Zoom H2 Recording Settings

[NotABaritone]

Hey,

I just picked up my handy Zoom H2 (Last year's model) and I love it. I've played around with it a bit, and was wondering who here has quite a bit of experience with this device?

I recorded (Euphonium) Solo-Unaccompanied in a large room, with a lot of echo. I had the recorder on the other side of the room .......that's why. I ended up placing the recorder about 6-8 feet away, with the front mic, 90 degree setting and all sounded fine.

Now, I am trying to get ideal sound quality and balance with Piano accompaniment. I recorded with the same setting, and the piano sounds quite distant. I had the mic gain on low, but increasing the volume of the file seemed to do just fine. Any recommendations, aside from spending more time experimenting? Does anyone here have a specific set-up for one instrument with piano?

I am thinking of trying the rear mic, 120 degree setting, with low gain, about 15 feet away. I doubt surround sound would be good for this type of situation? Any testimonials would be appreciated!

Thanks!

KJ

[Steve Oberheu]

I would recommend setting the gain to the mid-level setting. Having recorded several tuba and french horn players with it, I would recommend the mid-level setting with the 120-degree angle and have it only about 6 feet away.

[NotABaritone]

Thanks a lot Steve! I will definitely try that.

Any others have similar experiences?

[Tuboxchef]

As a side job, I've done an extensive amount of recording over the past 5 years. Normally I use my own pro level equipment, but I do have an H4 which I love. I've played around with this quite a bit...here's some ideas:

1. I don't know where your bell is pointed (toward audience or parallel to stage), so you can experiment with that to see if you'll get more piano in the mix and less euphonium. Also try moving the H2 parallel to stage if the room has a certain "sweet spot" you like to adjust this mix.

2. Another way you can explore is to actually point your bell toward the piano (basically turn yourself around), and then put the Zoom in the center (essentially creating a channel with euph and one with piano). Since I assume you have no audience you can really point your bell wherever you want to suit the situation the best.

When I record I like the mics closer than farther away. Since you mentioned echo is an issue, having the mics close will result in a much clearer recording. When I use good mics for tuba and euph, I typically start about 4-5 feet away, record and listen, and make adjustments. Every hall is different, so you're right experimenting is your best way to go. It seems like you're on the right track. But I do think setting up the mic on stage between you two will get you better results. You might have to change the setup a little to create enough distance between the two instruments, but it should help.

Good luck!

[NotABaritone]

Thanks again! Thats a very interesting idea. I have never used the two-way microphone setup so I was hesitant to do so. When I grab my accompanist I will try recording with the mic in the middle. I think I will bring a quality set of headphones and test a few settings one at a time and compare.

I will let you know how this turns out!

I am guessing if I record JUST the piano at the right distance , (eg. 9 feet), and myself at JUST the right distance (eg. 6 feet). Then i can place the recorder in between us with those distances. Hmm. Now I am curious.


EDIT: Also, what about recording formats? I understand WAV has better quality with bigger file sizes, but what about 16 bit vs 24 bit, and 44.1khz vs 48khz etc?