AV News Magazine | Page 30

AV News 178 - November 2009 Update on Zoom H4n Lawrie Little I thought your readers may be interested in a follow-up to my Zoom H4n piece (Issue 177 Page 17). I have bought a mini windjammer (Dougal is a much nicer name!) from Rycote, it works brilliantly. The supplied foam wind-shield, for the H4n, is no good for outdoor use. The Rycote mini windjammer fits over the foam wind gag, it also helps to keep the foam in place! In some recent high winds it worked perfectly and outside recording is now possible in any weather. The company www.rycote.com makes a full range of windshields including the H2 & H4 recorders and is worth a look at. 3 New Sound effects CD’s Howard Gregory Using live recordings can add a whole new dimension to your soundtracks. I would be the first to encourage you to record your own. This is possible, if you take note of the advice given in the CD's referred to in Issue 177 Page 15. However, if you don't wish to record your own live sounds, can't get the ones you want, don't wish to spend a week waiting for the right moment, or just wish to build up a useful library, you may be interested to know that I've just added three new effects CDs to those already available: Sounds of People - variety of footsteps, children, small and large groups of various ages and nationalities taking part in different activities in variety of environments - from a Tudor Christmas dance to the old bazaar in Cairo. Sounds of Boats & Waterways - canals, locks, bridges, tunnels, canal boats, ferries, small trip boats. There's a dramatic section devoted to icebreaking. Sounds of Merchant Shipping Past & Present - cruise liners, commercial boats and ships, harbours & marinas, preserved ex commercial histor