microphone and lighting at DVinfo.net

Richard Brand · May 31st, 2004, 02:22 AM

What would be the best microphone to use for interviews and weddings(I can only afford one decent mic)? I am not looking for a 100% solution for each genre as I know there is not one, but I need something that will give me good coverage for both. The interviews will be done in a quiet room (or as quiet as I can get it).
Is th Canon DM50 any good?

Also does the Canon ma300 adaptor allow a light to be placed on top?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · May 31st, 2004, 11:30 AM

The Canon or the ATR 55 are as good a low-cost mic as anything out there in similar price range.
The MA 300 won't allow a light to go on top, no.

Glenn Chan · May 31st, 2004, 03:40 PM

Wireless lav?

Or wired lav + minidisc. Wired lav will work for interviews and the lav + minidisc will work well for weddings.

If you need an on-camera mic, the Sony MS907/908 sounds great but isn't very directional and has a cheesy mount (much like ever single mini-plug mic out there). The mic also happens to be stereo (mid/side configuration) but that isn't really useful, especially if you're doing handheld work (the stereo image may shift a lot with the camera).

What camera do you have?

Richard Brand · May 31st, 2004, 07:17 PM

thank you both for your replies. I have a Canon XM2. How do you you connect up a mic and a light if you are using the ma300?

Jason Pell · August 4th, 2004, 11:46 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Douglas Spotted Eagle : The Canon or the ATR 55 are as good a low-cost mic as anything out there in similar price range.
The MA 300 won't allow a light to go on top, no. -->>>

Hi,

I would suggest that the following forum topic and pictures would beg to differ with your response:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27724&highlight=MA300

I think what you meant is that you won't be able to connect the Video Light VL-3, which requires a hot shoe, which the MA-300 does not have, however I believe the MA-300 does have a cold shoe?!

So you could use what I use, a VL-10Li which has its own battery...

I am happy to be told I don't know what I am talking about, as the following forum topic from this morning attests:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=30101

Cheers
Jason

Bryan Beasleigh · August 5th, 2004, 12:42 AM

I certainly wouldn't perch a light on top of that stack. Rather than bother with an expensive double shoe adapter , invest in a grip like the mighty wondercam mini rover. They're $50 at B&H, if you want cheap there are $13 angle brackets but they aren't made with a heavy video camera in mind. FYI the mini rover is cheaper than a double shoe adapter and a lot more rigid.

It makes no sense to spend a few thousand on a rig and cheap out on an accesory that can cause your investment harm. me, I mount my XLR adapter under the camera and any onboard mic onto the mini rover.

look at the bottom of the linked page. The prices are canadian so don't have heart failure, the unit is $50 at B&H. The picture is just better here.

The mini rover is made of heavy duty aluminum and has a very soft grip. The mount has a guide pin so the camera stays put and there is an auxhilary tripod mount under it. You can buy an adapter to mount a radio mic on as well.

Darko Flajpan · August 5th, 2004, 01:16 AM

I wouldn't recomend putting anything extra on MA300, because it already looks very fragile. Unfortunattly I reallized that after buying MA...

Bryan Beasleigh · August 5th, 2004, 01:42 AM

The new beachtek DXA-8 is a nice unit. Has phantom, gain, limiters and screws on the tripod mount

Jason Pell · August 5th, 2004, 02:43 AM

expensive though at $US400 + import to australia in my case :-)

Steven Davis · August 5th, 2004, 06:07 AM

Well, http://www.droptodesign.com/test/camera/ is my configuration. It has the beachtek DXA-4p under the camera. That little cool lux adapter is nice, only 30 bucks. I'm not sure I'd put a light on it though, with a heavy battery it might be too much. As it is now, the mic and shotgun aren't too bad. That cool lux adapter is adjustable from vertical to horizontal though, you just lossen the screw and turn it. I hope this helps, or atleast gives you some ideas.

May 31st, 2004, 02:22 AM	#1
Richard Brand New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 11	microphone and lighting What would be the best microphone to use for interviews and weddings(I can only afford one decent mic)? I am not looking for a 100% solution for each genre as I know there is not one, but I need something that will give me good coverage for both. The interviews will be done in a quiet room (or as quiet as I can get it). Is th Canon DM50 any good? Also does the Canon ma300 adaptor allow a light to be placed on top? Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me.

May 31st, 2004, 11:30 AM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	The Canon or the ATR 55 are as good a low-cost mic as anything out there in similar price range. The MA 300 won't allow a light to go on top, no. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

August 4th, 2004, 11:46 PM	#5
Jason Pell Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 3	<<<-- Originally posted by Douglas Spotted Eagle : The Canon or the ATR 55 are as good a low-cost mic as anything out there in similar price range. The MA 300 won't allow a light to go on top, no. -->>> Hi, I would suggest that the following forum topic and pictures would beg to differ with your response: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27724&highlight=MA300 I think what you meant is that you won't be able to connect the Video Light VL-3, which requires a hot shoe, which the MA-300 does not have, however I believe the MA-300 does have a cold shoe?! So you could use what I use, a VL-10Li which has its own battery... I am happy to be told I don't know what I am talking about, as the following forum topic from this morning attests: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=30101 Cheers Jason __________________ Canon XM2, Premiere 6.5, DV-Raptor-RT, Windows 2000 SP4

August 5th, 2004, 12:42 AM	#6
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I certainly wouldn't perch a light on top of that stack. Rather than bother with an expensive double shoe adapter , invest in a grip like the mighty wondercam mini rover. They're $50 at B&H, if you want cheap there are $13 angle brackets but they aren't made with a heavy video camera in mind. FYI the mini rover is cheaper than a double shoe adapter and a lot more rigid. It makes no sense to spend a few thousand on a rig and cheap out on an accesory that can cause your investment harm. me, I mount my XLR adapter under the camera and any onboard mic onto the mini rover. look at the bottom of the linked page. The prices are canadian so don't have heart failure, the unit is $50 at B&H. The picture is just better here. The mini rover is made of heavy duty aluminum and has a very soft grip. The mount has a guide pin so the camera stays put and there is an auxhilary tripod mount under it. You can buy an adapter to mount a radio mic on as well. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

August 5th, 2004, 01:16 AM	#7
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	I wouldn't recomend putting anything extra on MA300, because it already looks very fragile. Unfortunattly I reallized that after buying MA... __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP

May 31st, 2004, 03:40 PM	#3
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Wireless lav? Or wired lav + minidisc. Wired lav will work for interviews and the lav + minidisc will work well for weddings. If you need an on-camera mic, the Sony MS907/908 sounds great but isn't very directional and has a cheesy mount (much like ever single mini-plug mic out there). The mic also happens to be stereo (mid/side configuration) but that isn't really useful, especially if you're doing handheld work (the stereo image may shift a lot with the camera). What camera do you have?

May 31st, 2004, 07:17 PM	#4
Richard Brand New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 11	thank you both for your replies. I have a Canon XM2. How do you you connect up a mic and a light if you are using the ma300?

August 5th, 2004, 01:42 AM	#8
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The new beachtek DXA-8 is a nice unit. Has phantom, gain, limiters and screws on the tripod mount __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

August 5th, 2004, 02:43 AM	#9
Jason Pell Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 3	expensive though at $US400 + import to australia in my case :-)

August 5th, 2004, 06:07 AM	#10
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	My Config Well, http://www.droptodesign.com/test/camera/ is my configuration. It has the beachtek DXA-4p under the camera. That little cool lux adapter is nice, only 30 bucks. I'm not sure I'd put a light on it though, with a heavy battery it might be too much. As it is now, the mic and shotgun aren't too bad. That cool lux adapter is adjustable from vertical to horizontal though, you just lossen the screw and turn it. I hope this helps, or atleast gives you some ideas. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?