Reddit mentions of Zoom H4n Pro 4-Track Portable Recorder, Stereo Microphones, 2 XLR/ ¼“ Combo Inputs, Guitar Inputs, Battery Powered, for Stereo/Multitrack Recording of Music, Audio for Video, and Podcasting

Honestly, neither.

You are better off with a used H4N like this paired with a shotgun mic such as this one. Many a low-budget documentary have been made with that very combo for many years.

On-camera mics simply will not get you the professional audio you need. They are good for scratch or emergencies, and that's about it. Also, this is gear worth BUYING and not renting. Audio gear doesn't loose value. All links in this post are referral links.

You can't go wrong with a Zoom H4n

> I want it to sound professional

/u/JimEld - you will probably be disappointed with the results if you hide a recorder on the table in a noisy bar. The pickup pattern for the built-in mics is omnidirectional, so the ambient noise is likely to overwhelm your dialogue.

If you can't swing a boom between your actors, I recommend a [$168 used Zoom H4n Pro] (https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?m=A2QIWAU5KJ023X&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1524404156&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) to save money - plus a couple of mics on booms outside of the camera frame - one for each actor.

You can get a [couple of Samson C02 XLR mics bundled with booms and cables for $153.99] (https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Pencil-Condenser-Microphone-Bundle/dp/B005EZ04X4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20).

Getting a mic within a couple of feet of each actor's mouth is how you get "professional" sound.

Hope this is helpful and good luck with your short!

Awesome! I hope you do trying it out! Here's what I got.

Camera: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019UDIDXS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Audio Recorder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DPOXS8I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mic (Same we use for podcasting) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IPUJJI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lighting Kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KRN0SEI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ring Light: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O1UCDKU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a subscription of Adobe Creative Suite and use almost all of it. After Effect and Premiere. We use Cubase for audio engineering but Audition is great too.

It's definitely zoom

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https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I

Hardware/software wise it’s pretty simple. If you have a semi decent computer you can find free audio software. You’ll just need to purchase a microphone that connects to you computer via USB and download something like Audacity to get started.

If you want an easier solution you could go with a a multitrack recorder like the Zoom R8 or this zoom portable recorder The ZoomR8 is nice because you can do all your work directly on it, or do as I do and recordson it, pull out the SD card and import what you’ve recorded into your computer for mixing and adding any effects that you may want to do. It’s a great way to learn in my opinion and the one I recommend.

If your computer has a built in microphone, you can probably skip buying a mic and just download the software record like that.

If you try Audacity and don’t like it, just google free recording software there are a few options out there. Also, if you have a Mac if any sort, you can always use GarageBand since it comes with you Mac. You may or may not need a USB microphone for it. I’m not sure, I don’t use it

Oh and go to your local library. They should have some books on getting started with multi track recording at home.

Hope that helps!

Cheers

Just as I posted this I remember there is sterio microphones that have similar looking mic, I can't find the model your mics are for but I'm fairly sure that's what there for. Here is a example

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I

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

Do you have a smartphone with a voice recorder? That’s all I use and it’s remarkable how well these sound considering their general availability. I usually put the phone behind the body of my acoustic to balance the sound with my voice.

That’s about as good as you can get with a low budget. Most “budget equipment” out there that’s designed for this purpose is not going to be significantly better that it’s really worth shelling out money, unless you really want a step up, which obviously costs more.

If you want to overlay tracks, there’s apps for that too depending on what kind of phone you got, but usually I’m going for a natural real live sound, so I generally record my voice and guitar together on one take.

If you have a couple hundred dollars to spend, I’d recommend an “h4n pro”. It’s got amazing sound for the price, does multi-track recording, it’s a good room mic for a band practice and it has some onboard effects that are very cool to use if you do it right. I can’t really recommend it enough considering the bang you get for your buck. We’ve broken our a couple times over the years and I always seem to keep coming back to it.

Everyone else has mention audacity, but that’s what I’ve been using for years and still do. Find some cool plug-ins and you can really do a lot with very little or no money down.

With the Rebel T6, there is no way to connect a microphone, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. What you can do is use something like an external audio recorder. If you just want to use the audio recorder with its own microphone or with a 3.5mm microphone input, you can get a Zoom H1. If you also require the use of an XLR microphone, you would need a Zoom H4n. Both of these devices can be used with or without an external microphone (they have built in microphones that are better than the camera's). But, you WILL have to sync the audio in POST. The audio will be recorded completely separate from the camera and there is absolutely no way to connect them while recording, but it's easy to do in editing software after.

Thanks! I use a zoom H4N:
https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=sr_1_5?crid=188MA6CEIRBXE&keywords=zoom+h4n&qid=1551376700&s=gateway&sprefix=zoom+h%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-5

A Zoom H5 might work better for you as it has the two XLR inputs just like the Zoom H4n but you also have the option of using the onboard XYH-5 capsule, or change it out for two extra XLR inputs using the EXH-6 capsule , or getting close up sound effected using the SGH-6 shotgun microphone capsule. The downside is that it comes in a wee bit more expensive than the Zoom H4n for the base model and the capsules are extra after that aside from the XYH-5 which comes with the H-5.

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.

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!

Of course!!

It's a bit of an investment, but the equipment I used was the Zoom H4n Pro. Did some research and the Zoom H4n has been a standard for awhile- phenomenal device, and they recently put out an updated model (the Pro) which is identical save for some upgrades to the guts inside (the preamps and the onboard mics). I plan on using it for many years to come.

I took nigelewan's advice and set the h4n in my shirt pocket- it fits snug and perfectly. I kinda hated how it sticks out a bit- the mics are silver and shiny so I have to imagine JD notices it, but the fact that he's currently binging Grateful Dead tapes makes me feel a bit better. Still, I kinda want to paint them black or something. Not sure if that's possible though. The shininess is definitely gaudy, but oh well.

Try to position yourself as close to a speaker as possible. Your recording will end up being what the room at large hears mixed with the crowd audio from around you and also feintly capture JD if he goes off mic which is awesome.

The h4n has a bunch of quality options- I did some research and opted for 24bit/48khz . Apparently that's a sweet spot of making the bass sound really nice and juicy and being high quality but still allowing for a lot of recording time (depending on how big a card you get. I used this 32g card. I used a fresh pair of batteries for each show since I didn't want to take any risks.

You have to set the mic level- I was pretty freaking close to some speakers and it seemed like between 20-35 was the good spot. 20 for most songs, and I'd try to turn it up a few notches when a quieter one came on (and then I'd often forget to turn it back down for the subsequent songs so they'd be louder haha).

Wish you the best of luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=zoom+recorder&qid=1572900836&sr=8-4

Sorry Lav microphone is a microphone you wear on your body somewhere, usually hidden under clothes or just on your collar. The Zoom H4N is a portable recorder https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/

I don't tape but if I was to, I would use this

Stepping up the audio can have huge gains in quality, NTG and Deity shotguns are priced well, links above are a great start. Consider a portable recorder Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5zLPBb676ZPND so they can record dual system and not have to struggle to send XLR audio to a DSLR. Get a rode boom, and a shock mount too.

Some simple lighting can go a long way , Aputure are the bets bag for your buck right now. If you can spring for the 120D , there will be many more modifier options to control the light worth buying down the road, which will allow them to learn a lot from controlling light (a powerful skill).

When I first started out I scoured local shops for old manual Nikon lenses and picked up cheap adapters SODIAL(R) AF Confirm Lens Adapter For Nikon F AI AIS Lens to Canon EOS EF 5D 7D 600D DC192 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B074FRFTFY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RHLPBb2YMTQJK to mount them to canon DSLRs. It opened up a lot of control of depth of field kit lenses simply didn’t have with such small apertures. I was able to find cheap Nikon glass for less than $50 on occasion from church sales and small shops and still shoot on then today :).

Have fun!

Edit: spelling

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I

I'm assuming by "box" you mean audio interface.

If you're looking to be cost-efficient, I personally would suggest starting with an H4N Pro (or the cheaper non-Pro variant) and a mic such as the MXL 770. You'll also need an XLR cable.

The H4N, if you take care of it, will last you a long time and will give you many a good recording. It has built in mics, as well, and they are good quality, but external mics are typically better to have, if possible. However, if you're on a budget, you can easily use just the H4N and its built in mics without any issue, so long as you also get a windscreen. Be sure to have an SD card (I can't remember if it comes with one on its own as I purchased mine as part of a kit that came with a few accessories) as well, to record your files to.

I've been glued to this subreddit since September soaking up all the information possible as the filming process began.



So we shot this with a Lumix GH5 with a 12mm-35mm lens. We had the camera on a JOBY GorillaPod but we couldn't get any sort of tape (Gaff, Duct etc) to get it to stick to the dashboard. So for the front angle we used the legs of the pod and hung it from the rear view mirror and shot the skit upside down. We put the lens on the widest setting and put it on auto focus.



For audio we used a Zoom H4n Pro. We placed it on a little stand resting on the center console on the 120 setting. All audio was captured on the day, none of it is ADR.



The biggest challenge in the edit bay was the fact that some takes we're done when the car was at a red light while some we're in motion. We had a 6 mile loop which we drove over and over and we just ran through the skit multiple times not really paying attention to whether we were moving or stopped. It was 48 minutes of footage cut down to 2:19 of actual skit.



As far as my involvement went, I co-wrote, acted, captured audio and edited the skit. I'm the guy in the blue shirt riding shotgun (Dane) for reference.




Would love any feedback, thoughts, or advice!

get a Zoom recorder like H5 or H4n
($200) on amazon and bypass his crap, and tell him to his face why you bought it.

We use it on all our sessions/practices - handles high sound pressure great.
https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1525050448&sr=8-5&keywords=zoom

I've recorded myself a bit with both budget and hi end mikes. I have used a Zoom H4n Pro ($219) portable recorder for a project I have with classical guitar improvisations. All the recordings are done either in living rooms or outdoors. There's no fx on the recordings, only a little bit of eq and compressor. Here's a link to these recordings on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5XAY5a4uUdTP4EYave3ND3?si=AraITj7DQ8yUnF-Uk0t8wA

I also record original classical guitar compositions using expensive Schoeps mics (Collette stereo set w/Mk5 capsules), here's a solo guitar tune recorded with these mikes in a parallel configuration with added reverb:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4Nju2e1clXsp0SW0nycdM4?si=CtAFUNuFR0y_UpRpFzok-A

I happen to like the sound of the Zoom because it feels more "real" or "natural" to me. Like sitting in the room with the player. The good thing with doing recordings is, you'll have to practise getting less scratching. I get scratching all the time, but recording myself has helped me being aware of this and try to improve it. Same thing with playing, recording can help you improve because you'll probably start hearing what you'll need to practise when listening to your recordings.

Personally I don't like the sound of line/piezo much, but I guess it can sound more controlled and you'll probably get less scratching sounds as well. But budget mikes today can be great, I would do some experimenting with mic placement and maybe recording in different rooms if that's an option. Especially where you place the mic does make a huge difference, so I would advice to start with that. I like the sound of stereo recordings much better than mono also, it sounds more natural to me, and less honky.

Link to Zoom:
https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I

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Link to Schoeps:

https://schoeps.de/produkte/stereo/sets/stereo-set.html

having a separate audio recorder can make a big difference.
I might suggest something like a Zoom H4n or a Tascam DR60 either of these will allow you to have your audio recorder not tied to a laptop during filming.

Look into the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera. It's about $1000 without lenses. It shoots ProRes and RAW HD. Get a free copy of Resolve to edit and color grade the footage. It's a great little camera that takes beautiful footage, and Resolve takes it to the next level.

Here are some samples to give you an idea of the quality.

For £4000, you should be able to get a camera, batteries, memory cards, lenses, ND filters and an outboard audio recorder and mic.

I recommend these lenses:

Tokina 11-17mm

Voigtlander 25mm

Sigma 18-35

The Voigtlander is MFT, but the other two I recommend getting in Nikon, and buying an Nikon-to-MFT adapter. Part of the joy of MFT is that you can use nearly any kind of lens with the proper adapter.

I also recommend getting two kinds of adapter: a straight adapter, and a MetaBones Speed Booster, which widens the focal length of the lens and adds about a stop of light. It's like getting twice the number of lenses for the cost of an adapter. (For example, the 11-17mm lens goes to 8mm with the Speed Booster.)

Thank you for the reply.

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Are you able to tell me a bit more about what the right hardware adapters would be?

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I am also considering using something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DPOXS8I/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wirerealm-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01DPOXS8I&linkId=9382e0d9bf5a4be789c79856961a39d5 instead of a phone but they seem to use the full mic inputs and not have 2 points of a AUX style lavalier mic input.

Best and cheapest are two different things. IMHO, you want the best sound possible since audio makes your film look better.

You can get a lot of bang for your buck with a Zoom H4N audio recorder, a RODE mic and a boom pole. If you have a couple of bucks more, look at a pair of RODE wireless lavalier mics as well. These are wireless body mics. You can use those on actors, but also they can be hidden on set in places that are hard for the boom to reach. The key idea about recording audio is to get the mic as close as possible to the person speaking.

You probably also want a slate with a clapper on the top. You don't need a fancy one with timecode. Apps like Davinci Resolve can sync sound automatically, but it's always better to have a clap at the top of the shot in case you need to sync it by hand. Slating your shots laso make it easier to figure things out in the editing room.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1527699189&sr=8-6&keywords=zoom+mic

Something like this will actually really clean up the audio. It filters background noise and captures the audio really well. Let us know when you start a podcast!

I'd go with a mixer. You can get a decent behringer for $200 with 3-4 mic inputs (XLR) and get yourself 3-4 decent xlr mics and cables. That way you dont have to all be huddled around one microphone. You could set up a table and go at it. From that mixer, a cable or two going to a digital audio device like a steinberg C1 into your PC or Mac for recording. Most mixers also have a second output you could plug into a phone or something like a Zoom recorder so you have a backup recording in case the PC or Mac doesnt record for whatever reason.

Or to do it on the cheap, just a portable Zoom recorder like THIS ONE can be setup on a tiny tripod somewhere in the room. I've used a Zoom H1 to record whole panels at comic conventions and the audio actually came out pretty damn good. John Barrowman from Arrow/Doctor Who actually touched my recorder making it priceless so I can't sell it sorry. :)

I'd probably for for ....

• Zoom H4NPRO $200
  
• 3 Behringer 1800s $40
  
• Cables and mic stands and pop filters. $50 for it all
  
  So you are at about $290 and have an additional mic. Record right into the Zoom and then edit in Audacity (free) on the computer.
  

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.

A portable handheld recorder might work. Maybe the Tascam DR-40, Zoom H1 or the Zoom H4. Though, I'm not sure how the audio and video would sync together.

Man you need to spend a bit more than that... Bad audio will ruin your shorts and if you want to create more than one short film...

This is the best audio recorder for me for your price range. They have even cheaper recorders because you need to buy a mic too. This one is ok. I'd recommend a lavalier, you can find cheap ones on ebay, but that's up to you...

The Zoom H4n Pro recorder I just noticed is on sale at Amazon US for ~$60 at the moment.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/

!

I'd buy my current setup...

Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 Audio Interface ($150)

(2) MXL 770 Cardoid Condenser Microphones - Amazing quality microphone for the price. ($144 for 2)

(2) XLR Cables ($20 for 2)

(2) Microphone stands. I use this Gator for my main mic stand and a cheap scissor arm stand for my second. ($100ish for 2)

(2-pack) Microphone pop filters. I like these replicas of the Popgard, but also have one real PopGard that I paid $40 for. Either is much better than those pop filters on a long extension arm that gets in the way. ($10 for 2)

Zoom H4n Pro or H5 portable recorder. I have a Zoom H4 Pro (and a regular H4) but either would work well for recording a podcast on the road or on location somewhere without a computer. ($200-275)

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Monitor Headphones ($150)

Software - GarageBand or Audacity or other free DAW. Or, if you already have a Creative Cloud subscription like I do, Adobe Audition.

All of that is way less than $1k, and give you the ability to do a two-person interview podcast in the studio or on location. With the extra $100 or so, buy some sound proofing materials for your studio.

This is exactly what my setup looks like right now.

The Rode Videomic Pro might be useful, but it (or anything like it, that plug directly into the camera) is not going to have quite the same audio quality as an XLR mic. If you have the budget for it, I would suggest the Audio Technica AT875r with a Zoom or Tascam, and get a hot shoe mount if you want it mounted on the camera. Part of the reason for this is that having a separate mic will allow you to do more in the future, while still allowing it to be camera mounted when desired. It also will make it easier to capture foley for your film easier, allowing you to mic footsteps and clothes rustling, breaths, etc... Third, the quality and pickup will be a bit better.

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In short, if you have the budget for it, a broader setup will be more effective, especially in the long run. If you don't have the budget for it, a camera mounted mic will still work, but you will likely need to upgrade in the future. If neither are in your budget, it is possible to get someone to do foley for you and add it in, or find someone in the area who has a mic to record the audio for you (even paid, this will likely be cheaper if the shoot only lasts a day, but you may be able to find someone willing to work for free if they are just starting out).

LITERALLY just bought that lens and I can't wait to mess with it. And yes to FilmicPro: I'm still learning all it can do and how to do it well. I also got a tripod with an iPhone mount. For sound, a buddy of mine has this thing: https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1549574572&sr=8-4&keywords=zoom+field+recorder

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What have you used for lighting? I've looked into some DIY stuff, but not sure what to do.

Thank you! Degsblades suggested that I choose a recorder with stereo input or 2 mono inputs. I came across the TASCAM Dr40 and the Zoom H4N(the 2016 version) Any suggestions between the two?

To give you a straight forward answer, I would say no. I would use the laptop, an audio interface and as many mic as there are people (this could get pricey). an other alternative would be to have a portable recorder like a Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder. this allows you to record a room and plug in XLR cable with a mic.

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You have to keep in mind that when you are recording that the room will play a role in the audio quality (in other words... bigger room = more reverb/echo). the more people you have, the harder it will be to edit the audio since some people will talk louder than others.

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If you're the instructor, something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=zoom+recorder&qid=1567394655&s=gateway&sr=8-4

You can use it with an external mic, either hand-held/stand-held or lavalier mic, wired or wireless. Or, you can mount it on a mic stand and use the built-in stereo mics.

If you are a student sitting in a lecture hall, it will be hard to find something that will do a really good job unless you can set up a shotgun mic, but the above should work with a shotgun mic as well. You might also try a recording app for your smartphone before spending any serious money.

Zoom H4N 4-track recorder

Buy (2) Shure Omnidirectional Boundary Mics. Feel free to find cheaper mics if you want, but you'll need them to be XLR to work with the Zoom recorder.

Don't forget memory cards if you expect the meeting to go for a long time.

Just be aware that there is an H4n Pro model that is new/improved (2016), obtainable for $200 (amazon and some Guitar Centers), and sounds good in my limited experience so far.

No sweat man, keep it up!

For audio, I have a Zoom H4N recorder that I got used for $100. It does a surprisingly good job for how inexpensive it is. You can also plug nice mics into it if you can find a deal on a shotgun mic. A cheaper/easier option is Rode's DSLR mic that goes in the hot shoe port. Better sound is going to make your videos much better. Anywhere that you don't get great sound, cut to B-roll and do voiceover in a quiet room at home.

Good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H4N-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B01DPOXS8I

I’d get a zoom recorder and a XLR wired Lav.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPOXS8I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3tFKAb7VHPA7M

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/295908-REG