Just bought a Zoom H2 and it seems very good on a few test recordings at home. I would like to know if anybody has experimented with the best settings to use for recording ITM sessions?
I have previously used a Sony MD recorder with Sony mike on LP2 setting and was happy with the result.
I intend recording in MP3 format and perhaps a bitrate of 160kbs using the surround 2 Ch setting in the centre of the group. My usual session comrises 8-10 musicians round a couple of tables with not too much background noise. How does that sound? Should I use the mike AGCor manual compression setting? Any tips or help appreciated. Thanks!
I recently bought one of these as well, and was definately worth the investment. I have recorded several sessions using 2 channel surround. Obviously, the best format would be a WAV format at least 16 bit 44,100 (CD format). It depends what you want to do with it. If it is for your own use in an MP3 player, then the MP3 format would be adequate, but if you want to create a CD out of it or you want to mix or edit it, use the WAV format. I don't use the AGC. I set the "MIC Gain" switch for medium gain, and I adjust the volume so that it doesn't clip.
I put the recorder on a short tripod to get the recorder off of the table to avoid sounds being transmitted through the table. The Microphone Adapter is handy! If it is possible, put the louder instruments on one side, and the more quiet ones on the other, so that when you edit the WAV, you can adjust the volume of the tracks individually. The bodhran should be farther away from the microphone than the instruments.
I have used one in a variety of different places and generally find the Medium setting about right for acoustic playing and have used the Low setting when recording a 5 piece rock band with drums and three guitars.
I haven't used the AGC either. Main thing is what GoatBasher says ie set the MIC gain to right setting (most likely medium) but then do fine adjustment with tthe volume level and avoid clipping at all costs. You can always up the levels afterwards with whatever you choose to use to edit what you have. I have mostly recorded live using 4 channels and hence WAV format. The only downside is it's rapidly eating up the 400gb of space on my computer and takes quite a time to download.
There is a thread here - http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=109161&messages=5 - with links to some sound examples of recordings in different live situations. They were all done on a Medium setting. I recorded some at too high a level recently where they have clipped and the quality is not so good.
I use Reaper to then edit the files on my computer and it is an incredibly quick job to paste the two stereo WAV files into it, edit out the section I want, apply a couple of filters/effects, render it to a WAV file and burn it onto a CD.
Zoom H2 best setting for recording session?
Zoom H2 best setting for recording session?
Just bought a Zoom H2 and it seems very good on a few test recordings at home. I would like to know if anybody has experimented with the best settings to use for recording ITM sessions?
I have previously used a Sony MD recorder with Sony mike on LP2 setting and was happy with the result.
I intend recording in MP3 format and perhaps a bitrate of 160kbs using the surround 2 Ch setting in the centre of the group. My usual session comrises 8-10 musicians round a couple of tables with not too much background noise. How does that sound? Should I use the mike AGCor manual compression setting? Any tips or help appreciated. Thanks!
# Posted on April 7th 2008 by CelticMissed
Re: Zoom H2 best setting for recording session?
Make sure that you soak it in a saturated solution of potassium citrate before use.
# Posted on April 7th 2008 by Finbar Saunders2
Re: Zoom H2 best setting for recording session?
Potassium permanganate might make for a more attractive colour, no ?
# Posted on April 7th 2008 by wolfbird
Re: Zoom H2 best setting for recording session?
I recently bought one of these as well, and was definately worth the investment. I have recorded several sessions using 2 channel surround. Obviously, the best format would be a WAV format at least 16 bit 44,100 (CD format). It depends what you want to do with it. If it is for your own use in an MP3 player, then the MP3 format would be adequate, but if you want to create a CD out of it or you want to mix or edit it, use the WAV format. I don't use the AGC. I set the "MIC Gain" switch for medium gain, and I adjust the volume so that it doesn't clip.
I put the recorder on a short tripod to get the recorder off of the table to avoid sounds being transmitted through the table. The Microphone Adapter is handy! If it is possible, put the louder instruments on one side, and the more quiet ones on the other, so that when you edit the WAV, you can adjust the volume of the tracks individually. The bodhran should be farther away from the microphone than the instruments.
good luck
# Posted on April 7th 2008 by GoatBasher
Re: Zoom H2 best setting for recording session?
I have used one in a variety of different places and generally find the Medium setting about right for acoustic playing and have used the Low setting when recording a 5 piece rock band with drums and three guitars.
I haven't used the AGC either. Main thing is what GoatBasher says ie set the MIC gain to right setting (most likely medium) but then do fine adjustment with tthe volume level and avoid clipping at all costs. You can always up the levels afterwards with whatever you choose to use to edit what you have. I have mostly recorded live using 4 channels and hence WAV format. The only downside is it's rapidly eating up the 400gb of space on my computer and takes quite a time to download.
There is a thread here - http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=109161&messages=5 - with links to some sound examples of recordings in different live situations. They were all done on a Medium setting. I recorded some at too high a level recently where they have clipped and the quality is not so good.
I use Reaper to then edit the files on my computer and it is an incredibly quick job to paste the two stereo WAV files into it, edit out the section I want, apply a couple of filters/effects, render it to a WAV file and burn it onto a CD.
# Posted on April 8th 2008 by mactavish