How to isolate on-camera mic at DVinfo.net

Jody Arnott · November 20th, 2013, 08:15 PM

Hi all,

I was shooting a sports event with my JVC HM600 the other day. The camera was handheld, and I was using a shotgun mic mounted to the camera.

I don't often use a camera mounted mic as my primary source of audio, and I noticed afterwards that noise made by me touching the camera controls was being recorded.

So I was wondering if anyone could recommend a product that may help eliminate this? The Rode shock mount seems good, but it doesn't look like it can be attached to the existing microphone mount on the camera.

Any tips appreciated :)

Cheers.

Richard Crowley · November 20th, 2013, 10:51 PM

1) What "shotgun mic mounted to the camera"? Are you talking about the microphone that comes with the camera, or some other microphone?
2) Microphone mounts built into the camera are typically not designed for 3rd party accessories. They are what they are. Most of us would never think of using an on-camera microphone, ESPECIALLY the one that comes with the camera.
3) If you want to use a better shock mount, then you will likely need to attach it to the regular "shoe" mount. There are several different kinds of adapters for 1/4-20 or 3/8-20 or 5/8-27 threads for attaching various kinds of accessories.
4) Camera and operator noise is one of the big reasons on-camera microphones are considered mostly unsuitable. Excessive distance from the subject is another of the top reasons why on-camera mics are terrible.

Battle Vaughan · November 20th, 2013, 11:07 PM

Well, sometimes in news and sports it's a cluster**** and you just can't do it any other way. Rode makes a neat holder that is, in turn, held by your on-camera mike holder. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/463089-REG/Rode_SM5_SM5_Shotgun_Microphone.html
I actually made several of these using the basic Rode holder and some PVC pipe before Rode did, and found that they got the mike up and away, let me orient it to stay out of the lens, and provided pretty good isolation in the bargain.

If you have to go on-camera mike, it might solve the problem.

Jody Arnott · November 20th, 2013, 11:23 PM

I didn't have a choice but to use an on-camera microphone unfortunately. It was run-and-gun shooting in the bush, so I attached my Rode NTG2 to the camera. No it wasn't the built-in camera mic, I don't use that at all.

I'll have a look at that Rode mount, thanks for that. Looks perfect.

Andy Wilkinson · November 21st, 2013, 01:57 AM

Also, I would suggest you look at the Rycote Invision Video mounts. Their Lyre suspension system is rugged and superior in isolation of a shotgun in my view.

I have had several Rode SM mounts. I have found they break after a year or two (plastic fractures at the base). I have posted about this on here (a few years back) and it was suggested I tried the Rycote system - so much better so I am glad I did!

Andy Wilkinson · November 21st, 2013, 02:58 AM

More info here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...nt-broken.html

Mike Beckett · November 21st, 2013, 03:47 AM

Agreed with Mr Wilkinson, try Rycote. I've used both, and I really didn't like the Rode, very big and bulky and industrial.

InVision™ Video » Rycote
- this is the one that mounts on your cold shoe

There's a few different versions of this. This is new, and interesting, it's a replacement for the camera's own mount:
http://www.rycote.com/products/softi...ount_with_mhr/

I had this one with a previous camera, it was great for isolating handling noise:
http://www.rycote.com/products/softi...ount_with_cca/

Jody Arnott · November 21st, 2013, 04:42 AM

Thanks all, that Softie Lyre Mount (interesting name) looks like the one to go for.

November 20th, 2013, 08:15 PM	#1
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	How to isolate on-camera mic Hi all, I was shooting a sports event with my JVC HM600 the other day. The camera was handheld, and I was using a shotgun mic mounted to the camera. I don't often use a camera mounted mic as my primary source of audio, and I noticed afterwards that noise made by me touching the camera controls was being recorded. So I was wondering if anyone could recommend a product that may help eliminate this? The Rode shock mount seems good, but it doesn't look like it can be attached to the existing microphone mount on the camera. Any tips appreciated :) Cheers.

November 20th, 2013, 10:51 PM	#2
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: How to isolate on-camera mic 1) What "shotgun mic mounted to the camera"? Are you talking about the microphone that comes with the camera, or some other microphone? 2) Microphone mounts built into the camera are typically not designed for 3rd party accessories. They are what they are. Most of us would never think of using an on-camera microphone, ESPECIALLY the one that comes with the camera. 3) If you want to use a better shock mount, then you will likely need to attach it to the regular "shoe" mount. There are several different kinds of adapters for 1/4-20 or 3/8-20 or 5/8-27 threads for attaching various kinds of accessories. 4) Camera and operator noise is one of the big reasons on-camera microphones are considered mostly unsuitable. Excessive distance from the subject is another of the top reasons why on-camera mics are terrible.

November 20th, 2013, 11:07 PM	#3
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	Re: How to isolate on-camera mic Well, sometimes in news and sports it's a cluster**** and you just can't do it any other way. Rode makes a neat holder that is, in turn, held by your on-camera mike holder. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/463089-REG/Rode_SM5_SM5_Shotgun_Microphone.html I actually made several of these using the basic Rode holder and some PVC pipe before Rode did, and found that they got the mike up and away, let me orient it to stay out of the lens, and provided pretty good isolation in the bargain. If you have to go on-camera mike, it might solve the problem.

November 20th, 2013, 11:23 PM	#4
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	Re: How to isolate on-camera mic I didn't have a choice but to use an on-camera microphone unfortunately. It was run-and-gun shooting in the bush, so I attached my Rode NTG2 to the camera. No it wasn't the built-in camera mic, I don't use that at all. I'll have a look at that Rode mount, thanks for that. Looks perfect.

November 21st, 2013, 01:57 AM	#5
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: How to isolate on-camera mic Also, I would suggest you look at the Rycote Invision Video mounts. Their Lyre suspension system is rugged and superior in isolation of a shotgun in my view. I have had several Rode SM mounts. I have found they break after a year or two (plastic fractures at the base). I have posted about this on here (a few years back) and it was suggested I tried the Rycote system - so much better so I am glad I did! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

November 21st, 2013, 02:58 AM	#6
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: How to isolate on-camera mic More info here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...nt-broken.html __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

November 21st, 2013, 03:47 AM	#7
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: How to isolate on-camera mic Agreed with Mr Wilkinson, try Rycote. I've used both, and I really didn't like the Rode, very big and bulky and industrial. InVision™ Video » Rycote - this is the one that mounts on your cold shoe There's a few different versions of this. This is new, and interesting, it's a replacement for the camera's own mount: http://www.rycote.com/products/softi...ount_with_mhr/ I had this one with a previous camera, it was great for isolating handling noise: http://www.rycote.com/products/softi...ount_with_cca/ __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube Last edited by Mike Beckett; November 21st, 2013 at 03:49 AM. Reason: Replaced Amazon links with Rycote.com links

November 21st, 2013, 04:42 AM	#8
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	Re: How to isolate on-camera mic Thanks all, that Softie Lyre Mount (interesting name) looks like the one to go for.