That'sWhat
I'm shooting a movie in the spring, and I thought it'd be a good idea (what with Christmas, and my birthday soon after) to save up to get some better quality equipment. I'm currently running on a $150 FinePix camera and a $2 external microphone that I use for voice overs. :S I was looking into camcorders, specifically HD, and whilst doing that, I found that I was interested in having a lower cost HD camcorder with a lower cost attachable boom mic. I was wondering if anyone knew of any HD camcorders (300 or less) that had a hot shoe for fitting a shotgun microphone.
I'm interested in http://www.walmart.com/ip/DXG-DXG-A80V-HD/13437289 , but I'm not sure I'm seeing the mount on it... I'm worried that I'll convince myself it has the hot shoe and then be disappointed when I see it doesn't. In addition, I'm looking at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444022-REG/Azden_SMX_10_SMX_10_Stereo_Microphone.html . Are the two compatible, and does the former have a hot shoe?
Answer
Some Canon and Sony camcorders have a hot shoe for attaching Canon or Sony equipment (video lights or mics). These proprietary hot shoes means the mic is attached to the camcorder - so - how would you connect the mic to a boom?
There is no DXG camcorder with a hot shoe.
The hot shoe means there are connections that can carry power (hence, "hot"), and audio depending on the proprietary device connected.
A "boom mic" more commonly referred to as a "shotgun mic" mounted to a boom pole. The mic is connected with a cable (or sometimes wirelessly, but that is very expensive, so we'll stay with wired mics). Using the Azden SMX10 as an example, note the *short* cable to a 1/8" plug. This plugs into a camcorder's 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio-in jack. That DXG you pointed us to does not have a 1/8" audio input. Using *that* camcorder and *that* mic won't work.
1) Drop the "hot shoe" requirement.
2) The camcorder you *want* needs to have an audio input jack. If you can't do that, then you can pick whatever camcorder you want, and get an external audio "filed recorder" like a Zoom H1, H2 or H4. When you edit the video, import the audio, sync with the video, mute the audio that was captured by the video.
3) If you follow the first suggestion and drop the hot shoe requirement, most camcorders don't have a "cold" shoe either... but for $15 you can add one or more by using a camera bracket. Search amazon using "bescor vb 50" for an example. There are lots more. Some cost more, some cost less.
As far as I know, cameras that capture high definition video with a audio-in jack include the Kodak Z18 and Canon HF series.
Some Canon and Sony camcorders have a hot shoe for attaching Canon or Sony equipment (video lights or mics). These proprietary hot shoes means the mic is attached to the camcorder - so - how would you connect the mic to a boom?
There is no DXG camcorder with a hot shoe.
The hot shoe means there are connections that can carry power (hence, "hot"), and audio depending on the proprietary device connected.
A "boom mic" more commonly referred to as a "shotgun mic" mounted to a boom pole. The mic is connected with a cable (or sometimes wirelessly, but that is very expensive, so we'll stay with wired mics). Using the Azden SMX10 as an example, note the *short* cable to a 1/8" plug. This plugs into a camcorder's 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio-in jack. That DXG you pointed us to does not have a 1/8" audio input. Using *that* camcorder and *that* mic won't work.
1) Drop the "hot shoe" requirement.
2) The camcorder you *want* needs to have an audio input jack. If you can't do that, then you can pick whatever camcorder you want, and get an external audio "filed recorder" like a Zoom H1, H2 or H4. When you edit the video, import the audio, sync with the video, mute the audio that was captured by the video.
3) If you follow the first suggestion and drop the hot shoe requirement, most camcorders don't have a "cold" shoe either... but for $15 you can add one or more by using a camera bracket. Search amazon using "bescor vb 50" for an example. There are lots more. Some cost more, some cost less.
As far as I know, cameras that capture high definition video with a audio-in jack include the Kodak Z18 and Canon HF series.
What microphone is good for my camcorder?
Mike Terfo
I have a Canon FS20 camcorder and I don't like the little buzzing sound it makes when recording and the audio isn't that good. I want to find a new microphone for this camera. Any suggestions?
Answer
There is no single "best mic"
The FS20, flash memory, consumer camcorder, has built-in stereo mics - and no manual audio control.
Since we don't know what the video/audio capture environment is that is causing the "little buzzing" you report, it is a bit of a challenge to suggest anything without having to buy something. Because we know the camcorder uses "auto mic gain" to control the audio levels recorded, we also know that if the audio levels are low, the auto mic gain will turn up the gain while "listening" for audio. This can result in the "buzzing" you report being recorded.
The FS20 also has a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio-in jack to connect an external mic. If the audio you are capturing is "normal level" (not loud bands and not someone 10 feet away whispering), then a stereo condenser mic is probably a good idea. If the audio is really loud, then you need a way to control the audio level so it is not overpowering the auto mic gain. If the audio is from far away or very low, then you want to be able to get the mic closer to the audio source without having the camera so close.
What is your budget?
Since the FS20 does not have an accessory shoe to mount a mic, you need to add one. A camera bracket (search "camera bracket" at amazon to understand what I mean). The Bower or Adorama camera brackets are inexpensive and add two accessory shoes to your camcorder. Then you can add a condenser stereo like the Audio Technica PRO-24CM.
Or... if the audio is low, getting the mic closer to the audio source might mean using a wireless lavaliere. They are expensive. But best are UHF and a portable base station that mounts to the accessory shoe you added. I use Sennheiser G3 systems.
If the audio is loud, you can use an XLR adapter (with XLR connecting mics) like the BeachTek DX-A2T or juicedLink units to control the mic gain, but that gets expensive, too... need to get mics, too.
There is no single "best mic"
The FS20, flash memory, consumer camcorder, has built-in stereo mics - and no manual audio control.
Since we don't know what the video/audio capture environment is that is causing the "little buzzing" you report, it is a bit of a challenge to suggest anything without having to buy something. Because we know the camcorder uses "auto mic gain" to control the audio levels recorded, we also know that if the audio levels are low, the auto mic gain will turn up the gain while "listening" for audio. This can result in the "buzzing" you report being recorded.
The FS20 also has a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio-in jack to connect an external mic. If the audio you are capturing is "normal level" (not loud bands and not someone 10 feet away whispering), then a stereo condenser mic is probably a good idea. If the audio is really loud, then you need a way to control the audio level so it is not overpowering the auto mic gain. If the audio is from far away or very low, then you want to be able to get the mic closer to the audio source without having the camera so close.
What is your budget?
Since the FS20 does not have an accessory shoe to mount a mic, you need to add one. A camera bracket (search "camera bracket" at amazon to understand what I mean). The Bower or Adorama camera brackets are inexpensive and add two accessory shoes to your camcorder. Then you can add a condenser stereo like the Audio Technica PRO-24CM.
Or... if the audio is low, getting the mic closer to the audio source might mean using a wireless lavaliere. They are expensive. But best are UHF and a portable base station that mounts to the accessory shoe you added. I use Sennheiser G3 systems.
If the audio is loud, you can use an XLR adapter (with XLR connecting mics) like the BeachTek DX-A2T or juicedLink units to control the mic gain, but that gets expensive, too... need to get mics, too.
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