Here is what I am saving up for this summer.


-Beacktek DXA-8-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=277932&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

-Audio Technica AT4053a- (Hypercardioid)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=68315&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

-Audio Technica AT4073a- (Shotgun)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=68317&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

-Rycote 12cm Medium Hole Softie- (For AT4073a)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=225595&is=REG&addedTroughValue=68317_REG&addedTroughType=accessory_detail

-K-Tek KE110CCR Boompole- (Internally Wired)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=406098&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

-Audio Technica AT8415 Shock Mount-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=68143&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

-Audio Technica XLR Cable-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=248821&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

-Sony MDR-7506 Headphones-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=49510&is=REG&addedTroughType=search


So what do you guys think? This will take me a while to save up for. (I'm 15-years-old.) The total is going to be around $1800.

I got a few questions:

1. Does anyone here have a similar setup for the HDR-HC1? How it is?

2. How is the sound quality going to be with this setup with the HDR-HC1?

3. Does the Beachtek DXA-8 work great with the HDR-HC1?

I'm going to be filming my first big movie with my HDR-HC1, and hopefully this audio setup, this summer and I can't wait!

Do you really need the AT shotgun? Try listening to the Rode NTG-1/2 and you will see how similar it sounds for half the price. You should find the mic shootout thread and listen to the mics before deciding to spend that much money. The difference between a $200ish mic and a $1,000+ mic are actually very subtle, although obviously noticeable (if you have good headphones/speakers).

You might want to consider the Sennheiser ME64 (cardioid) with K6 (maybe K6RD) power module too.

Do you really need the AT shotgun? Try listening to the Rode NTG-1/2 and you will see how similar it sounds for half the price. You should find the mic shootout thread and listen to the mics before deciding to spend that much money. The difference between a $200ish mic and a $1,000+ mic are actually very subtle, although obviously noticeable (if you have good headphones/speakers).

You might want to consider the Sennheiser ME64 (cardioid) with K6 (maybe K6RD) power module too.


I agree with the Me-64...great mic and will pick up a gnats cough so you will have to adjust your controls.

[...] difference between a $200ish mic and a $1,000+ mic are actually very subtle, although obviously noticeable (if you have good headphones/speakers) [...]
How else can one compare mics than with excellent speakers or headphones? Take a listen to the Sennheiser MKH60 ($1,200 or so) and you will clearly hear the difference when you compare it to a $200-$400 microphone. In any event, the affordable AT and Rode mics are very good values for the money and for starting out they are excellent options, in fact better, because with them you have more money left over to put towards a mixer, cause the more you do sound, the more you're going to want a mixer. Mic placement and a good story (or documentary subject) is more important than fancy mics anyways...

There's definitely a difference between 1k+ mics and 200-400 mics, but if you weren't looking/listening for it specifically, I doubt you would ever notice it even with the best speakers or headphones. That's my point. If you're not a big budget professional studio, then I would say a 200-400 mic will produce superb quality for a fraction of the price.

There are big differences between microphones. On the one hand, if you are only going to make home videos then the expense of a good microphone will almost certainly be wasted coming through a 3" TV speaker.
On the other hand, in more 'quality critical' situations, choice of the best mic for the situation (note that I didn't say most expensive) will be a great help if placed correctly and later mixed and edited decently.

I think you can cut back a little and still get outstanding quality, though as noted, not necessarily the same quality.

Beachtek is a great company, on their part, I hate to suggest buying a lower model, but if you can watch the sound levels, you don't need the limiting feature that the -8 offers. You can save about $100 by getting the DXA-6.

The mics in question are pretty expensive, maybe you can investigate more budget friendly ones until you get more established and you are sure that you can benefit from the more expensive mics. You can always upgrade later, possibly resell the previous mics, or add them to your "toolbox", the less expensive ones may serve to compliment the more expensive ones you might buy later.