2160p)
  
  
• [Litesound Brothers - HTW - Jason Derulo Nicki Minaj - Swalla [Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera] by litesoundband] (https://youtu.be/mFkxWsA0B44) (upscaled to 2160p)
  
  
• [Live one take performance Micro cinema camera + Sigma 18-35 art + Glidecam HD4000 by Hugo Brand] (https://youtu.be/reldQDPY_go) (upscaled to 2160p)
  
  There are many more examples in the [Pocket/Micro Cinema Camera group] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera) I moderate over on Vimeo.
  
  Although Blackmagic cameras have a steeper learning curve than consumer cameras, and color grading in post is pretty much mandatory - in my view, they are the best pure filmmakers' cameras in this price range and well worth the money.
  
  If you decide to go with the BMMCC, you might want to subscribe over at r/bmpcc and r/Blackmagicdesign - lots of knowledgeable folks there who can help you get the most out of your new camera.
  
  Hope this is helpful and good luck with finding the right setup for your needs!
  
  

I'm a professional editor who just got into videography, so I can't really weigh in on the videography side as much as I can the post-production side, but I'll give my 2 cents.

I personally don't think you need to set aside $3000 for a computer. If you build your own, you can save a minimum of $500 (especially if it's USD). I have both a high-end desktop and a maxed out 2015 rMBP; I personally recommend building a desktop for two reasons.

• Reason 1 is because it is incredibly cost effective. My desktop cost me $2600 after taxes 4 years ago (excluding monitor) and it is literally at a minimum 5x more powerful that my maxed out 2015 rMBP, which cost me around $3300CAD. The only time I use my rMBP is when I'm working a job on-site.
  
  
• Reason 2 is longevity. I paid $2600CAD for my desktop 4 years ago, and I have literally ran into zero issues with it. It performs just as good as the day I put it together, and I see myself getting another solid 4 years out of it. If it starts to slow down for any reason, I made sure it was futureproof, so I can upgrade the components. The reason to get a Macbook is because of portability and you can get a good return on them. I say Macbook just because I trust it's build quality (I sold my 2012 a while ago which was working good) and you can sell it for a good price at any time.
  
  
  On the video side of things, I can't really be that helpful unfortunately. You can get cost-effective audio equipment if you buy the [Tascam DR-10L] (https://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-DR-10L-Channel-Portable-Recorder/dp/B01LZ7UN44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493987067&sr=8-1&keywords=tascam+dr-10l). I'm sure there are other good ones too. Tripods, monopods, sliders etc aren't too expensive in the grand scheme of things.
  
  I guess the point of my post really is that you don't need $3k on a computer for post-production. Build a PC, save money, and invest in your camera gear.
  
  EDIT: If it helps, I recently purchased an A7SII with a 24-70 and 70-200 GM Lenses. Those alone came up to ~10K CAD (significantly cheaper if you live in the US). All of that will come up to $7,394.00 if you buy off BH and you live in the US outside of NY or NJ because they don't charge tax there. This is definitely an expensive camera route, but this is what I wanted.

I would get the K & M Microphone Stand with Telescopic Boom Arm. IT may be easier to get a desk based stand but this will remove the microphone from physical contact with the same table you are using for your computer/recorder/mouse to prevent noises from translating from the table through the stand to the microphone and into your recording.

I would urge you to go higher than $100 for the microphone to a large diameter broadcast dynamic microphone like the re20 or the re320. You can get a package from BSWusa.com to include the shockmount and the pop filter that's the best deal around but if you want to stay under $100 per item I would recommend either the Samson Q2U or the sE Electronics V7.

If you use the sE Electronics V7 I would recommend one of the Makie Audio Interfaces. The Mackie Onyx Artist is currently under $100 but if you wanted to futureproof yourself with the ability to expand to one additional microphone I would highly recommend going with the Mackie Onyx Producer instead. The Samson Q2U can output via USB and XLR at the same time so you could go into the Mac and a XLR connection (like a portable audio recorder) at the same time with no need for the Mackie Interface.

The next one is outside of your price range but I would highly recommend that you invest in a portable audio recorder. Yes you can record straight to your Mac but I've seen so many software recorders fail and lose episodes that a hardware recorder is generally best in my opinion. For your application I would either recommend the Zoom H5 at $270 or the Sound Devices Mix Pre-3 at $650. Either will work for you but the preamps and options on the Mix Pre-3 are pretty sweet. Also, if you upgrade to the re20 or the re320 the preamps on the Mix Pre 3 won't be working as hard and might end up giving you a cleaner sound. The Mix Pre-3 can also act as an audio interface to your Mac as you record at the same time so there would be no need for the Mackie Audio Interface. You can use the Zoom H5 without an audio interface as well but you cannot record on the Zoom H5 and pass the audio to your Mac via USB at the same time.

There's other things I would consider as well but if it was me I'd grab the Zoom H5, the sE Electronics V7 and record straight to a the Zoom.

I was using a Sony ICD-UX533 dictation recorder that was pretty decent (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQ7WRAC/). As I've been working on relaxing my throat in my mixed and high range, I didn't like how it wasn't fully picking up the dark overtones in my voice (Contralto). I honestly always thought I was a "low mezzo" but I've since gotten feedback that nope I seem to be developing into a true Contralto. It's a great recorder though, comparable to the Zoom I think and a lot cheaper.

Anyways so I just started using a Roland R-05 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FGN0I0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage) and it's definitely better but I haven't spent a lot of time with it yet. I don't expect studio quality without a fancy pants microphone of course but still you want some sense of what your voice is doing.

Edit: I bought my Roland R-05 used for under $100, just saw Amazon listing it for like $1,000!! omg no. http://www.reverb.com often has them or you can look on ebay.

Edit2: uploaded a recording I made with the Sony ICD-UX533 of of me singing at a workshop I did this week so you can get a sense of what it sounds like (not making any great claims to fame here about my voice or singing ability, just sharing the recording quality): https://soundcloud.com/goeldvox-boom-chickachickachicka-wowow/beautiful-dreamer-song-studio/s-jP42Y I'll post something with the Roland to compare at some point :)

Here are two good options to look at depending on what you care about most.

1. The Panasonic G85 is best for shooting really stable video and captures motion really well. It has really good in body stabilization. The low light performance is fairly good on this camera, but the next option is better for that. Here's a review of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2OWv6pWVM I would get a constant aperture zoom lens like the 12-35mm F2.8, and maybe just get a camera body. Keeping budget in mind, I would much rather have the G85 with a good lens over the GH5 with a cheap lens, but that's up to you. The GH5 is an excellent camera, just depends how you want to budget everything.
   
   
2. The Sony a6500 is a good low light camera. This camera will perform better in low light than the Panasonic, but the video isn't quite as smooth, especially when the camera is moving around really fast. It also has in-body stabilization, which is fairly good, but not quite where Panasonic is. It's autofocus is also a little better. Th Here's a similar review for this camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3gmhQI6Gi0
   
   For audio, a Zoom H4n lav kit is a good bet. That way you can record everything on a dedicated recorder and hide the lav on the person. I wouldn't want to try wireless, too much can go wrong. This is a better option than the Zoom H1 since the hold switch will prevent it from accidentally stopping recording from a button press. On camera audio is as simple as a Rode microphone. They're all an improvement over the camera's built in audio, just pick something that has the features you need. (Also make sure to put a windscreen on it for outdoors)

Yes! Well, kind of. I have limited experience, but here's what I know:

I've been eyeballing the Tascam DR-40 for a while... I want this one because it has XLR and 1/4" ins if I ever wanted to do a field recording with a nicer microphone. The built ins are condensers, and sound great, but I've never used it for more than voice. A buddy of mine has one of these, it is awesome.

The lower end Tascams seem really nice too, although I've never used them... the DR-07 can record in XY or AB, which is nice, and their entry model DR-05 seems pretty nice too, but for an extra $20, I'd probably go with the next level for AB/XY functionality.

And if you really want to spend the bucks, another friend of mine has a Sony PCM-D50, you can get these on eBay for around $500. AB/XY configurations, and dual condenser microphones. This thing is a beast... we've used it to record everything from concerts to a mosquito truck and everything turns out crystal clear.

Pocket operators are awesome gadgets, but I tend to feel like they’re not much more than a gadget. I honestly feel that way about the OP-1 as well..... but I still want one anyway.

I think if you really want to get him something that could push his music in a new direction a Zoom H1 Audio Recorder could be cool. They allow you to sample anything around you in decently high quality, and playing with those samples can allow for a lot of exploration when it comes to sound design (if he makes flume type music, he probably likes sound design). This gift runs of the risk of him just simply not being interested in making his own samples, but if that’s the case a portable audio recorder is just a helpful piece of gear to have as a producer, and he’ll find a use for it somehow.

The Zoom H4n runs a bit more (looks like 200 bucks after a quick search on amazon, so the top end of your budget) but it allows you to plug in mics which use XLR and that is HUGELY important to capturing different sounds, in high fidelity, low fidelity if you want, and do so for music, video, or anything else. This isn’t a gadget, it’s a full-on piece of gear. The ZoomH4n would be an option he wouldn’t need to upgrade, whereas if he likes the H1 he may decide to buy closer to the H4n down the line.

Any recommendations for a decent, user friendly handheld audio recorder? Not even sure this is the best sub:/
I know zero about a/v work, but have always wanted to make sound collages of random sound that I come across in life, while at home and abroad, anything from a waterfall to a street-food vendor shouting out their product. I want something that allows me to listen with headphones to whatever the mic is picking up, while recording is paused. Something that either lets me upload to the cloud easily, or has a ton of storage, or takes memory cards. Or all of the above. The more user-friendly and simple to operate, the better. I'm guessing something like one of these:
Tascam DR-05X
https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-05-Version-Portable-accessory/dp/B01EGPJ67C/ref=sr_1_4?crid=8BXGK71O9OQD&keywords=audio+recorder&qid=1574144519&sprefix=audio+re%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-4
I'd love to stay under $100. I'd also love an economic recommendation for some bluetooth earbuds, as well as headphones to use with my recording device. Noob with a dream, here. Please be gentle;)
Thanks, Reddit!

A question before I start; will you be using an editor to sync things up in post or would you rather take things together(audio and video) and have them all sorted out at one time?

Here's a list of things that I think would be beneficial, but not an encompassing list. If you're trying to go for a cheap list that could still get the job done, I find that these items have decent reviews on Amazon and websites and they do offer a good starting point for a budget.

1. The Camera: Canon EOS M2 ($250)
   
   I feel like the Canon EOS M2 would be a strong contender. It is actually a mirrorless camera that has the same sensor as that of the more expensive T3i. Due to it's lack of popularity with photographers due to the slower autofocus, it has seen multiple price reductions. Although it contains autofocusing issues in the photography modes, it's video modes are what really helps this camera out. You have a good starting lens with an 18-55mm lens, which may be wide enough for that room at 18, but it could even be close enough for a closer image. You can even be more technical and add in other features. Also this camera has a direct mic-in line for use of an external mic, like the shotgun mic below.
   
   
2. The Audio: Zoom H1 Portable Audio Recorder $99 OR TAKSTAR SGC-598 $29.99
   
   Audio is key here. You want to be able to hear the pastor as he gives sermons, so you have two general models. You can place the portable recorder closer to him, giving you crisp audio at a very minimal distance, or you can attach a shotgun microphone to the camera and pick it up from a distance further away. The only thing is, would you rather have the camera do it all for you or would you rather have to sync up the audio in editing? The Zoom mic is nice because you can purchase one of these ($21.38) and mic the pastor up before service to give a very crisp lapel audio.
   
   
3. The SD Cards: Sandisk 64GB 80mb/s ($22.49)
   
   This should be a given.
   
   
4. Power and Adapters: AC Adapter ($15.50) OR 2-Pack Spare Batteries($28.99)
   
   You can choose to have it either plugged in the whole time during recording, or you can have it run off of batteries. Your personal preference.
   
   
5. Tripod: AmazonBasics 60" tripod ($23.49)
   
   You requested a tripod for the ease of use.
   
   Given that you live in the US, after taxes, you're essentially looking at a $500 setup for all of that equipment. That may not be the best equipment for people or even be suggested by anyone else here, but that is just my $0.02.
   
   
   Source: Use the EOS M1 and most of the gear listed.

Hi /u/nerdress -

The Rode Videomic Pro is a pretty good mic but the t3i is really, really bad for audio no matter how good the microphone. I'd strongly suggest getting an external recorder like the H4N or, at the very minimum, a H1N. You may want to pair it with a XLR shotgun mic like this if you can find the $$$.

A tripod is something that can last for many years, but the one you linked to is really bottom of the barrel. This is something I'd suggest investing a little more money into, you are going to want a universal fluid head specifically if you plan on doing video work semi-regularly. I'd get a semi-compact Manfrotto tripod like that one, you won't regret it.

Lastly, do you plan on using the kit lens? I'd suggest grabbing the famous nifty fifty. It's a legend for many reasons (super sharp, great lowlight, durable as can be).

Also you are going to want to get this battery grip for the t3i if you don't have one already. I remember when I shot on a t3i I purchased that out of whim, and I'm pretty sure I never took it off for 3+ years. It not only extends your battery, but it makes the camera much more comfortable to hold.

Hope some of this helps, sounds like you'll be in good shape! Remember, audio is just as important as video, so it's smart to invest in that type of gear.

Hello, If you are looking to spend a small amount of money but still have something you can create on, the Ipad would be the best bet. downloading something like Garageband on the ipad would allow you to layer the sounds you record and allow you to create aswell.

​

What you can do for a microphone is the Shure MV88- that can hook right up to your ipad and record directly into garage band, or if you have an IPhone, you can use the microphone with the dedicated recording app to capture the best sounds possible.

​

If you don't want to carry the IPad around while you are getting close to the objects you are recording or dont have an iphone as well, you can always purchase a Zoom H1 Field Recorder, they are fairly inexpensive and you can transfer the audio off the device to your ipad if you get a SD card reader for the IPad.

​

For an instrument you can plug in to your IPad, IK Multimedia IRig is small, lightweight and cheap.

​

Overall with the Mic and keyboard, you are looking at $350-$400 for a light weight package.

​

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Have fun.

Case 1 from left to right is videography run-n-gun with canon ax35 and Zoom F1-LP's for host's audio, and the on-cam mic is astounding on the ax35, but I like the Rode VideoMic Pro+ Compact better in most cases. Then there are various cords that I always need open and ready and the SD cards are in their own watertight small case, I ALWAYS lose tripods, and after leaving my last one ($450 Manfrotto) in the park I gave up and went to gorillapod's for anything I do now run-and-gun.

Case 2 is the photography case, got a few 5d mk4's , 24-70, 70-200, 16-35, sigma 85, cleaning stuff and tools,

Case 3 is an eos C100 with a ninja recorder and smallrig mounts. Unseen in the photo is my ridiculous solution to never losing another tripod: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JBZIJMG (FLYCAM Galaxy Dual Arm and Vest Body Mounted Steadycam For Handheld Stabilizer For Video Camera Camcorder up to 10kg/22lbs (GLXY-AV).

I am also switching a lot of video stuff over to gopro hero 7's and the karma grip + drone shots really make B roll easy and a little fun finally. The Safe Stuff box is all the shit I always need like hi-viz vests, hard hat, lock cable, flashlights, flares, glo-sticks, gloves, "press" passes and other custom solutions to not becoming dead by gunshot while we're out scouting for locations to look up tax records for, in order to ask for filming permission from owners of land long forgotten.

Before you start reading all this stuff start small get the camera and a lens and then work on the audio. When people start out they start will just a little and work with what you have and then buy new stuff when you think you need it. There are better cameras then the E-PL1 but nothing as good as the E-PL1 as this price point and I mean nothing. The E-PL1 is great camera.

If you need a camera go on Amazon and buy the E-PL1 for $150.00 dollars.

OLYMPUS 262855 12.3 Megapixel E-PL1 Pen Camera (Black camera body)

http://www.amazon.com/OLYMPUS-262855-Megapixel-Camera-camera/dp/B0037VVWBK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343776787&sr=8-2&keywords=e-pl1

Also you can buy the mic add on or by another audio record and sync in post editing. What you do is clap your hands and you will see a sound spike that's how you sync then delete the audio track from the cameras in the editing software.

Like this one

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_pen_accessories.asp

Also this one

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electro


The the Olympus one first from Amazon its cheaper then get the other one latter if you need it. I think on Amazon its like 50 dollars.

You can buy this camera with the lens for another 100 dollars or so. I like the Panasonic lens better because the auto focus is silent. But most of the time you want manual focus.

Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 G Vario Aspherical MEGA OIS Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14-42mm-Aspherical-OIS-Interchangeable/dp/B0043VE28I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343777192&sr=1-1&keywords=14-44+panasonic

Watch this video.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and Micro 4/3 Minolta MD MC Mount Lens Adapter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNzbuC9Kbuo

Olympus and Panasonic are both Micro 4 3 so the lens and flashes work with each other.

Panasonic is better for video like the GH2 but it cost a lot more and its really for higher end filmmakers and I do not think you need it really. Get a adapter and buy some manual lens like a Minolta 28mm and a 50mm 1.7 or 1.4

The other replies here are good suggestions, but everyone is suggesting new lenses. Personally for someone starting out I would suggest crawling craigslist or KEH for some used nikon or super-takumar lenses. You'd have to buy an adaptor ring but even with this you can get two or three solid lenses for the cost of one new one.

There would be no automatic/electronic components meaning you would have to do everything manually, but if you are interested in getting into cinematography this is good as it forces you to learn how lenses work and what looks best.

Audio is best recorded separately, but in a pinch having a mic that attaches to your camera is better than nothing. I would suggest a Rode Videomic as they can be used with a small external recorder or your new camera.

Lighting equipment is expensive, but a DIY set can provide great results on a budget. Some wax paper, PVC, and work lights from Home Depot can look good if used correctly.

The Rode video mic is great, but if you're only going to do interviews, consider getting the Rode lavalier mic. I own them both, and while a shotgun (the video mic) is great for getting directional sound, the lavalier is specifically intended for capturing somewhat localized sound, like one person talking. The Rode lavalier is actually omnidirectional, so you just might be able to capture decent sound from several people, depending on the environment.

Should you chose the Rode lavalier, don't forget to buy the appropriate "Micon" adaptor (probably either the XLR-version or the standard minijack).

You could plug the lavalier directly in to your 60D, or even better into some typer of recorder, like the Zoom H4n or H1, for better quality sound and more control over levels and such. The H4n gives you the added option of recording additional ambient sound (four channel recorder) as a backup, just in case the mic fails, while the H1 (two channels) is very simple and straight forward. If possible, run a minijack-cable from the recorder to your camera, so you can easily sync sound to video in post (also, you'll get a backup recording of the sound in-camera, perhaps even good enough to use without syncing).

I'm guessing there's a ton of cheap alternatives, but the Rode and Zoom combinations have worked well for me.

Sounds very familiar to where I was at!

Honestly, that Zoom H1 is worth looking at. The H4 (it's big brother) is pretty standard for an external audio recorder, so you know the Zoom brand is solid. It won't blow you away but it is 20x better than your in-camera audio, and in a mostly quite environment it will produce great results.

For a mid-level camera, I've been rocking a Canon 60D for a while and it also gets the job done. It has a lot of the features of the 5D, for half the price. It IS a crop sensor though, so looking into a 5D MK II on Ebay might be worth it, not sure what they're going for. After you get used to how the crop sensor effects the glass you buy, it stops becoming such a huge problem. That's my experience at least.

It might not be a huge jump from your T3i but it's definitely better. If you already have that T3i, I'd take that $1,500 and invest it in equipment that isn't a camera body. Think prime lenses, lights, a boom mic/pre-amp, good tripod/shoulder rig, a monitor/loupe, that kind of thing. That equipment will make whatever you can shoot on your T3i look SO much better, probably more-so than a slightly better body. Again, just my opinion.

First, I suggest you continue holding a single mic and pointing it between you and your guest. That keeps you in control of the conversation.

I now use and like the Electro Voice RE50N/D-L ($200). Yes, it's a bit pricey, but it's really nice! It has a long handle that means your arm will be much more comfortable holding the mic. The capsule is internally shock-mounted to reduce handling noise. The neodymium is more sensitive and requires less gain from your recorder, and thus introduces less hiss. The omnidirectional nature is handy for ensuring you're always capturing the voice of the other person without having to point the mic precisely at them.

However, a more directional mic could be better in noisy environments. There, I might recommend the Sennheiser MD46, which I've used in my NAB Show videos from 2015.

But I was also quite impressed with what I got from a Zoom H1 at NAB Show 2016. It's much smaller than the DR-40.

Lastly, you could consider recording into an iPhone with Sennheiser's upcoming HandMic Digital.

From reading the other comments I'm guessing you don't so I would either get a used camera or use your phone. The budget of yours is quite limiting to fit in audio, lighting and a decent camera however it may work if you get a slightly older camera.

I would get the t3i body only which you can get at an average of $300. This has an articulating screen, good for interviews, and is still a good beginner camera years on from when it was released. The lens I would get is the YONGYUO YN50mm f.18 which is an cheap autofocus lens at a fixed distance to achieve the best quality.

For microphones I would reccommend the Takstar SGC-598 which is really cheap and surprisingly good. You can put this on a mic stand and get it as close to both the interviewer and the interviewee for the best sound. You will then need a wire to connect it to the camera. However if you have extra money you can save up for a Zoom h1 which you plug the mic into and it records seperately for better audio.

All in all this kit will cost you $500 for just the audio and no lighting. This would cost you about $50 extra for softboxes however if you shoot in daylight it will be much easier and require less lighting.

Another kit you could try is using your phone for video and then buying just audio and lighting. For this I would get the Rode Videomic Pro, the Zoom h1, a mic stand, a softbox lighting kit (2 lights) and any other things like memory cards etc. This would cost you around $400.

Im new to the game as well, but so far these are the things I have picked up for my G6:

first, i bought a G6 kit that came with some handy stuff

I have also purchased

A slightly better tripod

A flood light

Battery pack for said light

Variable ND Fader for filming out doors

Rode shotgun Mic

Zoom H1

Lav mic to go with the H1

Headphones to listen for levels

Triple Mount Hot Shoe

Backpack to hold everything

This is just a fun lens, and its cheap the 50mm means its a 100mm equivelent, so its for really tight portraits, but the low aperture is good for low/light and for a very shallow field depth. When I am able to use it, this lens produces the most popular results when i post them online.

new strap cause the one that comes with the G6 sucks!

What i want to get:

A bigger zoom lens I am mostly interested in videography(weddings etc), and this would be good for back of the house shots)

The M 3/4's "nifty fifty"

5 mics at once definitely starts getting into the less-than-cheap range of products. The Behringer mentioned is the most bang for the buck, though they are notoriously meh in sound quality. I'd suggest finding a used Mackie board.

Keep in mind that a multi-channel mixer on its own isn't going to let you multi-track record all those separate channels for editing and mixing later. Not on its own. You'll need a sound card aka audio interface that can handle more than the standard 2 channel stereo input that your computer already has.
If you're okay with a stereo recording, then a traditional mixer is fine - mix it down to stereo with levels you can live with, and pipe that into your computer or Walkman.

As far as expanding with a soundcard (that can remove the need for a traditional mixer all together)....

I love my MOTU ULtralike Mk3. Even the non-mic inputs have enough gain on them for a decent mic / condenser... and MOTU makes boxes that have many many more mic-preamps for all sorts of multitrack fun. But they are not cheap (not the most expensive by far, either). M Audio and Zoom make some decent audio quality boxes that might have enough mic pres.

Speaking of Zoom, another option might be a Zoom H6 or H5. They are portable recorders, but maybe that will actually simplify the recording process. And portability is good sometimes. Although not top of the line, Zoom are used by some of your favorite podcasts and have pretty great sound quality and incredibly affordable.
The H6 I think lets you record 4 mics plus use the built-in stereo mic (so you'd get 5 sources). Double check that that's possible at the same time, though...
https://www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/h6-handy-recorder

And get this accessory and you'll get 6 mic inputs, all recording their own tracks. https://www.zoom-na.com/products/product-accessories/zoom-exh-6-dual-xrltrs-input-capsule-zoom-h5-h6-u-44-and-f4

Then you'll need some microphones, but really decent quality 57/58 knockoffs are a dime a dozen these days.

Or heck, here's a whole package deal... can't vouch for the mics in this, but this is probably similar to the setup I would get in your shoes:
https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H6-Movo-Omnidirctional-Microphones/dp/B01N5F3HKC/ref=pd_sbs_267_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01N5F3HKC&pd_rd_r=2W9N4YA28JWTJWVDA5XF&pd_rd_w=0rQLo&pd_rd_wg=28zCq&psc=1&refRID=2W9N4YA28JWTJWVDA5XF

If you want the audio all on one track as you record, you're going to need a mixer of some kind (a device that takes several inputs and feeds it into a single output). This might get expensive, clunky, and difficult to set up.

My suggestion is that you buy stand-alone audio recorders for as many people as you want to have miced, with lav attachments. I have a Zoom H1 with a cheap lav attachment from RadioShack, and it works great for what I do.

In order to make it work, you'll have to start recording on each recorder manually, and hide it in the subjects pocket or something (you can test if the lav is working using headphones). It would be smart, once the camera is rolling, to get one of your subjects to clap loudly on screen (like they do with a slate on movie shoots), because you'll need to sync the different audio tracks in post-production. You'll have to remember when shooting that every time you stop and re-start recording, you'll need to re-sync in post, which can get extremely tedious, especially with multiple different tracks.

Now, the benefits to doing it this way are: it's less bulky than using a field mixer for multiple inputs, and your camera will not be tied down to the input; it frees up your subjects to move around; it's much cheaper than what you'd need to buy for wired and/or wireless mic/mixer setup; and reduced chance of wireless interference, without wired loss of freedom.

Downsides: having to sync in post can be a bitch; less freedom to stop/start recording whenever you want if you don't want to have to re-sync 50 times; no way to tell if it sounds good until you're done shooting (but checking with headphones before a take, and making sure batteries are full will solve 90% of this problem)...

Anyway I hope that helps.

Well, you don't have to multitrack – there are plenty of devices which record a single mono or stereo signal. You just won't be able to modify the mix after recording – i.e., whatever you hear while you're playing will be what the recorded track sounds like.

One drawback of this single-track approach: since you only have two hands, it would be difficult to perform and mix at the same time. So you would either need to sequence (at least some of) your instruments (to free up your hands for mixing duties), or you would have to forgo complex mixing (i.e., you would need to set the levels and EQ on the mixer before recording, and leave them more-or-less alone for the duration of the track).

There are many portable, non-multitrack digital recorders such as the Zoom H1 or the Tascam DR-05. Many of them have built-in microphones (meant for field recording), so you'd be getting two pieces of gear in one.

If you're really trying to keep costs down, you could buy an old cassette deck at a secondhand shop, and use that. The Behringer 1202 has RCA inputs and outputs, so that would be pretty simple to set up. Cassette is noisy, but some people embrace its retro / lo-fi sound. (But you would still need some kind of audio interface to get the finished recordings into your computer.)

But: full-fledged multitrack recorders don't have to be expensive. This looks like a decent option – and it doesn't cost much more than the single-track recorders linked above.

Also, if you don't mind older and somewhat clunkier tech, secondhand multitrackers can be quite cheap. Here's a Roland VS-880 for US$80 (plus shipping). (Just don't expect it to play well with modern computers, at least not without a fight.)

Really, though – since you already have a computer, I would start by using that for recording. At least until you've gotten comfortable with your mixer.

ETA: you have not asked any stupid questions :)

Hey bud,

Not sure how much you know about audio recording devices and such, I don’t know too much myself but I know enough to help you...

It looks like it comes with an XLR to 3.5mm (“aux cable”) so any audio recording device with an INPUT of the 3.5 mm will work.

I recommend getting just a normal XLR cable too if you have the money, they are extremely cheap.

But since you have the special cable with 3.5mm jack on one end, you can plug it into your phone or computer and record using one of those!

Hope this helps.

XLR cable 6ft;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JI2KHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Nlu5Ab48HZK33

Audio recorder example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Imu5AbCMCNFQS

^ that audio recorder only has the 3.5 mm input which is what you need, but I recommend you get one that has both an XLR and 3.5 mm input. But I understand budgets can be tight :)

What’s your budget?

The cheapest way is to put an AA battery in the ntg2 and get an xlr to 1/8” cable or adapter to plug it straight into the camera. You won’t get great audio that way, but it will work. DSLRs have poor quality built-in preamps.

Using a preamp will help, but using an external recorder is the best option. Beachtek’s cheapest xlr option is $170. You could get a decent external recorder for a similar price.

The only thing cheaper I can recommend is this,

Tascam DR-10X Plug-On Linear PCM Digital Recorder for XLR Microphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OY670QS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_iA-LAb7J805DB.

I’ve used this for hand held interviews. Basically you just put a battery in the mic and plug this thing on. It’s actually very versatile if you’re creative with how you use it.

It records higher quality audio and you sync it up when editing. Tascam is a good brand for cheaper recorders. I think it might be the best option for $100. Nothing cheaper looks great to me.

I just got a Tascam DR10L and I love it so far. I was initially worried about not being able to monitor levels, but I've found that setting it to medium gain plus turning on the dual recording feature for a lower decibel safety track is perfectly fine for the vast majority of situations. It's tiny, sounds great, and you don't have to worry about wireless interference or anything.

I know it's a little overkill maybe, but if you want something really clear, easily portable and easy to operate, something along these lines is a good call. There are probably cheaper ones, but I have used them for recording vocal audio before and it was fantastic. As for editing it once recorded, there are dozens of free programs out there for simple voice audio. If you have a Mac, Garageband is surprisingly good. Otherwise, as Muneglum said, Audacity can do the trick

Edit: Replied to the wrong thing. My bad

First of, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your Grandpa!

Second! Go onto Amazon.com and buy:

ZOOM H1 Audio recorder

Go find a list with good questions, work of it or find inspiration for your own:

100 Questions to ask your parent

50 Questions Google Doc

Now hit record and sit down with him, once or a few times, and let him ramble. Use the questions as a guide and prompt to tell his stories.

Upload the original MP3 to google drive!

You now have created great lasting memories for generations to come without much effort. Do the same with a video camera if you feel able, but don't wait too long. Time is of the essence!

Here is one I did a few years ago for friends. Great memories!

Hey everyone, I'm looking at buying something like this.

The sound quality, functionality and usability look great for the price but I want to know how well it functions as an external sound card.

Am I right in thinking I could connect this via USB 2.0 to any reasonably OK laptop and have it provide the audio processing power to have low latency on programs like Ableton, Reason, Cubase etc.? Not just for recording audio through it but also for running multiple VST plugins, running electronic instruments etc. as though the laptop had a decent sound card inside? If so, it looks amazing.

Thanks a lot

there are a few ways depending on what recorder you're using; lets break down the 2 options

Option 1-
The H1 Route - http://amzn.to/2fQdkCW ($91)
XLR to TRS 3.5 cable - http://amzn.to/2gLdfoC ($10)

This route is pretty simple, the cable will connect to the sound board via XLR, join that to the 3.5 entry of the zoom, record, keep track of levels, do a sound check from the mic they'll be using to see if it's connected, this path will cost you $101

Option 2-
The H4 Route - http://amzn.to/2gNcB7T ($189)
XLR male to female - http://amzn.to/2fQgmY0 ($7)

Simple as well, connect xlr cable from DJ's board to your recorder; the h4 allows greater control of levels and organization.

this will cost you $196.

It's pretty simple, definitely get there early, talk to the DJ and dj's are always happy to walk you through it (at least the one's i've worked with)

If you want to see more of our gear, check us out at www.indiemarchfilm.media

Hope this helps!

I've had really good luck with the Zoom H1: http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK

Stereo, can record in 24bit/94khz wavs, really affordable ($100 or less). The device itself doesnt feel as robust as the more expensive ones, but its been knocked around quite a bit and still works perfectly. The audio quality is pretty damn amazing for that price. It has an output so you can have it record right to the camera's mic-in, or just save to micro-SD.

The Audio-Technica ATR2100/AT2005/Samson Q2U are very good podcasting microphones, and are versatile by having both USB and XLR connections.

The Zoom H6 is a good recorder. If you want to save money, get a Behringer mixer (1-XLR, 2-XLR, 4-XLR) and a Zoom H1 to record with.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x or ATH-M40x are good headphones.

Get any pop filter that fits your price. A Neewer boom arm is OK for podcasting (that's what I use), but the next step up is a Blue Compass, Rode PSA-1, or Heil PL-2T.

The Neewer boom arm comes with a plastic shock mount.

Monoprice.com has pretty good quality cables for cheap, but price almost equals quality for audio cables.

Audacity is a good audio editor.

Check out Better Podcasting, The Audacity to Podcast, School of Podcasting, The Feed, and Podcasters' Roundtable for podcast advice. Pod Squad is a Discord server that I help moderate where you can also get more help from other podcasters.

Hey there, producer here
1st and foremost don't stress about screwing up. You already let him know you aren't 100% confident and he said he wants you to do it anyway, so you get a free learning pass.

2nd I would totally recommend running a couple Lav's for safety/clean. Depending on your budget I would look a couple wireless lavs like these Sennheisers and then use the NTG2 to boom overhead on a different channel. That will get you the cleanest audio and you'll have safety tracks. Or you could use these Tascam lav's for 1/3 the price. I love them, they record a 2nd safety track internally 12db lower (incase of peaking) and everything is internal, so you don't really have to constantly fiddle with levels and can just focus on getting good boom sound.

Side note, if you are running sound solo without a boom op, I recommend a setup like this for the H6. It keeps everything sooooooo much neater for you.

Glad I could help. That's a good plan - keeping the cable run short will minimize the likelihood of noise from interference.

The H1 is a nice little recorder, and you should be able to get decent sound out of it. Watch out for the little plastic guard around the mic, though. It's a little fragile (mine broke while the recorder was in my camera bag - it's still usable, but doesn't look good).

The best prices I could find for a new H1 were [Referral Links]:

• [$88.95 at Bloomingtronics in Bloomington, IN via eBay] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=331141584933&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)
  
  
• [$92.01 via Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QKBVYK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003QKBVYK&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• $99.99 everywhere else, to include [Adorama] (http://www.adorama.com/ZOZH1.html/?KBID=66297) and B&H
  
  Good luck!
  
  Bill

Amazing starter mic:

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-ZH1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519092870&sr=8-3&keywords=zoom+h1

As others have said, you seem to drop the end of your words. You can google speech therapy excersises to help with that. It just takes practice.

Also, there is a lot of echo in your audio, which I assume comes from recording inside. It makes the audio sound like you’re in a can. You can mitigate a lot of this with 1) A good mic like the one I listed, and 2) Get a thick blanket, a moving blanket, a quilt, something along those lines, hang one on any walls that won’t be in frame for your video. It will soften the echo’s in the room.

Overall you have good voice, so work on your diction and setup the area (your studio?) where you do you work for sound and you will see a lot of improvement. A room with carpet on the floor also helps.

Interesting.

I was hoping there is something lightweight like Saramonic G-Mic that works great with Hero 4, but with USB-C so that it would fit in a Hero 6.

Maybe instead I should be looking into a stand-alone external recorder with a DIY mount that I can stick onto the gimbal.

[Edit] This looks promising, just need to find a way to attach it to the G5.

PZMs are pretty decent if you're just using it for 'archival quality' recording, though you may find that children sitting at the front of the room are physically obscuring children behind them from the desktop-mounted microphone which may make kids at the back hard to hear.

You'll get passable results from a PZM, but what I'd use to record this sort of thing is something like a Zoom H1 mounted somewhere high up so it can 'see' all the students. Preferably a Mic stand, but realistically you could just secure it to something tall with tape if budget is an option.

The wide-angle stereo microphones will allow you to capture the entire room, and you'll be able to pick out audio at the back of the room as well as your mom at the front giving the lesson.

Don't be afraid of syncing in post - It's really easy. Just clap once where the camera can see and the microphone can hear, and then it's just a matter of dropping it in to a time line and matching up the waveforms of the recorded audio and the camera's built in microphone audio.

I use anchor its awesome, the support team is always really helpful and quick, plus they post almost everywhere.

If you already have a mac book tho you can record right into it. if your budget is around 1000 you can get some nice stuff. My set up rn is just a zoom H6 and two audio technica mics and a pop. If you want a nice headset thats not too expensive I like these.

The zoom is nice because it can double as a mixer and it portable, the mic can plug into your computer through usb so your not just stuck recording into the zoom.

You can buy an attachment for many phones that offers good demo-quality audio for around £100. There tend to be more offerings for iPhone, something like this or maybe this would work well. THere's also something like this that would work on any phone, and would give better results than just the mic on your phone.

There are also a few good recorders out there in your price range that would give you good quality like the Zoom H1 or the Tascam DR-05. Both Tascam and Zoom have a range of options for digital recorders, and some of the Zooms also function as an audio interface that you can plug into the computer. I have the Zoom H6, which is outside your budget but a fantastic recorder for the money.

One word of warning, don't be suckered in by cheaper alternatives for mics or recording equipment. You get what you pay for, and anything under about £50 in either department isn't going to be too much better than the mic on your smartphone.

You should really consider one decent mic for each person. And you should consider carefully before locking yourself into the USB ghetto.

I'd really suggest a recorder and a few decent dynamic mics unless you were planning on recording a Skype guest or something similar.

The Zoom H6 ($399) would let you just press record and then you can remove the SD card and import the four XLR tracks (and even a couple ambient tracks if you like or replace the supplied mics with two more XLR ports for a total of six). It also does allow you to act as an audio interface straight into your DAW as you see fit. But honestly, why would you? Unless you needed to mix in a Skype call or something similar it would be simpler.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H6-Six-Track-Portable-Recorder/dp/B00DFU9BRK/

The default inexpensive dynamic mics that do a decent job are the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB ($60) and AT2005-USB ($50) or the Samson Q2U ($38-52, the price varies), all essentially identical mics with the 2100 having a Limited lifetime warranty. They do a decent job of reducing crosstalk and ambient noise, especially for the price. All have USB or XLR interfaces.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100-USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B004QJOZS4/

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2005USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B007JX8O0Y/

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Handheld-Microphone-Headphones-Accessories/dp/B001R747SG/

The Samson's price has been varying from $38 to $52 of recent. For the money they sound good and do a decent job of reducing the ambient noise. Plugged into a Zoom H6 they work well (never used the Q2U myself)

!

Brilliant idea actually!

I could see this as being a bit of a life saver.

If I were on a time constraint such as a public holiday, I would grab whatever decent directional mics I could find (in my case, I'd grab my SM-81s) and just hope to get them close enough to limit the amount of traffic noise.
I would imagine that the director is going to understand that background noise is going to be an issue, and probably even desirable to make the video look real.

If I had time, I'd get one of these for each of the instruments and attach them to the bridge somehow as a supplement for lining up with the stereo pair

https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-10L-Recorder-Lavalier-Microphone/dp/B01LZ7UN44


But I do think the phone recording might be super helpful

Also seconding the use of a pocket field recorder, such as the kind used for note-taking in meetings. I bought a Sony one for $60, but you can get the ~$30 version on Amazon, as well as the external stereo mic that plugs in. It'll make you sound so much better, vs the internal mic on the unit.

For home use, and USB interface, I'm partial to the Rode line. I've heard real good things about the NT-USB, but I would order direct from the manufacturer, as there's a note that some Amazon Rode mics are not authentic.

If you really want to step up the game, get a semi-professional portable field recorder. I use a Tascam DR-44WL. It's got two built-in stereo mics oriented in X-Y fashion and two extra XLR inputs for plugging in more professional mics. I use mine mostly for sound effects and foley work. Although some have told me that this is a bit overkill for what I'm doing, (don't care!) And of course there's always more serious hardware and the prices go up from here.
Good luck!

Zoom H1 is worth considering. Zoom ZH1 H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qWVYCbD04ZWR5

I think it comes through as if it were a USB mic if you plug it in to the computer otherwise it’s just a really straightforward, mostly manual microphone with good recording quality simple usage.

Because it’s so light you have to be careful about turning it on/off so as not to pick up extra recording noises but once it’s started and positioned properly it’s got great sound quality and passthru capabilities, I believe both anlog and digital.

Good luck!

—Robert

Well Canon is the best way to go for video. You can adapt some of your nikon lenses to canon too with super cheap adapters. You can get a t3i right now for 350$ plus a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 for $570 a rode video mic for around 100$ or a zoom h1 for the same price then you can get either a sigma 30mm f/1.4 for about 500$ or a Canon 50mm 1.4 for about 350$ A decent tripod of your choosing plus either a glidecam/shoulderrig/crane or other rigs. And that should come to around 3k. But if you want a better quality camera and full frame which is better for low light then you can get a refurb 5dmkII for 1500$ plus a 24-105mm f/4 for 780$ and a the canon 50mm 1.4 for 350$ and rode video mic for 110$ which leaves you about 300$ for other accessories like a tripod or a rig

Edit: I am a digital filmmaking student and am very knowledgeable about gear so if you have questions I could probably help a lot.

Edit2: or if you want something more automatic with autofocusing and a built in mic and view finder but also great video quality you could check out the Sony Nex vg30

Here's what I'd suggest (as podcaster with ten years experience). If you can afford it buy a hardware recorder. The Zoom H6 has four inputs, and each one can support phantom power. It'll do multichannel recording on its own - no laptop required, and is infinitely more reliable than any software solution. Then buy four cheap as chips mic (e.g.: something like this) - whatever kind you like. If you stick at podcasting you can upgrade the mics later, but the Zoom will still be an excellent recorder / preamp, and will stand you in good stead for years (as well as being mobile). If you want to hear sound quality of this solution check this out this episode of my podcast from a couple of months back.

This is what I use for a wide variety of things.
this is also a very good choice.


In the ZOOM world, there is this. I have a friend that uses one of these and he loves it.


Again, good luck!

Onboard mic's on any camera are terrible, you typically want to but something that doesnt record directly into the camera because you'll get that "hissing" sound.
I currently use a Tascam DR-07 which is a field mic that works BEAUTIFULLY Amazon link
And this is the video I filmed using it! the only pain on recording external is syncing it later in post! but if you're pretty organized it wont be a problem! good luck! :)

That's an excellent start! Another option is looking at small self contained recorders like this one to pick up multiple sources.

​

All the depends on what your budget is. Good luck and have fun!

Video
>12X optical point and shoot with amazing low-light performance.

That pretty much disqualifies zooming on every P & S camera. Typically zoom lenses have a max aperture of f5.6 or greater at the longest end. This problem is made worse by the tiny sensor built into p&s cameras.

Also...

Audio
>the mic was crap and you couldn't hear anything over the amazing bass (I heard a paper tape over the mic can help in these cases!).

Sound pressure at concerts is way too high for clear audio on the built in mic of any p&s or even a DSLR camera. To record clear audio during a show you'd could try getting an external digital recorder (like a Zoom H1 audio recorder), record the audio and video separately, then re-sync them in your video editing software. See what I'm talking about >HERE<

I figure you want a p&s to keep your setup small, discreet, and allowable at a concert venue, so all DSLRs are out in this reccomendation.

So, what you'll need to do is this:

• Get p&s camera with a fast lens (f2.0 - f2.8) Try the Canon 500 HS for $200 or the Canon S95-s100 for $400ish
  
• Get digital audio recorder (Zoom H1 for $86)
  
• Get good seats
  
• Forget about zooming so you can get a decent image
  
• Record video and audio seperately
  
• Combine video and audio in your video editing software
  
• Be happy?
  
  Note* - If you must zoom, you need to stabilize the camera (preferably a tripod or monopod). If you cant use either cause of the venue, then tuck your arms against your body tight, and hold the camera with two hands. In any case, your video is still gonna look like crap if it's zoomed, grainy (cause the camera will raise the ISO to try get a decent exposure), and jerky (cause your holding the camera with one arm above the crowd).
  
  

a zoom H1 recorder will do you fine. The only problem will be finding a way to secure it to the vehicle so you dont get bumps but the zoom H1 has a standard tripod mount so Im sure you could find some kind of gadget to secure it to the dash. If you position it in the middle, you'll get a mild stereo effect and your listener will feel like they are sat between you two.

I recommend the new updated H1 model https://www.amazon.ca/Zoom-H1n-Handy-Recorder-Model/dp/B078PTM82R/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543112649&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=zoom+h1n+handy+recorder&psc=1

The older H1 is a bit shittily constructed and I've had to repair mine at least twice (it's like 5 years old). But the new H1 is pretty damn solid.

I'm a semi-professional voice actor - lot of low level experience in a bunch of different projects, and some paid projects for youtube videos or video games. Here's what I can say that can get you started rather than stumbling your way around:

Get a mic geared more towards voice recording (such as the H1 Zoom) - having your own equipment is a much more accessible way to get started.

Sound editing/engineering skills - can't hurt to be fluent in, or at least familiar with programs like Audacity, which will give you a better handle on the output of your work.

Personal projects - find something to practice doing a narration of. Do an audiobook, write something and narrate it, or do a chapter of a classic. Compare your copy to a professional one, show it to audio producers, redo and edit your own audio until you can emulate or develop a style of narration.

Community projects - I got into doing voice over stuff through mod projects; The Freespace Open project has a forum for their voice acting projects. Whilst it's not that active anymore, you can look around if there are any certain games you're interested in.

Learn from the pro's - This documentary is a great place to start; professionals like John DiMaggio and Tommy Kenny give a good insight into the difficulties of building up a career and skills for voice acting.

You might be best off picking up a field recorder like the Zoom H6, and using Reaper. With $400 you're going to have a hard time getting a quality interface, mics, and a daw, but I think the setup I mentioned would get you started nicely with the added benefit of being able to record anywhere very easily.

Even if you make a fair amount of mistakes, most people will still come up and tell you it was great/tight, so it's quite an unreliable reference unless it comes from another good drummer you can trust to be frank. Frame of mind definitely messes with me too - sometimes you can't quite catch the groove and sometimes you don't realise that you already have. I'd recommend getting something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003QKBVYK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1396174652&sr=8-1 and recording gigs occasionally. If you feel like one song was a bit off, listen back to it the next day.

For a simple engagement like this, I usually recommend a wired lapel with a small recorder in the speaker's pocket. Alternatively, you can use the Tascam DR-10L, which is a nice belt-pack recorder that comes with a lavalier mic. From my experience it's best not to rely on the house system. Wireless mics hiccup all the time, especially at your typical event venues, and you don't know how experienced the audio engineer is, or how clean of an output their board has.

Why does the fridge have to stay plugged in?

Easy trick: fill a bunch of two liter bottles and freeze them. Put them in the fridge and it will keep it cool enough that you can turn off the fridge and If anyone looks in it just looks like soda. You can also use milk jugs.

If the fridge must be turned on turn it all the way up (colder) hours before shooting. then during shooting turn it all the way down (warmer) so the fan doesn't kick on and off as often.


First off what's your budget. I could reccomend something but I am just wasting time until I know your budget.
What exactly are you looking for as a lavalier recommendation? Brand? type? location?

Considering what you are shooting with a simple long cord wired lav might work best for you. You can grab really cheap wireless stuff on amazon that do work but can have problems and the quality can be inconsistant. A quality cheap set is going to be 600ish unless you find some used. As a cheap option that has worked really well for me in the past was using a a cheaper digital recorder with the a lav attached. http://amzn.com/B004TE5HBU
Hit record clap it and stick the recorder in the talents pocket. Now this can be nerve racking cause if something goes wrong with the recording you wont know till you check the recorder. But the audio quality is amazing compared to the really cheap wireless stuff.

There are million ways to this audio stuff. state your budget and what the specifics of what you need to know to make your choice. Im just rambling at this point.

It looks pretty good, and Stu has great charisma as a presenter. But you gotta get a better audio solution. It sounds like I'm listening to him through a walkie-talkie. Bad audio is the most glaring thing that will make people stop watching a video. A decent lav mic or even a Zoom H1 would make these kinds of videos 10x more watchable.

To take it up a notch visually, try to get him farther away from the wall if you have the space. Depth and diagonal lines look way better than the flat beige you've got him against.

Here's one that I've used that does a very good job. You need to pick up a micro sd card with it for storage- but it's pretty easy to use, good quality audio, and it has a hold.

[the mic](TASCAM DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder (Version 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LU8K790/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HMmFybYFSHTXZ)

When I go all hardware, I used to record to the Tascam DP-008EX and then bounce the track to my Tascam 424.

Recording to tape can sound different depending on the type of music you are recording and how you mix and level the individual tracks. For reference, here are 3 tracks I recorded to cassette:

• Angband
  
• 7h22
  
• Snow
  
  These days, I use the Zoom H6 pretty exclusively for my hardware recordings (because I can do overdubs and record ambient sounds with the microphone). If you are looking for a hardware device for your recordings, anything from the Zoom R line you might like. And if you have any interest in the cassette sound, I am sure you can find some cheap(er) options than online around you area. Check thrift stores and Craigslist.
  
  Also, your 2 tracks are nice. Keep writing music!

I highly recommend the Zoom H1. It's got built in stereo mics and can record at 96k 24bit. It's super portable, so it works great for recording practice sessions or performances. It also comes with Wavelab which is a reasonably useful DAW.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-ZH1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK

Well I just bought today for $140 a Rode VideoMic :D But special circumstances brought that price down from $229 that brought so little out of pocket.


I would have to say, a Zoom H1 or TASCAM DR-07MKII with a memory card. I have no audio solution at the moment and the only thing better than anything is audio. :)


Aside from my own personal shortcomings, a $150 payday would be great for a 23" slider that would come in handy

After listening to the most recent episode of Song Exploder, I've been on a Kusanagi bender for nearly a week now (direct link to the episode I'm referring to).

I won't pretend to have any of the skills of these guys but a lot of what I took from that episode is that they just record a handful of common objects for their percussion (stick breaking, dropping coins, kids at play, etc). Don't get me wrong I, like you, immediately looked for sample packs including these sounds rather than doing the sensible thing and just buying something like a Zoom H1 :)

Anyways I felt I should mention that as it's probably the best thing.

As for sample packs, I had Mode Audio's "Undercover", from a sale they did a while ago, and rediscovered that.

I've also been digging Loops de la Creme and will probably pick up their "Chimes" and "Bell Empire" packs when they go on sale. That company seems to have lots of organic sounding stuff that could fit in the general vein of Odesza, if used very sparsely.

I'm sure later in life I'll look back and say "why the hell do I have over a hundred dollars of bell sounds". C'est la vie.

Most people i've seen doing this use one of those little AA battery inline bias boxes.

I'm really not sure how you're plugging in the rolands to that mic interface, isn't your phone's mic input mono!?

A separate audio recorder would allow you to plug the mic jack into a proper powered interface and plug the headphones into the monitor socket and you can record AND monitor at the same time... it's a much better setup and that's how i use my CS-10EMs

I use a sony M10, but a cheap zoom h1n would do the trick and will sound far, far, far better than your phone's recording capability, and permit you to monitor as well. You also can use the zoom's inbuilt mics to record voice/music without the odd binaural feeling if you wish

There is a way using Soundflower if you're on a mac or try this other reddit thread if you're on a PC.

However, that is definitely going to be a bit of headache. The much easier, but obviously more expensive solution, down the line would be to use two XLR mics and a mixer. A mic like the ATR2100 that is USB / XLR is a very good choice and what my wife and I use on our show. From there any of the inexpensive Behringer mixers are really all that you need. So for just over $200 you have a very scaleable set-up. Add in a Zoom H1 / H4 and you don't even need the computer anymore.

Looked at the manual and it looks like the VI3000 doesn't have the ability to record any audio to a USB flashdrive.

All the USB ports are either to connect a keyboard or to connect a flashdrive to save/import show files.

I think you're only option is to have an external recorder. I'd recommend the Tascam DR-05.

It's around $100 from amazon and a small external recorder will be a great addition to your personal kit.

Good luck, sorry I couldn't help out more.

Creative ! I think the zoom h1 makes real nice recordings . But you just need a way to create a hand held mount that will eliminate the hand friction . Or use an external mic. The recorder is affordable.

Zoom has a good recorder shotgun attachment, which can record internally on a zoom recorder on your hotshoe and output to your camera. I always recommend this to beginners due to the simplicity of the setup for very usable documentary audio. Less than the cost of a sound guy for a day.

Zoom SGH-6 Shotgun Microphone Capsule for H5, H6, Q8, U-44, F4, and F8 with 1 Year Free Extended Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XYT5VXG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Eb5MAbTFSZJ2C

Also the Sennheiser mke440 is a really good on camera mic but you're at the mercy of your cameras preamps, or you have to rig on top of the zoom recorder making it more clumsy. and it's something like 350 if I remember right.

I've had this one for about a year and like it a lot. I got the wind screen attachment also, but I've never needed to use it even though I do interviews in cars, outside, etc. YMMV. I've had good luck with this recorder even in settings like restaurants where I might be interviewing one or two people over a lot of background noise.

We used to record on a Blue Snowball mic and then upped our game, and we did it without using a mixer based on some tips we got from this subreddit.

We have 4 people recording, and chose to use a Zoom H6. It can record up to six tracks (but the most we've used is 4). Our microphones are Samson Q2Us, which is the same as an Audio-Technica ATR-2100 mic. (We chose the Samson Q2Us instead because they came with headphones and cheap stands and cost less.)

We decided to get boom arms with shock mounts and pop filters in order to reduce noise. To be honest, the Zoom H6 alone, using the capsule mic, produces better sound than our Blue Snowball. I also like the H6 because I can take it on the road and record mobile interviews clearly, even in noisier environments.

Here's one of our latest podcasts recorded with this setup, and here's an old one with the Blue Snowball for comparison. (Jump around the episodes a bit and you'll see the difference.)

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Can't recommend the Zoom series enough. They have absolutely fantastic audio quality. You can even pick up the discontinued ZoomH1 for under a hundred bucks second hand - although the battery latch does jiggle so you need to tape or tack it down when doing field-recordings, but the quality is just as good as the H1n and H4n which are far more expensive.

I used the H1 for years before upgrading, and only did so cos I had spare cash and felt the non-jiggling battery latch was worth a couple hundred bucks. But if you're on a budget, and have some tape, its a non-issue. I took that thing all over - Indonesia, New Zealand, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Sydney, etc - and it stood the scorching heat, unrelenting humidity, ferocious snow, and more, pumping out quality in all scenarios.

Throw a deadcat on there and you're set for almost any amount of wind as well. I don't use the H1 for field recording anymore, but its now attached to a boom-arm on my desk and I use it for voice work. Probably the most value I have ever gotten out of $180.

I think a shotgun microphone should help here along with some blankets or acoustic treatment. You can pick up this shotgun microphone and some isolation to try and get that noise dampened. This will work if you are recording to a camera with a mic input, but if you don’t have a microphone input you can pick up this recorder which will also double as a recording interface. If you need to place your mic further away from your camera or recorder, this cord will give you some length to position it where you need. This is really nice if your camera is a few feet or more away from where you’ll be while shooting, as an added bonus the closer you place your microphone to your subject, the better it will pick sound and reject sounds you don’t want.

The shotgun mic should reject sound coming from the sides and pickup clear audio from the front. Place this close to your mouth and you’re good to go. I use a shotgun microphone to record voiceovers and videos at my desk because just like your place, it seems like my neighbors are always doing something loud. It’s useful to check your audio with some headphones to hear what background noise you might be picking up, then adjust.

If you’re still getting noise you’ll need to pick a time where you can record that you know to be more quiet. It’s a bit of a pain but unfortunately most home productions have to work around some sort of obstacle, just don’t let it keep you from making some videos!

Wow Sweetwater has a killer deal on that Behringer amp compared to amazon. I will have to look through this website.

Anyways, I was posting on my phone before. I am home now and can be more detailed with a keyboard.

You can pretty much completely disregard the DAW comment. I was just trying to get it out there that I have some experience with audio but not a ton. I am going to livestream these podcasts so I want to use an analog mixer and a digital recorder. The reason for this is that if you do have a software or computer or software crash the digital recorder is still capturing everything and you don't lose anything.

My podcast will have up to 4 people, and I want them all to be able to have their own mic as well as headphones.

I don't know much about mixers or recorders. The biggest thing I know I need is to have 4 XLR ports. That way I can use any microphone that I wish to. These seem to be the two cheapest I have found but I need to dig more. I'd like to try to stay under $150 on the mixer and $100 on the recorder. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable will have more suggestions as well.

Yamaha MG10 10-Input Stereo Mixer

Mackie Mix Series 12FX

Digital Recorder

Zoom H1

Yea. For now, I stand a little to close to the sheet. I was thinking about getting a light with a clamp so I can set it up when I do the video and take it down after. I use Sony Vegas, that I got in an ill gotten manner lol.

My brother uses Windows Movie Maker, and he likes it a lot. Your audio definitely sounds better in the second half. I think it is just a fraction out of sink though. The claps totally help. My mic is Zoom H1. I use it just how it is in that picture. I have used it for Podcasting, for corporate meetings, and on the spot audio interviews. It is really handy. It even has a little stereo input that you could use to plug in another Mic, like the lapel microphones you talked about getting.

The H1 is actually stereo, so if you ended up getting it and could prop it out of frame above you guys, it might do the trick without you guys wearing something. And she would be to one side, you'd be to the other.

Just curious, what is your budget? You are only looking for two mics? Have you ever thought about using summering like this. tascam lav I only say this because it would allow you great freedom in motion. They record locally, so you don't have any wireless headaches to worry about.

I'll start by saying this method I use isn't the cheapest... it's possibly not even the best, but I wanted something stupidly simple and portability was also of interest, so it works for me.

I use a Zoom H1, which takes a 3.5mm input from my master output and saves the audio straight to an SD card. It quite literally is plug-and-play, regardless of whatever setup I or my friends use.

You can pick one up for 75 quid / $100 from Amazon (other retailers are available).

I find it works very well for my use. Like I said, it might not be good for you... just wanted to throw it in there as what's often overlooked.

Your going to need the mics and something to record the mics.

I can't recommend any specific lavs, as I really haven't used enough of them, but I'm sure someone will will shortly after my post.

To record you could get a wireless system and then record on the 3.5mm connection on the 5d MK ii although this would be very expensive.

The alternative is to purchase two Zoom H1's or any recorder with a 3.5mm jack, although the
Zoom's would be great if you ever need to use them for any other recordings as well.

\> "borrow or rent a zoom h4n and a good shotgun until you can afford to buy one"

Or a good Tascam DR-07. This Rode directional microphone is also really nice and its also cost effective.

the A/D conversion is only CD quality, so you can upsample it but it's still only CD quality at it's core. if you want to get true 24bit hi-res transfers of your vinyl I'd recommend you plug the AUX output of the TT into something like this but it costs almost as much as the turntable:

https://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-DR-05-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B00LU8K790/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=tascam+recorder&qid=1569188744&sr=8-5

Depends on what you are recording. If you’re recording talent, I highly recommend this, we have four of them that we use at my work and they’re great.

We shoot with an A7iii with a Rode Videomic on top for ambient sounds and we lav up anyone of importance.

Tascam DR-10L Digital Recorder Lav Mic System with 32GB SD Card and Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y1RBX7F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nMT0AbKAQQ7JY

The Tascam DR-10L is a great candidate for your needs.
Curtis Judd has a pretty good review video on it.

Here is a great guide for an audio setup in your price range.

You can definitely get a good audio setup for $500 seeing as you already have an H4N. I'd suggest for on camera the Rode Videomic Pro which will be useful for events and such when you're run-and-gun filming. Someone already mentioned some pretty good lavelier mics but if you want multiple mobile people using lavs and you can't use a boom, you could potentially invest in a Zoom H1 for each of your lav mics

Audacity is a free, open-source recording program that's pretty great. It's possible to plug directly in to the mic input, but I'd suggest getting a USB mic and using your amp. The Samson Go Mic is good and the Zoom H1 (and other H series recorders) can also function as USB mics.

Basically just watch D4Darious' video on the 12 things a filmmaker should get and you'll have everything (except the script and actors) you'll need.

For $700 I'd get a used Canon (or Nikon if you're into that - I'm not).

Spend as little on a body as possible that shoots 1080p and has manual controls (60D is a good choice).

Pay more attention to lenses (or one good zoom lens), and audio.

Audio is the one thing most beginners just totally miss, and if your audio sucks your film will too.

Seriously, invest in a good external recorder, a boom pole and/or mic stand, and a good shotgun mic (or lavs), and sync the audio in post. Camera mics are notoriously awful but always record the audio in camera as well, so the sync will work.

The Zoom 1HN is the least expensive choice that doesn't sound terrible.

Other than that I'd get some cheap clamp lamps from Home Depot - like audio, lighting is one that beginners usually miss, and it's so easy (and cheap) to fix that it's a crime not to learn good technique.

Good luck.

zoom h1 amazon

$98

and don't be fooled - these are quality recorders, stereo spread, balanced and unbalanced...etc.

if you really wanna splurge - go for the zoom h4n, which can take xlr inputs and more - but in your price range - get the h1 you won't be dissapoint

*edit - come to think of it if you are doing highly dynamic concert band type of recordings - save up an extra hundo and get the h4n.

Sony ICD PX820 vs Zoom H1N - 9 year old tech vs newer audio recorder, worth the upgrade? Going into the Angolan bush for interviews!

Hi all. I’ve been using the Sony ICD PX820 since 2010 for interviews but haven’t needed to use it for a few years as I got a Blue Yeti for the improved audio quality.

Until now, my interviews have primarily been indoors but I am going on a research trip later this month into the Angolan bush to interview some war veterans and need to pack light. I was thinking of upgrading to the Zoom H1N from my Sony but I’m not sure if it is actually an “upgrade”.

Has quality in this type of technology improved all that much or should I just hang on to the Sony?

Any input will be appreciated!

>I am using Serato Pro

And..?



Do you have a controller?


Are you using a laptop? PC or Mac?

Where is your audio routed after Serato?

Lots of ways to record your mix but you'll need to give me some more information.

Alternatively, and I realize this is an unpopular opinion these days, you could purchase the music you want to play and thereby support the artists who produce it.

I second Zoom. They're fantastic little recorders, especially for the money. I would recommend one of these two.
https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H6-Six-Track-Portable-Recorder/dp/B00DFU9BRK/ref=sr_1_4?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1504653648&sr=1-4&refinements=p_4%3AZoom%2Cp_6%3AATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=sr_1_2?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1504653648&sr=1-2&refinements=p_4%3AZoom%2Cp_6%3AATVPDKIKX0DER

The built in mics are excellent, in case you ever end up with no soundboard usage, and you can input a few sources when needed, while monitoring live.

It's a great workhorse camera. If your clients aren't asking for 4k you won't be disappointed at all. I'd look at something like this instead of a cheapo amazon lav though. https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-10L-Recorder-Lavalier-Microphone/dp/B01LZ7UN44

Any of these portable recorders are probably not going to behave nicely when treated roughly, when you buy nice things you should take care to handle them properly.

This tascam recorder might be a little more rugged https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EGPJ67C , I haven't handled one though.

If you're just needing Natural Sound, then the Rode VideoMic Go will do you fine. It also picks up decently well in interviews.

However, even if you have that Shotgun for interviews, to make them just that much better, use a Giant Squid Lav Mic connected to a Zoom H1. It's a phenomenal entry level Lav setup that is decently affordable.

Hiya I see people are giving some really expensive suggestions in terms of LAV mics. There's a cheaper option. A standard zoom H1 microphone is small, easy to use and you can hide it in your actors pockets. LAV mics can be really cheap and give amazing quality. Here's the one that I use: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-3-5mm-Hands-Computer-Microphone/dp/B005DJOIHE/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1496402121&sr=1-1&keywords=neewer+lav

And heres the zoom mic: https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1496402135&sr=1-3&keywords=zoom+h1

I would definitely recommend the Rode Videomicro. If want even better, plug the Videomicro into a Zoom H1 and you'll be set!

I have a Zoom H1. It's pretty good for what it is, is cheap but still has nice quality for the price. It does feel a bit flimsy but if you're careful with it it'll last you for a long time. It also happens to be on sale at Amazon.com right now.
http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK

At that budget, I'd recommend a portable recorder, like the Zoom H1: It'll get the job done, and will work just fine for this purpose.

I googled its price, out of curiosity, Amazon is selling one for 109 dollars.

Of course, if quality is really not an issue, then yes, you can always just use your phone; Just don't expect professional-level quality.

In this range I'd probably try my luck with the Zoom H1. No experience with the H1, but I use an H4N and the stereo mics work pretty well by themselves on that.

Amazon link.

I have a zoom h1 and it records pretty nicely. I'm not recording instruments with it or anything, but It works well for enviornmental sounds and random weird things that I tend to record. The price is definitely right on this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1415834311&sr=1-1&keywords=zoom+h1

I think you would be better off making sure eveyone had their own mic. some cheap lavs, 4-channel mixer into your computer or recorder might be alittle cheaper than 2 yetis that need to be shared.

Get one of these http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-mono.html

Plug it into one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-ZH1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371510911&sr=8-1&keywords=zoom+h1


You can get away with crappy video and proper audio, but not the other way around. This is the best, most cost effective option and is not something you will have to buy again for lack of quality being on the cheap.

I've seen microphones for mobile devices that attach to the 3.5" jack, and I think they're fairly universal, but I've never used one.

As an alternative to using your phone, have you looked into any of the Zoom recorders? I have some friends who use a [Zoom H1] (http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK) for podcasting in the field. It has excellent sound quality and is ridiculously tiny. You can also attach an external mic, if you'd rather.

The H1 zoom is the best. You can stick it on a little tripod and leave it wherever. Definitely within your budget too.

I use the Tascam DR-05. I don't use it for podcasting, but I've used it for filmmaking, and it has superb audio quality for the price.

You have 2 good choices.
Will you mainly be using it stationary or in one room? (i.e. a film where you set up the shots beforehand) Buy a Zoom H4n
or
Will you be using it while walking around and want better sound for random shots or documentary style recording? Buy a Zoom H1.

Audio is recorded separately.
For voice recording probably the easiest would be to have one of those Sena headsets in your helmet.
When I did motovlogging I had a cheap lecture recorder and taped a lapel mic in to my helmet.
For just exhaust notes you would want something like the Zoom H1 wrapped up in foam and shoved under the seat. Sync audio with your horn or a hand clap.

Don't mind at all. Save for 2 of our interviews on Friday morning, we're going to be talking to developers and exhibitors on the show floor. For a few years now, whenever we do interviews without the luxury of being able to do our full mixer and mic set up, we've been using a Zoom H1 (I've also been using it to record the commentary on my let's plays). I upgraded to the H4n recently and I'll be trying that out this year.

If you want to get an idea of how stuff came out while we recording, this is our interview with tinyBuild from last year: http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/tinybuild-games-pax-east-2014_15536 Skip ahead to about 2 minutes in. This is after post-processing with some noise removal to get the general din of the crowd out.

It works really well and can even double as a USB mic. Here's the listing on Amazon: http://amzn.com/B003QKBVYK

Yeah, the Zoom ZH1 is their cheapest option. I highly recommend that one, it'll fit right in your pocket.

Both Zoom and Tascam have small handy recorders (kind of pricey but excellent quality) that have those little holes where you can tie in a little wrist bracelet to hold or potentially a key ring to attach to a lanyard.

Get a used h6. Should be around $300 w/ shipping.

Get the H6 adaptor capsule. $70 new.

Get 6 wired lav mics. $25 each * 6 = $150.

Total= $520 + tax

---

That all said, spending $100 on an omni-directional USB condenser mic is not the worst idea, even though everyone else hates it. Look, if you're only publishing this so a couple of people can listen to it, what's really the return on the $600 investment? Is having perfect audio really going to increase your listenership? Is this for archival purposes, or for public purposes?

I have an EOS M also. I'd suggest installing Magic Lantern firmware to unlock 3x lossless crop zoom.

I have a Canon 50mm f1.8 and a Sigma 30mm 1.4 that work with my Fotodiox adapter.

The EOS M goes through batteries kind of quick, so I bought a 2 pack third party Wasabi batteries and charger.

I'd recommend an external Zoom H1 audio recorder to go with your lav mics and just sync in post.

For NLE, there's...

• Adobe Premiere
  
• Final Cut
  
• Lightworks (open source soon)
  
• Avid
  
  Also, tripod and basic lighting. Here are some suggestions.

Depending on the work you are doing, you could use one or several of many options.

The first is to use a more directional shotgun mic on top of your camera or mounted on a boom pole above your subject to capture a more focused and cleaner sound.

The second is to use a lavalier/lav/lapel mic clipped to your subject's clothing. Wired (if you are cheaper or are recording to an external recorder) and wireless if you are rich. Wired and wireless both have many options. Wired: option 1, option 2, option 3, option 4, option 5. Wireless: option 1, option 2, option 3. The wired lavs are a bunch of good ones at different price points. The wireless ones are three industry standard sets at different prices.

There are many more options you could do but those would be for more specialized jobs.

Affordable? A portable recorder like This

Quick and affordable. What's your $range? Might be something for a bit better quality.

Get a t2i with ML, 50mm 1.8 lens, zoom h1, or if your budget can afford it, zoom h4n. Check eBay for cheapest prices. That's everything you need and in your budget. Good luck.

definitely get the zoom H1 to capture your audio. You can either use it to capture the interview audio itself, or combine it with a lav mic like this Edutige lav mic, depending on your budget and intentions. you could also use a shotgun on a boom pole. amazon referral links in post

Consider this + this?

http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/

I haven't used either, however I've been researching these for work and they both sound like winners. If this project gets the go-ahead, I'll be getting this setup.

Something like this Neewer Shoulder Rig Kit $105. Something like this Neewer 160 LED Light $32. A Rode Mic $150? Zoom H1 $100. Headphones <$100? 500ish total without the cost of a DSLR and lens.

I have a zoom H1 and it works great (only $100). I also have a sony lapel mic that I used for my wedding and that was awesome too. I do have the gopro audio cable, but I just plugged the lapel mic into an old cell phone. That way I have both the lapel audio and gopro audio (as a backup).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058MJX4O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QKBVYK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02

I love my Zoom H4N Pro portable recorder. If you have the money for it you could go with the H5 or H6.

I've used my phone in the past yeah, definitely does the job! These days I use a Zoom H1 and just capture sounds on my commute to University or out in the garden etc

Security system seems like overkill unless I'm missing something. You just need to record audio. If you have a laptop to put in there get a Yeti: Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone - Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VA464S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Lp11xbNJJGA07

You could probably find something cheaper but I know this is a good condenser.

Otherwise a standalone handheld like this: Roland R-05 Studio WAVE/MP3 Recorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FGN0I0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-q11xbV2WW38E

Export the file to Audacity and looks for peaks in the waveform.

For the mics, I use SP-TFB-2 - Sound Professionals - Low Noise In-Ear Binaural Microphone. I use a Zoom H1 for a recording device, as it's 3.5mm mic jack supports stereo.

The build quality of the binaural microphones is a little fragile, but I've had them for years without incident. Just a head up if you have a pet that likes cables.

An old example from my fluff soundcloud account.

Thanks! Would any zoom model work? Like this one?

I use a Tascam DR-05 with an attenuator. The attenuator is a nice safetey net incase the mixer you are recording out of has an output that is too much for the recorder.

Tascam DR05 ($94) - https://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-DR-05-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B00LU8K790

Attenuator -35db ($20) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GW69IQ2



If you use lithium ion batteries, it should last a while in-between battery changes, and you should be able to record hours worth with one set of batteries.

Yeah, I saw that, but I'm looking for a little bit higher budget than that. Specifically, something that I could plug other microphones into, like a field recorder. The options in there are all built-in. Here's a high-end example of what I'm talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-8-track-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B0036VC3I2/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1367949915&sr=8-8&keywords=tascam+digital+field+recorder#productDescription

Also, I apologize if I'm not very keen on the lingo for this stuff; it's a bit out of my expertise.

Im not sure if this is the correct sub.
I am looking to start recording live shows when i go to them, when you look at archives.org it is filled with 100s of old dead shows.

I would like to be able to take our own little bit of history to keep for the future just like they did

So my question is will something like this work https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I want to record loud bass heavy shows, like tipper, Dubcoling, or bassnectar.

The Tascam DR-07 MKII is fantastic, and it's $150.

I'm not asking about anything advanced here, i'm just looking for a good mobile recording device for quick live recording. I've been looking at tascam DR-05 recently. Would you guys recommend this or have something else in mind? I'd prefer not to go over 100 dollars but I'm willing to go over for quality.

you can, and you can get the Rode recording app, but getting an h1 will help you in the long run. u can get it for 80 here used

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B003QKBVYK/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

If you're on a low budget a Zoom H1 and a Rode Lav mic will work great, with that mic you'll need an adaptor as it is designed to work with phone ports

Would you be able to place an external audio recorder (http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408388355&sr=8-1&keywords=zoom+h1) closer to the action? This would greatly improve your sound.

>Zoom H1 (~$100 USD) will be better than your camera's mic. You can attach the H1 with a shoe adapter (~$6 USD).

Will it sync with the video or will I need to dub it in?

I highly recommend a Tascam digital voice recorder. They can record 24bit at 98khz and come with a ton of feature that most microphones don't have.

You can listen to what it sounds like here in one of my videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkENwp6VdRQ&feature=youtu.be

There are two different models in your suggested price range. I use this one: http://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-DR-07MKII-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B004TE5HBU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377478530&sr=8-3&keywords=tascam

And this one is basically the exact same in audio quality but is forty dollars cheaper: http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-05-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B004OA6JW0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377478530&sr=8-1&keywords=tascam

They even have threads on the back to mount it to a stand or tripod.

Easiest way to do it is a field X/Y mic (We used a Zoom H1, H4 is even better) at the head of the table, going into Audacity, or Garageband if you happen to have a Mac.
With some noise removal, you can get a decent recording, essentially what we had in season 5.

Nowadays we each have our own mic going through a mixer into Audio Hijack.
WHICH I CANNOT RECOMMEND ENOUGH! It's so cool. It can record anything happening on your computer and manipulate and store it any way you want.

I really like these:

Zoom ZH1 H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X8j3CbJG81417

But I’ll take a laptop and mics sometimes too - or just use my phone!

Audio audio audio. If you can get better audio especially when interviewing people, it will make this video 10x more enjoyable to watch.

There are other cheaper options, but a Zoom H1 would be a great option for you: https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-ZH1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK (Get a wind dead cat too!)

How familiar are you with SLRs in general? If you already know what your doing go for it. If not, your better off getting one of the Sony or Canon camcorders.

But since I know your budget I'd reccomend this mic running into this recorder. You can hear and audio sample here.

This is a nice simple/cheap lighting kit.

That will leave around $650 for a camera.

You can change up the lights a bit if you need more money for a camera. You can get this and this to diffuse the third light since the kit only comes with 2 umbrellas.

I have yet to get it but I plan on grabbing something like this very soon for my own film making.
http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1331692110&sr=8-4
You could stick that right up into the interviewee's face and it'll be a lot better.

Or hell, if you don't want that buy a cheap dynamic mic and plug it into your camera.

Microphone: Get a dynamic mic. I recommend the ATR-2100 or the ATR-2005 which functions as USB and XLR.

Mixer: I usually get some hate for recommending the Zoom H4n or Zoom H6, but they do the job for quite the low price. Also consider the Behringer 1024.

Headphones: These headphones are quite pricy, but I've heard good stuff about these Sony headphones. You can always check out Daniel J. Lewis' post about headphones.

Mic stand: I think we may be over budget at this point, but you can pick up some Musician's Gear Boom stands from Guitar Center or the On Stage mic stand. There are some scissor arms for cheap, but they are made cheap.

• http://amzn.to/2fxqVRh - lav mic
  
• http://amzn.to/2fxq9Ud - recorder for lav mic (better than in camera)
  
• http://amzn.to/2fCOqXK - solid cheap tripod
  
• http://amzn.to/2eCmimC - on camera audio solution
  
  You should absolutely light subjects if you can, that is really the only thing that sets amateurs apart from pro's these days.

I would add these to your list. They are way more sound quality oriented than the above.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Special-Edition-Recorder/dp/B0090XWZB0/

http://www.amazon.com/TEAC-VR-20-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B007N0R4C2/

http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-03-Portable-Handheld-Recorder/dp/B0044FNCY8/

or my choice although larger would be this DR05 http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-05-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B004OA6JW0/

Suggestion is go to youtube and look each one up. There will be samples like SO...

You can use the USB option on the nexus mixer install the drivers and give one of the faders record/out and into a DAW (ableton,audacity protools ect) or use the record out to something like Zoom H1 Digital Recorder or the more expensive Zoom H4

Maybe something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1n-Handy-Recorder-Model/dp/B078PTM82R/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1525806809&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=zoom+h1n&psc=1