External Mic for Zoom H4
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Posted on Apr 09, 2010 12:18 pm
doowlehc
Member Since: Apr 09, 2010
Hi I had been using Zoom H4 for a few years - to record my piano playing. I got a few questions:
- is it worthwhile to buy a pair of external mics for Zoom H4? You think it will be much better than the built in mics?
- any type of mic I should buy (I know nothing about various types / technoligies of microphone), and price ranges?
- any other considerations?
Thanks!!!
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 09, 2010 12:28 pm I had one of these with my midi-disc recorder:
It worked very well. I didn't do much audio recording with it, but was very impressed with it's decent full range and great stereo field.
It's a stereo mic, btw, with switchable angle: 90 and 120.
It has it's own built in preamp, run by 1 AA battery.
EDIT: got working photo,
the part number is ECM MS907. (forgot the PN)
Apr 19, 2010 10:24 am I've used the h2 and now own an h4n, I'm sure the mics are comparable. That bein said, it's probably not worth it to use external mics unless you're recording more than just you're piano.
If you wanna get crazy you could get something like a shure beta 52 to put under the bass end of your piano. It's the kinda mic they use on kick drums and bass amps to get all the low end. They're kinda pricey at $180 new, but it's one thing you could do. You could also get a vocal mic if you're singing along, like a shure sm58 or any number of other others. Vocal mics are probably the one's you're gonna get the most differing opinions on, but the 58 is an industry standard because of it's quality, and at around $100 brand new, it's a good value. The only other thing I could think of instead of one of those would be to get another condenser mic and put it in a different spot than the built ends. Maybe to pick up the keys clicking or your foot tappin. Hope this helps.
