Questions about an external mic with a Canon 7D

Dylan Couper · March 4th, 2009, 09:53 AM

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.

Guy Cochran · March 4th, 2009, 12:31 PM

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?

Dylan Couper · March 5th, 2009, 02:07 AM

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.

Wacharapong Chiowanich · March 5th, 2009, 02:52 AM

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

Ben Curtis · March 5th, 2009, 12:35 PM

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.

Dylan Couper · March 5th, 2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Curtis

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

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?

Jeff Wisener · October 17th, 2009, 04:00 PM

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.

Chris Hurd · October 17th, 2009, 05:29 PM

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.

Chris Hurd · October 17th, 2009, 05:36 PM

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

Jeff Wisener · October 18th, 2009, 07:41 PM

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

Chris Barcellos · October 18th, 2009, 08:49 PM

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

Jeff Wisener · October 19th, 2009, 05:23 PM

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.

March 4th, 2009, 09:53 AM	#16
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	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. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 4th, 2009, 12:31 PM	#17
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	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? __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

March 5th, 2009, 02:07 AM	#18
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	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. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 17th, 2009, 04:00 PM	#22
Jeff Wisener Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oceanside Ca & Bali Indonesia Posts: 158	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.

October 17th, 2009, 05:29 PM	#23
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	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. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 5th, 2009, 02:52 AM	#19
Wacharapong Chiowanich Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 400	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

March 5th, 2009, 12:35 PM	#20
Ben Curtis Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cairo, Egypt Posts: 26	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.

October 17th, 2009, 05:36 PM	#24
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Up to this point, this thread was originally written for the 5D Mk. II. It's now copied to the 7D forum for relevance. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 18th, 2009, 07:41 PM	#25
Jeff Wisener Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oceanside Ca & Bali Indonesia Posts: 158	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

October 18th, 2009, 08:49 PM	#26
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	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 __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

October 19th, 2009, 05:23 PM	#27
Jeff Wisener Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oceanside Ca & Bali Indonesia Posts: 158	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.