AT 822 much better than GL2's mic? at DVinfo.net

Len Imbery · November 17th, 2005, 06:01 PM

I've got an Audio Technica 822 mic and was wondering just how much better (if at all) it would be than the on-board Canon GL-2 mic?....Anybody using an 822 with a GL2?
thanks
Len

Michael Liebergot · November 18th, 2005, 08:05 AM

I have a AT822 mic, a VX2100 and a GL1. I have used the AT822 with my VX2100 and the sound is great. An external mic will always give you better sound than onboard mics.
The thing to remember about the AT822 though is it's a stereo mic so it uses both L/R channels seperately. So if you use it with let's say a Beachtexk DX4 (XLR box) and a wireless receiver, then you would only get one side of the audio from the mic.

If you are just plugging into the GL2's 1/8 mini port then you should be fine. The AT822 isn't a directional mic like a traditional shotgun mic, and isn't as sensitive as other mics, so if you are planning to use it to pickup better audio far away, then you might be disappointed.
For great ambiant audio however, it is fantastic.
I nomally use the AT822 for seperate audio fedding into my M-Audio 24/96 or IRiver Flash recorders. It gives very rich a full bodied sound. A great mic overall.

Dave Largent · November 19th, 2005, 03:56 AM

Michael,
Have you ever compared the 822 to the VX on-board
mic? I've been thinking about taking a step up
above the VX mic, which is really not that great, in
my opinion.

Michael Liebergot · November 19th, 2005, 07:17 AM

Dave, the AT822 will give you a much better sound than the onboard VX mic. It has better dynamic range and gives you a much richer sound. I know some people out there use the AT825 mic (virtually same mic, but phantom powered) with thier PD170's and love it.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · November 19th, 2005, 10:11 AM

Amen, the 822 is a terrific replacement mic for most any of the smaller form camcorders out there like the VX, PD series, or the Canon GL's, or the DVX 100.
Very intelligible, solid sounding, and has a very nice pattern.

Doug Boze · November 19th, 2005, 04:44 PM

I've used an AT825 (same as the AT822, but with phantom power option) and can attest to the quality. Very light, good sensitivity to anything but handling, good stereo imaging. And, just to emphasize this, ANY outboard mic is superior to ANY built-in camcorder mic. Period.

Unless you have a tin ear. ;-)

Dave Largent · November 20th, 2005, 05:40 AM

I see that the 822 comes with a "camera shoe
mount adapter". What is this adapter? Is it adequate
for using this mic without getting a special shock mount,
such as the rubber band type?

Michael Liebergot · November 20th, 2005, 07:19 AM

"I see that the 822 comes with a "camera shoe mount adapter". What is this adapter? Is it adequate for using this mic without getting a special shock mount,
such as the rubber band type?"

Dave, I would still recommend getting a better camera shoe adapter, as you will still get vibration from the supplied one. BTW you can find the 822 for a good price from time to time on Ebay. I got one of mine for $110.

Dave Largent · November 20th, 2005, 07:30 AM

That was for a used one on ebay, right?

How about a furry for it? Anyone know anything?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · November 20th, 2005, 09:30 AM

I made my own fuzzy...works very well.
As far as the mount, it's just a bit of hard plastic that holds the mic. You'll want to buy a shock for it, IMO.

November 17th, 2005, 06:01 PM	#1
Len Imbery Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Posts: 106	AT 822 much better than GL2's mic? I've got an Audio Technica 822 mic and was wondering just how much better (if at all) it would be than the on-board Canon GL-2 mic?....Anybody using an 822 with a GL2? thanks Len

November 18th, 2005, 08:05 AM	#2
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	I have a AT822 mic, a VX2100 and a GL1. I have used the AT822 with my VX2100 and the sound is great. An external mic will always give you better sound than onboard mics. The thing to remember about the AT822 though is it's a stereo mic so it uses both L/R channels seperately. So if you use it with let's say a Beachtexk DX4 (XLR box) and a wireless receiver, then you would only get one side of the audio from the mic. If you are just plugging into the GL2's 1/8 mini port then you should be fine. The AT822 isn't a directional mic like a traditional shotgun mic, and isn't as sensitive as other mics, so if you are planning to use it to pickup better audio far away, then you might be disappointed. For great ambiant audio however, it is fantastic. I nomally use the AT822 for seperate audio fedding into my M-Audio 24/96 or IRiver Flash recorders. It gives very rich a full bodied sound. A great mic overall. __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

November 19th, 2005, 07:17 AM	#4
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	Dave, the AT822 will give you a much better sound than the onboard VX mic. It has better dynamic range and gives you a much richer sound. I know some people out there use the AT825 mic (virtually same mic, but phantom powered) with thier PD170's and love it. __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

November 19th, 2005, 10:11 AM	#5
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Amen, the 822 is a terrific replacement mic for most any of the smaller form camcorders out there like the VX, PD series, or the Canon GL's, or the DVX 100. Very intelligible, solid sounding, and has a very nice pattern. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

November 19th, 2005, 04:44 PM	#6
Doug Boze Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 218	I've used an AT825 (same as the AT822, but with phantom power option) and can attest to the quality. Very light, good sensitivity to anything but handling, good stereo imaging. And, just to emphasize this, ANY outboard mic is superior to ANY built-in camcorder mic. Period. Unless you have a tin ear. ;-) __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

November 19th, 2005, 03:56 AM	#3
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Michael, Have you ever compared the 822 to the VX on-board mic? I've been thinking about taking a step up above the VX mic, which is really not that great, in my opinion.

November 20th, 2005, 05:40 AM	#7
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	I see that the 822 comes with a "camera shoe mount adapter". What is this adapter? Is it adequate for using this mic without getting a special shock mount, such as the rubber band type?

November 20th, 2005, 07:19 AM	#8
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	"I see that the 822 comes with a "camera shoe mount adapter". What is this adapter? Is it adequate for using this mic without getting a special shock mount, such as the rubber band type?" Dave, I would still recommend getting a better camera shoe adapter, as you will still get vibration from the supplied one. BTW you can find the 822 for a good price from time to time on Ebay. I got one of mine for $110. __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

November 20th, 2005, 07:30 AM	#9
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	That was for a used one on ebay, right? How about a furry for it? Anyone know anything?

November 20th, 2005, 09:30 AM	#10
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I made my own fuzzy...works very well. As far as the mount, it's just a bit of hard plastic that holds the mic. You'll want to buy a shock for it, IMO. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com