How to synch audio from Zoom recorder to camera video?

I need to do a video shoot for recording a conference. There will be various speakers on a stage doing their individual presentations, plus maybe a question and answer session between speaker and audience members numbering around 200 or so. The conference meeting will be held in some indoor conference room I've never been to before, so I can't provide anymore details.

I will be using my Canon 90D camera with a Rode VideoMic Pro Plus external shotgun on the camera hotshoe. I'm guessing I will be some distance away from the stage but not sure how far away, since I've never been to that out of state venue.

In addition to recording the speaker's voice using the Rode mic on the hotshoe from some distance away, I'm thinking of using an external recorder placed on the stage close to the speaker as added insurance. I'm thinking of maybe using this Zoom recording device:

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1n-Dig...rder&qid=1576874559&s=electronics&sr=1-6&th=1

The problem is that I don't know how to use the Zoom recorder. I'm hoping the speaker's voice is good enough with my Rode shotgun mic recording from a distance. But just in case it's not, how do I synch the recording from the Zoom device to the edited video file? I use a video editing software called PowerDirector Ultimate 18. I'm guessing the app has the ability to synch audio from the Zoom to the video footage from my Canon 90D camera?

Suggestions welcome. I am new to shooting videos, so using video recording stuff is new to me. Thanks!

By the way, please don't tell me to get/rent a Sennheiser G4 wireless lav setup, I'm not getting paid enough to either buy nor rent the gear.

The easiest method for good quality audio is to record off of the sound mixer's board. Any chance you can ask if that's possible and what kind of connector you need?

Syncing depends on your software and I don't know yours. If you look at the graphs, you should be able to sync up loud sounds like applause.

I have time code generators that automate that for me, but those aren't cheap.

I'm not familiar with Power Director. If it doesn't have an automatic sync audio function, syncing audio by hand is not hard. Find an audio spike - a cough or other percussive sound - and notice the spike in the audio waveform. Find the same audio spike in the other audio file and align them visually. The ideal scenario is to mark the beginning of the recording with a hand clap, similar to the clap board they use on movie sets. A sneaky way to do this would be to cough very loudly right before the presentation starts.

For the actual recording, your mic on the camera will be too far away, but you could use it here and there for laughter or applause. For your Zoom recording, I would aim the Zoom's mic at the PA speaker, or even take a line output from their mixer. Or, if they'd let you, you could place the Zoom on the podium, but for that scenario, it might be better to plug the Rode mic into the Zoom, and either aim that mic directly at the speaker or clip the mic onto the gooseneck of the mic the speaker is using. The closer you can get the mic to his face, the better it's going to sound.

If you do manage to get a line out from the PA mixer, it would probably be on rca jacks. In that case, you'd need a cable with rca connectors on one end and 1/4" phone jacks on the other end. If the level meters on the Zoom are hitting too high, and your input volume is set at 3 or below, the signal is probably going to distort. You'd need to use the -20db pad button on the Zoom.

If it's a digital mixer, it might have the capability of recording 48k 24bit audio directly to a USB stick. You'd want the stick formatted for windows, probably not EXFAT, which is cross-platform compatible.

You'll have to google how to set up the Zoom, but it's not hard. Select 48k, 24bit recording, which is the highest quality setting, and enable the limiter circuit. When you're setting levels, allow peaks to reach -12 DB, which leaves headroom for unexpected loud parts. You should be able to record at least 4 hours on a battery, probably much more. Audio doesn't take up much storage pace. You can get by with a small SD card - 32 GB, for example. I got the AC power supply for my Zoom. I generally start the audio recording long before turning on the video cameras. It avoids the panic of trying to turn on all your devices at the same time.

Assuming your Canon has a time limit for video recording, time your breaks so that you can stop and start recording again without losing anything important. You'd want to assess your battery situation. If you're not sure about how long you can record on one battery, set up the camera at home, let it run, and note how long it lasts.

Casey Cheung said:

I will be using my Canon 90D camera with a Rode VideoMic Pro Plus external shotgun on the camera hotshoe. I'm guessing I will be some distance away from the stage but not sure how far away, since I've never been to that out of state venue.

Click to expand...

Not sure? It's your job to make sure you can pull off whatever you've agreed to do.
Be on the venue well beforehand to set up your gear and your shooting position(s), do a mic check and audio levels check-up well before you hit record. Make sure you can get close enough with the camera to get decent coverage for both audio and video.

Casey Cheung said:

The problem is that I don't know how to use the Zoom recorder.

Click to expand...

Then figure it out well before the actual venue. Do a practise recording and make sure you know how to operate it. Fortunately the Zoom H1 is quite easy to use.

Just place it on a light stand, a small table tripod or something similar, use proper headphones to set the sound level to the right ballpark with someone as an audio stand-in, speaking roughly at the same volume as the speakers during the venue. There ought to be a chance to do a quick sound level check beforehand. Just be ready to act fast and discreetly, without drawing too much attention to yourself if necessary.

Casey Cheung said:

I'm hoping the speaker's voice is good enough with my Rode shotgun mic recording from a distance.

Click to expand...

In general, possible. From a distance, maybe, but quality may suffer. Like said, make sure you can get close enough beforehand.

Casey Cheung said:

But just in case it's not, how do I synch the recording from the Zoom device to the edited video file? I use a video editing software called PowerDirector Ultimate 18. I'm guessing the app has the ability to synch audio from the Zoom to the video footage from my Canon 90D camera?

Click to expand...

I don't know what that particular app can or cannot do, but there are a couple of ways to sync dual audio, and the old school version works pretty much with any app.

Some modern NLE's are capable of doing a pretty good job at syncing audio tracks on the fly, and there are also third party apps for that, like PluralEyes, which apparently works with Windows, too.

Then there's the old school method of using a 'clapper' of some sort. Which means using an audiovisual cue for the syncing of the picture and sound. That can be an actual clapper, your hands or whatever to make a sharp, distinctive sound you can match manually with the visual component in the front of the camera.
This method has been known and used for nearly 100 years.

It is also possible to adjust an audio track with your video track fully manually, too, using the in-camera audio as a helper track (scratch track). That is a bit tedious and takes more time and care, but it is doable with most NLE's nonetheless.

Casey Cheung said:

Suggestions welcome. I am new to shooting videos, so using video recording stuff is new to me. Thanks!

Click to expand...

Suggestion 1:
Practise beforehand. With the gear you've got. Get there early and set things up well beforehand, and be prepared to adapt quickly if necessary. Do not go on the venue not knowing exactly what to do. Get as close as possible without drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.

Suggestion 2:
Try to get close enough to the action. If the distance of the on-camera mic (reference audio) and the recorder is too long and you cannot use their PA system for main audio, make sure you do have an actual lip sync with the recorder audio and the video in post. The longer the distance between the camera and the recorder, the trickier it may be to get in sync. Especially on echo-y premises. Getting closer will also improve image quality.

Suggestion 3:
Whichever method you'll end up using for sync, record both audio and video in short enough chunks. Do not try to record the entire duration of the venue in one go.

The reason being that with your kind of gear, the longer your audio (and video) recording is, the bigger the risk of sync creep will be. In other words, the longer the recording, the harder it is to sync it without proper time code.
To avoid that, do several shorter recordings. Use any natural pause in and in between the speeches to stop the recording and then be ready to start the next one right before the 'action' starts again.

Casey Cheung said:

By the way, please don't tell me to get/rent a Sennheiser G4 wireless lav setup, I'm not getting paid enough to either buy nor rent the gear.

Click to expand...

It's not about the gear. In this case it's more about knowing what to do and how in general, with whichever gear at your disposal.

Remember to practise beforehand. Good luck!

eFilm said:

...Whichever method you'll end up using for sync, record both audio and video in short enough chunks. Do not try to record the entire duration of the venue in one go.

The reason being that with your kind of gear, the longer your audio (and video) recording is, the bigger the risk of sync creep will be. In other words, the longer the recording, the harder it is to sync it without proper time code.
To avoid that, do several shorter recordings. Use any natural pause in and in between the speeches to stop the recording and then be ready to start the next one right before the 'action' starts again.

Click to expand...

Good advice about sync creep, but if the audio recorder is not near the video recorder, it is not necessary to stop and start the audio recording repeatedly. One can simply cut the audio track into sections as needed after it's in the editor.

For manual sync, if there is no clap sound to help align two audio tracks, one can trim the audio track to the start of a specific word in the speech. Then find that same word in the video track and trim the track to start at that word. Then you align the beginning of those two tracks and "untrim" them (pull back the part of the audio and video tracks that you trimmed.)

One can also zoom out a bit to see how the two audio tracks align visually. They will look like two mountain ranges, depending on how far out you zoom. With this view it's easy to see if there is alignment. Then you zoom back in again to make the fine sync alignment. It helps if you have buttons assigned for "move track forward one frame" and "move track back one frame."

YIf you zoom in all the way, you may find the audio track is either a half frame early or a half frame late. If this happens, in Premiere you can check "show audio units" which unlocks the audio track. Now you can move the audio track forward or backward in increments smaller than one frame to achieve perfect sync.

Casey Cheung said:

The problem is that I don't know how to use the Zoom recorder. I'm hoping the speaker's voice is good enough with my Rode shotgun mic recording from a distance. But just in case it's not, how do I synch the recording from the Zoom device to the edited video file? I use a video editing software called PowerDirector Ultimate 18. I'm guessing the app has the ability to synch audio from the Zoom to the video footage from my Canon 90D camera?

Click to expand...

Casey, with Power Director it's pretty easy to sync external audio with your camera. Just go to Plugins (the puzzle piece on the upper left of the main window) and click on Multicam Designer. This will let you import video into up to 4 separate cameras ( you only have one) and sync them all to a separate audio track.

I've used this method for a lot of concert videos (acoustic classical, not amplified) using one or two cameras, and it works well for me. I use a Canon videocamera, a Sony superzoom, and am adding in a Lumix G85 to the mix now. I have a Zoom H4n that I try to get as close to the instruments as possible to lessen air conditioner, traffic, audience noises and room reflections and resonances.

There are Youtube videos showing how to do this, they got me going on it.

Thank you gentlemen for all your detailed and helpful input, I appreciate it a lot! I will be recording the speakers using an external audio recorder for post editing. But I'm having a hard time deciding between the Zoom H1N or the Tascam DR-05X. Both are currently on sale below $100. Which model do you think is easier to operate and complete the task at hand?

Tascam DR-05X link:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1453029-REG/tascam_dr_05x_stereo_handheld_digital_audio.html

OR:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...h1ng_zoom_h1n_digital_handy.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

I found this useful video on how to synch audio by Brian Miller. He also uses the clapping method for synching.

uncle dunc said:

Good advice about sync creep, but if the audio recorder is not near the video recorder, it is not necessary to stop and start the audio recording repeatedly. One can simply cut the audio track into sections as needed after it's in the editor.

Click to expand...

Sure, if that's your thing, but that's beside the point. There are several practical reasons for doing both the video and the audio recordings in shorter meaningful sequences, whenever possible.

Which brings us back to my main point, the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. Organise things well beforehand so that you'll at least have a chance to minimise the compromises regarding gear placement on set during the actual shooting and then potential syncing issues afterwards.

It's also better to practise the basics of dual audio recording and editing well before agreeing to do a job, rather than agreeing to to do a job first without having a clue about how to do dual audio, as implied in the OP. Just saying.

uncle dunc said:

For manual sync, if there is no clap sound to help align two audio tracks, one can trim the audio track

Click to expand...

Yes, there are indeed a number of ways to do the job. Do enough prep work and practise beforehand, and the editing phase will be a doddle. All the minutia is figure-outable.

Casey Cheung said:

Thank you gentlemen for all your detailed and helpful input, I appreciate it a lot! I will be recording the speakers using an external audio recorder for post editing. But I'm having a hard time deciding between the Zoom H1N or the Tascam DR-05X. Both are currently on sale below $100. Which model do you think is easier to operate and complete the task at hand?

Click to expand...

It's a matter of taste. Both will do the job. I've got at least one Zoom H1n in my portable kit but if I didn't already have one I'd gladly take the Tascam as well.

If possible, try both in your own hands and just pick either one, and then do some test recordings. With the built-in mics as well as with an external mic attached to the recorder.

Bottom line, don't get obsessed about the gear, just pick one and start recording, and getting ready for the job.

eFilm said:

Casey Cheung said:

Thank you gentlemen for all your detailed and helpful input, I appreciate it a lot! I will be recording the speakers using an external audio recorder for post editing. But I'm having a hard time deciding between the Zoom H1N or the Tascam DR-05X. Both are currently on sale below $100. Which model do you think is easier to operate and complete the task at hand?

Click to expand...

It's a matter of taste. Both will do the job. I've got at least one Zoom H1n in my portable kit but if I didn't already have one I'd gladly take the Tascam as well.

If possible, try both in your own hands and just pick either one, and then do some test recordings. With the built-in mics as well as with an external mic attached to the recorder.

Bottom line, don't get obsessed about the gear, just pick one and start recording, and getting ready for the job.

Click to expand...

I visited my local pro camera store and played with both the Zoom and Tascam side by side in my hands. Although the Tascam is physically larger, what won me over to the Tascam was simply that it has a larger LCD screen and the number font size is literally about 2-1/2 times larger displaying numbers versus the Zoom model. For me that's an important point so I don't need to put on my reading glasses to see the tiny font size for numbers. The Tascam also takes AA batteries versus AAA for the Zoom. Tascam also accepts a larger 128GB card versus 32GB max for the Zoom. I'm formatting a memory card now to start testing out my new Tascam recorder, can't wait!

rlumpy said:

rlumpy said:

The problem is that I don't know how to use the Zoom recorder. I'm hoping the speaker's voice is good enough with my Rode shotgun mic recording from a distance. But just in case it's not, how do I synch the recording from the Zoom device to the edited video file? I use a video editing software called PowerDirector Ultimate 18. I'm guessing the app has the ability to synch audio from the Zoom to the video footage from my Canon 90D camera?

Click to expand...

Casey, with Power Director it's pretty easy to sync external audio with your camera. Just go to Plugins (the puzzle piece on the upper left of the main window) and click on Multicam Designer. This will let you import video into up to 4 separate cameras ( you only have one) and sync them all to a separate audio track.

I've used this method for a lot of concert videos (acoustic classical, not amplified) using one or two cameras, and it works well for me. I use a Canon videocamera, a Sony superzoom, and am adding in a Lumix G85 to the mix now. I have a Zoom H4n that I try to get as close to the instruments as possible to lessen air conditioner, traffic, audience noises and room reflections and resonances.

There are Youtube videos showing how to do this, they got me going on it.

Click to expand...

Great, thanks a lot, I can't wait to try it out! So far, I have an idea in my head how to synch audio from the Tascam with the audio from the camera.

But what about synching 1 continuous 2 hour audio clip from the Tascam to more than several separate video clips from the camera? I will have the Tascam recording continuously throughout the presentation onto 1 single audio file.

But my camera is limited to 30 minute video clips and then the camera automatically stops the video, whereby I must then restart another video clip. I will not wait for the 30 minute time limit imposed by the camera, instead I will stop and start a video at an opportune time, say for example when the speaker pauses when the audience makes an applause. I will also stop/start for a new video when a new speaker comes to the stage. I'm guessing there will be at least several speakers during the 2 hour presentation.

Is PowerDirector app able to easily synch audio to multiple video clips? Thanks!!

By the way, I now have the Tascam DR-05X recorder. I've been playing around with it all day and recording various things indoors and outdoors and testing out the levels plus the mono versus stereo settings. I successfully downloaded the WAV files to my computer and it plays back fine. So I'm off to a good start hopefully, LOL!

Casey Cheung said:

But what about synching 1 continuous 2 hour audio clip from the Tascam to more than several separate video clips from the camera? I will have the Tascam recording continuously throughout the presentation onto 1 single audio file.

But my camera is limited to 30 minute video clips and then the camera automatically stops the video, whereby I must then restart another video clip. I will not wait for the 30 minute time limit imposed by the camera, instead I will stop and start a video at an opportune time, say for example when the speaker pauses when the audience makes an applause. I will also stop/start for a new video when a new speaker comes to the stage. I'm guessing there will be at least several speakers during the 2 hour presentation.

Is PowerDirector app able to easily synch audio to multiple video clips? Thanks!!

By the way, I now have the Tascam DR-05X recorder. I've been playing around with it all day and recording various things indoors and outdoors and testing out the levels plus the mono versus stereo settings. I successfully downloaded the WAV files to my computer and it plays back fine. So I'm off to a good start hopefully, LOL!

Click to expand...

Yes it will sync several clips to a long audio track. In the multicam window, import all your video clips into one camera listing, tell it where to find the audio track and to analyze the audio. It will then match the audio on each clip to the appropriate place on the audio track. There's a little more involved, but then you can export back to your timeline where you can do any editing you want to do.

It's probably important to note that you will need to massage your audio track (I use Audacity) before importing it. I usually adjust levels, filter out low level noise, limit clapping (you can actually clip the applause if it's too loud, and you'll never notice the distortion). I spend a lot of time with my audio, but it's acoustic instruments and I want good quality and levels. With just voice, you may not be as picky.

rlumpy said:

Casey Cheung said:

But what about synching 1 continuous 2 hour audio clip from the Tascam to more than several separate video clips from the camera? I will have the Tascam recording continuously throughout the presentation onto 1 single audio file.

But my camera is limited to 30 minute video clips and then the camera automatically stops the video, whereby I must then restart another video clip. I will not wait for the 30 minute time limit imposed by the camera, instead I will stop and start a video at an opportune time, say for example when the speaker pauses when the audience makes an applause. I will also stop/start for a new video when a new speaker comes to the stage. I'm guessing there will be at least several speakers during the 2 hour presentation.

Is PowerDirector app able to easily synch audio to multiple video clips? Thanks!!

By the way, I now have the Tascam DR-05X recorder. I've been playing around with it all day and recording various things indoors and outdoors and testing out the levels plus the mono versus stereo settings. I successfully downloaded the WAV files to my computer and it plays back fine. So I'm off to a good start hopefully, LOL!

Click to expand...

Yes it will sync several clips to a long audio track. In the multicam window, import all your video clips into one camera listing, tell it where to find the audio track and to analyze the audio. It will then match the audio on each clip to the appropriate place on the audio track. There's a little more involved, but then you can export back to your timeline where you can do any editing you want to do.

It's probably important to note that you will need to massage your audio track (I use Audacity) before importing it. I usually adjust levels, filter out low level noise, limit clapping (you can actually clip the applause if it's too loud, and you'll never notice the distortion). I spend a lot of time with my audio, but it's acoustic instruments and I want good quality and levels. With just voice, you may not be as picky.

Click to expand...

That's great, I'm glad to know it's possible.

Is this the Audacity app you are referring to?

https://www.audacityteam.org/download/

Casey Cheung said:

That's great, I'm glad to know it's possible.

Is this the Audacity app you are referring to?

https://www.audacityteam.org/download/

Click to expand...

That's what I use, been using it on Windows and Linux for years. If you have the whole Power Director package, you may want to use Audio Director, but the earlier versions didn't do what I needed. Audacity is very versatile, especially with some of the plugins, but it does take a bit of learning. YMMV.

With the Zoom recorder, I can record at a safe level, -12dB, 24bits, 48Khz and have lots of headroom for overloads. Then when I normalize the gain, Audacity is happy to work with the 24 bits, and at least on my H4n, there doesn't seem to be any added noise from the preamps.

rlumpy said:

Casey Cheung said:

That's great, I'm glad to know it's possible.

Is this the Audacity app you are referring to?

https://www.audacityteam.org/download/

Click to expand...

That's what I use, been using it on Windows and Linux for years. If you have the whole Power Director package, you may want to use Audio Director, but the earlier versions didn't do what I needed. Audacity is very versatile, especially with some of the plugins, but it does take a bit of learning. YMMV.

With the Zoom recorder, I can record at a safe level, -12dB, 24bits, 48Khz and have lots of headroom for overloads. Then when I normalize the gain, Audacity is happy to work with the 24 bits, and at least on my H4n, there doesn't seem to be any added noise from the preamps.

Click to expand...

Great, I will download the free Audacity app and play around with it.

I watched a video on the AudioDirector 10 app from Cyberlink (link below). The app costs $130. Seems relatively easy to use, but I will forego this in favor of trying out Audacity instead.

AudioDirector overview:


On my Tascam DR-05X recorder, I have the same settings as you do.

Format: WAV 24bit

Sample: 48k

Type: MONO (for recording speaker presentations)

Low Cut: 40Hz

Tone Vol: -18dB

Level: -12dB

I'm no expert in the above Tascam settings, I simply mirrored the same settings based on a YouTube tutorial video by Brian Miller who uses the exact same Tascam recorder. I linked this video previously.

Additionally, I have my Tascam "INPUT LEVEL" set for 50, this is before I manually change it up or down before recording something. Do you have any defult "input level" setting you keep your recorder at?

Do you have a Zoom recorder? I was looking at the specs of the Zoom H1N and it appears to have 2 different functions that my Tascam DR-05X doesn't have, or maybe I just can't find it.

Does your Zoom recorder have the "LIMITER" function? Is it useful to automatically prevent distortion from excessive high levels? My Tascam doesn't have a LIMITER function that I can find. Instead, the Tascam has a "PEAK" red color warning light that comes on for any high spikes. But the PEAK warning light won't do me any good cuz the recorder will be placed at a distance away from me so I won't be able to make any adjustments.

Also, does your Zoom recorder have the "SOUND MARK" function? Is it useful for aligning audio signal and video from a DSLR camera? My Tascam doesn't have a sound mark function that I can find.

EDIT:

Oh dang, I just watched this Julian Krause video on the "LIMITER" function of the Zoom H1N recorder. He says the limiter is useful for saving an audio from unexpected spikes. Now I'm feeling the itch to want this limiter function, haha!

eFilm said:

Casey Cheung said:

Thank you gentlemen for all your detailed and helpful input, I appreciate it a lot! I will be recording the speakers using an external audio recorder for post editing. But I'm having a hard time deciding between the Zoom H1N or the Tascam DR-05X. Both are currently on sale below $100. Which model do you think is easier to operate and complete the task at hand?

Click to expand...

It's a matter of taste. Both will do the job. I've got at least one Zoom H1n in my portable kit but if I didn't already have one I'd gladly take the Tascam as well.

If possible, try both in your own hands and just pick either one, and then do some test recordings. With the built-in mics as well as with an external mic attached to the recorder.

Bottom line, don't get obsessed about the gear, just pick one and start recording, and getting ready for the job.

Click to expand...

Holy cow, I just read this article below on Radio Frequency Interference using the Tascam DR-05X recorder. Sure enough, it's sadly accurate! While doing a test recording, when I place my Tascam recorder within 1 or 2 feet from my cellphone or home router, there is a loud static and crackling noise that can be easily heard while recording (and especially using headphones into the recorder).

Question please: Does your Zoom H1N recorder have this same Radio Frequency Interference problem?

Here's the link to the article below and an excerpt:

https://weloty.com/zoom-h1n-vs-tascam-dr-05x/

"I was really excited when the new Tascam DR-05x was released. I owned the older version Tascam DR-05, but I ended up getting rid of it, and getting the H1n, because it had one big issue: radio interference. My hope, Tascam would fix this well documented issue in the x-series. They didn’t!

I still can’t fathom why. BTW, this is a known issue with DR-05, 07 and 40 models. Keep in mind, the radio in Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), does not simply refer to FM, AM – old school radio. In fact, radio waves are used in all forms of telecommunication. So, WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, Bluetooth, microwaves etc, are all radio waves. I can only foresee our recording locations getting more saturated with radio waves as more devices get connected. For instance, my camera now comes with WiFi and Bluetooth connection."

Casey Cheung said:

I visited my local pro camera store and played with both the Zoom and Tascam side by side in my hands. Although the Tascam is physically larger, what won me over to the Tascam was simply that it has a larger LCD screen and the number font size is literally about 2-1/2 times larger displaying numbers versus the Zoom model. For me that's an important point so I don't need to put on my reading glasses to see the tiny font size for numbers. The Tascam also takes AA batteries versus AAA for the Zoom. Tascam also accepts a larger 128GB card versus 32GB max for the Zoom. I'm formatting a memory card now to start testing out my new Tascam recorder, can't wait!

Click to expand...

Sounds good. Now that you've got one and since you're fairly new to shooting video and dual audio, I might as well add one 'unsolicited' suggestion, or more like a bonus tip.

Bonus Tip #1:
Do some test recordings with the recorder, using both the built-in mics of the recorder and the Videomic, attached to the Tascam, using the recorder as a field recorder only.

Do it in some fairly noisy and/or echo-y environment and from varying distances to the source. Just to learn what they'll sound like. You could/should also shoot a video at the same time, so that you can start practising the syncing of an external audio track with your video track as well.

It's important to do such tests well before you go to that event so that you know what to expect, and to be able to adapt when necessary. If you don't, chances are that your soundtrack will sound like crap, despite your fancy new recorder and your Videomic on the camera. In which case the syncing part is the least of your worries.

Figure out how you're going to set up the recorder either alone or with the Videomic on the venue. Keep in mind that recorders like these tend to pick up everything they're physically in contact with, including slightest vibrations and handling rustle, so be careful where and how you're going to place it.

How to combat unwanted noises during that recording session, like mentioned in the earlier suggestions, get there early, do your sound checks beforehand and then make sure nothing is in contact with or disturbs the recorder when it's recording, and if possible, use some sound isolation mounts like those provided by Rycote and such. Or simply use a separate microphone like your Videomic and use the Tascam as a recorder only.
Also give a clean 10 to 15 second window for both the beginning and the end of each recording. Start recording early, and let it run for a while before stopping it.

Other issue to keep in mind is the pickup pattern of these recorders. They often do nice enough a job in picking up the voice of a speaker, at least when placed close enough. But depending on the situation and the space in question, they may also pick up quite a bit of ambient sounds, which may become an issue. The voice of the talent may sound echo-y, boomy or otherwise unpleasant or unclear, there may be annoying amounts of other ambient noises and so on. The closer you get the mic the better.

Take your time to actually listen to the live incoming sound with quality headphones when doing your sound check and before hitting the Rec button.

Which is why a separate, possibly more directional and better damped mic attached to the Tascam might work well, and eliminate most of the possible unwanted noises that could ruin an otherwise okay recording.
Or maybe it won't be a better solution in that case, after all, but you won't know that beforehand. Therefore it would make sense to give both options a try beforehand. Use the sound recorded by your camera's internal mics as reference audio, which you then replace with the audio track recorded with the Tascam when editing.

Then, and only then, is it time to start worrying about the syncing of the audio and the video tracks, which you will figure out in no time. ;-)
Consider it a nice practising opportunity.

Anyway, this is why you've got bigger worries than the syncing to consider first. Do your sound tests and practise recordings beforehand to get a better idea what the sound will be like with each setup. Then you'll be better prepared during the event to place and set yourself up optimally and to do some tweaks on the fly if/when necessary.

Don't just assume and hope. Test it and then ace it. ;-)
Like they say, it's not about the gear, it's how you use it.

Casey Cheung said:

Holy cow, I just read this article below on Radio Frequency Interference using the Tascam DR-05X recorder.

Click to expand...

Oh, that I didn't know.
I've got a different Tascam model which hasn't shown any issues so far.

Casey Cheung said:

Sure enough, it's sadly accurate! While doing a test recording, when I place my Tascam recorder within 1 or 2 feet from my cellphone or home router, there is a loud static and crackling noise that can be easily heard while recording (and especially using headphones into the recorder).

Question please: Does your Zoom H1N recorder have this same Radio Frequency Interference problem?

Click to expand...

I don't think so.
I haven't noticed any RFI issues with H1n. In fact I just made a quick test just out of curiosity, and nope, no RFI issues with my cellphone or 4G/wifi router, at least I didn't notice anything.

Then again, I might have not noticed even if it did have such issues, as I've got a strict no active phones on set policy. After all, having an active phone on set, let alone 2ft or closer, when recording audio is a disaster waiting to happen.

Even if it did not cause RFI interference, the damn thing might just do something stupid like start ringing, dinging or buzzing during a recording. Ouch.

My old Tascam field recorder does not seem to have any RFI issues, either, so maybe it's a problem with your particular model only.

Although RFI interference used to be a known issue with certain audio gear setups, perhaps less so these days. Anyway, better to keep the damn things away or off when doing recordings.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried if the RFI interference happens when using a separate mic as well? If it does, and your dealer has a generous return policy, maybe that would be reason enough to swap it for the H1n.

The Zoom H1 has its little niggles, too, but it appears to be a compact and reliable tool. I've done quite a few interviews and also backup recordings using only it, with maybe just a stand and a wind shield.

eFilm said:

Just out of curiosity, have you tried if the RFI interference happens when using a separate mic as well? If it does, and your dealer has a generous return policy, maybe that would be reason enough to swap it for the H1n.

Click to expand...

That's a great question! I was intrigued, so I went ahead and did some tests to see if an external shotgun mic attached to my Tascam recorder will give better results without the RFI issue.

Sure enough, attaching an external mic to the Tascam recorder makes a huge improvement. Not only do I get better sound, but I do NOT notice any RFI static/buzzing when I place the Tascam next to my home wifi router or next to my Samsung Note 10+ smartphone. Yahoo!

By the way, I have a second extra shotgun mic that I will use for attaching to the Tascam recorder, it is the MOVO VXR700 mic which has +10dB setting and low cut filter setting. I did recording tests with the MOVO mic attached to the Tascam recorder and with-out. In every instance, the sound quality was better with the MOVO shotgun mic attached and enabled. So I will place the Tascam & Movo mic setup on top of the stage with a small Jobo tripod. See picture of the setup below.

As an FYI, I've come to realize the Tascam recorder is extremely sensitive for any ambient noises. I did various tests indoors at a quiet Catholic church recording the priest and organ music, plus outdoors on a noisy street recording street artist singers, and inside noisy shopping mall stores, etc, and found out the Tascam picks up every single little sound! That can be both good or bad, haha!

Since I only want to hear the speakers' voices on the stage and not the audience noise, I will use the shotgun mic attached to the Tascam. I will have the Tascam/mic setup positioned a few feet away from the stage microphone and pointed straight up towards the speaker. The Tascam will be placed on a small Jobo tripod which means the attached Movo mic is roughtly about 15" up away from the floor (hopefully that's good enough).

I will use my Rode VideoMic Pro Plus mic on top of my Canon 90D camera for its +20dB setting feature, since I will be farther away from the stage and shooting video. I'm guessing I will be positioned maybe 10, 15, or 20 seating rows behind the stage with a zoom lens focusing on each speaker. Plus the Rode mic on the camera hotshoe can also record any audience question and answer audio better, I'm guessing.

Check out the picture of my new setup below, suggestions welcome!