Documentary Film - Zoom Recorders

Media Loan

• www.evergreen.edu/medialoan
• Bring your Evergreen ID with the current quarter sticker.
• Make a reservation for equipment, stop by Lib. 2504, or call (360) 867-6253.
• Test and confirm all equipment is in working order before leaving Media Loan.
• Media Loan has SEVERE LATE FINES. Return equipment on time, or call to make a renewal. Follow up with an appeal form to negate late fines.

Late Fines assessed daily, per item
Equipment valued over $250 — $20.00 per day
Equipment valued under $250 — $10.00 per day
Keys and all equipment and accessories valued over $50 — $10.00 per day
Equipment and accessories valued under $50 — $5.00 per day

• Media Loan Microphone Guide
• Media Loan Zoom Recorder Guide

Microphone Types

• Dynamic Mics
  • Can withstand louder noises, rugged pickup elements.
  • No power needed
• Condenser Mics
  • More sensitive to quieter noises, and more delicate pickup elements.
  • Needs power supplied through a battery, or through phantom power on zoom recorder.

Microphone Pickup Patterns

• Omni: picks up sound from all directions.
• Cardioid: picks up sound from front:
  • Proximity Effect: low frequencies are boosted as mic is closer to the source.
• Super-Cardioid: Picks up from front with a narrower pattern.

Microphones Categories

• Handheld
• Lavaliere: small clip-on attaches to clothing for vocal only recording.

Connector Types

1. XLR = used at the bottom of the recorder for an external microphone (1 & 2).
2. Mini or 1/8 inch = will not work with zoom.

Mic Usage Tips

• Use a stand if possible to reduce noise (table, or floor)
• Listen for:
  • handling noise
  • proximity effect
  • popped p's
• Signal to noise ratio
  • The closer you are to your source with your microphone the higher the signal to noise ratio
  • The further away you are from your source the more unwanted noise gets into your recording.
• Perspective
  • Close up recordings produce isolated sounds which enhances the texture of certain objects and provides a narrow and close up perspective.
  • Recording at distances provides width and depth to your sounds which can provide clues to location, combined actions of objects, weather, ambiance, time of day, etc.

Media Loan Shopping List

• Zoom recorder
• Mic cables
• Headphones
• Extension cables
• Desk stand, floor stand, microphone handle
• Microphones:
  • Recommended for vocal recording > SM-58, SM-57, Sennheiser 421, ECM-50 Lavolier
• Extra AA batteries

Zoom Recorder

Digital audio recorder that records to flash memory cards. No moving parts. Copy files off just like using a USB drive.

• Format memory card before use, and before returning to Media Loan.
• Record Settings: Review settings on Zoom Recorder Guide
• H4N Zoom Recorder - Menu System

Recording Checklist for Single Narrator Recording

Select a controlled and quiet recording location. Avoid noisy public locations (like restaurants, or areas near a road). If possible, eliminate background noises (turn off stereos, TV’s, fans, air circulation vents). A room with carpeting and furniture will typically sound better than one with hard floors (too much echo).

1. Plug in to ac power, or use fresh AA batteris. Confirm stamina switch inside battery compartment is off.
2. Turn on recorder
3. Format card
4. Plug in headphones
5. Connect an external mic to recorder, press 1/2 button on the front panel. If using a condensor mic turn on Phantom Power (+48v)
6. Set to record to WAV, 48kHZ, mono, manual record levels
7. Set the mode to Stereo
8. Confirm all filter settings are turned off
9. Make a test recording:
   1. Press Rec button once - this will go in record pause mode
   2. Test the microphone placement, confirm if you are hearing the built in mic, or the external, any crackles, or hums, room noise, too close, too far away from the sound source?
   3. Set levels - record level controls on the right of the recorder. Levels should be the loudest around -12dB
   4. Press Rec to start recording (counter will be running, record light will be solid)
   5. Listen on headphones
   6. Press Stop to stop recording
   7. Playback recording

It is recommended to record some "room tone" to be able to insert any pauses needed later in post-production.""

Copying Files

1. Connect the zoom recorder to ac power, connect provided USB cable to the computer.
2. Turn on the recorder, select USB mode.
3. Copy files from the audio recorder to a computer as you would from a USB drive. Protect the privacy of your recordings by deleting all files on the recorder before returning equipment to Media Loan.
4. When finished click and drag the device icon to the trash before turning off the recorder.

Get proficiency sign in sheet.