Sound & Vision

Zoom Q8 Handy Video Recorder, and Tascam DR-70D Audio Recorder

By Dan Brockett

A rep from Zoom recently approached me to check out their new Q8 Handy Video Recorder. A few weeks after NAB, a box from Zoom showed up. The question is, what’s a "Handy Video Recorder," and why would a sound-oriented person be interested in it? Zoom, as you probably know, makes a line of digital audio recorders that have gained considerable... Read more

The FCC Has It In For Me

Røde RødeLink Wireless Filmmaker Kit, and DPA d:facto Interview Microphone

By Dan Brockett

RØDE WIRELESS MIC SOLUTION Q It seems that, in the U.S., the FCC is slowly encroaching on most, if not the entire, common spectrum used by wireless microphone systems. I had three Audio-Technica and two Lectrosonics wireless mic systems that operated in the 700 MHz spectrum. The FCC auctioned off that spectrum to digital HD broadcasters a few... Read more

Shipping Off – Tascam’s DR-10X

Tascam DR-10X recorder and Lectrosonics LR/LMb wireless mic system

By Dan Brockett

TASCAM DR-10X RECORDER Q I’m trying to save space and weight with my location audio recording gear. I’m considering buying a small handheld digital recorder like the Zoom H4n. This will be for a documentary project where I’ll have to record a lot of ambient sound, but will also need to record lots of on-camera interviews. Because... Read more

Ride Like The Wind

The Rycote Cyclone windshield system, plus sound recording with your iPhone

By Dan Brockett

THE RYCOTE CYCLONE WINDSHIELD SYSTEM Q Most of my recording experience is in studios and on stage. I’ll be the sound mixer for an upcoming shoot that will take place in Chicago on and near Lake Michigan. From previous trips to the area, I know it will be windy, and I’m concerned about recording clean sound with a minimum of wind noise—we... Read more

Rear-Rejection Sound

Profiling the Sanken CSR-2 mic, plus the Sound Devices 633 mixer/recorder

By Dan Brockett

SANKEN CSR-2 MIC Q I’ve been primarily using Sennheiser microphones, including the MKH 416 and MKH 50, for the past few years as the main mics in my sound-mixing package. I recently landed a new client for whom I’ve been mixing sound on a lot of sports events shoots where we shoot interviews on the sidelines of games at large stadiums.... Read more

Around The Campfire

Recording audio for a four-character scene, plus powering small recorders

By Dan Brockett

RECORDING AUDIO FOR A FOUR-CHARACTER SCENE Q I’m working on a low-budget student film. We have two big scenes where four characters will be having a discussion around a campfire. We’re covering the scene with two cameras; one will be a pretty wide shot that contains all four characters, the fire and some of the area around the fire, while... Read more

Audio Options For The Panasonic GH4

Plus, Tascam’s DR-60D as a DSLR audio solution

By Dan Brockett

PANASONIC GH4 & RØDE LAVALIER Q I’m looking for a good wired lavalier for my new Panasonic GH4 camera. Unlike my video cameras, the GH4 doesn’t have XLR connections, and most of the lavaliers I’ve seen that have unbalanced 3.5mm connections aren’t exactly pro-level microphones. This will be for broadcast, and I’ll... Read more

Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Mic

Plus, picking the right boom pole and mic mount

By Dan Brockett

SENNHEISER SHOTGUN MIC Q I’m assembling my first serious audio kit, and I’d like some advice about which shotgun could serve as my main boom microphone. I work on a lot of documentaries and travel to shoot them overseas usually, so size, weight and performance are all considerations. My budget is very limited, but I want the best I can... Read more

Peak Performance

Apogee MiC 96k, and output levels for online delivery

By Dan Brockett

APOGEE MiC 96k Q We recently landed a project that will involve shooting on-location performances with singer/songwriters. I have a Canon C100 camera that has okay audio quality, but I’m looking to step up the quality in regard to microphones and sample rate. We just bought the newest version of Apple’s Logic X, so I’m interested... Read more

Single-System Sound

Sound Devices MixPre-D sound mixer, and Sony MDR-V6 headphones

By Dan Brockett

SOUND DEVICES MIXPRE-D Q Could you offer a suggestion on a small mixer for maximizing audio quality when shooting with DSLRs and medium-range video cameras like the Canon C100? We’ve been using a Zoom H4n, but keeping the audio organized and syncing in post is becoming tedious, so we want to maximize the sound quality from our new microphones... Read more

Sound Restoration

iZotope RX 2/RX 3 complete audio repair, and how to improve your audio

By Dan Brockett

iZOTOPE FOR AUDIO REPAIR Q I have a video project that I’m working on as the sound mixer, and I’m serving as the audio editor, as well. I had some equipment issues, however, which resulted in audio tracks that were noisy and hissy. This was a one-shot deal for a documentary, and it can’t be rerecorded, so I need to do the best I can... Read more

Location Sound On The Go

The Tascam DR-40, and international wireless usage

By Dan Brockett

TASCAM DR-40 Q I’m looking for my first portable level digital audio recorder. It will need to operate on batteries or AC power, need to have dual audio XLR inputs and must have decent audio metering. The catch is that my budget is $200. Is there anything out there that I should be looking at? A friend loaned me his Zoom H4n, and I wasn’t... Read more