Rode NTG-2 too slim for A1 shotgun holder?
 

Hello all,

I just purchased a Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic for my Canon XH-A1. So far the only issue that I've had is the shotgun holder on the A1 seems to be too big for the NTG-2. The NTG-2 slips and slides inside the shotgun holder. I have a shock-mount that will mount onto the cameras shoe mount, but I'd prefer to use the camera's shot gun holder and free up my shoe mount for other uses. Anyone have any advice?

You can wrap a little black gaffertape around the mic, or a rubber band...or go to a hardware store (take the mic) and get a couple of rubber O-rings that will go around the mic. Or glue some pieces of rubber or foam to the inside of the mount. The O-ring solution is probably the least inelegant.

The O-ring also give a little suspension and better isolation to the mike, works very well.

O-rings
 

Thanks for the advice on the o-rings, I'll have to check into that. For some reason now that I think back I'm wondering if the A1 didn't include a package of o-rings in the box? Or, is that a figment of my imagination?

I ordered a shockmount with my NTG-1 and use that. The Canon mic holder is not only too big, the inside is very stiff and offers little vibration dampening for sensitive mics. Not sure what they were thinking with that design.

Rode SM-5 is a cheap and good shockmount

Hubert, where did you find the Softee cover for the XH A1 built in mic?

I second the use of the sm5. It also gets the mic further away from the lens when you mount a deadcat or other wind noise reducing device.

I have not yet found a mic that actually fits the a1. Simply use tape; but, be careful in the tape you use. Don't damage your mic body.

@Kellen
Not so long ago: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=111955 The ebay link.
It fits really thight and it looks good to me.

I Had the same issue with my AT-897, as mentioned already O-rings were my solution, seems to work just fine.

I use gauze on mine with an elastic band - it happened to be handy the first day I had to put it on the camera and I've just kept it. Soft against the mic but holds it quite well. And no it's not pretty, but it does give the camera a bit of a 'veteran' feel.

Trish

I use about two turns of black gaffer tape. And to minimize coupling of vibration to the mic, tighten the camcorder mic mount screw just enough to keep the mic from sliding in the mount.

You all might be overtaking the plumbing on this. I followed someone's advice and looped the extra mike cable thru the mic holder. That way, it fits just fine. It doesn't provide any more shock mounting so your other solutions might be better, particularly the fancy shoe mounts. I've had no problems with the Rode in the camera mount with that loop of mic cable in there.

The price was right and it keeps the extra cable out of the way.

Kellen i make one self, works perfect and cost not more than 50 cent !

I use a simple solution. I use some left over foams from my pelican case and stuff it between the mic holder and stuff any mic in between.

I dislike the NTG-2 on the A1 because of it's length. I like the controls and handle of the camera to be clear and the NTG-2 tail end juts pretty far back. It's especially true without a right angle cable. Also, with a deadcat on it, pushing the mic too far forward results in hairs in the picture. Even with a Lightwave mount, I had to be careful to keep hairs out of frame. Given the choice, I think the NTG-1 is a better option as long as you don't need the mic in other places that lack phantom.

I actually wrapped a small piece of VELCRO around the Mic. then placed the other half of the VELCRO in the holder. My RODE fits perfectly. My XLR cables also are right angled for a neater appearance.

I used some sticky backed black foam. I wrapped it around twice and then placed her into the holder, its not perfect but it won't come out.

Mark

I just got my NTG-1 yesterday and dealt with the same issue of fitting in the XH-A1 mike holder. I like the ideas posted here and mine is somewhat similar. I used a sticky-backed felt pad cut down to 1" wide and long enough to make one wrap around the mike. Found it easily at the hardware store. Seems to add a little cushion too. Looks clean as well.

Erik

I looped the extra mic cable into the shotgun holder with the mic during a shoot today and it worked well. I liked the fact that this solution got the extra bit of mic cable out of the way and seemed to make the mic fit the shotgun holder just right.

Another downside to the NTG (1 or 2) in the A1 holder is that deadcat shows up on screen. I had to trim mine.

Also, the Lightwave shotgun isolator from my XL1, is 26mm and a very tight fit for the A1.

I performed some minor surgery on a foam grip from a Razor-scooter, giving it a paint job along with a red pin stripe and presto bingo a “Canonized”(pun intended) foamed mic mount.

I'm curious you guys. Is their really THAT much of a difference between he stock mics and the Rhode?

I went to get the "O" rings and found two that might fit. Not having my equipment with me, I came home with both sizes. I found 3 of the #15 rings worked nicely as they are thicker and can be positioned to line up with the gaps in the rubber ridges of the mount.

Alastair,
I don't know if there's "that much difference" between the built-in and the Rode but the reason to use a shotgun is so you can have a second mic such as a wireless.

Alastair,

I don't know any reason when I would consider using the A1 stock mic again. It's loud and pretty unfocused compared to the Rode. Its noticable, but then again, its all about what you're using it for.

As far as jimmy-rigging the NTG1 or 2 to fit, I think its worth it to get an O-ring because the mic picks up way too much contact noise to really consider getting good audio otherwise.

Hubert,

What do you have attached to your lens? Is that a wide angle adapter or something else?

Yep, it's the WD-H72 wide angle adaptor.
Another vote for the SM-5 shockmount to keep the dead cat out of sight.

The built-in mics are pretty good in terms of frequency response, but there's a bitt too much handling/motor noise. More to-the-point, they are more-or-less omni-directional, whereas the NTG1, AT897, k6/ME66 etc. are short shot-gun and so reject much more off-axis sound.

I was in a Chinese market yesterday shooting a woman talking with a customer. I remembered this topic and switched to the internal mic just to compare. Unfortunately, the A1 doesn't have the nice internal/external switch that the XL1 series had so the scene had changed a little. I will post something here when I get back. For now, here's a still I snapped with a digicam.

And if you attach the SM-5 with the front part into the holder the mic moves about 10 cm back...

I'd never thought of that. I'd always attached my SM-5 by loading it into the clamp from the lens end. By loading from the eyepiece end I can now leave it fully assembled in my hard case.

Thanks for sharing!

Microphone adapter
 

I have an AT-897 shotgun mic that is also too small for the A1 holder. I drilled and turned a small wooden adapter ring to fit the unit. I painted it black to match...

That's very swish...

Does it hold it tight? Maybe you could knock a few out and sell them... I'm sure there are a few on this forum who would buy.

J