Zoom H1 On-Camera Audio Kit Adds Better Audio to Your DSLR Camera
As an old-time photographer I have always enjoyed the Nikon/Canon battle that seems to last longer than the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. However, I’ve also had a keen interest in audio as well.
I became enthralled with the performance of Shure microphones which I first became aware of their killer performance when the audio engineer mis-adjusted the gain during an outdoor performance in Woodstock, New York. I noticed that Shure SM 58 microphones were so durable stagehands could make them do double duty as hammers.
Throughout my lifetime that became my microphone of choice, until the digital age brought me face-to-face with an audio version of the Canon/Nikon battle. While it is true I am old, I am not an old fart (set in my ways).
Slowly I moved away from my veritable analog mic selection and began purchasing digital microphones such as the Samson CO1U. after having such a great experience with that studio mic I moved into the companies Airline 77 for use in the classroom and on Skype.
Today I am considering moving to Sony’s DLSR lineup as I cannot afford a Black Magic Camera since I am now pretty much a hobbyist.
And regardless of what I do, I can guarantee you at the top of my no-brainer, just do it list is the Zoom H1 On-Camera DSLR Audio Kit. The versatility and quality for the price point are only the beginnings of what puts it at the top of my “the only choice list”.
The only thing I must question is why Samson pushes the ZOOM name instead of its own manufacturers label. If I had only known, there would probably be at least one less C01U studio mic in my life.
Get the Zoom H1 On-Camera DSLR Audio Kit at B&H
The handheld unit is not what I would call the do double duty as a stagehand hammer as a Shure SM-58 does. It’s plastic and light, with the appropriate cheap feeling unlike its competitor from Tascam.
My answer to that is don’t use it as a hammer on stage.
The X-Y axis is a testament of engineering to getting a stereo recording within the space of a mono mic without strange separation issues. If I choose to I can use it as a straight microphone to whatever application I’m using.
Alternatively it can double as a stage quality Olympus pocket recorder. Yes it is that small of a form factor. It dumps the output (a broadcast version of a .wav file – that is wave with the audio version of the SEMPTE timecode – BAV) onto a SD card.
While it supports up to 32 GB of flash memory, I still prefer to change out cards on the premise that is better to lose something rather than everything.
Some people may prefer the features found in the competing Tascam. What ever floats your boat. I am not willing to take up the extra weight and size when putting on top of a DSLR.
Beside the extra features that come in the kit such as the windscreen are features I desire. I do not see how you can put a windscreen on the larger Tascam.
The lighter and smaller Zoom is perfectly paired to its accessory shoe adapter. For D SLR use it becomes no contest over the Tascam.
I’m less thrilled with the headphones for doing audio monitoring that come with the kit. However I am partial to my Sony noise canceling headphones.
Samson has a winner on their hands. Its largest downside is promoting it under a trade name, leaving behind people like me who did not know ZOOM was Samson.