Small microphone suggestions for 7D
 

Can anyone suggest a small but decent external mic for the 5DmkII? Smaller than the MKE400, preferably. I just want it to so I can isolate the sound from camera handling noise and put a windscreen on it as well. I have a "big" mic already, just want something tiny to keep in the camera bag.

Hey Dylan,

Glad to see that we now have the same camera :)

Did you mean the Sennheiser MKE400?

That thing is already as small as your pinky. You want something smaller than that?

Well I've been telling ya to get a 5DmkII for YEARS... :)

How long is the MKE400? I'm really looking for something ultra small so I can leave it on in my camera bag still attached.

Try Sony ECM-MSD1 stereo mic (about $70) with standard 3.5mm mini jack. It may not be as small as your pinky but the total package is certainly more compact than the Sennheiser MKE400. Because it is a stereo mic, sound pickup is not very directional but it sounds good enough mounting on my FX1 as a casual mic.

Wacharapong

That Sony doesn't seem to get great reviews on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Sony ECMMSD1 Stereo Zoom Camcorder Microphone for DCRHC20/30/40/65/85, DCRVX2100, HDRFX1

... how do you find the sound quality compared to the internal mic?

I have to say it is MUCH more like the sort of size mic I am looking for. While most people may feel the Rodes and Sennheisers are small, for running-about field use I'm wanting something much smaller like this. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for posting that. The reviews on it's camera sound isolation seem pretty bad, and considering the 5D is probably noisier (with IS) than a camcorder, this might be a bad choice.

The size is perfect though, about 2.5" long, compared to the MKE400 5"

Anyone have any other small mic options?

Questions about an external mic with a Canon 7D
 

I am new to the video scene. I am in the process of making my first video which is an educational video. The video is on how to remove & replace brake pads for our auto shop classes at the HS I teach at.

Questions:

1. I noticed the internal mic has limitations once I played back my first clips filming the above. Any suggestions on if I should go with an external mic & if so, which ones are effective/affordable & any type of mic holders you guys use etc. Will the external mic improve sound quality much?

2. I will get Vegas platinum software on Monday. Does anyone know if you can use a portion of the existing video clip & then insert a 2nd video clip while keeping the same audio? Specifically I am thinking of portions in the video where the teacher is talking about how to bolt/unbolt screws etc & want to insert a close up of him doing it without changing the audio that explains the process in the clip I already filmed.

I think we covered this topic extensively in our 5D Mk. II forum -- I'll find some of those threads and copy them over here.

Up to this point, this thread was originally written for the 5D Mk. II. It's now copied to the 7D forum for relevance.

For recording videos lectures/lessons I just bought the Nady wireless microphone system DKW 1 LT. It is a cheap wireless mic system that can plug into the 7D. I tried it out & was satisfied with it removing the background noise I was getting from the internal 7D mic. The downfall is it is mono & in playback it only played on the left channel on my headphone.

I will be getting my Vegas Platinum software this week & wanted to use this system. I was wondering if anyone here knows if when you insert an audio clip in Vegas if it is possible to insure it plays on both channels. I know the best I am going to get from this unit is mono but just want it so when playing back in a classroom it comes out of both speakers.

If someone knows the answer & it is yes, if you can briefly explain how it is done I would appreciate it. I got 30 days to either keep it or return it thus the answer is important & if there is another unit that is affordable that is better, I am open to all options.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff, with the audio clip on the line, at least in Pro, you right click on it, and go to channels, and you can assign any way you want

As always Chris, you are very helpful, Thank you. PS, I just got the Vegas Platinum in the mail & might install it tonight if the Charger game does not keep my interest.