Looking for a HD video and sound recorder to record bands in bars

tjclem · #1 09-01-2011, 09:05 AM

I have been using a Canon s95 and I love it but the audio overdrives in any loud band situation. Any suggestions for something small and portable that handles the low light situation and also the high volume?

fenderhutz · #2 09-01-2011, 09:07 AM

Sell your Canon and get a Nikon D7000. The compression and video quality is absolutely killer. High Def video and recorded me playing a 200 watt amp at full volume without even a hint of crackle.

**cabrego** · #3 09-01-2011, 09:19 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JSZYAG9BLQ

Here is a link to one of my videos. All the videos on my channel were taken using a flip ultra hd 2 hour model. I think you can find these for under a hundred bucks now. Crackles a little if you are very close, but no distortion. If you watch my aeroplane video you will see that it actually captures bass pretty nice. I'm at work so I don't know it the link works or not so look up fairview covering aeroplane and you can find it. I have about 5 videos up there all at different angles so you can get a good idea of how the camera reacts.

lowfreq33 · #4 09-01-2011, 09:31 AM

My old drummer had a zoom, slightly older model. Video wasn't that great, but the audio always sounded great, the limiter worked very well and wasn't obvious. I know they have some newer models that are HD for better video.

WJGreer · #5 09-01-2011, 09:36 AM

I just got a Zoom Q3 HD, which has field recorder quality audio along with an HD Flipcam-quality video. There's an audio setting that attenuates the level to the point that it won't clip automatically.

It works great. It is the camera behind the band, shooting forward, in this video. The audio is a board mix, combined with a little bit of the room audio from a second Q3HD sitting out front near the board.

Fina Dupa: Fly Like An Eagle - Impressions (at the Oriental Theater) - YouTube

EDIT: I also used it for this bass review on Pete Skjold's website.

tjclem · #6 09-01-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Sell your Canon and get a Nikon D7000. The compression and video quality is absolutely killer. High Def video and recorded me playing a 200 watt amp at full volume without even a hint of crackle.

Way out of my price range

tjclem · #7 09-01-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJGreer

I just got a Zoom Q3 HD, which has field recorder quality audio along with an HD Flipcam-quality video. There's an audio setting that attenuates the level to the point that it won't clip automatically.

It works great. It is the camera behind the band, shooting forward, in this video. The audio is a board mix, combined with a little bit of the room audio from a second Q3HD sitting out front near the board.

Fina Dupa: Fly Like An Eagle - Impressions (at the Oriental Theater) - YouTube

EDIT: I also used it for this bass review on Pete Skjold's website.

Looks pretty good but none of those videos are in 1080

WJGreer · #8 09-01-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjclem

Looks pretty good but none of those videos are in 1080

True. I've got the resolution set down. 1080 makes enormous files, and I didn't need it for that project. What I did need on the live footage was to set the camera there and leave it running for 90 minutes.

tjclem · #9 09-01-2011, 10:19 AM

Understood

DWBass · #10 09-01-2011, 10:26 AM

Here's one of mine using a Kodak PlaySport Zx3. Note that I had to bring the file size down to a manageable size and format hence the smaller image but rest assured the video was large (1080) and clear. Only downside is the audio is mono. I'll be looking for one of those Zoom units in the future.

The Wilson Knight Project @ Harry O's-Bittersweet (part 2) - YouTube

magneezius · #11 09-01-2011, 10:49 AM

Another +1 here on the Zoom Q3HD. I've got dozens of live video with it and it works perfectly for your needs. I use a 32gb SDXC card and shoot all my videos at 1080p and use AAC files at 320kbps although sometimes will switch to use PCM audio files. The best part is that it has the Audio input db meters right on the front when recording so you've always got an eye on your audio levels. Runs of 2 AA batteries and all about the size of a cell phone.

check out this video i took and you be the judge.

mardi gras booze cruise

Big Organ Trio @Mardi Gras Booze Cruise 3/6/11 - YouTube

another booze cruise video

Gumbo Bros @Mardi Gras Booze Cruise 3/6/11 - YouTube

and a more recent one i took of Soundgarden playing "Black Rain"

Soundgarden @The Forum 7/22/11 - Black Rain - YouTube

tjclem · #12 09-01-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magneezius

Another +1 here on the Zoom Q3HD. I've got dozens of live video with it and it works perfectly for your needs. I use a 32gb SDXC card and shoot all my videos at 1080p and use AAC files at 320kbps although sometimes will switch to use PCM audio files. The best part is that it has the Audio input db meters right on the front when recording so you've always got an eye on your audio levels. Runs of 2 AA batteries and all about the size of a cell phone.

check out this video i took and you be the judge.

mardi gras booze cruise

Big Organ Trio @Mardi Gras Booze Cruise 3/6/11 - YouTube

another booze cruise video

Gumbo Bros @Mardi Gras Booze Cruise 3/6/11 - YouTube

and a more recent one i took of Soundgarden playing "Black Rain"

Soundgarden @The Forum 7/22/11 - Black Rain - YouTube

Now we are talkin'

magneezius · #13 09-01-2011, 11:03 AM

I forgot to mention the Zoom Q3HD comes with mastering software to make cuts to the video and optimize the audio. For Video stabilization i've been using youtube's video editor for that.

tjclem · #14 09-02-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magneezius

I forgot to mention the Zoom Q3HD comes with mastering software to make cuts to the video and optimize the audio. For Video stabilization i've been using youtube's video editor for that.

Cool thanks

tjclem · #15 09-02-2011, 08:45 PM

Got a Zoom Q3HD new in box off e-bay for just under $200 looking forward to checking it out thanks all....t

tjclem · #16 09-08-2011, 06:12 AM

It may arrive today so I can use it tonight. Any last tips or tricks?

magneezius · #17 09-08-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjclem

It may arrive today so I can use it tonight. Any last tips or tricks?

Bring and extra pair of AA batteries. After about and hour or so of recording the batteries are the first thing to go.Set your video and audio settings according to the situation. For Live music i shoot video at 1080p/30 and usually go with AAC compression at 320kbps to keep the files relatively small. Usually under 1gb after a 3-4minute song with those settings. I bought a 32gb SDHC card for the zoom but thats way more than i need. I probably could have done with a 16gb card and still record hours of 1080p footage. Like I said the first thing to go after about an hour are the batteries. Bring backups. Oh and another helpful tip is to not continuously record throughout a whole set when recording live music, It will help preserve battery as well as make editing easier for you if you stop recording after every song. Basically this way each song gets its own file.

tjclem · #18 09-08-2011, 07:14 PM

It is pissing me off at the gig now batteries are showing 2/3 and it is turning off mid song

magneezius · #19 09-08-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjclem

It is pissing me off at the gig now batteries are showing 2/3 and it is turning off mid song

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you got some backup batteries.

tjclem · #20 09-09-2011, 05:50 AM

I just stopped recording. You think it could be the batteries even though it showed 2/3rds full?