darwinnovicio Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Hi! A friend of mine bought the new Zoom h6n. it has 4 xlr inputs and can be expanded into 6 when you buy the the needed accessory... Though I dont know if its worth my money to buy, coz im using now a zoom h4n as my recorder and a separate field mixer.. Will it be ok to buy a zoom h6n and use it as a field mixer at the same time? maybe for super low budget gigs and run and gun scenarios? Any thoughts? Heres the link of a review in youtube: http://youtu.be/OCVxxugqVz4 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmfsnd Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 I'd invest in a more versatile mixer/recorder to grow with. Like a SD 633. Your H4n can continue being the "super low budget", if you continue to take those gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 (edited) darwin: " Will it be ok to buy a zoom h6n and use it as a field mixer at the same time? " it is OK with me... the Zoom H6n has been discussed before in a thread here of its own... as a professional tool, it is a toy. Edited June 5, 2014 by studiomprd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darwinnovicio Posted June 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Thank you so much for your replies.. Sir studiomprod, ill be searching the thread about the zoom h6n thanks for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 Will it be ok to buy a zoom h6n and use it as a field mixer at the same time? maybe for super low budget gigs and run and gun scenarios? Any thoughts? It's a piece of crap, in my opinion, but I could see it being useful for certain things. I don't expect much for $399. Bear in mind it's not really a mixer, the preamps are terrible, and it has no timecode. It's like comparing an iPhone to a full-res digital 4K camera. Try a real mixer/sound recorder like the Sound Devices 633 for one day so you can grasp the difference of what a basic mixer and sound recorder really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 as a professional tool, the H6n is a toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VM Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 I would rather say it is a special tool-toy. All those cheap recorders are certainly not a main recorder or mixer but they may be useful in a few particular situations. In the same way a photographer may have a disposable camera for certain situations. As Mark says you should test a SD663. Or at least any professional mixer (SD302 for example) plus a cheap recorder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillweii Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 great to start off with. If you don't need timecode and the producer isn't snooping to what's in your bag, put some tape on the knobs and your chilling. Works great with a 302 running into it and then have a mix out line going separate into camera to produce 2 recording sources. Use it as a plant mic/backup recorder, never can be too safe on set. It's stereo XY mic is great. Hid it in a truckers sun visor for an interview and surprised the producers with it's quality. Don't use the microSD, mine already failed after 8 days of shooting. Use it until it funds a 633. Don't want to be dressed for the prom with no prom to go to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 I think an H6 could be useful if you needed to grab some quick background effects or do a sound-only interview. I don't think it's useful in sync sound situations because the lack of timecode is going to kill you. The self-contained microphones are terrible -- you can't buy two good mics for $399, let alone a recorder and a mixer -- but on the other hand, it may still sound better than a camera mic. It's still junk, but there are different levels of junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillweii Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 I think an H6 could be useful if you needed to grab some quick background effects or do a sound-only interview. I don't think it's useful in sync sound situations because the lack of timecode is going to kill you. The self-contained microphones are terrible -- you can't buy two good mics for $399, let alone a recorder and a mixer -- but on the other hand, it may still sound better than a camera mic. It's still junk, but there are different levels of junk. good perspective. H6N is on ebay funding the bag/batteries for new recorder next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakesh Malik Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 The advice here is pretty much exactly what I got when I asked the folks at Sweetwater about the h6. I was thinking of moving up from an h4n, they basically said, "don't bother, just wait until you can afford a professional recorder." I did... waited until I could afford a 633, which I'm now eagerly looking forward to putting to work on its first production next weekend, when we're doing an Altman-style dialog recording with 4 wireless mics. Plus a boom mic, probably. I'll let the sound guy decide (I'm the DP ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Hi RM, and welcome: " I'll let the sound guy decide... " ...what camera to use, what lens, and filters.. and even how to set up the shots...? It isn't about the arrows, it is about the archer, and I'm not sure you are really interested in archery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakesh Malik Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Obviously, since I pointed out that I'm the DP, I'll let the sound guy decide on how to record sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 The advice here is pretty much exactly what I got when I asked the folks at Sweetwater about the h6. I was thinking of moving up from an h4n, they basically said, "don't bother, just wait until you can afford a professional recorder." I now have more respect for Sweetwater! That's actually pretty good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 RM: "I'll let the sound guy decide on how to record sound. " that is not how your OP read: " I'm now eagerly looking forward to putting to work on its first production next weekend, when we're doing an Altman-style dialog recording with 4 wireless mics. Plus a boom mic... ". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakesh Malik Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Apparently context isn't enough. I was describing the sound recording technique, and concluded it with "I'll let the sound guy decide." Anyway, yes the Sweetwater folks have been in my experience quite honest, and though they occasionally recommend stuff that I didn't plan on, it's stuff that's in the same price range. (e.g. boom mics). I may not be a sound specialist, but I do like knowing how to get good sound, since we're not always able to get dedicated sound people to work with us. I do prefer it when we have them though, because it makes my life a lot easier since it means I don't need to worry about the sound side of things... as long as we don't have 7 planes flying overhead every six minutes, as it sometimes feels like happens as soon as the director calls "action." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 RM: " I was describing the sound recording technique, and concluded it with "I'll let the sound guy decide." " exactly, an oxymoron. you are selecting and providing the sound equipment, and sound recording technique, thus, not really letting the sound guy decide on them... and sounds like the Sweetwater folks are reminding you that there are a lot of accessories required... now I'm reminding you that it isn't about the arrows, it is about the archer. and, BTW: " as long as we don't have 7 planes flying overhead every six minutes, as it sometimes feels like happens as soon as the director calls "action." " who picked the location ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VM Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Listen to that, it is 13mn long, a well done radio documentary. http://nouvoson.radiofrance.fr/paysage-sonore/voyage-en-inde And here you will learn how they record it: http://nouvoson.radiofrance.fr/fiche-technique-voyage-en-inde Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillweii Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Listen to that, it is 13mn long, a well done radio documentary. http://nouvoson.radiofrance.fr/paysage-sonore/voyage-en-inde And here you will learn how they record it: http://nouvoson.radiofrance.fr/fiche-technique-voyage-en-inde shut the internet down. it's over. nothing else needs to be said anymore. just keeeding. zooms are chill and like studiomprd said its "the archer not the arrow", but again it comes down to outputting to camera/ producer not stone cold stunning you for not having time code sync. From bartending/truck driving Tascam/zoom can definitley slowly fund a career change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justanross Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Yah, like everyone is saying. Save up and get something more professional. Lots of used Sound Devices 552's out there. I do have an h6. I really like it. But I use it for ambience and a back up. And when I say back up, I mean as a very last resort. That's if my Nomad was to fail and then my MAXX and if I couldn't get ahold of another sound guy in town to use something of his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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