Reddit mentions of Zoom H5 4-Track Portable Recorder for Audio for Video, Music, and Podcasting, Stereo Microphones, 2 XLR/TRS Inputs, USB Audio Interface, Battery Powered

You're not going to be able to find something more affordable than the 2i2. The most portable would be the Zoom series. They're amazingly good quality, and have built in preamp + recording capability. All data goes out of mini-usb, or SD card.

Here's what I would do for a 2 camera setup:

Main camera (with stabilization): Panasonic GH5 with 12-35mm f2.8 lens for $2395.98

Secondary camera (with kit lens and microphone, usually on a tripod): Panasonic G7 for $499.99

Two SanDisk Extreme Pro cards: $46.80


So far you're at $2942.77, leaving $2057.23 for audio and lighting accessories.


For lighting, you can get a 3 Panel Aputure kit for $725 that can be powered off batteries or wall power, depending on where you're filming.

Audio can be handled in two ways: first, you can get a wireless kit for voice and interviews and that can record directly into the camera. Take a look at the $329.00 Rode RodeLink kit for that.

The second option is an on-camera audio recorder (instead of a microphone). There are cables you can get to connect these directly to the camera for recording, or you can record within the device itself and sync it later. The reason I suggest this is because of versatility. If you get a Zoom H5 recorder for $249.99 you can pick up different microphone capsules for a variety of audio situations. Like a shotgun microphone for example. You can also plug in and record a regular XLR microphone with these recorders.


The audio and lighting setup adds $1303.99 to the cost, leaving $753.24. The last thing is to get a Pelican 1510 case for $199.99 to protect the camera and your audio equipment.


At the end, this leaves you with $553.25 extra. That's a good thing, since you'll inevitably need more equipment or accessories as you get started, and you don't want to find out about that after blowing through the entire budget.


The suggestion you got from HCR would be a poor decision. Don't go spending everything on a single camera that's way our of your skill level and packed with unnecessary features. The reality is you'll be able to get better footage out of the GH5 with lighting and audio anyways.

^This ^post ^contains ^affiliate ^links.

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

The best way I know how to incorporate live sounds into your show is to use a mixer. I usually recommend the Mackie ProFX8v2 USB Mixer but if you don't mind known reliability issues the Behringer Q802USB mixer has great capability functionality for the price. You can then plug your Galaxy S7 or laptop into the mixer and play live sounds.

Because you will be using a mixer your Yeti will no longer work in this capability which is why you'll need to get an XLR capable microphone. I would encourage you to get a dynamic cardioid microphone which is the same type of microphone lead band singers, radio announcers and sports broadcasters use. These four microphones offer an exceptional capability for the money with the Knox coming in at only $40 right now:

Knox Podcast Microphone

Audio Technica AT2005

Audio Technica ATR-2100

or a Samson Q2U

Then if you wanted to take it to the next step and record both your soundboard and your microphone in separate tracks you could add a Zoom H5 Portable Digital Recorder to the mix.

Of course there are lots of different ways to go about this. The solution laid out is usually the one I recommend though.

I've used recorders from both brands quite heavily and I find Zoom's recorders to be better options in this range. In particular, [Zoom's H5 recorder](http://amzn.to/1uCEO4g "Zoom H5") provides very good audio quality and strikes a nice balance between solid build quality, great battery life, and practical functionality such as physical level knobs (vs buttons).

I use the H5 both for recording VO during post and as an on-camera recorder when working with XLR mics.

Hi /u/nervousgoat - I have both the DR-40 and a Zoom H1 and I love them both - but if I had it to do all over again, I would get a high quality preamp and output it directly into my camera.

If you can stretch your budget a few dollars, you can get this [open box JuicedLink Riggy Assist RA222 with audio metering, a headphone jack and phantom for $349] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=201134697664&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg).

A preamp might be preferable to an external recorder because:

• you don't have to remember to turn on two devices for every shot
  
• you don't need to slate
  
• it reduces the need for a separate sound person
  
• you don't have sync audio in post
  
  If you have half an hour and some patience with audio geekery, you might want to take a look at this review of the JuicedLink preamp versus the Zoom H6 (much better than the H4N) and the Tascam DR-60D (much better than my DR-40): http://youtu.be/rGMiIXkiJ9E
  
  If the JuicedLink is too expensive or you still want a recorder, I recommend the new [$269.99 Zoom H5] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KCXMBES/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00KCXMBES&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) for audio quality (it's the same as the H6 - again, better than the old H4N) and the [$259 Tascam DR-60D] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRY250U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CRY250U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) for ergonomics and connectivity to your camera without special cables.
  
  Hope this is helpful!
  
  Bill
  
  

A couple of suggestions. First, don't get the atr2100 mics. You're paying for a USB interface you won't use. Pick up a couple of Shure SM58 mics - even if you upgrade later you'll have them as good quality spares. They cost a little more but they're a little better quality.

Get the Zoom H5. It's about $270 and had actual gain knobs (no digging through menus) and supports Zoom's interchangeable mic capsules. It can also act as an audio interface.

That'll leave you around $130 to pick up an inexpensive set of headphones, a couple of mic stands, and cords. You'll have a setup that will work well as a portable setup as well as an in-studio rig and will be useful later on if/when you decide to upgrade work a mixer or dedicated audio interface.

I started out using a Zoom H5 for my show.

https://www.amazon.ca/Zoom-H5-Digital-Multitrack-Recorder/dp/B00KCXMBES/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540021117&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=zoom+h5&dpPl=1&dpID=418XgnIJgnL&ref=plSrch

Slowly I purchased xlr external mics that plug into the bottom. Then I got an adaptor to add two more xlr mics to the top.

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/product-accessories/zoom-exh-6-dual-xlrtrs-input-capsule-zoom-h5-h6-u-44-f1-and-f4

I then moved onto boom stands and the likes.

I currently purchased an xlr splitter so I can go to 5 mics and now that I know it works will be getting a second splitter so I can go up to 6 mics.

If you are going mobile, go all mobile. Get a portable interface like the Zoom H5. And check out this video as well.

Sounds like your total sound budget for your mic and recorder is about $400? If so, there might be a better solution than the H4n [Referral Links]:

You might want to consider a [$270 Zoom H5] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KCXMBES/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00KCXMBES&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20). It has better/quieter preamps than the H4n - plus it has separate line outs for camera & headphones.

Add a [$130 SGH-6 shotgun microphone capsule] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXMTZE6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GXMTZE6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), and you'll have a nice shotgun/recorder package for about the same price as the [$199 H4n] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QWBM62/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001QWBM62&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) with a decent shotgun mic.

Again, I would avoid the Videomic "Pro" for its unbalanced output and flimsy little 3.5mm cable.

Nice shootout between the H5, H4n and DR-40 from Sam Mallery [here] (http://www.sam-mallery.com/2014/10/audio-test-zoom-h5-vs-zoom-h4n-vs-tascam-dr-40/). I am a DR-40 owner, but I have to agree with his assessment of this recorder as the noisiest. I do like its dedicated line input, however.

Sam does another great shootout [here] (http://www.sam-mallery.com/2014/10/zoom-h5-shotgun-shootout-sgh-6-vs-rode-ntg-2-vs-ntg-3/) between the H5 with the SGH-6 shotgun capsule, the H5 with the NTG-2 and the H5 with NTG-3 (spoiler alert: the SGH-6 beats the [$229 NTG-2] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00093ESSI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00093ESSI&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), but not the [$699 NTG-3] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C0IFDQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001C0IFDQ&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) ;))

Good luck with your decision and Happy New Year!

I am unclear of the application you want to use this for - if you just want to have two people participate in a podcast - and I presume here the podcast is just two people talking - and your aim is to record it (for later upload).

Then all you need to do is have two mics combined - which your special dual microphone set already does.

What you can do is plug this microphone jack into the mic port of a Y-splitter (of the type I mentioned above) - then plug in a headphone splitter into the earphones port of the same Y-splitter.

Then plug the Y-splitter into your Android device.

Now you just record as usual.using our app or other audio recorder app.

Now the problem is with your requirement that you also hear yourself and the other person speaking (i.e. whatever is being recorded - you also want to hear). On Android this will always have audio latency (i.e. delay). If this was an Apple device (iOS) it will have much less delay - but there will be some delay but it won't confuse you. I can't think of an app off the top of my head - I think RobVox is also available on iOS - so perhaps if you have an iOS device you could try RobVox and if it allows recording and it already has the Headphone mirroring feature - then it may work better on iOS - check them out on iOS:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/robovox-voice-changer/id584847250
RobVox Voice Changer

Other than this - if you are willing to forgo the listening-to-yourself part - i.e. are willing to just leave your headphones off so you can listen to the other person just over the air, then you can use the Android solution - since you will then not have to listen to yourself. With our app you can turn off the headset mirroring feature - click Settings - Output Settings - Listen to Record (Headset) - and turn if Off.

But if you want to hear the recording also - then go with the iOS (test an iOS device first with RobVox if you can).

Other than that there maybe dedicated audio recorder devices which allow two mics, and have audio mirroring - these will have very low latency I think. But these would be expensive also.

You will need one which has a separate port for the audio output for headphones for audio mirroring (basically you need devices which have a field recorder feature).

I know some of the very expensive such devices have that:

https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-40X-Four-Track-Recorder-Interface/dp/B07N3FDT3M/
Tascam DR-40X Four-Track Digital Audio Recorder and USB Audio Interface
$179

https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-Stereo-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B004OU2IQG/
TASCAM DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder (Version 2)
$90

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H5-Four-Track-Portable-Recorder/dp/B00KCXMBES/
Zoom H5 Four-Track Portable Recorder
$279

I can't off the top of my head recall which have the audio mirroring feature, but I think some devices like these have the audio mirroring to headphone - and have a separate headphone port. And possibly even two ports for two microphones (?)

For these types of solutions, the folks on r/podcasting may have better solutions.

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.

Ok you'll need 4 mics then. Using a cheap AT2100 will still deliver great audio quality.

Now you plug those 4 mics either into a Zoom H5 or a Behringer mixer. From there you can feed the signal into a laptop for recording.

Obviously you'll need XLR cables for this too.

Then you can use Audacity or Garageband which are free editors to edit the show to get started. You could use a free trial of another one like Hindenburg if you want to try a better one.

That should be all you need equipment wise.

Then you need to host it somewhere. Maybe your company can whip up a website and let you host the files there somewhere. Otherwise you're looking at Libsyn at $7-$20 a month.

Hey man, I just found this article: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/equipment/hosatech-ymm-261-stereo-splitter/

​

Where the guy says " My first choice for using two lav mics simultaneously is to run them into the Zoom H5‘s XLR/TRS combo ports, using 3.5mm to 1/4″ mono adapters. "

​

Meaning with such an adapter I wouldn't need XLR lav mics and wouldn't need phantom power, correct? So I could use cheaper 3.5mm lav mics...?

I'm not familiar with the PS4 and what inputs it has, but I would recommend a USB interface to run your mic through. It will allow for the best quality audio on your PC, but unfortunately I don't know much about the PS4 so you would need to look up to see if it would work for that. If your budget allows, you could always get a Zoom portable interface/recorder as it can run through USB to your computer and through a "line out" (standard 3.5mm audio jack) to the PS4. You may also be able to use a mixer for the same purpose, but look into what you need/have the budget for before you buy.

​

The products I linked are just starting points to help you out, but should fill your needs if you decide to go with one of them. Good luck, and I hope you can get everything running smoothly!

I'm fairly certain the two have the same pre-amps, so all you really get from the H1N are additional features. The only ones that stands out to me is an onboard limiter and tone generator. If you are going cheap, I'd get the H1.

However the H5n is the best value for a budget recorder IMHO. Intuitive controls (I personally love the big buttons to select inputs, with LEDs showing me what ones are live), XLR inputs, 3.5mm inputs, 4 channels, onboard mic, great battery life... it's a better tool in every way. They run for about $200 right now used on Amazon.