Setting up the Monitor Mixer | Zoom H5 Recorder

[@artjohnson01]

I hope your viewers appreciate the value of multiple inputs for their videos. I recently did a two person demonstration video. One person had a handheld mic, while another was doing a demonstration and had a lavalier mic. Even though the levels were set OK ahead of time, one person spoke much more forcefully than the other. Fortunately, because I had two separate channels, I was able to “level the levels” in post. SWEET.

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Art for sharing your experience. It's such a life saver. Causes a lot of frustration for videographers when they have such a good video but disappointing audio. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@rickraub5448]

New to all this. Can you explain more about having multiple inputs and fixing in post? I have done several interviews now running the audio and video but feel like I "lucked out" getting a good product so far. So far I'm only interviewing one person but would like to learn and do a two person set up. So the more I watch these KZbin videos, the more I realize I don't know enough . Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[@artjohnson01]

@@rickraub5448 Basically Rick, by using 2 mics AND separate channels, in post processing I was able to reduce the sound level from the loudest person, and boost the sound level from the quiet speaker to normalize everything. Had I been using a single mic, this would not have been possible because you couldn't get levels high enough on the first speaker without peaking on the second, or you couldn't get low enough on the second speaker and still be able to hear the first speaker.

[@rickraub5448]

Yes. Thank you. Im still learning so I appreciate all this information. Another reason for having two audios separately, I just found out during an interview, is that if one mic fails or you miss something, you have another one as backup. On one interview I forgot to push the record button on my recorder for the boom mic! I didn't realize it till AFTER the interview was over and he had left! It was a Malox moment. Luckily the lavalier was run directly to my camera and was recording. And then on another interview a lavalier was placed under his tie but was making horrible sounds because he was moving around alot. Luckily the Boom mic was working that time and I was able to use that audio. Like i said...still learning!

[@artjohnson01]

@@rickraub5448 Good point, Rick. I have a feature on my recorder (Zoom F4) that I use to record a backup of the audio from both mics at a lower level in case of peaking on the main track, and I use dual SD cards in my camera to record a backup video, but I don't record a backup of each mic. However, I am able to see the levels on the recorder at all times so I know it is being recorded. I guess you can never be too careful. Right now with the COVID 19, all my work is just for me inside.

[@marioplumber3564]

HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!! DUDE! I nearly returned this thing because it had so much internal noise. Turns out, I needed to mute the line out.... THANKS A TON!

[@GaryDmedia]

That’s a big save Mario! Awesome. Glad the video was helpful.

[@michaelbirt6972]

Thanks for this clear and slow instruction, Gary. A lot of vids just rush through and you can't keep up! Couldn't figure out how to use the built in mic with the XLR, not for video, but now I might give that a go as well. Cheers from Melb.

[@GaryDmedia]

I appreciate your feedback Michael. I glad the video was of help. Stay safe. Not the best of times at the moment.

[@fakinitwithjason7987]

Great Video! Just got an H5 this week and it’s actually my first audio recorder, so these videos are perfect for me. THANKS!

[@GaryDmedia]

I'm really pleased to hear that. Thanks for letting me know.

[@davidbenefiel9289]

Thank you for demystifying these minuscule buttons and menus and this small device.

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks. I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@danielpicard3994]

Thank you, Gary. The H5 manual does not the explain the "Monitor Mixer" function as well as you do in this video. I think it should rather be named the "Line Out Mixer" since this is basically what it does. Very informative video, thanks again!

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Bewley Brothers, good point. Many struggle to use these more complex adjustments on the recorders

[@webingerphoto49]

Thank you Gary for you very informative videos with the Zoom recorders to DSLR's! You make it happen!!!

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it and glad the video was helpful.

[@jjalal30]

Thanks for posting Gary. Very informative and exactly the info I was looking for. Got the process working nicely with my Zoom H6 and Sony a6300. Nice work.

[@GaryDmedia]

Really great to hear it was helpful. It gets a little complicated once you start into the menu options. Thanks for letting me know.

[@alexivanov3485]

Thank's a lot Gary! Very comprehensive and helpful indeed!

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks for letting me know Alex. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@69cuervos]

Top and clear explanation , man , thanks a lot ...!

[@GaryDmedia]

Glad it was helpful Serge.

[@TrailerYacht]

Another great video Gary - Thank you for all of your hard work.

[@GaryDmedia]

I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@wendwesen1]

You’re great. Thank you . I wish you can lecture on how a videographer can get audio from the DJ using zoom H6 or other

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks for your encouragement. I appreciate your comment.

[@muhammedmanas6692]

My friend it was very helpful thank you

[@GaryDmedia]

That’s great hear, I appreciate you letting me know.

[@alexistramirez]

Thanks so much fo this video, You did a awasome job showing how to set up the H5 for a DSLR

[@GaryDmedia]

I appreciate the feedback thanks.

[@razorbill2009]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge The problem's that whenever I connect my XLR mics, I hear a significant amount of noise. I usually connect H5 to my MacPro and HP laptops to record audio. The cables and connectors are new. It's so frustrating that I've ditched XLRs! I'm wondering why that happens all the time.

[@GaryDmedia]

Mahmoud, when you record on the H5 with XLR mics and not connect to the computer is there noise in the recording?

[@juancasotelo4126]

Excelent information. Good Job. from LIMA - PERÚ

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks JuanCa, I appreciate your feedback. Thanks for commenting.

[@ishwinsingh3679]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking to buy a Zoom H5 in a week time. Just figuring out the possible options required to connect the zoom H5 to mixer for live recording during events, as I believe different mixers will have different outputs. Therefore this will require us to be prepare with few options of connection cables before hand. Maybe you can help share the options and the best connection for the best sound recording. Thanks 👍🏻

[@GaryDmedia]

The H5 has so many options to connect to an audio mixer. Most mixers have a TAPE OUT or REC OUT. A simple Stereo RCA to 6.5mm phone jack will do it. If the mixer has an extra set of L/R XLR outputs for recording you will only need standard microphone leads. Hope that helps.

[@devanand2121]

Thank you so much for your awesome guide! you are Zoom Guru!

[@GaryDmedia]

Glad I could help. Thanks for commenting.

[@lakshmanprasad2798]

Excellent Demonstration. Very helpful. Here is a query. This Zoom H5 or H6 have the facility for adjusting the gain in each channel. If I would like to further process the output from Zoom H5 using the mixer features in GarageBand on an iPhone before feeding into the DSLR how do I go about doing that? Could the graphic equaliser/mixer features of GarageBand be somehow added to the above set up to further enhance the sound?

[@GaryDmedia]

That would be starting to get a bit complicated. Remember you can process the eq in the post process. While your editing you DSLR video. That would be a lot simpler. By going through an mobile device and then into a DSLR would deteriorate the quality of the recording somewhat.

[@TreyAgnew810]

Hello and thank you!,! Sorry this is unrelated but can you add reverb to a mic on the zoom h5?

[@gregjonesdfw]

In monitor mixer, my display only shows Track 1/2 together. Can't get to individual tracks. Thanks

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes that would be right Greg, one will be sent to left output and the right output as two separate channels. You will even have an option to adjust it so L and R are blended to have the same mono signal output on left and right output. Hope that helps.

[@azzurromagazinetv1757]

Hi Gary, trying to set-up the monitor mixer as you have explained in the video (compliments for the videos) but in my H5 I can't separate the output of channels 1 and 2.. All I can choose from is l/r channel (which is the X/Y module) and the 1/2 channel, but not separately.. How's that possible?

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes the menu system can be a little tricky. Go to menu/ in-out/In1/2 mono mix. Set it to off. This should separate them to left and right and not a blended. Be sure to follow the video tutorial about fading the channel to the right and the other to the left. Hope this helps.

[@azzurromagazinetv1757]

@@GaryDmedia Hi Gary, thanks for the advice. I'll have another look. If it doesn't work I'm going to bother you again..

[@lovingitlocal7167]

i cant find any info on getting Line 1 and 2 to record in mono. any tips?

[@GaryDmedia]

Page 88 in the user manual. Mixing inputs 1&2 to mono. This will still be a stereo file but have the same mixed mono signal in both channels.

[@davidcpearson]

Is the monitor mix sent to the usb / audio interface out? Or is that a separate mix?

[@GaryDmedia]

The monitor mix is sent to the line out and headphone jack.

[@mooktracks]

Hi there, would it be correct to say that with the Monitor Mixer I could adjust what is coming through my headphones without impacting what channels are recording?

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes that is correct. This is reason it is called a Monitor Mixer. It gives you adjustment over how you are monitoring the recording via the output jacks on the H5. It won’t affect the levels of what gets recorded. That is the job of the circular gain knobs.

[@michaeldumas4907]

why cant you use the mic's on the zoom?...is the phantom power an issue?

[@GaryDmedia]

Michael, great question, you definitely can use the mic on the Zoom. You just have to select it instead of the XLR inputs. You will still need to follow the instructions for setting up for the recording.

[@Umiflow]

is it possible to record on line 1 and 2 and use the left and right tracks without plugging it into my DSLR? I prefer to sync everything together in post. thank you for the video!

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes definitely Manny. It is just another benefit feeding a mix to the camera.

[@TheOneMonk]

Thanks for the video. Considering audio quality: wouldn‘t it make more sense to record the external Pro mics to the H5 and route the recording of the H5 xy mic to the DSLR? Given that the DSLR preamps tend to be inferior you‘d have the higher quality recording on the dedicated audio device and a decent recording on the video. Then swap audio tracks in post. Just a thought...

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes adding you audio in post production is a better workflow and produces a higher quality sound track. The downside is that one-person video creators need to reduce processing steps. Using an audio interface to couple pro Mic's to your camera is a good compromise. When setup properly, an acceptable standard is met. Thanks for adding you comment.

[@nullzero821]

great channel, more videos please!

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I haven't given up. More videos coming soon.

[@jettilagan]

Hi Gary, thanks for the video! I want to ask as well, is it possible to make In 1 or In 2 stereo? I plugged a 1/4" TRS Cable in my In 1. But the output that I'm hearing is in Mono.

[@GaryDmedia]

You have the option in settings to send a single input left or right / 1 or 2 to both channels. Go to menu>in/out>In1/2mono mix. This will send one input to both outputs. I hope that is what you needed. Page 88 of the user guide.

[@KokoRicky]

Great video, and quick question: How much degradation is there in audio quality for audio files that are recorded onto the DSLR's video file?

[@GaryDmedia]

Audio recorded directly to a standard DSLR will not match the quality of recording to a dedicated field recorder. In saying that, most listeners would not be distracted by the differences. The good thing is that in the setup in this video you can have both a recording on the camera and the Zoom recorder.

[@TheDimental]

Hi Gary, if I were to use the monitor mixer and record mic input 1 with Pan Left 100 and mic input 2 with Pan Right 100, will it liken to an binaural effect?

[@GaryDmedia]

I'm not sure what you mean by binaural effect Danial, but it will definitely be stereo. Separated left and right channels.

[@TheDimental]

@@GaryDmedia Hi Gary, thanks for the swift response! Just the answer I needed!! Great video!

[@neiljgould]

Hi Gary is the cannon you are using the most compatible with the zoom H5 ? thanks

[@GaryDmedia]

The canon or any other brand camera works well as long as you have a mic input with adjustable gain. I sometimes use a Sony RX10.

[@thou_art_the_christ]

Hello Gary, i need help from you, in our church we have sony fdr ax53 camera [having MIC input not a line input] and zoom h5 audio recorder, and we are struggling to get a proper audio as we are not familiar with audio editing , could you please help on this , i had pasted the sample video links which has terrible noise. also the audio level of the camera we have to slide down as you shown in this video, in youtube i saw some of them using attenuator cable but which is the right one for my device [dB]. sorry for my wrong english.

[@baalpong]

Really heplful.

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Jean, I appreciate your feedback.

[@rickraub5448]

Hey Gary. Quick question. XLR Channel 1 and XLR channel 2 both light up when I press XLR Channel 1. It didn't use to do that. I may have changed something by mistake learning the menu. I can't get them to activate independently. Any ideas?

[@yevheniiivanov9208]

Multi

[@Isa_MundoFlauta]

Great video!! I am using my zoom h5 as an audio interface to make my music streams (I play flute in twitch). Now I am on holiday and I wanted to make my streams with my iPad, but I don't know why I am not hearing the "playback music" I put in the micro 1 or 2 (with a minijack adapter from my Mobile or computer) Any Idea? I can hear everything in my zoom h5 but not in my streaming ...

[@GaryDmedia]

Not sure Isabel, the iPad may deal with the H5 slightly differently. Are you using the same app? Please check the settings on your H5 to make sure the your audio is going where you want it to.

[@Isa_MundoFlauta]

@@GaryDmedia I would like to but there is no OBS for iPad, it's only for the computer. I will keep trying, and will inform you it I achieve what I want. Thank you!!

[@GaryDmedia]

That will be it I would say. I would be keen to hear what you come up with. Thanks Isabel.

[@grahammichaelastley]

Thank you .great tutorials very informative / Have Sub you.

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Graham. I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@Maros_Mari]

Thank you. It helped and is explained well. Just to confirm, this means, that I can set one xlr mic to left channel of my camera, second xlr mic to the right channel of my camera, and also record all of those plus the xy mic on h5 into h5 card on separate tracks. In other words, you have a redundant solution for sound recording, with 2 mics going to your camera and 2mics plus xy mic being recorded into zoom h5 simultaneously. Is this correct? I am going to make a documentary movie, a portrait of a man who helps the homeless people and I would like to record his voice on wireless lavalier mic, plug him into h5 - xlr 1, then record the outside world - at the same time, both as separate channels into my camera and also as a backup into h5. So in the editing, I can just use the sound from camera and also I have second option use sound of zoom h5. Many thanks for confirmation.

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes Maros, that is correct. The H5 is a four track recorder. Make sure you run a test recording of your setup and confirm you are happy with the workflow during editing before you start your documentary. Just so there are no surprises.