Homemade Windgag for the Zoom H4
A simple windgag/deadcat for the Zoom H4
Samson Zoom H4 Windgag/Deadcat:
For its price the Samsom Zoom H4 is a very neat package, it was this toy that got me interested in audio recording. My only previous experience of audio recording and editing was way back in my college days when we learnt to edit theatre sfx on an open reel Revox, DAT being far too expensive for a provincial UK college teaching technical theatre to young kids.
The Zoom H4 despite being an overall good buy does has some drawbacks: it's poor handling noise can be a problem if you do not have a delicate touch, the inbuilt stereo microphones can be a little noisy but perhaps worst of all is it's high sensitivity to wind, even in the most modest of breezes. The foam windgag included in the prices is fine as a pop shield but is no use in anything above a whisper of wind.
The windgag pictured above is simply made from one piece of fake fur stitched together at the sides with a drawstring style fastening to hold it in place. Sadly I couldn't find a longer haired fur with an open weave fur so performance is not as optimal as it could be.
Windgag in use on the Zoom H4
- Windy Borth y Gest Beach on an early summers morning.
- Earl of Merioneth departs Tan-y-Bwlch recorded in moderate wind.
- Children crab fishing at Porthmadog Harbour recorded in light evening breeze.