I purchased the Canon T3i after speaking to a number of friends and reading a great deal on the web by way of reviews. There were a number of excellent options available in my price range but the T3i seemed to best fit the bill. I ordered through Amazon and got a good price on a Canon T3i kit (body and lens) and an additional telephoto lens. I’m happy with the decision. No, I’m very happy with the decision. In fact, I like everything about the camera… except the audio when shooting movies. That, in a word, stinks. The audio is definitely usable but it is of low quality and, when compared to the quality of the video you can shoot with the T3i, it comes off as a mismatch.
Since I had opted for the T3i because it offered a good balance of image and video power, I went off in search of a good microphone that would compensate for the poor onboard audio. I ended up with the Zoom H2N and could not be happier. No, the microphone isn’t perfect but it is quite good and is serving me well. Better still, as I become more familiar with using it and with post-production I am seeing some steady improvement.
The H2N has an MSRP of $349.99. Since it is not a new microphone however you can currently purchase it through our Amazon Affiliate Store for just over $150. (Buy it here.)
Also, the H2N does not come with a protective case. That is a huge fail to my mind but, fortunately, an accessory kit is available that includes a good case. And, thankfullly, like the Zoom, the accessory case is steeply discounted through our Affiliate Store for just $39. (Buy it here.)
Here’s a look at the microphone and the accessory pack…
Representing a new generation of portable recording, the H2n is Zoom’s most innovative handheld recorder to date. We’ve packed groundbreaking features into an ultra-portable device that allows you to record pristine audio anywhere you go. From film and broadcast, to journalism, podcasting, musical performance, songwriting and rehearsal, the H2n provides amazing recording quality.
New mics, new sound: The H2n features our best microphones yet and is the only portable recorder with five mic capsules onboard. This design enables the H2n to offer four unique recording modes: Mid-Side (MS) stereo, 90° X/Y stereo, 2-channel and 4-channel surround sound.
The first portable Mid-Side recorder: The H2n is the first handheld recorder to offer Mid-Side stereo recording, a technique used for many years in film and broadcast, where ambiance and surrounding noise are crucial. Mid-Side recording combines a uni-directional Mid mic that captures sound directly in front of you and a bi-directional Side mic that captures sound from your left and right. By increasing or decreasing the level of the Side mic, you can control the width of the stereo field, which gives you incredible flexibility over your recordings. If you record in RAW mode, you can even adjust the stereo width after recording.
Mid-Side (MS) mics provide continuously variable stereo width control
You still get X/Y: The H2n’s onboard 90° X/Y stereo condenser mics are arranged with the right and left mics on the same axis. This design ensures that the mics are always equidistant from the sound source for perfect localization and no phase shifting. The result is brilliant stereo recording with natural depth and accurate imaging.
X/Y mics capture remarkable stereo depth and clarity
Completely surrounded: Using the H2n’s Mid-Side and X/Y mics together, you can create stunning 360° surround sound recordings. Choose between 2-channel mode, which combines the Mid-Side and X/Y mics, and 4-channel mode, which records two separate stereo files, allowing you even more post-production capability. No matter which mode you use, you’ll get perfectly balanced, surround sound recordings.
Streamline your recording experience: The H2n is remarkably easy to use. With its newly designed user interface, critical controls are right at your fingertips and make studio-quality recording a breeze.
MSRP: $349.99 Currently available through our Amazon Affiliate Store for just over $150. (Buy it here.) Accessory pack has an MSRP of $59.99. Through our Affiliate Store it is just $39. (Buy it here.)
What I Like: Sounds great; Powerful; Feature rich; Numerous audio settings for getting the sound you want; Easily read screen; Steeply discounted now
What Needs Improvement: No GSM shielding; Microphones not shielded from case which introduces noise; No included case