YouTube member KnopTop shares all the steps needed to update the firmware on the popular Zoom H1 portable recorder. [Thanks Dave] The new firmware update is supposed to solve some major problems you want to avoid. There's some additional information on the original post (here).
Zoom H1
B&H Learning Library – In Depth 2011
B&H published a few articles in their Learning Library around popular gear in 2011. Check out a few of their articles that get in-depth with Fast Glass, Voice-Over equipment, Shotgun Microphones, On camera monitors, and Portable Audio Recorders. These articles are great reading materials for a more in depth look at at tips, tricks, and technical information.
Opteka Double Shoe Bracket
Opteka releases a dual cold shoe bracket that mounts to your camera's hotshoe. It's a simple way and inexpensive way to mount two accessories directly to your camera such as an LED light, microphone, or audio recorder.
Opteka Dual Cold Shoe V Bracket
The Opteka looks to have a shorter profile, but it is very similar to the Dual Light and Sound type bracket found below.
Photo Video Dual V Bracket for Video Lights & Microphone
If you really want to load up on your hotshoe, another slightly more expensive option is the Alzo Multi Mount. This includes a microphone / portable audio recorder shock mount, 4 cold shoes, and 1/4-20 holes for even more accessories. It can be used on the camera, but we often use this type of mount on a light stand config (seen below).
(above) Our Alzo Multi Mount Config
Alzo’s Latest Microphone Shockmount / Accessory Bracket
Alzo's latest Multi-Mount serves the same purpose to hold accessories like a DSLR cage, and at the same time provides a shock mount for your Microphones / Portable Recorders. Looks like there's no need to buy silly homemade shock mounts just for your Zoom H1 or a separate bracket to mount your JuicedLink DS214, this bracket does it all (and then some).
As a shock mount it can support thin shotgun microphones, as a Zoom H1 shock mount adapter, all the way up to the large Zoom H4n, and heck maybe even the Shure SM58 for handheld interviews. At the same time it provides (4) shoe mounts & (5) 1/4" holes for mounting other additional accessories like a small monitor, LED light, Juicedlink DS214, wireless mic receivers, etc. Now available via Amazon (click here).
ALZO DSLR Shock Multi-Mount Accessory Bracket
Tascam DR-40 vs Zoom H4n
When it comes to portable recorders with DSLR video, there's two names that are sure to come up - Tascam and Samson (a.k.a Zoom). Here's an interesting new product pointed out to me [Thanks Anthony] that could shake things up for Samson's Zoom H4n product line. The H4n has been a long mainstay when it comes to an affordable 4 track portable recorder with XLR inputs, but Tascam has got something new (and cheaper).
The new Tascam DR-40 is playing in the same recording space offering just about as much features as the Zoom H4n, but the kicker is that it's coming in at about $100 dollars cheaper than the Zoom H4n (found here)
Tascam DR-40 4 Track Portable Recorder XLR
[Update] Now available via Amazon below
TASCAM DR-40 4 Channel Portable Digital Recorder
Audio 2000s Wireless Microphone Battery Powered
I'm not too familiar with the Audio2000 wireless microphone system, but Vimeo member Kenrik March seems to have used it quite a bit. Seems to be using it often enough to attempt using the universal 12V battery pack I blogged about to make it a truly wireless and portable system. A bit large and not something you'll be mounting to the top of your camera, but a line out from the receiver in to a Zoom H1 should work well. There seems to be some varying packages that come with hand held microphone, LAV microphone, or Headset wireless microphones. I couldn't tell you if all the receivers require 12V DC in. Now if we can get a range test to see what distance this could be usable at. [Thanks Kenrik]
Audio2000 Wireless Microphone Systems
As tipped by Kenrik, these UHF Wireless Microphone packages can also be found for cheaper via eBay (click here)
Audio2000 UHF Wireless Microphone System
DIY Portable Sound Booth
This won't eliminate all ambient noise like a true sealed sound proof room, but when you can control or eliminate sound deflections that can reach your microphone, it takes your audio to another level. An excellent tool when doing voice over or narrative work to your videos. Here's another cool looking portable DIY sound booth for microphones. The walls break down using Eyelets and Hooks when not in use. [Thanks Joel]
Materials
$109 Auralex ... Box of 24 Studiofoam Wedgies (enough for audio walls, plus a back wall that I built to put behind speaker. Use Liquid Nails to glue the Wedgies to the particle board walls).
$10.75 1/4" 4x4 sheet of Particle Board @ Home Depot (probably need 2 sheets)
$1.18 Metal Eyes @ Home Depot (pack of 8)
$1.18 Metal Hooks @ Home Depot (pack of 4)
$2.29 2x2x8 Wood @ Home Depot (use for reinforcement on walls. The amount depends upon how much you want to reinforce, but you will definitely need these to anchor the Metal Hooks and Eyes for attaching the side walls to the back wall - and for the ceiling to prevent sagging)
Dimensions
Ceiling: 35" wide x 28" Deep (it simply sits on the two walls with a bit of overhang)
Side Walls: 24" tall x 28" Deep (walls connect to the back with the eye hooks
Back Wall: 24" tall x 36" long
Clip on Ikea desk lamp for $5.99 (see photo).
For the not-so-diyers there are a number of these Portable / Collapsible Traveling Sound Booths available on both eBay (click here) and on Amazon (click here).
Portable Sound Booth
Dual Light and Sound Hot Shoe Bracket
If you've seen a post I did a while back on a double Light and Sound bracket, there's now one available for half the price. Perfect for mounting a Shotgun to one side and an LED light on the other. Or heck, why not mount two LED lights. A simple way of mounting several accessories without getting into DSLR Cages. With the hot shoe adapter built in it can be quickly mounted to your camera, or to a light stand using the available 1/4 x 20 thread under the shoe. Now available via Amazon (click here
Zoom upgrades the H2 with H2n
Zoom is upgrading the H2 with a new H2n. The black finish and retro condenser microphone styling is a big plus for my taste, but it's neither pocketable nor does it have all the features of the H4n.
I'm not sure how something like this would fit the Video Maker's toolbox with all the other Zoom options out there (no XLR inputs), but Zoom has been geared more towards musicians. It might be a handy thing to have for Video makers that record live concerts and provide a better sound than the Zoom H1. Not yet available, but there's some additional information and sexy photos following the link.
FEATURES
:Five built-in mic capsules provide Mid-Side (MS) stereo, 90° X/Y stereo, 2-channel and 4-channel recording modes
:Records in WAV up to 24-bit/96kHz and MP3 up to 320kbps
:Newly designed user interface
:Additional functions include Lo-cut Filter, Compressor/Limiter, Auto Gain, Pre-Rec, Auto-Rec, Tuner, Metronome, Variable Speed Playback, Key Control, A-B Repeat, File :Dividing, Normalize, MP3 Post-Encode, Marker and Surround Mixer
:Data recovery function protects against unexpected recording errors
:Over 20 hours of operation using two standard AA batteries
:Operates on battery, AC or USB bus power
:1.8-inch backlit LCD display with 128 x 64 resolution
:Analog-type Mic Gain wheel
:Built-in reference speaker
:High-speed USB 2.0 card reader function
:1/8-inch Mic/Line Input and Phones/Line Output stereo phone jacks
:Accommodates up to 32GB SDHC memory cards
:Includes Steinberg WaveLab LE 7 editing software, 2GB SD memory card and two AA batteries
:Optional accessory package (APH-2n) includes remote control with extension cable, windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB cable, adjustable tripod stand, padded-shell case and a mic clip adapter.