Hello, i hate to say that recently i set down my rode video mic at a shoot, and forgot about it, and now i have no external mic to record with, so i am now in the market for a new shotgun mic. I mainly shoot Mountain bike films with the occasional interview, so sound isn't extremely important to me, i just need something decent. I am looking to spend somewhere in the $100 range or lower, i was looking at something like this Azden SMX-10 Stereo Microphone SMX-10 - B&H Photo Video and was wondering if something like that would have comparable audio quality to the rode video mic? also, another option that i was considering buying a zoom h1 and have the mic go into that so i could control my gain, what mic is best to use for something like that?
thanks for any help

I use the Azden SGM-1X and a Mike Muff fuzzy cover regularly on mine with very good results.

I can't stress the importance of the covers enough with shotgun mics outdoors.

Sorry about your loss. :~(

I dont recall having excessive wind noise when filming with my rode but i would probably get a dead cat cover for the mic that i purchase

it is for a rebel t2i by the way

I would say if you want to keep the price down, the Rode NTG-2 beats anything in it's class. It's an XLR mic, but you should be using a mixer with the T2i anyway. You have to defeat the AGC with something like this:

Watch the video in this page. JL-DT454 [JL-DT454] - $419.00 : juicedLink, Unique and Trusted Solutions for Audio and Video Production (http://www.juicedlink.com/audio-preamps-mixers-etc/product-list/jl-dt454)


The Best VALUE would be the Rode NTG-3, which is more expensive, but is such a great shotgun you won't want to replace it. It's comparible to the Senn MKH-416 at half the price. I, and most pros would never consider any Azden product. Their mics sound thin and are just basically consumer toys.

Keep in mind that the worst place for a mic is on the camera. That is OK for ambient sound, but if you want to record someone talking you need to get the mic within 18" from the mouth.

well that seems a little out of my price range, this is just a hobby as of now, and i dont want to drop $700 on an audio setup, just a basic mic and maybe a zoom h1 or h2 so i can control the levels and get the mic off the camera because, as you said, that's one of the worst places to put it, so i would like the keep the mic price definitely under 200 bucks, so whats the best mic in that price range?

You can get the mic off the camera without going to an external recorder. Double system sound is likely to open up a whole set of additional issues with sync and such. Plus if you do want to go double, you may be able to do it using the recorder's own built-in mics without requiring an external mic as well. However, double system sync with the minimalist type of recorder that would be in your budget is going to be difficult.

In your budget limit, the Rode Video Mic and an extension cable are about it. There's no reason the Videomic HAS to be mounted on the camera - you can still put it on a stand near the subject or on a boom and run a cable back to the camera. And I concur with Chad re the Azden ... IMHO, a waste of money.

For a recorder plus mic, $200 isn't going to buy you much worth owning.

I found the Rode Videomic unusuable with my T2i because of the AGC; there was just too much hiss.

Keep in mind that with the juicedLink AGC defeating mixer, you are left with only one channel of audio (mono) so the SVM won't work that way unless Magic Lantern has a firmware update that defeats AGC on the T2i.

well i would buy plural eyes or dual eyes if i had an external recorder, i can spend like $300 on mic and recroder, unless the built in mics on the h1 are good enough, i would have to see first. i didnt notice any hiss on my recordings when i used the rode video mic directly on the t2i, maybe i just dont have good enough ears

well i would buy plural eyes or dual eyes if i had an external recorder, i can spend like $300 on mic and recroder, unless the built in mics on the h1 are good enough, i would have to see first. i didnt notice any hiss on my recordings when i used the rode video mic directly on the t2i, maybe i just dont have good enough ears

I'd bet dollars to donuts that it's not your ears but rather your playback system. If you're using your computer, which I suspect you are, know that 'multimedia' speakers are next to useless for evaluating audio.

that may be so, but my videos go online anyways so they only would play through computer speakers, but even so, the hiss that could possibly exist would be taken care of if i used a zoom h1 so im wondering if thats the route to go

These full-size shotguns are probably a little out of scale with your T2i; you might like the Sennheiser MKE400, which is designed for small video and video/still cameras, it has proven very satisfactory with the Vixia and HV40 cameras we purchased the mike for. Much better performance than it's small size would predict, and a much better fit for the camera, that is assuming you are planning to use it as an on-camera mike. I think the price is more in your ballpark, also.

ya that is definitely more in my price range, looks pretty good too!

this is a great budget mic as well:

Audio-Technica AT875 Short Condenser Shotgun Microphone AT875R - (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=495302&is=REG)

Ben

On a minor technical note, I find that the Rode NTG3 is too thin to be held in the shotgun mount on my Sony V1. Some wrap-around padding to thicken the diameter would do the trick, though.

That said, I absolutely love my NTG3 and use it inside a cage with a "dead wombat" furry thing ... which I guess is the way it is designed to be used.

Andrew

Rode SM5 - Shotgun Microphone Suspension SM5 - B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/463089-REG/Rode_SM5_SM5_Shotgun_Microphone.html#reviews)

This may fit in the mic clamp.

Thanks for that. Very interesting indeed!

Andrew

I just got this for my NTG-3

Rycote InVision Universal Camera Kit - 7.08" (18cm) 116002


Universal Camera Kit » Rycote (http://www.rycote.com/products/windshield/)


YouTube - Rycote (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5OuClilEFM)


It also comes with a clamp adapter. It's a great system, and cheaper than a softie/shock mount, and better at wind reduction.

I suggest the Audio Technica AT875R.

I own it and it sounds great.

If you are looking for a small gun for a small camera, I would certainly consider the Ambient Tiny Mic (http://www.ambient.de/produkte/mikrofone/tinymike/sets_tiny/tinymike_sets_e.html) - and it's a lot smaller than it looks, that is *not* an XLR on the end.

ya, i cant use a mic that uses xlr only, i like the look of that ambient mic, but i didnt see a price listed anywhere?

Ambient Recording TinyMike Kit - Compact Directional ATM 216H - (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/327241-REG/Ambient_Recording_ATM_216H_TinyMike_Kit_Compact.html#features)

Doesn't exactly meet your under-$100 requirement.

ya that is definitely out of the question, considering i only paid 800 for the camera body, i definitely want to keep the price around $200 as seeing my original budget of $100 seems a little far fetched for the quality that i want

Just a sidenote, Michael. For serious work and on professional shoots it's not at all unusual for the sound part of the kit to have cost several times what the camera and lenses cost. You gotta face facts, there is simply no way to purchase a shotgun mic, shockmount, and windscreen for under $200 and get anything other than a consumer toy. The aformentioned Senn MKE400 is a close as you're likely to come with a $200 limit.

On a minor technical note, I find that the Rode NTG3 is too thin to be held in the shotgun mount on my Sony V1. Some wrap-around padding to thicken the diameter would do the trick, though.

That said, I absolutely love my NTG3 and use it inside a cage with a "dead wombat" furry thing ... which I guess is the way it is designed to be used.

Andrew

On many camera mounts even a 416 is to thin, many people use tape wrapped round and around....but a very easy simple fix is get 2 or 3 "O" rings to suit your mic from an auto parts store, most times its just right, fills the gap, looks neat and professional and only costs a few cents.

ya that is definitely out of the question, considering i only paid 800 for the camera body, i definitely want to keep the price around $200 as seeing my original budget of $100 seems a little far fetched for the quality that i want

Not a fair comparison.

A good camera will last about 3 years - maybe 5.

A good microphone will last 20 or 30 years minimum.

So spending on a good microphone makes sense as you will still be using it when your current camera is a mound of rust at the bottom of the landfill.

I still have microphones that I bought new in 1985 - and I have stgill buy that same mic. today - only it's a *lot* more expensive now.

I agree with John.

Do you only plan on making one movie then quitting forever? So why purchase gear as if that's what you're doing. A good mic will make any camera sound, and dare I say - look better. It's more expensive to buy some crap, then replace it later. You could start off with a mic that can be XLR, but doesn't need to be at first. The Rode NTG-2 is the best in it's class for around 269.00. It runs on battery, so you don't need phantom. You can get a XLR-to-Mini cable, and go straight into your little camera. Then when you get a professional camera later you can lose the adapter and just use XLR. Or get a mixer now and use XLR.

All this stuff can carry over to a pro camera later:

Rode NTG-2 269.00
Rode NTG-2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Shotgun NTG-2 -

Deadcat Wind Protection 39.00
Rode Dead Cat Wind Muff for NTG-1 and NTG-2 DEAD CAT - B&H Photo

Appropriate Shock Mount 79.00
Rycote 042902 InVision Video (1/4 Adapter) 042902 - B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/629486-REG/Rycote_042902_042902_InVision_Video_1_4.html#reviews)

Adapter Cable 9.50
Hosa Technology Mini Stereo Male to 3-pin XLR Female XVM-101F -

OR

Mixer (AGC Defeating) 419.00
juicedLink DT454 4-Channel DSLR Camera Microphone DT454 - B&H


Yes all this is 600.00 over your budget. But this is considered a bare bones kit. It's only 400.00 without the mixer. Just put the number "800.00" in your mind and let it marinate while you save for a month or two or three. You will be happy. I have never missed the money I put into good gear. I have been unhappy every time I have used gear I cheaped out on - every time. Setting an unrealistic budget will not make crap mics sound good. I got an NTG-3 for 700.00 and that's only a mid-level mic. I just set aside money here and there and before I knew it I had what I wanted. You have to program your own mind though.

Very good advice right there above...but don't forget to learn how to use your sound gear properly once you get it. As they say, a cheap mic in the right place will be better than a good mic in the wrong place....

To me, the best value shotguns are...

* AT875R - small, very inexpensive
* NTG-2 - inexpensive, competent
* NTG-3 - poor man's 416, weatherproof
* CS-3e - simply amazing

On the cheap, and for on-camera use, the AT875R is a great choice. (I avoid on-camera as much as possible, but if traveling solo, this is a good way to capture local sounds.)

For boom use with a slightly higher budget than the AT875R, I'd get the NTG-2. Not great, but not bad either.

For improved sound and 100% outdoor use - especially if you might shoot in harsh conditions - move up to the NTG-3.

When sound matters more than money, the CS-3e is my dream mic. I tried it out at NAB and am sold. While the other mics would do fine isolating distant sounds outdoors, the CS-3E can handle dialog in the middle of a cacophony. It's not that the outside sounds will be eliminated, but they will be reduced while still sounding natural. (Outside sounds will be boomy with the other mics listed.) Couple that with an excellent on-axis sound, and you have an amazing microphone.

but as i said, i am not doing professional work, so i don't think i need professional sound equipment, just something better than the onboard, something that will be competent

Any mic will be better than the built-in mic. Maybe a trip to Radio Shack is in order?

Michael--

I guess I'm not understanding why, if you liked the Rode VideoMic, don't need anything fancy and can't use an XLR mic anyhow, you don't just get another VideoMic? It's only $150 everywhere and B&H has a brand-new open box one for $115. For what it costs it's a fine performer and probably the best value out there. You're not going to find a better mic for the price and certainly not for under $100.

Note that both the Senny and the Rode can easily be mounted on a boom pole with a cheap screw-to-shoe adapter to get them off-cam.

...i don't think i need professional sound equipment, just something better than the onboard, something that will be competent

In my mind, competent = professional.

The stock situation has these problems:
* Mic is too far from subject
* Mic is cheap (little dynamic range, poor frequency response, etc)
* Mic is omni
* Auto-gain
* Low signal to noise

To be competent, all these items should be solved.

The Rode videomic (or the Sennheiser MKE-400, which has better sensitivity for somewhat better signal to noise) solves the omni problem and has higher quality than the built-in, but it still doesn't get you close to the subject, solve the auto-gain problem, or combat signal to noise. Let's call it semi-competent, but a definite improvement.

well thats what i was looking for, i like the rode video mic, but i was wondering if there was anything better out there in the same price range or cheaper, you just answered my question

I do not record into my Canon 7D but I do use a mic to record a sync track and catch any room ambient - I use this small Azden because the Rode is too large for me.
Azden SMX-10 Stereo Microphone SMX-10 - B&H Photo Video

At $65 just read the reviews.