Need external mic recommendation for HC1 at DVinfo.net

Elliot Richards · April 11th, 2010, 02:11 AM

Hi all,

I need advice on external mics for the HC1.

I'm shooting a low budget documentary and need good sound, which is the last piece of the project I need to sort out.

The shoot will be indoors, talking heads, typically one person at a time. Delivery will be the web.

I have tried a lav (AT3350) but wasn't happy with the amount of background hiss. So I'm open to suggestions for either a lav or a shotgun or anything else!

Whilst I'd love to get a pre-amp, XLR mic and boom it, I don't have the budget for it. My budget for any audio gear is £150 ($230). I want as low noise as possible given the limitations of the camera and budget; I'd rather try and get good audio to start with to reduce time in post.

As a reminder, the HC1 has a 3.5 minijack with plug-in power and an Active Interface shoe.

The HC1 is a loaner, so no wild mod suggestions please! :-)

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

All help is appreciated!

Elliot.

Chris Soucy · April 12th, 2010, 01:05 AM

Newbie post and fundamental newbie mis - think.

Microphones are universal, doesn't matter what you're encoding that sound too, you still need good audio equipment.

Why do you think you'll find decent audio advice here?

No chance, unless you're "win the lottery" lucky.

Try here:

All Things Audio Forum at DVinfo.net

Think it through.

CS

Elliot Richards · April 12th, 2010, 01:31 AM

Sorry you think that Chris, but I since this is a video forum I would expect to ask audio related questions here too since it's all being recorded on camera. It makes perfect sense to me, sorry if it doesn't to you.

I don't need to be chided since you clearly see I'm a new poster; I still don't know my way around these forums so a little more guidance would be more appreciated.

Think it through from my point of view and please don't make assumptions.

Cheers,

Elliot.

Michael Krawchuk · April 20th, 2010, 07:42 PM

I use the Rode video mic on my HC1. works great for what I use it for.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4.../Camera003.jpg

Elliot Richards · April 21st, 2010, 12:53 AM

Thanks Michael, this is a mic I'm leaning towards.

:D

Bill Koehler · April 21st, 2010, 06:06 AM

I use a Rode Stereo Video Mic on a Sony HDR-HC9 and have been very happy with the results.

Moving up, I recently used a pair of Rode M3 mics plugged into a Beachtek DXA-6A Pro Audio Adapter, which in turn plugged into a Sony PCM-D50 Audio Recorder. Oh yeah...there was 75 feet of XLR mic cable between the mics and the Beachtek. Very happy with the results but the price point for all that is much, much higher.

Elliot Richards · April 25th, 2010, 02:52 AM

Thanks Bill, it's always good to know what people are using.

A pre-amp certainly seems the way to go for quality, so I've decided to save some cash for a JuicedLink and put the start date of the project back a little.

Elliot.

April 11th, 2010, 02:11 AM	#1
Elliot Richards Tourist Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4	Need external mic recommendation for HC1 Hi all, I need advice on external mics for the HC1. I'm shooting a low budget documentary and need good sound, which is the last piece of the project I need to sort out. The shoot will be indoors, talking heads, typically one person at a time. Delivery will be the web. I have tried a lav (AT3350) but wasn't happy with the amount of background hiss. So I'm open to suggestions for either a lav or a shotgun or anything else! Whilst I'd love to get a pre-amp, XLR mic and boom it, I don't have the budget for it. My budget for any audio gear is £150 ($230). I want as low noise as possible given the limitations of the camera and budget; I'd rather try and get good audio to start with to reduce time in post. As a reminder, the HC1 has a 3.5 minijack with plug-in power and an Active Interface shoe. The HC1 is a loaner, so no wild mod suggestions please! :-) I'd love to hear your thoughts. All help is appreciated! Elliot.

April 12th, 2010, 01:05 AM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Er, Elliot.................. Newbie post and fundamental newbie mis - think. Microphones are universal, doesn't matter what you're encoding that sound too, you still need good audio equipment. Why do you think you'll find decent audio advice here? No chance, unless you're "win the lottery" lucky. Try here: All Things Audio Forum at DVinfo.net Think it through. CS

April 12th, 2010, 01:31 AM	#3
Elliot Richards Tourist Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4	Sorry you think that Chris, but I since this is a video forum I would expect to ask audio related questions here too since it's all being recorded on camera. It makes perfect sense to me, sorry if it doesn't to you. I don't need to be chided since you clearly see I'm a new poster; I still don't know my way around these forums so a little more guidance would be more appreciated. Think it through from my point of view and please don't make assumptions. Cheers, Elliot.

April 20th, 2010, 07:42 PM	#4
Michael Krawchuk New Boot Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Egypt, New Jersey Posts: 21	I use the Rode video mic on my HC1. works great for what I use it for. http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4.../Camera003.jpg

April 21st, 2010, 12:53 AM	#5
Elliot Richards Tourist Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4	Thanks Michael, this is a mic I'm leaning towards. :D

April 21st, 2010, 06:06 AM	#6
Bill Koehler Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia, USA Posts: 760	I use a Rode Stereo Video Mic on a Sony HDR-HC9 and have been very happy with the results. Moving up, I recently used a pair of Rode M3 mics plugged into a Beachtek DXA-6A Pro Audio Adapter, which in turn plugged into a Sony PCM-D50 Audio Recorder. Oh yeah...there was 75 feet of XLR mic cable between the mics and the Beachtek. Very happy with the results but the price point for all that is much, much higher.

April 25th, 2010, 02:52 AM	#7
Elliot Richards Tourist Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4	Thanks Bill, it's always good to know what people are using. A pre-amp certainly seems the way to go for quality, so I've decided to save some cash for a JuicedLink and put the start date of the project back a little. Elliot.