Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Zoom H4n or H1???

profile picture
snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
Ok so I'm going to be buying a second system to record audio with my Nikon D7000.  I'm looking at the Zoom H4n or the H1.  I want to mount it with the hot shoe mount adapter.  I also plan on buying 1 if not 2 wireless mics.  Is the H4n worth the extra $200 dollars?  I know there are a few extra features like you can change the angle from 90 to 120 on each mic.  And I'm not using it for skiing.  Just some outdoor shots and fishing.
Jan 24 2012 9:14PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,002
go tascam, zooms have weak pre-amps.
Jan 24 2012 9:36PM
0 0
profile picture
snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
What Tascam would you recommend I look at?
Jan 24 2012 9:47PM
0 0
profile picture
Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
threads for i am also in need of a mic. something for skiing, but also works well for interviews/people interaction if u will
Jan 24 2012 10:05PM
0 0
profile picture
snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
Another thought was the Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro.  Can't montitor levels though.  Anyone have success using the H1 or H4n on here? 
Jan 24 2012 11:08PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I use the H4N at work and it sucks. There's flaws in seemingly every detail of its design, to a surprising degree. It doesn't even have a dedicated pre-amp adjustment, making it junk. Tascam dr40 all the way.
Jan 24 2012 11:11PM
0 0
profile picture
*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
I have a H1 and I like it, however I don't use it a lot.
Jan 24 2012 11:17PM
0 0
profile picture
@ScubaSteve
Posts: 378 - Karma: 822
Really?
I love my h4n.  Use it almost as much as I use my camera or more.
My friend bought the Tascam and says he liked my h4n more when he had borrowed it for his short film.
All this pre-amp stuff is bs, it works great, never had 1 problem. 
I had the chance to go to soundcheck  for the Grammy's and struck a conversation with the guy running the 50k soundboard.  He was recording the whole performance on the h4n and was trying to explain to me how its the best you can buy for a your buck.  To get around the pre-amp issue he had multiple connections in the same channel.  2 xlr and 1 mini jack.

Jan 25 2012 12:07AM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
When you have quality external preamps, even the worst recorder can sound good. It's true that built-in preamps are weak by nature, but the Tascam is simply a better design. It doesn't take 40 seconds to start up, it has line-in, the DR100 has metal knobs rather than a janky plastic button, the list goes on. Just because some random person prefers the H4n doesn't mean we will too.
Jan 25 2012 12:43AM
0 0
profile picture
snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
Some good input guys.  How about what's easier to mount on your camera and use?  Are you going to be able to look through the viewfinder still?
Jan 25 2012 11:57AM
0 0
profile picture
snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
The Tascam's look pretty sick too.  I liked the how the mics overlap on the zooms but the tascam appears to have the nicer pre-amp and better battery life which is pretty key also.  Dr40 or Dr100?  Which would you guys who have worked with audio and wireless mics lean towards?
Jan 25 2012 12:32PM
0 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Personally i'd go for the Dr-100 It'll pay off. You get what you pay for, youll get more in the dr-100 because you're paying more
Jan 25 2012 3:50PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Not always the case. The DR40 has line-in. The DR100 has stereo level controls and knobs instead of buttons (which I love). Both have pros and cons.
Jan 25 2012 3:55PM
0 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
that's true, I really don't have much hands on experience with them both at once, thanks for correcting me
Jan 25 2012 3:58PM
0 0
profile picture
snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
One more thing.  As far as on-the-fly shooting is an external recorder a pain in the ass?  Would a RodeMic on the camera be better?  What kind of batter life do you usually get out of a external recorder?
Jan 31 2012 3:00PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,002
hgahahahahahahhaa

while usually the case, you need to do your research first dude
Jan 31 2012 3:11PM
0 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
yea i know:( sorry
Jan 31 2012 3:20PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)