Zoom Q2n or camera alternatives

bassjamn

bassjamn

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Jan 4, 2002
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#1
Looking at the new Zoom Q2n camera for recording youtube videos and gigs/rehearsals
Has anyone tried one out? Not looking to break the bank($2-300.00 at most)
The audio/video seems good for my needs, I am looking to see if it records direct via the stereo 1/8 input from a audio interface.
 
#2
bassjamn said:
Looking at the new Zoom Q2n camera for recording youtube videos and gigs/rehearsals(...)I am looking to see if it records direct via the stereo 1/8 input from a audio interface.
Click to expand...
Should work, I have the older Q4 and on both cameras it is labelled as a stereo-in, not as a mic-(only)in. I have a love-hate relationship with the Q4. It is just so easy to set-up, the audio-quality for the price is very good. The camera is not on par with modern smartphones, but works great with concert light and daylight. But if the light isn't well chosen or there is backlight, it really sucks...
I'm really curious, how the small Q2n will do for the low price and how good the camera is. Maybe they did something about it 'cause so many complain about the quality of the camera. But as I said: concert light and daylight work o.k.
 
#3
I just got one. Haven't had a ton of time with it yet but you get what you pay for. In this case, cut that in half. The audio quality is not as good as my dedicated Tascam recorder and the video is not as good as a dslr or other pro camera.

That being said, it is way easier and cheaper than a pro setup. For quick gig and practice videos it's hard to beat. It seems to do pretty well in low light and should be a good way to get some quick clips on YouTube
 
#4
cultrvultr said:
I just got one. Haven't had a ton of time with it yet but you get what you pay for. In this case, cut that in half. The audio quality is not as good as my dedicated Tascam recorder and the video is not as good as a dslr or other pro camera.

That being said, it is way easier and cheaper than a pro setup. For quick gig and practice videos it's hard to beat. It seems to do pretty well in low light and should be a good way to get some quick clips on YouTube
Click to expand...
Sounds good. BTW as much as I have criticized the quality of the camera here and in other threads, you not really expect such a 150,- camera and audio recorder to deliver the quality of a DSLR...
If it would be on par with a good smartphone cam, it would do well. BTW the audio quality of the Q4 is very good.
 
#5
yeah, this is a similar idea to the zoom multi-effects. Its not as good as a bunch of standalone boxes, but its a decent, inexpensive all-in-one solution for the most common situations.

I'm in the studio this weekend and planning on leaving it running for part of the time while we record to get some "in the studio" clips. make sure you have a Class 10 memory card or it won't work. found out the hard way :(
 
#10
the explode man said:
Well, he stated that he's looking to record the audio from the camera to an audio interface. I'm kind of just leaving it to him to figure out it would be easier to just record the audio from a decent mic into the interface instead of going from the camera first (from what I understand of the OP).
Click to expand...

He mentioned mainly the zoom music-cams, and those have - in relation to price - a far superior audio-quality and mics then any action-cam or even much more expensive DSLRs. The big advantage is that you can record yourself or gigs without much hazzle. If I would record myself at home I would use an iPhone or iPad cam and connect a digital mic to the lightning port or simply my audio-interface with a camera-connection kit to the iPad or iPhone: better audio- and picture quality.
Regarding gigs: another advantage of the zoom music-cams esp. for recording gigs: they run for about 4 or 5 hours. At least the Q4 I own. My iPhone just records about an hour and then stops without warning.

But you are correct: if he wants to use an audio-interface and connect this to the line in of the camera, it would be better to record the audio digital and later synchronize the film and the audio or look at the solution I described above with an iPhone or iPad.
 
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#16
based on my experience with the zoom H2 and Q4:
The camera aspects of the zoom products seem to be their weakness, and it really helps to be able to understand and work within their limits.

The audio capabilities on the other hand...you will spend a LOT of money before you will better their mic capsules.

If you are totally bored enough to listen to someone else's bar band:

This is a nice DSLR with audio from a Zoom H2 that is FOH about 50' from stage at a cost of oh, about $600 in gear:


Same night, Zoom Q4 about 5' from the main. About $150 in gear

 
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#17
Thanks, very helpful comparison. You really do get what you pay for.
Steve said:
based on my experience with the zoom H2 and Q4:
The camera aspects of the zoom products seem to be their weakness, and it really helps to be able to understand and work within their limits.

The audio capabilities on the other hand...you will spend a LOT of money before you will better their mic capsules.

If you are totally bored enough to listen to someone else's bar band:

This is a nice DSLR with audio from a Zoom H2 that is FOH about 50' from stage at a cost of oh, about $600 in gear:


Same night, Zoom Q4 about 5' from the main. About $150 in gear

Click to expand...
 
#18
Music cameras...yuck. The problem is the wide angle lens. If you get the camera close enough to not have the audio "swim" in room sound then the wide field lens is necessary to capture a wide enough field of view. I'd rather do without seeing bad video.
There's probably not a better place to get a handle on how to address this than Fran Guidry's HomebrewedMusic website:
Look At Me Play Guitar – Sony HDR-MV1 vs Canon HF R500 | Homebrewed Music
 
#19
That's a video about recording acoustic guitar. Recording a full band with full frequency range and dynamics requires a very different solution. If you want to sit in your bedroom and record your bass through a Peavey Minx for all your facebook friends, a camcorder will do. But if you want something to get you gigs, you are either going to have to use a separate audio recording system with the camcorder and get something with better audio.
 
#20
BFunk said:
That's a video about recording acoustic guitar. Recording a full band with full frequency range and dynamics requires a very different solution. If you want to sit in your bedroom and record your bass through a Peavey Minx for all your facebook friends, a camcorder will do. But if you want something to get you gigs, you are either going to have to use a separate audio recording system with the camcorder and get something with better audio.
Click to expand...


Hey from Dublin

Would the Zoom Q8 or the Zoom 4n be a good all in one package solution?

I have the new go pro 5 and the audio sucks so I'm looking for a different, simple, lazy all in one package solution to record gig footage of my band and my bass videos at home

Regards

Niall
 
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