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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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