Rode Videomic Pro+Zoom H1 to Scarlet, good idea?

[Raphael Madeira]

Hello everyone!

I currently own a Red Scarlet X camera and for documentary, interviews, etc I wanted to have sound recording mounted on the camera, not just for scratch but also as main audio track.

I was thinking of getting a Rode Videomic Pro and use a simple Zoom H1 recorder an then send the audio to the Scarlet.

Anyone have experience or advice with this particular combo? Are the preamps included in the Rode already better than the ones on the Zoom H1 making this combo pointless?

Do we still need those special cables i see everyone talk about even if we're sending the sound to the Scarlet from the Zoom recorder?

Any advice would be great guys.

Thanks!

 

[Patrick Tresch]

I use the mkh60 plugged to the Epic through Red's cable and Epic's Phantom power.
But there is always a sound guy with me as doing a good sound is an art!
For documentary work I use my small Sonosax Sx-R4 4 track recorder.

Pat

 

[Jimmy Gilmore]

Despite what many dslr shooters will tell you, what you are describing is not a professional solution. If it's worth shooting with a Red, it's worth bringing an audio pro with a decent kit. Yes, I have used a H4n. I suppose it's useful as a backup.

 

[Raphael Madeira]

Sigh..

I get tired of people who come only to nag with their "Get a sound guy" comments.

People, we are aware that the ideal solution is a professional dedicaded to audio with professional gear ideal for sound capture.

Now what some apparently easily forget is that there are plenty of jobs out there where you need/have to be a one man crew.

In that precise context, not being a sound pro, here I am, asking for opinions on the gear in question.

At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I don't need answers such as "Ferrari" to questions such as "What's best, Toyota or Mazda?"

Now if anyone has some experience with recording sound on camera through a Rode Videomic Pro connected to a Zoom h1, I would be very grateful if they could share their past experiences.

Thank you everyone.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

No such an experience here, just tellng that the mkh60 is a great tool for onboard recording, it has a great off axis cut out for the camera fan. Have a nice shooting.

Pat

 

[M. FERGUSON]

Aloha Raphael,


A Rode Videomic Pro with a Zoom H1 into a Scarlet sounds fine to me. I've never used the Rode Videomic Pro but I just bought one and I'm looking forward to working with it. I've used other Rode mics and I really like their sound.
The rig I have recently been using is a Sony wireless rig for interviews (using lavalier mics). I run it into a Sound Devices MixPre-D and tap it into my EPIC (using the Sound DevicesTA3-F connector cable) the signal then goes "line in" to a Tascam Dr-100 MKll. I've used a Zoom h4n but they don't have a "real" line in feature. The Tascam has a mic/line switch with full size XLRs. I send a "Tone" signal (built into the Sound Devices MixPre-D) to the recorder and the EPIC to set levels. This rig also makes use of x's A-Box and proper connecting cables.

The preamps of the Sound Devices MixPre-D are very good and the ability to take the signal into the Tascam recorder at "line" level gives you a solid recording. Just sync the Tascam Dr-100 MKll recording with the "scratch" reference track recorded to the EPIC or Scarlet then drop the scratch track in post and use the Tascam Dr-100 MKll recorded track.


I've used this rig to record "dual system" sound for a few interviews that will be airing on National TV. The sound quality is great!


You do the best you can with what you've got and sometimes it gives you exactly what you need for a given situation. Of course if you can have and afford the talent and equipment of a professional Sound Recordist that would be the best way to go but sometimes you're a "one man band" and you have to do it yourself. Often that's the "real world" situation.


I highly recommend the Sound Devices MixPre-D as a solid high quality mixer - it can make a big difference. Having a portable digital recorder with real "line" XLR inputs is great as well and the combition of the two can give you outstanding results.


Good luck!


All the best…


Aloha,
Mike


Michael S. Ferguson


RED EPIC-X (NOW EPIC DRAGON!) #01567 "Pueo" The Hawaiian Owl


North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

 

[Wil Wong]

Yep. I agree with Raphael on the sound guy comments. It's only in this world of film that everyone pushes for a sound guy like they've never seen ENG new broadcasting in action. Coming from a broadcast background, it's ok to show lav mics. It's fine to set your levels and hit record. Sound guys are great don't get me wrong, but I agree, there is a world that does not use or need a dedicated sound techs. I think Documentaries like sports, like news are fine without. Always better with but then again so is any other position like an extra assistant or hair that's separate from make-up artist. You interview and you record with good mics and monitor it live and you should be fine. Totally different if you had to hide mics. My opinion.

As for the quality of equipment, simply depends on the budget. I'd get a Zoom H6 and have multiple mics (Lavs, shotgun on camera). I don't know if Rodes is that good but as a documentary, I don't think it would hinder.

 

[Karel Šimůnek]

Hi Raphael, I own Rode Videomic Pro and Zoom H1. Never used it together. But I used Zoom H1 connected to very cheap lav mic and sound was let's say OK. My Rode was always connected directly to dslr Canon but onboard audio is always useless. Rode Videomic Pro is way better than my lav mic so I guess sound with Zoom H1 is going to be acceptable for documentary style. But I never connected Zoom to the camera. I always recorded video and audio separately and sync it in postproduction. I agree with Wil, today I'd get Zoom H6 and record multiple audio channels and in post I'd choose the best one. But I understand it's about budget and Zoom H6 is 5 times more expensive than H1. Can't help more.