When I got the chance, I invested in audio. I now have: 3 x DR-10L 1 x DR-10X 1 x Zoom H6 1 x Rode VideoMic NTG (if going handheld and need scratch audio. I also invested in every audio cable known to man per Jake Weisler's course.
Honestly the best video on sound recording gear for weddings I've seen! I love that you make a list of minimal equipment in the end of the video, that's really handy.
Big thumbs up for Zoom F6. Would recommend it over the Zoom F8 for most purposes because considerably less bulky. The key thing is this: at wedding receptions, there are often drastic differences in volume, and since you're operating your cameras, you're not standing next to the DJ's desk riding the levels up and down. Differences in volume: obviously the music is a lot louder than the speakers, but even the speakers will vary in their volume. A confident experienced MC will have a loud voice. A frail old FOB holding the microphone at waist height will have a soft voice. So, yep, 32-bit is an important butt-saver. (The alternative is to record track at two levels, one at a higher level than the other. Can do this with any two-channel recorder plus an XLR splitter cable.) I'm surprised there was no recommendation for a proper wireless lav, like a Sennheiser G4. Ie, something you can check to see if it's actually recording or not.
DR-10L is definitely the first bit of audio gear a wedding film maker should buy - it's so versatile! I've been using the Rode Wireless GO II for PA/DJ systems with a 3.5-1/4 inch adapter and it's working really well. I've found the GO II to be a good bit of kit for wireless audio + records backup track in the mic, but I always go back to the DR-10L. Also in terms of the mini recorders, at least here in the UK, it's the TX650 that everyone raves about. Personally I think the ease of use is not worth the quality drop but they're okay in a pinch!
I just bought two TX 660 recorders, and pretty much the sole use is clipping to dresses when I'm desperate. It's not necessarily easy to attach an audio device to a mother of the bride otherwise. A lavaliere is probably too fiddly, and a Rode Wireless Go with a magnet clamp might be too obvious/bulky. I personally wouldn't recommend the Wireless Go for weddings for most applications. That magnet clamp is useful for an Indian priest, for example. But there are plenty of negatives. For example: they're very susceptible to clipping; if using as a transmitter, then they're dodgy if they don't get line of sight between transmitter and receiver; you can't strap the transmitter to a handheld mic, because it often causes interference with the mic audio; and they're not entirely reliable -- they do overheat, for instance.
@@artstories5828 fully agree with those Rode wireless go disadvantages now - I’ve switched to DJI Mic and they don’t clip as easy, have easier controls and magnet built in for easy dress micing. They’re more or less perfect, although I wouldn’t rely on the wireless signal. Also tx660 has got an improvement over the tx650 but I still have to apply a lot of voice isolation as it kinda captures everything.
hi mate, great review and i will be purchasing both the Tascam DR10 L and the Tascam DR10 X - one question though, when recording the wedding ceremony in the church is only one DR10 L enough? I'd imagine you need 3? (groom, bride and preist). Please let me know thanks!
Most videographers don't mic up the bride (though some do). Most just don't want to mess with her dress, or hassle her outside the church before she walks in. So, the standard trick is to position the lavaliere on the groom in such a way that it's equidistant between his mouth and her mouth. Ie, his recorder is going to get her audio too. But, for the general question, how many audio sources do you need.... Ok, standard Catholic church wedding: (1) lavaliere, recorder, etc on priest; (2) recorder on groom; (3) recorder on lectern (for the people doing readings); and (4) some sort of recorder near the musician, to get his/her audio. So, minimum of four audio sources. But then think backups. For instance, you might be able to attach a recorder to the soundspeakers of the church as a backup. You might be able to attach a recorder to any handheld microphone as a backup. You might even be able to plug into the church's AV system. And you're going to run into situations where there are more than four audio sources. For instance, maybe there is more than one lectern. Maybe there's more than one priest. Etc.
The rode video mic pro is great if you get it off the camera and close to the talent, bride Groom, and plug it into a recorder. As it is a shotgun mic it can be up to half a metre away and captures great sound. It also supresses unwanted sound not directly in front of the mic. In my opinion better sound than the DR-10L with its included mic. But of course not as roaming and versatile.
It's possible to mount it on the lectern, or on a stand near the lectern, and plug it into a recorder or into a transmitter. I've never done this, because I think it looks unsightly. But I have a friend who does this as standard for funeral livestreams.
To be honest, I don't think so. I've never had a problem pulling it back down afterwards, even if the F6 warns you saying that the level is too loud. However, one thing an attenuator will give you is the ability to actually hear the audio, if it would be too hot to monitor otherwise. So, if there's some sort of hum or other issue, you can actually hear it and try to fix it.
Coming from the journalism side of video, it makes me nervous to have audio that I can't monitor. Is the Tascam really that reliable for quality audio every time? Is there really not a way I can monitor it at any point during filming?
The bride, groom and minister don't always stand close to each other. The minister in particular will go walkabout. So, yup, minimum of two lav mics, one for celebrant and one for groom.
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Great video. I’ve probably watched 20-30 on this topic and yours was clear concise and direct for beginners like me.
Finally someone who explains which cables I need for the Zoom F3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!
Very in depth analysis thanks a lot!
When I got the chance, I invested in audio. I now have:
3 x DR-10L
1 x DR-10X
1 x Zoom H6
1 x Rode VideoMic NTG (if going handheld and need scratch audio.
I also invested in every audio cable known to man per Jake Weisler's course.
Thanks for the information Nick, regarding the XLR male to 1/4 male adapter, which do you recommend stereo or mono?
Honestly the best video on sound recording gear for weddings I've seen! I love that you make a list of minimal equipment in the end of the video, that's really handy.
Glad it's been helpful!
Big thumbs up for Zoom F6. Would recommend it over the Zoom F8 for most purposes because considerably less bulky. The key thing is this: at wedding receptions, there are often drastic differences in volume, and since you're operating your cameras, you're not standing next to the DJ's desk riding the levels up and down. Differences in volume: obviously the music is a lot louder than the speakers, but even the speakers will vary in their volume. A confident experienced MC will have a loud voice. A frail old FOB holding the microphone at waist height will have a soft voice. So, yep, 32-bit is an important butt-saver. (The alternative is to record track at two levels, one at a higher level than the other. Can do this with any two-channel recorder plus an XLR splitter cable.)
I'm surprised there was no recommendation for a proper wireless lav, like a Sennheiser G4. Ie, something you can check to see if it's actually recording or not.
DR-10L is definitely the first bit of audio gear a wedding film maker should buy - it's so versatile! I've been using the Rode Wireless GO II for PA/DJ systems with a 3.5-1/4 inch adapter and it's working really well. I've found the GO II to be a good bit of kit for wireless audio + records backup track in the mic, but I always go back to the DR-10L.
Also in terms of the mini recorders, at least here in the UK, it's the TX650 that everyone raves about. Personally I think the ease of use is not worth the quality drop but they're okay in a pinch!
I just bought two TX 660 recorders, and pretty much the sole use is clipping to dresses when I'm desperate. It's not necessarily easy to attach an audio device to a mother of the bride otherwise. A lavaliere is probably too fiddly, and a Rode Wireless Go with a magnet clamp might be too obvious/bulky.
I personally wouldn't recommend the Wireless Go for weddings for most applications. That magnet clamp is useful for an Indian priest, for example. But there are plenty of negatives. For example: they're very susceptible to clipping; if using as a transmitter, then they're dodgy if they don't get line of sight between transmitter and receiver; you can't strap the transmitter to a handheld mic, because it often causes interference with the mic audio; and they're not entirely reliable -- they do overheat, for instance.
@@artstories5828 fully agree with those Rode wireless go disadvantages now - I’ve switched to DJI Mic and they don’t clip as easy, have easier controls and magnet built in for easy dress micing. They’re more or less perfect, although I wouldn’t rely on the wireless signal. Also tx660 has got an improvement over the tx650 but I still have to apply a lot of voice isolation as it kinda captures everything.
hi mate, great review and i will be purchasing both the Tascam DR10 L and the Tascam DR10 X - one question though, when recording the wedding ceremony in the church is only one DR10 L enough? I'd imagine you need 3? (groom, bride and preist). Please let me know thanks!
Most videographers don't mic up the bride (though some do). Most just don't want to mess with her dress, or hassle her outside the church before she walks in. So, the standard trick is to position the lavaliere on the groom in such a way that it's equidistant between his mouth and her mouth. Ie, his recorder is going to get her audio too.
But, for the general question, how many audio sources do you need.... Ok, standard Catholic church wedding: (1) lavaliere, recorder, etc on priest; (2) recorder on groom; (3) recorder on lectern (for the people doing readings); and (4) some sort of recorder near the musician, to get his/her audio. So, minimum of four audio sources.
But then think backups. For instance, you might be able to attach a recorder to the soundspeakers of the church as a backup. You might be able to attach a recorder to any handheld microphone as a backup. You might even be able to plug into the church's AV system. And you're going to run into situations where there are more than four audio sources. For instance, maybe there is more than one lectern. Maybe there's more than one priest. Etc.
The rode video mic pro is great if you get it off the camera and close to the talent, bride Groom, and plug it into a recorder. As it is a shotgun mic it can be up to half a metre away and captures great sound. It also supresses unwanted sound not directly in front of the mic. In my opinion better sound than the DR-10L with its included mic. But of course not as roaming and versatile.
It's possible to mount it on the lectern, or on a stand near the lectern, and plug it into a recorder or into a transmitter. I've never done this, because I think it looks unsightly. But I have a friend who does this as standard for funeral livestreams.
@@artstories5828 cheers
Hey. What’s the brand for rca to xlr? I can’t find short one. Minimum that i found is 3feet. Would love to get 1 feet long
It's not the mic , is about where you place it in regards to the sound source. That rode videomic pro is great, but just not on top of the camera
Facts 👍
Thank you for making this video
Do you still need a ATTENUATOR if you're recording in 32bit float?
To be honest, I don't think so. I've never had a problem pulling it back down afterwards, even if the F6 warns you saying that the level is too loud. However, one thing an attenuator will give you is the ability to actually hear the audio, if it would be too hot to monitor otherwise. So, if there's some sort of hum or other issue, you can actually hear it and try to fix it.
Ive shot close to 30 weddings now and Ive never used the audio captured from my Rode VideoMic Pro. I think im gonna ditch it next wedding
Your thought on 32 bit recording for wedding reception?
We love having 32bit float. It can save your butt.
Coming from the journalism side of video, it makes me nervous to have audio that I can't monitor. Is the Tascam really that reliable for quality audio every time? Is there really not a way I can monitor it at any point during filming?
Get a lav kit instead! Plug it into a recorder or even into your camera. So, then you can gain up and down during the ceremony or speeches.
Do you use a lav mic for each person talking or will 1 mic pick up bride, groom and minister?
Best bet is one on officiant, one on groom. Grooms mic will pick up bride
The bride, groom and minister don't always stand close to each other. The minister in particular will go walkabout. So, yup, minimum of two lav mics, one for celebrant and one for groom.