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Posted by Ed Anson on 12/31/05 01:23
leekazimir@gmail.com wrote:
> I intend to use an external shotgun mic to
> record sound, so how badly will not having an XLR input set me back?
Any good mic is going to need an XLR connector. That in itself is not a
huge problem, since adapters are readily available. BeachTek (
http://www.beachtek.com/ ) offers a variety of adapters that attach to
the tripod mount of the camera. That increases bulk and weight a little,
but does a good job.
However, the lack of an XLR input is not the main difficulty with
consumer grade cameras such as you are considering. Although they vary,
most of them have disappointingly low quality in their mic input
circuitry. Most have problems with frequency response, but the most
noticeable problem IME is the noise level. Unless you are recording a
fairly robust sound, you will find a noticeable hiss in the background.
Quiet sounds may be buried in the noise.
Unless you are willing to accept the noise, you might want to consider a
separate mic pre-amp, such as the Mix-Pre (
http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm ). Since the Mix-Pre
has XLR inputs, and outputs to line level, it is ideal for driving a
line input to your camera if it has one. Unfortunately, most don't. When
I record to my Sony camera, I usually wind up sending the pre-amp's line
out to a BeachTek adapter, which also has an option to reduce the signal
level for the camera's mic input. If this sounds a bit Rube Goldberg,
that's because it is -- but it gives a better audio result and (bonus!)
gives me real knobs for adjusting the gain. [Unfortunately, this could
turn out to be too much gear for a long walk. :-(]
For me, the biggest problem with getting good sound in your sort of
situation is mic placement. If the mic is too close to the camera, it
will pick up noises from the camera. If you are recording robust sounds,
that won't be a terrible problem. But quiet sounds will be ruined by the
camera noises. There is also the issue of how to hold the mic and the
camera at the same time. Most people have an assistant hold the mic. I
usually use a mic stand. Neither is an option for you, so be creative.
One more thing: I wouldn't go off on an adventure like yours with just a
shotgun mic. There will be many situations where you will be glad to
have an omni or maybe a cardioid. Perhaps a pair of good omni lavs would
serve you well. You could experiment with the best places to mount them
on your body so that you pick up a good stereo ambience. If you choose
to do an interview, just take one off and mount it on your subject. Keep
your shotgun in your backpack and bring it out when you really need it.
But keep this in mind: The most important part of what you are doing is
the journey. The record you plan to make is secondary. Enjoy!
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