Zoom Q3 HD Video Camera

OK, I know this isn’t exactly a drum product but with the latest fad being drummers making videos of themselves and uploading them to Youtube I figured why not do a review for a quality video recorder?

I give you the Zoom Q3 HD. This little bugger has two studio quality condenser mics in an XY configuration, it has incredible sound quality. It records in full 1920x1080 HD video (with 4x zoom!) but can also record in lower setting (down to 720) for longer recordings. It also has a built in USB cable (yay! No more looking for the download cable!). 

It has the bundled HandyShare editing and uploading software where you can adjust and normalize the audio, add reverb and a has a mastering effect. There is also a Low-cut filter function on it that reduces unwanted background noise by cutting the low frequency range.

Some added features are an audio input jack so you can use addition mics for more complex recordings! It’s compatible with SDHC cards, it comes with a 2GB card for 30 mins of recording but you can buy a 32GB card that allows for 7 hours and it runs on two AA batteries (included!!!) What more can you ask for? 

I got one of these for Christmas and REALLY like it! There is a non HD version that is about $100 cheaper and works just as well, it’s just not HD. For the HD an extra $100 is worth it. All said and done, the damage is $299 for a very versatile and powerful hand held HD video camera that has REALLY good audio.

For those who want to make quality videos of themselves for youtube but can’t afford much, I highly recommend this camera.

For more info and more detailed specs, go to http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/q3hd/

Until next time!

Update 06/01/2011

Here are  a couple videos I shot with the Q3 HD for a review I did AFTER this one.

Phatfoot Drum Harness

How many drummers here have had to chase their drums around the stage while playing a gig because the bass drum keeps sliding? A show of hands? (raising hand). I introduce to you the Phatfoot Drum Harness. This is a nice little piece of ingenuity.  A drum harness you say? That sounds complicated! Not at all I say! It's a very simple concept. Phatfoot has designed a product that holds your bass drum in place. Here's how it works.

For one, it's comes in stainless steel or durable nylon, the one I am reviewing is the nylon version, very durable. At one end, there is a loop that fits around the leg of your drum stool, on the other end is a piece of velcro, what you do is take the other piece of velcro and stick it to the bottom of your bass drum pedal, put the two pieces together and basically, your weight sitting on the stool holds the bass drum in place! Pretty smart huh?

Why not just go out and buy a mat or rug? You can do that but you're going to spend $40 - $100 for one. The Phatfoot harness is $20, you don't have to roll it up and it's small enough to fit in your gig bag or maybe even your cymbal bag.

This is a pretty cool product and it's affordable. It works. I've been playing with this thing for quote a while and it hasn't let me down once. Either that or I need to go on a diet.

Check out their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/PHATFOOT-Drum-Harness/257038043226

They are also available through Big Bang Distribution at http://www.bigbangdist.com/phat_foot.htm

Until next time!

Congrats to Luke Snyder!!

For winning the Steven Adler autographed book "My Appetite For Destruction!"

Email me your mailing address at timekeep69@aol.com and I'll get it sent out!


PJ

Steven Adler autographed book

OK, Scorpion never responded to winning the book so I'm going to draw a new name!

I will announce the winner tomorrow!