Thanks for all the replys on this topic. On the recoding level issue. I guess
am always trying push it to get a measurable sonogram so i can get some metrics
on certain parameters like fundamental frequency, frequency range, call length
etc. Plus I was amazing how much less noisy the H4N was. So I will focus on
monitoring more and get some good headphones.
On buffering. When buffering came out as an option on digital recorders it was
for me one of the most important recording advances. I had pressed record 1/2
sec too late and lost the beginnings of calls too many times as tried to
conserve battery power. For me 2 sec is just about enough. I would like to see
the manufacturers at the affordable end of the market offer a menu of say 2,
4,6 & 10sec buffering. It cant be technically too difficult these days.
On general recording field craft. I was interested to hear Peter Shute's idea
of tape the machine to the shock mount i might try that with my next recorder
(what ever that is, not decided yet). But presumably it needs to be a small
recorder. Its seems that as naturalists interested in sound we try to get the
recording whilst often also trying get a look through binoculars (like Vicky's
comment). So actually we need and extra set of hands! But I like a machine that
you can attach shoulder straps, then you can reach your binoculars in your left
hand if needed. As Vicky says you need to get to know your machine and clearly
didnt know the H4N well enough and got frustrated. But I do think that the
Marantz system with a pause record button separate from the record button is
the best of both worlds.
---In <> wrote:
I mounted my recorder on my ME66's shock mount so that it's a single unit. It
means I can't see the display while I'm recording, but it works well. But I
think the H4N is a bit heavier than my M10, so it might not work as well.
I've had the same problem with the record button on the M10, I have to hit
Record then Play, and occasionally I forget. A Tascam recorder I have requires
me to press Record twice. Just have to get used to doing it.
Peter Shute
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
>
>
> On Behalf Of
>
> Sent: Wednesday, 27 November 2013 7:54 PM
> To:
> Subject: [Nature Recordists] Experiences recording with a
> Zoom H4N & Senn ME66/67 in the bush.
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I used a friends Zoom H4N for the first time with a
> Sennheiser ME66/67 to do a wildlife survey in Africa for the
> first time, as my old Marantz PMD660 has died. I was amazed
> how impracticable the zoom was for wildlife sound recording,
> at least the way I do it. Some obvservations to share with the group:
>
> I had to push up the gain to 80-90% to get a good enough
> signal and then have to boost it more in post. With the
> PMD660 I would set the gain from 4.5-6. As I aim to get good
> mono recordings of my target species it was very
> disappointing. I also changed mics (I carry 2 sets of
> K6/Me66/67 capsules) and batteries to see if there was a mic issue.
>
> On board mics are very nice for ambient recordings.
>
> Also annoying is that the are no shoulder strap loops and
> that the level meter display is on the front face. So I was
> holding the recorder in one hand and the mic in the other.
>
> Putting the recorder in a bag meant I could not control the
> gain and see the display panel easily.
>
> The Gain buttons require large dextrous hands, I managed just
> but I dont know how small handed people would cope.
>
> The record buttons needs you to press it twice other wise it
> stays on pause record. This is crazy when you need to quickly
> get that bird call and subconsciously you hit the REC button
> only to look down and see it still flashing away on pause record.
>
> Rant over. This machine may be loved by videographers and
> others who are in a more controlled setting but it gets the
> thumbs down from me. These basic ergonmic design features
> which were there on the PMD660 (yes it has poor sound
> quality), made it a practical option for walking surveys in
> the bush. These features for me limit other options out
> there on the market, even if they have great sound quality.
>
> This maybe an obvious question. I would like to ask the group
> how you do recording while on the move in the bush with not
> tripod etc. Are the protabrace style shoulder bags used to
> hold the recorder so a hand is free for control the levels
> and the other holding the mic?
>
> Cheers
>
> Andy
>
>
>
"While a picture is worth a thousand words, a
sound is worth a thousand pictures." R. Murray Schafer via Bernie Krause.
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