NEW! Juicedlink CX211 XLR Adapter...

Well as some of you may or may not know, I shoot event video and use a pair of Sony FX1 cameras.
Well the manual video control on these cameras are fantastic. But the audio has a lot to be desired. As the FX1's audio can't be independently controlled for L/R audio and only accepts 1/8 mic inputs.

Well this is where accessories like XLR adapters (small box that accepts XLR inputs and has a 1/8 balanced cable that plugs into your 1/8 mic input) come into play. I currently use a Beachtek DXA-FX, which was specifically for the Sony FX1. While the box works very well, it still could be better, as the pre amps in the unit are a bit noisy and as such brings the noise floor up to create a little white noise in your audio.

Well, I was contacted by the developer of Juicedlink to test out one of his CX211 Audio Adapter against my Beachtek DXA-FX XLR adapter, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Here is a brief rundown of the unit itself. I have only been able to run some quick basic tests so far and I hope to post audio examples and pictures of the two at a later date.

The switches on the box are a little on the small side, but manageable for my fat fingers.

The pan switches are on the front side of the box and mic setup can be set to L/C/R for each channel on the rear of the unit.


There's no mono stereo setting because of the selectability of each channel. So if you are using just one mic then set that channel to center and you're set. I actually like this setup better than a simple mono/stereo switch, because you can even do a center mic with one channel to both L/R tracks as well as set the other channel for a L or R pan. So one mic goes to two tracks and the other input can go to just one.

Now for the fun part.

As I said I did a quick down and dirty test with the CX211 and a Rode NTG2 mic and my Samson Micro 32 wireless.

First off this unit when set to Medium or Low pre amps, is real quiet. And i do mean quiet.
You do have to be careful though if you are using just one mic and set your pre amp to Low, that you turn down the free channel all of the way. The reason is that the noise floor on the Low pre amp channel being used is so low, that the other channel is above the noise floor, thus creating a lot of white noise. As soon as you turn down the other unused channel all of the way, it's perfect.

The audio pots on it are small but smooth to turn and gives very even and fluid sound level adjustment.

The unit doesn't have a built in limiter on it, but it does have a 20dB output pad integrated into the box. The mixer has the flexibility to go from `+16dB gain, to full attenuation (no input signal). Whatever signal you input into the Juicedlink, you will be able to adjust it with the appropriate amount of gain/attenuation to get it in the sweet spot of the camcorder mic input.

All in all for a first quick test, I am impressed.
Right off of the bat with just headphones, the CX211, even with the CX211's pres turned up to high, was much quieter than my DXA-FX1 from Beachtek.
In the coming weeks I am going to actually record both to tape for a head to head and post for all.

Right now I would say that this box will give you better audio than if you had a Sony Z1 and used the built in XLR's. The difference is dramatic because of the pre amps (as Sony's are notoriously noisy).

BTW, the developer (Robert) has also posted a new video testing the CX231 (same as CX211 but has 48v phantom power) against two Beachtek boxes and a Mix Pre. Here's the video comparison from his website.

Also, besides the base CX211, which I tested, they also have:
CX231 (which is the same as the CX211 but with phantom power)
CX411 (which is the same as the CX211 but with 4 channels of audio)
CX431 (which is the same as the CX411 but with phantom power)
CX431 (which is the same as the CX411 but with phantom power, Per-channel low cut filters, and Audio level display)

I would highly recommend a Juicedlink box to anyone who doesn't have XLR capability on camera and would like to bring their audio quality up to a higher level.

Feel free to go to Juicedlink's website for more details and comparisons.

Review of the Zoom H2 Recorder

Well folks, this is going to be the official debut thread for the New Zoom H2 recorder that many have heard about.

The functions are very similar in to the H4. So anyone who has used an H4 will know most capabilities.

I am going to break down the unit into Pro/Cons.

Pros:
1. Small form factor (even smaller then the Edirol R09). This will make it very easy to place on a groom or person without getting in the way or looking too clunky. It's best placed in the breast pocket on on his waist, just as you would place a wireless transmitter on his person.

2. Very nice build. The finish is very nice satin steel finish (yes it's plastic), and very solidly built. It actually feels much more substantial and well built then the H4.


3. Manual controls:

a. Nice recessed buttons that make it very easy to navigate, as well as avoid buttons from accidentially getting hit during recording.

b. Recording levels can adjusted on the outside of the unit. No digging into the menu like the H4. Yippee.

c. 4 different mic configurations.
90 degrees: record from front of mic element
2 Channel stereo: mic records from front and back of mic (you can place this right on a mic stand in the middle of a band and record either the entire band at once, or face one side of the mic towards the crowd and the other towards the band to record both sources.)
4 Channel Surround: Record in the same manner as 2Ch,
EDIT: Creates two separate WAV files (labels them SR***L and SR***R)...thus allow you to set the 3D panning of the four mic elements. This can either be done in computer sound program, or the unit itself (you can set your levels after recording, to create your 4 channel mix).
120 degree: record using the back of the unit to record in a 120 degree radius.

d. L/M/H Gain settings on outside of unit for quick adjustments when needed

5. Normalization: you can normalize your recording right in the unit with no need to do it on the computer

6. Menu adjustable AGC/Compressor/Limiter

7. Digital audio pass through. Record to the unit and send the identical signal to your camera (via wireless) by way of the Phones/Line Out 1/8 port

8. 1/8 Mic and Line in ports. Don't have actual tests with this yet, but they are there for easy access. Actually this unit is really meant to be used as a mic recorder and external mics shouldn't be needed. BTW Mark mentioned to me today " One item I'm concerned with is the ext. mic circuit...will it allow GS lavs (etc) to plug in and record without the audio falling into the noise floor..." I wouldn't worry about that too much as you should be able to use the units external gain settings to prevent that. I believe that you would have to supply mic power to the lavs though (which is in the menu).

9. SD card recording: From early reports you can record to SD cards up to 4GB without a problem. And some selected 8-12 GB cards. The only drawback here is that you have to format the cards outside of the unit.

10. High fidelity recordings. You can record in as high as 24/96 WAV format. No worry about sync issues for the most part here. We'll have to see when reports roll in from the field.

11. Built in mics. The mics actually sound a bit cleaner than the H4 mics do. Again, we have to wait till I or others get it in the field.

12. Time stamp and track marker function in WAV record mode.

13. NEW, as reported by Mark: Good news on the lav issue...not only do regular lav mics work (you have to enable mic power through the menu) but GS mic wired for the iRiver works also. When you're using an ext. lav mic with a typical wired configuration, it will record to left channel only. If you use a Giant Squid that was configured to work with your iRiver, it will record to right channel.... "

14. NEW, as reported by Mark: Good and bad news for the hold function... Bad news...the on/off switch is still active so if someone shuts it off...well..... Good news...the recording goes through shut down process so you won't loose file.

15. NEW, as reported by Mark: Unit will use either alkaline or oxyride batteries...I would recommend oxyride for long record times at receptions

* Explanation of oxyride battery: Oxyride batteries use updated alkaline chemistry that includes a finer grained graphite and manganese dioxide, allowing a denser fill of material. With an advanced substance for the cathode or negative (-) side, called oxy nickel hydroxide the batteries maintain higher voltage. Oxyride batteries also utilize a vacuum-pouring technology in the production process, allowing more electrolyte to be packed into each battery for increased durability. Hence, increased power and a longer life....

16. NEW, as reported by Mark: Full-time Monitoring: To enable full time monitoring of the input signal, press the menu key. Scroll through unitl you see "monitor" and select "on"

17. NEW, as reported by Mark: Another "cool" feature: by pressing the play/pause button while recording, you can set a BWF (Broadcast Wave Format) compatible cue point. Not sure all NLEs can read this info...but it places a marker on the audio timeline. This would be beneficial in a long recording to identify important areas when scrubbing a timeline

18. Ease of transferring files to the computer over the iRiver...no more importing files to the iRiver music manager to convert. Simply select "USB" on the menu and the computer sees the H2 as a removable drive

19. Latest Update on SDHC cards: Just purchased SanDisk (comes with SDHC reader for your computer) and PNY SDHC 4GB cards from Circuit City. The H2 recognized them and formated them with no problem. They also function perfectly. Still waiting to see what the best deal might be on obtaining 8GB SDHC card.

20. You are able to format and use 8GB SDHC cards. I purchased this 8GB Transcend SDHC card, and was able to format the card in the H2 itself and use it.

21. To prep the H2 to place on groom or officiant after you switch it on, place a small piece of electrical tape over the on/off switch. This will not only keep it from accidentally being switched off, but will hide the switch itself so THEY don't switch it off before you want it to.

22. NEW, in response to Cons #7 on the preamps and loud venue recording. this would be the best recorder setup to record loud events, like micing a PA stack.
H2 loud environment recording
Mic Gain low,90° from the front,
Limiter - concert,
Wave 16bit/48 kHz (at least 16/48 so you can have the same bitrate as your recorded DV tape)


Cons:
1. Form factor for mounting on a mic stand. The H2 has a 1/4 thread at it's base, which means that the unit is really meant to be mounted straight up. They do supply a small pole of some kind that could be mounted into a mic holder if needed. But I would hate it.

2. SD card loads from the bottom. The same bottom that the unit mounts. Means that you have to remove the unit to change cards. However, if you use long running 2-4 8-12 GB cards, then there would be no need to remove these cards when recoding in the field.

3. No XLR inputs. Well we knew this. And not really a bit con, since I wouldn't be using an external mic with this unit. Except for maybe a lav.

4. Levels can't be adjusted while unit is in Hold mode (hold the Menu key to put the unit in "Key Hold" mode). You can power the unit down or adjust the L/M/H gain switch on the unit if needed.

5. Never insert or remove the SD card while power to the H2 is on. Otherwise data can be destroyed.

6. When you change SD cards, the H2 does not retain your current setings. EDIT: Your settings seem to be cached in the SD card themselves and not the H2 memory. So if you inserted a brand new SD card you would get the default 44/16 WAV settings.

7. Pre Amps are not that great. Used the H2 at a wedding this weekend in placed in front of Bose speakers the DJ was using, with H2 set on M (Medium) pre amp. At a point he cranked the sound up. Audio turned to squelching mush, until I set Pre amp to L (Low), then all was good. If you place H2 in front of PA stack, make sure that you turn Pre amp to L (Low).

8. I just found out from testing the H2 won't do a 2gb seamless split...it loses about a second or two....

These are just some quick observations.
And more and sound tests and info will be added to this thread when they become available.

I will say, that for those looking for a replacement for their IRivers. That's a small form factor, inexpensive (only $199 and that was the actual retail price for the 1GB IRiver. And this can record on SD cards for up to at least 4GB.), record in MP3 (why bother), when you can record in WAV 16/48, 24/48 or 24/96, built in stereo mics, that can record in 4 channel surround, and much more.

From what I have seen first hand, It's here in the form of the H2. While it won't be the best audio unit out there. It will be the best low cost unit out there.

H2 Recording setup UPDATE:
Due to the fact that the H2's audio input level is set before the pre amps, some additional noise floor noise can be heard. To solve this problem, ALWAYS set your record level at least at 100. then set you onboard L/M/H pre amp accordingly for usage. So an optimal setup for micing a loud PA stack would be Pre Amp: L (low) Recording Level: 100-110 Limiter/Compressor: OFF Mic
Config: 2CH or 4CH for optimal ambient recording. This setup should yield most acceptable recoding with little problems.

Recording Setup: Wave 16bit/48 kHz or 24/96 (at least 16/48 so you can have the same bitrate as your recorded DV tape)

Old Edirol R09 Audio Review

Old Post from 2006:
(Coming soon Audio posts on Zoom H2, Marantz PMD620, Edirol R-44)

Here are some audio samples from the new Edirol R-09 recorder. Audio was recorded off of one of my M-Audio DX-4 monitor speakers by a AT822 stereo mic fed into the R-09's 1/8 mic jack. As well as a speaker test, I also used the R09 at an outdoor wedding ceremony, micing a woodwind ensemble.

There are 2 ways I tested:
1. R-09's built in stereo mic input
2. AT822 straight into R-09's 1/8 mic input
3. AT822 mic fed into PSC Promix 3 mixer, fed into R-09's 1/8 line input
4. Outside woodwind test, using AT822 mic fed into R-09's 1/8 line input

*NOTE:
This was a straight test with no post sound correction.
There is some computer fan noise heard in the built in mic and AT822 tests.
Due to the fact that a mixer supplies you with built in low cut filters and limiters, little fan noise from my ProMix 3 test is heard.

*My latest test uses just the R-09 and AT822 mic, in an outside wedding ceremony, recording 2 woodwind musicians. The 822 was setup off to the side of one musician and faced inwards to all 3.

All audio has been reduced from original 44 Hz 16 Bit Wav to 320 Kpbs 44,100 Hz, Stereo, mp3 file for the web.

Click the appropriate link below to play mp3 audio

R09 Built in Mic

At822 to R-09

AT822 to Promix

AT822 Woodwind

Mobile Audio Rig

Here is an example of one of my bare bones, stripped down, mobile recording setups for quick setup and portability. You will notice that there are no cables in this setup. So it's entirely mobile and efficient for quick fast moving recording situations.

Recorder: Samson Zoom H4 (also use Edirol R09, Marantz PMD620, and Zoom H2)

Microphone: AT822 stereo mic plugged into the recorder and Samson wireless handheld with built in Micro32 transmitter.

Mic Stand and Bracket: (stand) Atlas TEB-E (bracket for recorder) Windtech add on clamp (MSA1)

Mic Stand Adaptor: (for Recorder) Edirol OP-R09M Mic Stand Adpator for R09