What kind of mics are you guys using with your t2i?

John Vincent · January 21st, 2011, 12:57 PM

You want cheap? Here's the mic I use - good sound, just don't drop it too many times:
Review: HTDZ Condenser Boom Microphone

or goto ebay and type in "14.37'' microphone; you'll find more than one seller with one. The actual cost of the mic was only $14, but shipping from Hong Kong cost $16, more than the mic itself.

Anas El-Biad · January 21st, 2011, 01:47 PM

Whoa that's really cheap! Thanks John. I'll check out some videos to see how it sounds when I get back home. I don't have access to vimeo/youtube at work.

Edit: Going trough all the forums, everybody has their own opinion on the subject. Some will recommend a certain mic, others will dismiss it unless you use it with another piece of equipement, then others will recommend another mic, some will dismiss it for other reasons etc. As a sound noob you really don't know where to put your money at, especially on a tight budget. That little 25$ lavalier mic seems to give good results from what I've seen on vimeo. I'll check out the HTDZ mic when I get home.

Luke Gates · January 21st, 2011, 06:13 PM

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444022-REG/Azden_SMX_10_SMX_10_Stereo_Microphone.html
this gets the job done for me

Jon Fairhurst · January 21st, 2011, 06:47 PM

This is a bit dated, but still provides lots of good info. Three cheers to Dan Brockett!

Low Cost Shotgun Microphone Comparison

Thane Silliker · February 18th, 2011, 12:59 AM

I'll second what John Vincent recently posted about the 14.37" microphone.
I bought one and have used it extensively. Mostly I have used it with an XLR cable
Plugged from the mic and into my Panasonic HPX170.
It doesn't come with an XLR to XLR cable. It comes with an XLR to 1/4 cable.
The mic is powered by a AA battery and has a standard balanced XLR plugin
Like any other pro mic. It has an OFF/LO/HI switch.

I used it today for a shoot with the T2i for the first time. I used the cable it came
With along the 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter that came with the kit. I had Magic Lantern
Running on the camera. The mic worked fine plugged directly into the camera.

I also switched over to using my Sennheiser wireless lav into the shotgun cable and
Adapter plugged right into the camera. It also worked fine.

The footage is being used in an internal Capitol/EMI promotional video. We'll see
What these guys say about it.
(Pardon the weird large caps usage in this response, my phone does this)

Matt Thomas · February 18th, 2011, 07:55 AM

I've been using that HDTZ microphone and it works quite well. I'd probably only use it as a backup track if I used it on anything narratived based though.

Brian Tori · February 20th, 2011, 04:14 PM

My suggestion with the type of projects and budget you have is to install the free Magic Lantern firmware which will give you control over AGC and manual gain to mic input. It will also allow you to monitor the audio on headphones through the mini USB port. This is what I do and it works good for me. Then, all you need to do is add a self-powered shotgun microphone to the mix, since the camera will not provide phantom. To complete the connection, get a 25' or so XLR to mini adapter cable. As long as the run is short and the cable is well shielded, you should get decent sound. Here are a couple mics to consider. One is really inexpensive and the other is in the range of the Videomic.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/746730-REG/Nady_SGM_12_SGM_12_Shotgun_Electret_Condenser.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/669429-REG/Fostex_MC_32_MC32_Switchable_Pattern_Condenser.html

Keith Forman · February 22nd, 2011, 05:14 PM

Where did you get the headphone to usb adapter?

Brian Tori · February 23rd, 2011, 08:35 AM

Keith,

You have to use the mini USB breakout cable that comes with the camera. The one that breaks out to 3 RCA plugs. Then, get a stereo RCA to female mini adapter. Like this:

For only $0.22 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 2 RCA Jack Splitter Adaptor - Gold Plated | 3.5mm <--> RCA Adapters

January 21st, 2011, 01:47 PM	#17
Anas El-Biad Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 33	Whoa that's really cheap! Thanks John. I'll check out some videos to see how it sounds when I get back home. I don't have access to vimeo/youtube at work. Edit: Going trough all the forums, everybody has their own opinion on the subject. Some will recommend a certain mic, others will dismiss it unless you use it with another piece of equipement, then others will recommend another mic, some will dismiss it for other reasons etc. As a sound noob you really don't know where to put your money at, especially on a tight budget. That little 25$ lavalier mic seems to give good results from what I've seen on vimeo. I'll check out the HTDZ mic when I get home. Last edited by Anas El-Biad; January 21st, 2011 at 03:27 PM.

January 21st, 2011, 06:47 PM	#19
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	This is a bit dated, but still provides lots of good info. Three cheers to Dan Brockett! Low Cost Shotgun Microphone Comparison __________________ Jon Fairhurst

February 18th, 2011, 12:59 AM	#20
Thane Silliker Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London Ontario Posts: 94	I'll second what John Vincent recently posted about the 14.37" microphone. I bought one and have used it extensively. Mostly I have used it with an XLR cable Plugged from the mic and into my Panasonic HPX170. It doesn't come with an XLR to XLR cable. It comes with an XLR to 1/4 cable. The mic is powered by a AA battery and has a standard balanced XLR plugin Like any other pro mic. It has an OFF/LO/HI switch. I used it today for a shoot with the T2i for the first time. I used the cable it came With along the 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter that came with the kit. I had Magic Lantern Running on the camera. The mic worked fine plugged directly into the camera. I also switched over to using my Sennheiser wireless lav into the shotgun cable and Adapter plugged right into the camera. It also worked fine. The footage is being used in an internal Capitol/EMI promotional video. We'll see What these guys say about it. (Pardon the weird large caps usage in this response, my phone does this) __________________ Regards, Thane Silliker, London, Ontario

February 18th, 2011, 07:55 AM	#21
Matt Thomas Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: UK Posts: 232	I've been using that HDTZ microphone and it works quite well. I'd probably only use it as a backup track if I used it on anything narratived based though. __________________ http://www.MatthewThomasFilm.com / https://www.facebook.com/MatthewThomasFilm / https://www.instagram.com/matthewthomasfilmuk/

February 22nd, 2011, 05:14 PM	#23
Keith Forman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Williamstown Mass Posts: 192	Re: What kind of mics are you guys using with your t2i? Where did you get the headphone to usb adapter? __________________ http://www.vimeo.com/keithforman/videos http://www.keithforman.com

January 21st, 2011, 12:57 PM	#16
John Vincent Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,065	You want cheap? Here's the mic I use - good sound, just don't drop it too many times: Review: HTDZ Condenser Boom Microphone or goto ebay and type in "14.37'' microphone; you'll find more than one seller with one. The actual cost of the mic was only $14, but shipping from Hong Kong cost $16, more than the mic itself.

January 21st, 2011, 06:13 PM	#18
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444022-REG/Azden_SMX_10_SMX_10_Stereo_Microphone.html this gets the job done for me

February 20th, 2011, 04:14 PM	#22
Brian Tori Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 408	My suggestion with the type of projects and budget you have is to install the free Magic Lantern firmware which will give you control over AGC and manual gain to mic input. It will also allow you to monitor the audio on headphones through the mini USB port. This is what I do and it works good for me. Then, all you need to do is add a self-powered shotgun microphone to the mix, since the camera will not provide phantom. To complete the connection, get a 25' or so XLR to mini adapter cable. As long as the run is short and the cable is well shielded, you should get decent sound. Here are a couple mics to consider. One is really inexpensive and the other is in the range of the Videomic. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/746730-REG/Nady_SGM_12_SGM_12_Shotgun_Electret_Condenser.html http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/669429-REG/Fostex_MC_32_MC32_Switchable_Pattern_Condenser.html

February 23rd, 2011, 08:35 AM	#24
Brian Tori Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 408	Re: What kind of mics are you guys using with your t2i? Keith, You have to use the mini USB breakout cable that comes with the camera. The one that breaks out to 3 RCA plugs. Then, get a stereo RCA to female mini adapter. Like this: For only $0.22 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 2 RCA Jack Splitter Adaptor - Gold Plated \| 3.5mm <--> RCA Adapters