How to record RAW BIKE SOUND + SAMPLES | Zoom H1N Tested

[@Invis_Space]

I have mine set to gain 2.2, dead cat, 96k 24bit, 120hz, with mic under seat on exhaust side pointed to rear of bike. This captures the sound perfectly. I have a SC project on my 1250 and I record hard mountain runs. So this might be a unique setting for me. I have tried so many combos, slight change in set up can result in muffled notes. I think it’s important for people to experiment as much as possible. Great video, thanks for the upload brother 🙏🏻 Edit: remember to remove the tools from under the seat if on bumpy roads. The mic will pick up jingling even though they aren’t touching and seated in a holder 🫠 also raise the volume of your file in DaVinci resolve or whatever program you use while editing.

[@nijego]

An Audio Engineer might argue that such a low gain and the resulting need to turn up the volume sacrifice your dynamic range and make your file vulnerable to issues caused by compression. The Bikes audio also will be more nuanced with a higher gain but if this setting works for you and a higher gain causes other issues go ahead

[@Invis_Space]

@@nijego oh interesting! That makes sense, sometimes the sound is a little less “Dynamic”. Can you give us amateurs some more direction? How do you raise the volume without blowing it out?

[@nijego]

@@Invis_Space I said an audio engineer might argue, not that I am one, my job merely overlaps with the topic often ^^. A higher gain makes the mic pick up sound in a wider spectrum it's basically like the sensitivity for sound. It will pick up sounds from further away and more detailed the higher the gain is. The main problem with a gain that is too high is clipping (sound that is too loud gets cut off. This is the worst that can happen because it's irreversible. Everything else can be saved in post someway) If the gain is too low turning up the volume is fine to a certain degree(!) as long as it's done before compression, but it won't bring back sounds that weren't picked up because the gain was too low (like certain transmission noises, deep rumbles etc). Even before compression raising the volume has drawbacks such as a higher noise floor (the unwanted low frequency background noise including wind noise and vibrations) and potential heavy compression. After compression to MP3/MP4 needing to turn up the volume can ruin the dynamic range completely so as you mentioned do it while editing. That said It is best to turn the gain as high as possible without your audio clipping. Try to always stay under -6db on the Zoom H1n, this will give you some headroom and avoids heavy compression when automatically converting the file. You should use a compressor in your editing software to manually compress the file and keep the dynamic range intact. This is complex so I don't feel comfortable explaining it but most programs come with presets. There's a setting called "makeup gain" that allows you to turn up the volume of the entire file while keeping your dynamic range exactly how you equalized and compressed it. You can also use the equalizer to enhance your bikes sound or reduce unwanted frequencies but this can also be very complex, lead to heavy compression, lower dynamic range etc. etc. As you said it's important to experiment because the perfect gain is so essential. You are on the right approach since a lower gain is easier to save than a high gain that results in clipping. If you say your dynamic range isn't great maybe try turning the gain up just a tiny bit, 2.2 sounds pretty low to me even under the seat. I imagine your 1250 has a very low frequency sound so you best turn off the Locut as it interferes with your bikes sound. If this way you get too much wind noise or other stuff try using the Locut on 80hz or edit it out in post, if you're interested it's not that hard but also not very necessary, most of the time the H1n delivers good enough audio even with auto level. Hope this was somewhat coherent and readable

[@MarkoMarcello]

Very very good video mate, you should have 1000s of subscribers, great photography, and post. Thanks for the info. subbed.

[@ranjeetsinghbnl]

Thank you for making this video. I have one question: can we remotely on and off zoom recorder? I want to record and shoot pure riding videos. For this i was thinking to have insta 360 set in Me mode to record the front view and use zoom audio in backpack to record the surroundings and later merge both audio. My problem is: i don’t want to stop my bike for pressing the record button!! Let me know what your views on this. I want it be like: Insta setup and mounted on bike and zoom audio in backpack. A button to on and off both 😅

[@hulong8079]

How do you not have more subcribers with this video and audio quality??

[@praveenjayaram19]

Great video. What I do is a very pocket friendly method. I use Maono wireless mic (1 channel) which are way cheaper and keep them under the seat. Connect the lav mic and cover it with a soft cloth. Also reduce the gain to the lowest in Maono and in action cam. Your will get the best sound. If required do play around with frequencies. Also dont forget to increase the overall volume in post production. I add music at low volume to mitigate any noise. You keep anywhere else there will be wind noise at high speeds. Till 70kms, Inside jacket inner pocket works fine. Yet to try keeping mic in a waist belt pocket pointing it towards my back.

[@Markus99]

Great video brother, can you explain how did you recorded your voice with the zoom ?

[@geekamomentssince2018]

Nice to see a different view now. Not just the road and good to hear a voice over 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 good job there

[@slingert742]

Thanks geeka!

[@p6x2]

Thanks very much for making these tests available to the world! I recently decided to document my rides, purchased an action camera, a chest mount harness for it, and on I went. My camera is a DJI Pocket 2, and I put adhesive on the front microphone port, disabled the two sided ones, only leaving the one facing behind on. That did not work well as the wind still manages to bounce on my jacket and pollutes the audio as soon as I go to speed about 30 mph. My question is, I have some room behind the front fairing, and I could install the H1N right behind it. Microphone facing backwards. Have you considered this setup? it only takes an adhesive mount. As for comparing audio, we all have our own taste. I think the best method would be to look at the frequency spectrum, and judge according to what range is clipped according to the H1N location. Obviously, the only rigorous way to do it, would be to generate known frequencies, and to analyze the recordings from the various placements. From what I can hear on my setup, the back pack rendition does sound muffled. Again, there maybe different back packs, so it is kind of subject to your own setup. In any case, your video was very informative and helpful. I am going to purchase an H1N, and will do my own tests to find the best setup.

[@silent_fluo6917]

I ain't reading all that I'm happy for you tho Or sorry that happened

[@UntaGT]

This video and channel deserves more views and subscribe. Thanks for this video which finally made me decide to go with H1N. Done subscribe as a token of appreciation 😁👍

[@slingert742]

Much appreciated! :)

[@atlas8rides]

Very well done video. I am about to give up on my H1N but I think I’ll try again after seeing this. Great video. Love the sound of that gs. I think under the seat at gain 3 was the best.

[@slingert742]

That sound is pretty awesome isnt it :)

[@GoodBalak]

How'd it go, bro? Audio any better?

[@nijego]

The Recorder is excellent, if it's not working for you it's not the recorders fault

[@ridiosaurus7972]

Very well explained, thank you for making this video for us to learn

[@slingert742]

My pleasure :) glad it helped you

[@jazzytunermotovlog]

great video sir. what mic did u use forvyour voice recording? thanks

[@slingert742]

Thanks, for the voice recording I sue the Sena 50R system installed on the helmet, and using the Voice Recorder on my iphone while connected.

[@jazzytunermotovlog]

@@slingert742 thank you sir God bless

[@rkjsll]

Awesome video! You should do more motovlogs. Fellow motovlogger from Oman! Subscribed!

[@davidkris]

Thanks, that was great. But how are you getting your voice recorded so well while riding? I can't believe it's just from the gopro on your chin mount?!?

[@slingert742]

The voice is from the Sena system in my helmet

[@davidkris]

@@slingert742 That would be worth a video of its own. I've got a sena and will look into how to record from it, and onto what. I'm sure other people have this issue too. Thanks for the starting point on it.

[@houndeye1886]

my only problem is with it under the seat isnt it a pain in the ass when you want to start and stop recording?

[@ZeginMakesMusic]

32 bit float baby!!!

[@maddd0gg72]

Hello! Great Vid! Question... what did you use to record your voice? What is the system? separate recorder? Thanks!

[@slingert742]

Its the Sena 50R built into the helmet. Combined the audio in post..

[@BadMonkeyTouring]

Cool comparison. I don't know which version I like. I'll have to watch it again.

[@slingert742]

Feel free to watch it as many times as you like :)

[@NickPissanu]

Good Job.

[@slingert742]

Thanks

[@seemerollin675]

thanks for your work man! i just bought the H2N and struggling to find the correct settings, this helped me !

[@slingert742]

Glad I could help

[@motomium]

Would you share your settings? I have the same one.

[@JIGGsPH]

Nice! Love to hear the engine finally

[@slingert742]

Glad you like it!

[@TheBikeFather]

Great video. You saved me a bit of time testing various stuff. I've tried both backpack and under the seat, and my issue is that in the backpack, the audio is muffled as you already mentioned, however, under the seat, I'm getting this... almost like a whistling sound, probably because it's more exposed, the wind is causing that, which is really annoying. Especially at high speed, you have this high pitch annoying whistling sound. I've tried removing it in post, but couldn't really work it out. One thing however, I haven't tried is the Lo-cut filter. How does that help?

[@slingert742]

Low-cut sets a level of base past which the device does not record. So if there is any sound with frequency below the setting then it equalizes that out. But maybe your problem with the wind at high speed is because of a deadcat? Do you have a deadcat on you device?

[@TheBikeFather]

@@slingert742 Yes I have a deadcat on. I think its just the engine. It's an inline 4 with a stock exhaust, so the sound is more high pitched especially when you go over 50mph. Something which normally you wouldn't really hear from the front because of the position + helmet, padding, etc.. However, when you place a recorder right at the source of the sound, you capture everything, including some mechanical sound, which I don't like. The testing continues :) I guess it's different for every bike

[@alvernhem]

Very well made review, thank you very much 👍

[@slingert742]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@angelo911]

Clear explanation, thank you mate

[@slingert742]

Thank you, glad it helped you out :)

[@chriatianmcguirk2161]

Hi how are you recording your voice also? I am looking at getting the H1 but it only produces 1 track even with a splitter

[@MotoZoh]

Great work bro, will buy it soon.

[@slingert742]

Glad it helped!

[@jyzcasanova5136]

Nice to see a video like this. Very helpful. Can I ask you how do you record your own speaking voice? And at the same time mix it with your Raw bike sound. How do you put these two sounds together? Just bought a H1n after watched your video. I am kind of worry that if I use gopro with a mini microphone inside my helmet to record my own speaking sound, then use PR to mix speaking sound with Raw bike sound, it will be a bad effect to the raw bike sound.

[@slingert742]

Having an external mic on your gopro like you said is also a popular way of doing it, but it does nto have digital noise suppression. I get this from recording my voice through the Sena system installed on my helmet and then I just treat it like another audio layer in my editing software. Watch these two videos: Sena system: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKbMqXWXobijfZY Audio layering: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqmkqK2dob6Ue5o

[@jyzcasanova5136]

@@slingert742 thanks bro!

[@TheBikeFather]

How is the testing going? Have you found a better setup? I find that with my previous bike, an inline 4 engine, which has a higher pitched engine sound, the slightly muffled sound from the backup would be great, however now, with the rumble of a Harley, which is a bit deeper, the backpack method is way too muffled. The auto gain also it’s a hit and miss, if you ride very aggressively, like Schaaf, one stretch of road with minimal distractions, auto gain is fine, but if you ride through traffic, slow speeds, fast speeds, auto gain messes up the sound by lowering and increasing the gain when it shouldn’t, and very abruptly. I think fixed gain is probably the safest option.

[@biker1581]

very, very helpful,,,,thanks for sharing !!!!!!!!

[@slingert742]

Happy to help :)

[@VeryImportantPepe]

why cut off below 120hz? All the cool muffler sound is under there.

[@slingert742]

Sure, but you also risk getting the distortion sounds that are difficult to edit out. Unless you can tell me how?

[@mtzlsf]

Thanks for this amazing video! I'm new to A/V recording on motorcycles and want to ask a quick, maybe a silly question: as you know that GoPro makes recording max. 4 GB files when you start recording; it constantly creates 4 GB files aligned with your total recording time (you end up getting a number of 4 GB video files). Well, on the other hand, to my understanding the audio file captured by Zoom H1N is one single file, how do you manage this complication? Do you first merge all of those video files captured by GoPro as one single file then sync with Zoom's audio file or something different? Thank you again.

[@vince8245]

idk if that'll help but I put everything into a Premiere Pro project, select all the videos (imported in the right order) and then right click -> Nest. Boom, single video file. If you're using another software I'm sure there is a similar feature, if you can't use one, I'm afraid you'll have to search a bit longer. As for syncing, after starting both recordings, just clap your hands so you can visibly align the waveform with the video clap when editing ;)

[@mtzlsf]

@@vince8245 Thank you!

[@thatadvguy]

@@mtzlsf Instead of clapping you can also use your bikes horn as they are loud and will be captured in the mic as well in case those are kept in the back pack. Also clapping in the middle of a road will make it look little weird that pressing the horn button does for a second.

[@ricardorides]

greetings mate! thanks for the great video. really appreciated!

[@4KVin]

Thank you for this video! I am looking to get a recorder for my motorbike videos and this helps a lot!!!

[@musclefox223]

Hey great video, I'm new to all this so just bought a Zoom H2N to go with my GoPro Hero 4, do I connect my GoPro directly to my Zoom via a cable or run the GoPro and and record the sound through the recording on the Zoom? I can't find anything on this so hopefully you can help, Thanks in advance..

[@slingert742]

None of my systems run together. Everything is recorded separately and combined in post..

[@motomium]

Could you explain what is the limiter and the "low cut 120hz"? Thanks

[@TieDyeKitty]

Hi, anything under 100HZ is basically sub frequencies, so by using the low cut you will take all the low rumbling out of the recording, this then makes the audio clearer as less energy is used by speakers on playback of audio. Hope it helped!

[@oD0peKicKs]

How do you record your Voice? With the Sena or external Microphone? It sounds amazing! What kind of backpack do you use? I have so much wind noise while I am riding. Don´t know what to do

[@slingert742]

Its the Sena😊 it works well because it runs through the digital noise cancellation system of the unit.

[@oD0peKicKs]

@@slingert742 Thanks mate ! Could you answer me the second question which backpack do you use for your test?

[@slingert742]

@@oD0peKicKs backpack that I rarely use now was just a normal fabric-based laptop backpack. Nothing expensive, but yet the material was slightly thicker than normal which obviously contributes to the sound.

[@oD0peKicKs]

@@slingert742 Okay thanks :) I have a 10€ basic backpack from louis. Maybe I just have to try different positions.

[@luq080290]

I use the zoom h1n too. Put it in any bag and it will sounds muffled. Under rear seat is the best so far but the distortion is too high even though I use low gain. Still can't find the best method sigh....

[@slingert742]

I guess it comes down to what sounds closest to the best for every person?

[@jaffabaffa]

I have a 644cc single cilinder motorcycle with a fully open exhaust. Obviously, this makes to bike extraordinary loud while accelerating. Also, the bike makes super loud pops and bangs upon deaccelerating. I found gain level 3 to still be too high. I still have clipping in my audio file during the loud bits of riding. I will try gain level 2 next time. Thanks for the video👍🏻

[@slingert742]

Look certain bikes might sound different and are much louder. In that case I guess auto gain will be best :)

[@wilswood8137]

Can I ask , what formate did you record in ? MP3 or 42/48k ? Thanks 👍🏼

[@slingert742]

42/48 for sure. I dont bother with mp3 because if I do end up with a mildly bad recording, 42/48 gives you more freedom to modify, much like RAW photography...

[@AZGeek520]

Thanks for posting this thorough test. I am still undecided about getting the Zoom H1N, primarily because of the extra hassle in post. That decision will ultimately depend on my breaking point with the crappy audio from my GoPro's.

[@slingert742]

Just imagine how great your videos will be when you have clear engine sounds at high speed ;)

[@ycyc38]

Great video! I found the solution to the H1N picking up other sounds than your exhaust sound: get a louder exhaust my man! :p

[@slingert742]

The pipe can never be too loud right ;)

[@winner1338]

i'm still looking for someone who explain how to merge the vdo + sound. could you do that?

[@slingert742]

I could definitely do that. Your video has its own audio, and then you have the audio layer from the audio recorder. When both started recording, hit the horn on the bike or clap your hands, then you go look for those spikes in the audio in your editor and sync them up. I’ll make a video about this for you and have it up in a few days :)

[@peterfortie7718]

Do you also use an external microphone in your helmet? If yes... is the zoom recording 2 sources at once?

[@slingert742]

No the SENA headset has its own recording that I layer onto the edit

[@yakopsi]

How can we record the sound of the engine with the zoom device and at the same time record the speech with the helmet camera without being affected by the wind? So I want to get a clean speech recording at the same time while recording zoom.

[@MRGS48]

How do you get such great audio when talking?? I’m assuming you’re using one device for engine sound recording and one for talking? Thanks in advance PS. Is that helmet any good with the sun meaning does it help blocking some sun from your face? Again great video!!

[@slingert742]

Im using the Sena50R in the helmet, and yes the helmet is amazing! I dont have any heat issues with it at all :)

[@MRGS48]

@@slingert742 ohh I don’t know how to record my Bluetooth comms and yes the zoom h1n is way better than the Tascam dr 05x!!! Any info would help on how to record the communicator. Thanks again!

[@nezoskiXOU]

Hello there very nice and helpful video!! I have a tracer 900 with acrapovic without db killer i experiment with Zoom H1n and the best settings for me it's like yours.. Gain auto - limiter ON - lo-cut 120Hz But i have the microphone in a little case tied very close to the exhaust and the sound sounds perfect !

[@hellopaji89]

Is it possible to put h1n under the seat but also run a lav mic out of it all the way to the helmet and have both channels record (exhaust + your voice) ? Have you tried that setup? How does that work ? Thank you in advance !

[@slifer1]

If you put a mic in, it turns out the h1n mics

[@El_Bighis]

How can you record the exhaust sound and Also your voice, if the h1n Is underseat? Have you a secondary mic? If Yes , how you connect all the mic to One camera?

[@slingert742]

Its the SENA headset on the helmet

[@swithun60]

굉장히 도움이 되었습니다. 감사합니다.

[@Ryzza5]

Now to record helmet and intercom audio in HQ to separate channels...

[@slingert742]

Now there is something I'll work on real soon :) but its a little more complex... Watch this space

[@GhostvOne]

@@slingert742 Did you find a solution for multiple and separate channels ? ^^

[@Johnspartansworld]

how do you record your own audio ? its so crisp and clear , I never had like this , whats the trick ?

[@slingert742]

Its with a SENA headset on the helmet :)

[@Johnspartansworld]

@@slingert742 with sena you can record audio on go pro ??

[@R6M3]

Looks like I'm gonna need an external mic for h1n, the rode lev go with 20hz to 2khz range and 110 dB max SPL should suffice right?

[@usaamahstreetrider]

Zoom h2n to gopro How to edit? Help me please

[@EyeDeeKay1]

You sound south african, I don't see ocean views so I'm guessing gauteng?

[@slingert742]

Did these videos in Dubai. Going back to Jozy early next year :)

[@jakecaine7819]

I have an issue where mine just clips at the top no matter what setting i use

[@slingert742]

Thats strange... you must have a really loud bike😎 And it even clips with Auto-Level? Do you have a deadcat?

[@jakecaine7819]

@@slingert742 yea clips with auto level too. I don't have a deadcat maybe I should get one

[@storm3380]

deadcat and limiter off

[@JLifeBikeLife]

I also bought the zoom h1n but I can't get my vote 100% right about the engine noise how did you do that and what settings do you use?

[@slingert742]

Trial and error process. Just kept on experimenting.

[@BridgeIsSky]

How do your record your voice please?

[@slingert742]

Sena headset in the helmet :)

[@sathishc1195]

if i put it inside my jacket it can record my voice, bike, and other sounds clearly without any wind noises? so I can moto vlog with this single recording device?

[@slingert742]

Not sure that all the sound will be clear though :(

[@firatsanliturk]

There's no wind under the seat, you have a deadcat on, so 120 lo cut is unnecessary and destructive to your audio quality.

[@ひらがなよっしー]

良い音👍

[@norsmanadventures]

They all sound too muffled.

[@slingert742]

Do you perhaps have a better way to get it "un"-muffled? Give me an idea and I'll try it :)

[@norsmanadventures]

@@slingert742 I haven't tried it, but I saw a video where someone cut out a cradle for the device out of foam and put it under the seat without the deadcat. The sound was good, can vary by bike I guess. How does it sounds in a tank bag? Thanks.

[@slingert742]

@@norsmanadventures In the tank bag it is sooo far away from the exhaust, it sounds even more muffled and the recorder picks up more environmental noise than anything else. That's why I did not even include those samples. But what you said makes sense. The results can also differ from one bike to the next :)

[@mtrideron167]

@@slingert742 The only way to get that clean sound is buying an 3.5mm external mic line connected to the Zoom H1n going all the way to the end of the exhaust (under the fender for example) and the end of the mic has to have a deadcat to cut the sound of the wind. I know...buying an external mic for the external mic, but its ultimate best method!

[@slingert742]

@@mtrideron167 makes sense actually lol

[@arjunp1835]

Set it to auto it works!

[@MRGS48]

How come you don’t have any wind noise brother??

[@slingert742]

The recorder is under the seat, away from wind but close enough to the exaust

[@MRGS48]

@@slingert742 I meant from the helmet cause I’ve got the sound under the seat and the zoom fits just right with the dead cat on. Thanks and sorry I wasn’t clear asking. I’m also sold my GS HP and got me a GSA Trophy

[@wheelie-gonzales]

what is clipping!

[@slingert742]

That's distorted sound due to excessive volume from the bike. If the device is not set to adjust its sensitivity for this, the frequency exceeds top range and distorts, sometimes causing a sharp feedback sound..

[@MarkJosephTorres]

Dubai..

[@SoyLeyenda69]

and where is the sound of the bike ....

[@Kero_81]

Nothing of all these sounds good :(

[@slingert742]

If you have a better method please share :)