Digital Audio Recorder - Suggestions?

[HuntNorthEast]

Okay everyone, so a lot of the feedback about my YouTube channel was audio (and some other things). With that being said I want to improve my audio quality but I have a few questions.

Do you need multiple DAC's that way each mic has their own? Are there any Bluetooth style ones where the mic to DAC can be wireless?

Looking at the Zoom H4N PRO and it looks to be like more than I need BUT, I would rather make one purchase on something over engineered than something that lacks quality. Next season (2021), we have bear hunts booked for September, Ohio bow hunt planned for October, and Nantucket Island shotgun hunt for first week of December. For 2021 we will be all changed over to higher quality cams with shotgun mics.

So far this year we have invested in GoPro Hero 8 blacks, TactaCams, camera arms (Muddy Outfitter), fluid heads and a Nikon D3500 (sniped from the ol lady).

Looking for suggestions and some knowledge on mics, DAC's etc. Any info would be very appreciated.

 

[MathewsMan7]

I would get in contact with @wannabehunter
It sounds like he knows what he’s talking about with the camera stuff.

 

[HuntNorthEast]

I would get in contact with @wannabehunter
It sounds like he knows what he’s talking about with the camera stuff.

Absolutely does, lots of helpful info! @wannabehunter you got any input? Also, anyone else? Multiple opinions are always a plus. Sorry for posting a ton and abusing your knowledge everyone! New to this whole forum thing.

 

[wannabehunter]

Oh man, the camera equipment rabbit hole.
I'll give advice I received:
1. What is the goal of videoing your hunts and posting them on youtube?
-Is it for fun? Making money? Making a living? -These all require different levels of investment.
2. Make sure you are maximizing your current equipment before you spend a lot of money.
-We've spent literally thousands of dollars on equipment that we don't use anymore.

I did a little research on the Nikon d3500. I'm definitely not a video expert and know very little about Nikons. Seems like you are going the Zoom h4n route because there is no audio jack on the the d3500? What is your current audio setup? What editing and syncing software are you using?

I ask those question because once you get the Zoom, DAC, and upgrade your microphones, you'll have more money in audio than your camera. Which isn't necessarily bad, but as we talked about on your other thread, there are technique and setup things you could be practicing and working on for free. And those things would improve your work immediately.

BUT, I don't believe you need multiple DACs for multiple microphones. The Zoom can support multiple microphones then those run through the DAC, but I also don't believe a DAC is absolutely necessary.

Personally, I think you should practice your video recording and work on lighting and framing. At the same time take a look at your mics and see if there is anything you can do to improve the recording. Google "Improve [specific mic] recording quality" you might be surprised. There's lots of smarter people out there than me. Once your setups and skills improve, buy a better camera. Just one level up would have a mic input then your audio options open up and your video quality would get a boost.

Just my 0.0000002 cents

 

[HuntNorthEast]

Oh man, the camera equipment rabbit hole.
I'll give advice I received:
1. What is the goal of videoing your hunts and posting them on youtube?
-Is it for fun? Making money? Making a living? -These all require different levels of investment.
2. Make sure you are maximizing your current equipment before you spend a lot of money.
-We've spent literally thousands of dollars on equipment that we don't use anymore.

I did a little research on the Nikon d3500. I'm definitely not a video expert and know very little about Nikons. Seems like you are going the Zoom h4n route because there is no audio jack on the the d3500? What is your current audio setup? What editing and syncing software are you using?

I ask those question because once you get the Zoom, DAC, and upgrade your microphones, you'll have more money in audio than your camera. Which isn't necessarily bad, but as we talked about on your other thread, there are technique and setup things you could be practicing and working on for free. And those things would improve your work immediately.

BUT, I don't believe you need multiple DACs for multiple microphones. The Zoom can support multiple microphones then those run through the DAC, but I also don't believe a DAC is absolutely necessary.

Personally, I think you should practice your video recording and work on lighting and framing. At the same time take a look at your mics and see if there is anything you can do to improve the recording. Google "Improve [specific mic] recording quality" you might be surprised. There's lots of smarter people out there than me. Once your setups and skills improve, buy a better camera. Just one level up would have a mic input then your audio options open up and your video quality would get a boost.

Just my 0.0000002 cents

I film for fun as of right now, but I don't want my videos to be a slouch by any means! And that is correct, D3500 does not support a mic, it's just what we had at the house collecting dust. Currently I just let the factory mics from the Hero 8 and Nikon grab audio, or I record via mic plugged into my Galaxy.

I guess I just want something that will record good audio outside when I am in hunting conditions such as wind and rain. I've lost a lot of footage/audio to wind. Like Hunter's turkey footage that's on the channel. Next year I am buying a couple diff cams, DSLR's that I have done a good amount of research on, that will take mics.

I like reliving my hunts, but I also like sharing them and making videos that can hopefully help other hunters. In turn, I want to make sure to relive and share at a decent quality. Thanks for the input, I will start grinding on the internets