Zoom q8n - how to optimize live band recording

[Marley's Ghost]

I was wondering if anyone is using a Q8n to record live band performance. The recordings I created using the built in mic system audio seem to be a off somehow. The vocals seem to be not consistent with what was observed during the actual show. Are there optimal settings?

 

[seamonkey]

Do you mean in timing? The mouths are in sync with the video?
If so, I don't know how it would have been knocked out of sync.
You can pull it into a video editor program and time shift the audio to sync it to the video.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

I know this seems strange but the vocals sound flat.

 

[smeet]

If they really sound out of tune, they were out of tune at the performance. Sometimes gig volume can hide flaws.

 

[seamonkey]

It's possible to separate out the vocals using one of many track isolators, then use Melodyne to correct the pitch, timing, etc, then combine it back together.
Just be careful

 

[Marley's Ghost]

If they really sound out of tune, they were out of tune at the performance. Sometimes gig volume can hide flaws.

Video taken of the same songs with an iPhone 14 sounded terrific.

It's has to be something with the placement or audio settings of the camera. I had it setup about 15 feet away from the right mains as that was the only spot I could use without obstructing the dance floor or table patrons.

 

[smeet]

I just don’t think there is any physical way a recording could detune the voice independently of the instruments. Unless…. Was your singer running away from the band while singing? At around 80 miles per hour?

 

[Marley's Ghost]

^^ I know it's confounding.

But people have been commenting that the vocals do not sound good on the zoom recording.

 

[smeet]

^^ I know it's confounding.

But people have been commenting that the vocals do not sound good on the zoom recording.

Can you put up a snippet of the same part of the audio from the iPhone and the zoom? I’d love to hear what you’re hearing!

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

I've had similar? problems with online chat apps (Zoom, Discord, etc.) because they have several settings supposedly for making the voice sound clearer (I'm always better off with all that disabled). Maybe your device has some "preset EQ/compression" settings for different situations and one of them is enabled?

 

[mcnach]

Salud!

I've had similar? problems with online chat apps (Zoom, Discord, etc.) because they have several settings supposedly for making the voice sound clearer (I'm always better off with all that disabled). Maybe your device has some "preset EQ/compression" settings for different situations and one of them is enabled?

But surely none of those settings affect pitch?

If the iPhone made a better recording, I guess 'flat vocals' do not mean anything about pitch (being flat). A recording would be very useful to know what we're dealing with.

 

[brianrost]

When recording from the stage using portable recorders with built-in mikes, the quality of the vocals is the first to suffer. That's been my experience for decades whether using cassette tape, MiniDiscs and now flash memory.

If there's a good sound in the vocal monitors, having a good external mike placed near the monitor is the best way to pick up the vocals off the stage.

Marley's Ghost, post a link or attach a recording. I'm glad to post some examples of my own.

EDIT: I looked up some videos on this camera and I'd suggest making use of the 4 channel capability to add some external mikes if you are not using them already. You can even use the XLR connectors to record off your PA mixer to two separate tracks.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I was wondering if anyone is using a Q8n to record live band performance. The recordings I created using the built in mic system audio seem to be a off somehow. The vocals seem to be not consistent with what was observed during the actual show. Are there optimal settings?

We record of the sound board. I record off my phone. On my phone, vocals get squashed when my phone starts compressing after the drums kick in.

On the board, it's clean.

 

[acid bass]

Sorry to be that guy, but I have to just speak my peace about Zoom products. I promise I'll add something more useful at the end.

I bought the q2n several years ago when it was the new kid on the block. Lots of hype but it was one of the worst cameras I've ever used. Below average video quality, bad battery life, bad durability. The one shining piece of it is the microphones. I considered getting the q8n but I read all the same problems with it as the q2n. I'm surprised to hear you're having problems with the audio because it's literally the only thing I like about Zoom cameras.

My current process is to use 2 different cameras; 1 for video and 1 for audio. I know it's a pain in the butt, but I just have not found a single device that works well. I suspect you will come to this same conclusion soon enough. The Zoom served as my audio recorder and I used a different camera for video. Most recently I found myself using a 360 degree camera for video (Insta360 X2) and a Tascam DR40X for audio, which allows me to capture both external mic input as well as XLR input from the mixer. If you're having trouble with pitchiness in the q8n you may need to look at something like this.

 

[logdrum]

I use one of our lower priced SLR cameras and attach a Zoom H6. Built in mic for room sound and 2 XLR feed from the sound board as well. Headphone or line/out to camera. You can remix and process the audio later and sync with video or if you are happy with it, use the video audio. Final Cut pro is what I use.

 

[seamonkey]

If you use the voice memo on the iPhone you can set the Voice Memo Audio Quality to Lossless
No more compression then
Pull the video into an editor and replace the zoom audio with the iPhone audio