Use a Zoom handheld recorder to record your amps for gear tests, or is a microphone the best way?

[nightlight]

For this recording, I used an E-II MK-1 into a VHT Sig:X set to the red channel on Brit mode. This was run into Orange and Mesa 2x12 cabinets. The mic I used was a Zoom H4 essential, which is a stereo mic that can handle high volume levels without distorting.

I'm curious to know what others think of the tone in this 1.5 minute video. I thought it was a pretty fast way to just capture the sound in the room as well as the amp tone. I had it really close to the cabinet too, maybe 8 inches away and it handled the sound pressure levels like a boss.

Still divided if a better way would be just to mic up the cab.

 

[JimAnsell2]

I'd mic the cab with a real mic. That sounds a little hollow. mids are a little phase-y sounding...top end is neutered, low end sounds compressed.
Its probably great as a riff notepad, but for tone reference, i'd use a real mic into that that thing, and not the onboard mic.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I actually can’t think of a worse way to compare amps. If you just want to get an in the room tone then sure that will totally work, but for specifically comparing amps? No way. The amps will be in a different position relative to the recorder so any comparison will be worthless. Even if you use the same cab, if you move it or the recorder around AT ALL, positionally or by twisting it, even by just an inch or so, all comparison before and after moving it will be worthless.

The only way to compare anything, amps included, is to eliminate as many other variables as possible. A handheld mic like that is just begging for other variables to slip into things.

 

[thegame]

Gotta give you props for finishing the clip with that earthquake going on!

 

[CarlF]

I think it sounds great. In fact I’m looking at the H4 and the H6.
It’s a good representation of the amp in the room, which is how most human beings hear an amp, not through a microphone on the cabinet.

Also, the OP said nothing about comparing and A/Bing amps so why bring it up?

It’s hilarious how anybody could even criticize this, in comparison to some of the absolute horseshit clips I’ve heard on this site.
Like when they post them shitty Wizard clips. And all the Wizard owners give each other reach arounds.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I think it sounds great. In fact I’m looking at the H4 and the H6.
It’s a good representation of the amp in the room, which is how most human beings hear an amp, not through a microphone on the cabinet.

Also, the OP said nothing about comparing and A/Bing amps so why bring it up?

It’s hilarious how anybody could even criticize this, in comparison to some of the absolute horseshit clips I’ve heard on this site.
Like when they post them shitty Wizard clips. And all the Wizard owners give each other reach arounds.

Don't hold back

 

[VonBonfire]

I think it sounds great. In fact I’m looking at the H4 and the H6.

I think it sounds decent too for a quick and easy way to capture audio.

I've been using a Sony HDR-MV1 for quite a few years with pretty good results, especially if you have the chance to position it in the ideal spot i.e playing the same venue more than once. The picture quality leaves a little to be desired but it's wide angle, designed to capture the whole band even if you have to position it closer. It's got stereo mics and an adjustable internal gain so you can set it for loud or soft performances. I crank a Twin and it handles the SPL ten feet out without any issues. Might be worth a look.

Don't hold back

You should come down to Gruene tonight, 8-11. Stop avoiding me.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Sounds great. Love the waviness of the video. Very psychodelic

 

[CarlF]

I think it sounds decent too for a quick and easy way to capture audio.

I've been using a Sony HDR-MV1 for quite a few years with pretty good results, especially if you have the chance to position it in the ideal spot i.e playing the same venue more than once. The picture quality leaves a little to be desired but it's wide angle, designed to capture the whole band even if you have to position it closer. It's got stereo mics and an adjustable internal gain so you can set it for loud or soft performances. I crank a Twin and it handles the SPL ten feet out without any issues. Might be worth a look.


You should come down to Gruene tonight, 8-11. Stop avoiding me.

I got the Sony HDR-MV1, I still use it I like it a lot

 

[thegame]

Sounds great. Love the waviness of the video. Very psychodelic

@Techdeth vision!

 

[VonBonfire]

I got the Sony HDR-MV1, I still use it I like it a lot

Heh, interesting! Your clips you post here always sound great if that's what you're using to capture them. Lemme know how any new cams or digital recorders you get work out for you. Mine's getting old but still works good. We hook up a big battery pack to it and it can record for 3 or 4 hours straight.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

Do both and blend them.

 

[HowieJams]

I think it represents the sound of the amp pretty well.
Then again, I record my videos with a Iphone 17, used to use the Iphone 13 until a few weeks ago.

I am sure using a mic would be better, at least that is what people tell me, but I am just trying to quickly record videos that give people an idea how gear sounds and I think the Iphone 17 and your Zoom do this well enough.

As for your video quality for some reason that did not come out right, but for sound who cares?

Just want to thank you for doing a vid, it is much better to hear the actual gear than to just talk about it, that is why I take time out of my day to do this also.

I do a lot of my YouTube videos over backing tracks, I think it adds a lot of depth to the video and helps to see how the amp sounds in a mix.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I think it represents the sound of the amp pretty well.
Then again, I record my videos with a Iphone 17, used to use the Iphone 13 until a few weeks ago.

I am sure using a mic would be better, at least that is what people tell me, but I am just trying to quickly record videos that give people an idea how gear sounds and I think the Iphone 17 and your Zoom do this well enough.

As for your video quality for some reason that did not come out right, but for sound who cares?

Just want to thank you for doing a vid, it is much better to hear the actual gear than to just talk about it, that is why I take time out of my day to do this also.

I do a lot of my YouTube videos over backing tracks, I think it adds a lot of depth to the video and helps to see how the amp sounds in a mix.

I have been very surprised how well phones pick up in the room.

Close micing is awesome for giving you a very gnarly in your face, crushing and aggressive tone, but the phone is just fine for giving an idea

 

[VonBonfire]

Then again, I record my videos with a Iphone 17, used to use the Iphone 13 until a few weeks ago.

 

[HowieJams]

I have been very surprised how well phones pick up in the room.

Close micing is awesome for giving you a very gnarly in your face, crushing and aggressive tone, but the phone is just fine for giving an idea

Exactly, but I will admit, they do better with a backing track which adds some depth than just recording the amp alone, but either way give you a good idea how the amp or guitar sounds.

 

[HowieJams]

LOL, 62 years on this earth and working full time for 48 of them (and still going) allows me to buy a lot of stuff I wish I would have had when I was younger.
Of course I really should be saving for my retirement, but what fun is that?

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I think it sounds great. In fact I’m looking at the H4 and the H6.
It’s a good representation of the amp in the room, which is how most human beings hear an amp, not through a microphone on the cabinet.

Also, the OP said nothing about comparing and A/Bing amps so why bring it up?

It’s hilarious how anybody could even criticize this, in comparison to some of the absolute horseshit clips I’ve heard on this site.
Like when they post them shitty Wizard clips. And all the Wizard owners give each other reach arounds.

I brought it up because he specifically used the word “tests” in the title.

And yeah dude the vast, vast majority of people do hear guitar mic’d up compared to in the room. What would you say the ratio is for the average guitar music listener of time spent listening to music on a stereo PLUS live shows with everything on a PA, vs listening to small live shows with non-mic’d guitar cabs being the only way the crowd hears them. It’s stereos and PA’s and it’s not even close.

 

[VonBonfire]

I brought it up because he specifically used the word “tests” in the title.

And yeah dude the vast, vast majority of people do hear guitar mic’d up compared to in the room. What would you say the ratio is for the average guitar music listener of time spent listening to music on a stereo PLUS live shows with everything on a PA, vs listening to small live shows with non-mic’d guitar cabs being the only way the crowd hears them. It’s stereos and PA’s and it’s not even close.

HE HAS SPOKEN ILL OF THE WIZZERS!!!

 

[CarlF]

I brought it up because he specifically used the word “tests” in the title.

And yeah dude the vast, vast majority of people do hear guitar mic’d up compared to in the room. What would you say the ratio is for the average guitar music listener of time spent listening to music on a stereo PLUS live shows with everything on a PA, vs listening to small live shows with non-mic’d guitar cabs being the only way the crowd hears them. It’s stereos and PA’s and it’s not even close.

I know, most people, when they’re in a Guitar Center, or any guitar store, and trying out an amplifier, they ask the staff to mic them through the PA system, good one.