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SILVERLIGHT

PHOTO & VIDEO

CO.

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Long-term reviews of budget photo & video gear.

KIT PLAN RECOMMENDATION:

Zoom H2n

This image is 100% REAL, and no A.I. (or Photoshop compositing) were used to make it, and I know because I took it myself.

Quality?

LIGHT USE OK

Yes

MEDIUM USE OK

?

HEAVY USE OK

?

Portable?

POCKET

No

CAMERA BAG

Yes

BACKPACK

Yes

Affordable?

AVERAGE NEW PRICE

$ 114.95

*Indicates SALE price.

AVERAGE USED PRICE

$ 59.99**

**Indicates BUY NOW price.

Common?

ON AMAZON

Yes

ON EBAY

No

Easy To Use?

SKILL LEVEL

DIFFICULT

OVERVIEW:
This is a 4-channel (surround sound) audio recorder that also can record in mid side or just X/Y stereo. My primary use of this recorder is for capturing ambient audio using the built-in XY and MS (Mid-Side) mics. So far, I prefer to only use the 4-channel (XY + MS) recording mode because I think it provides a more "REAL" sound, and more channels to work with in post.

MAIN POINTS:
PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?

PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
It's mostly portable, but to work well it really needs some kind of shock mount, or a stand with some rubber dampening as the shock mount.

PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
This is version 2, and version 3 has 32-bit float recording is taking over the market, so the price of this one is getting pretty good.

PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
This version 2 is pretty common (the H2n) on both the new and used markets.

PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
It's a little bit difficult to get a recording with a high enough level to use AS-IS (without post-processing it) and I haven't worked with the files much (gave it to a family member).

PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
There is some learning you need to do, if we're talking about using it for more than just an X/Y stereo recorder, but if you're just recording 2 channels (stereo) it's similar to the Zoom H1n. If you go beyond 2 audio channels, there are a lot of really good features available, such as 4-channel surround and mid side recording (fun stuff!)

PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
Yes, it needs a shock mount, and there are a couple of options from Movo, but keep in mind that the one I recommended for the Zoom H1 won't work.

PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?
I've seen used ones on almost every buying platform (Craigslist, OfferUp, eBay, and Amazon) and there are still new ones on Amazon right now, too.

RECOMMENDATION:
4-channel recording can be fun and difficult, especially when you're not using 32-bit float and need to set audio levels for all of the channels while you're recording! Therefore, just get the new 32-bit float version, and it will be a lot easier to know you're getting good audio on all of the channels...and then you can "fix it in post".

​​​

These reviews are just my opinion and are focused on my Q.P.A.C.E. packing method, so they're not comprehensive. I wrote these mostly to help me remember what items worked for my KIT PLANS (and which didn't). If I said anything negative I apologize, as these products still may work well for you in your situation, but they were not Q.P.A.C.E (Quality, Portable, Affordable, Common, Easy-to-Use) enough for my budget filmmaking KIT PLANS.

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All content created with a budget kit in Seattle

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