Posted by Roy Lee, February 16, 2021

This topic came up at the Virtual Social Hour yesterday. Here is a more detailed explanation.

Problem

Do the towers that you play at not have permanent recording equipment (yet!)? Have you tried using your smartphone near the carillon keyboard, but found that the sound is awful because the smartphone's microphone picks up the keyboard noises (and maybe the occasional expletive)?

Solution

You can use a portable external microphone to improve the sound quality for your video recordings or livestreaming. Set up your smartphone near your carillon keyboard to capture the video, and connect it to a portable external microphone in the bell chamber to capture the audio. If you are making a recording, this obviates the need to mess with video editing software afterwards. If you are livestreaming, your audience will hear the audio from the bell chamber (not your keyboard noises) but see the video of you at the keyboard. The set up described below costs about US$300 (excluding the smartphone!) but you may be able to find an even cheaper external microphone.

Details

Below is my exact set up. If you use different equipment, the instructions may need to be modified. Newer smartphones may permit even simpler set ups.

I have provided Amazon product info below but this is not an endorsement. If you decide to buy from Amazon, please use this Smile link and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to the GCNA: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3166127

I use the following equipment:

1. iPhone 7 (which has a Lightning port)
2. Zoom H4n handheld recorder - We are just using this as a USB microphone in this set up, but the Zoom H4n can make audio recordings too. The latest model (Zoom H4n Pro) retails for about US$250. Mine is an older model, so if you have the newer model, the instructions below may require modifications.
3. USB hub with power supply - I have the "Amazon Basics 4 Port USB to USB 3.0 Hub with 5V/2.5A power adapter" (Amazon product code B00DQFGH80, US$20.49)
4. Apple "Lightning to USB Camera Adapter" cable - to connect the USB hub to the iPhone 7 (US$29)
5. USB to Mini USB cable (came with the Zoom H4n) - to connect the USB hub to the Zoom H4n
6. Optional: USB extension cord if your microphone has to be placed far away from your phone - I have the "Amazon Basics USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable" (Amazon product code B01L81WQ2O, US$16.99 for a 32-ft cord)

How to set it up:

• Connect the USB hub to a power outlet. 
• Then connect the iPhone 7 to the USB hub. 
• Finally, connect the USB hub to the Zoom H4n. 
• The Zoom H4n should turn on by itself. Choose AUDIO I/F on the screen, then CONNECT. Depending on the distance between the Zoom H4n and the nearest bells, you may need to turn down the recording volume. 
• Now the microphone is live and is sending an audio signal to your iPhone. 
• You can use the iPhone's Camera app to record, or the Facebook app to livestream. (Those are the apps I have used successfully. Other apps should work too.) The iPhone will use the audio feed from the Zoom H4n and the video feed from the phone's own camera.

Tips:

1. It may be a quirk of the Zoom H4n, but if you ever unplug any of the cords, you have to set up the Zoom H4n again (choose AUDIO I/F, CONNECT, adjust the recording volume). 
2. Use your phone's "Do Not Disturb" mode to ensure your notifications do not interrupt your recording or livestreaming.
3. If you are just recording and not livestreaming, use your phone's "Airplane" mode.
4. If you are recording, make sure you have enough storage space on your phone.
5. Make sure your phone is charged, because the power cord only gives power to the microphone. It does not charge the phone.
6. I have read that if you get the Apple "Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter" (US$39), then you do not need the separate USB hub with power supply. I don't know if that is true.

Other recording options

For information about other options for recording/livestreaming equipment, read this helpful info sheet prepared by Paul Stelben.

Feedback

If you have a better/simpler inexpensive solution or other tips, please share it with me (roywylee@gmail.com) and I will update this post.