Mic Setup for a dSLR

[Elfuego]

Hi guys,

 

Slightly random one.

 

Normally if I am capturing footage (for clients), it is a tutorial on how to do something, so I can record off my screen and then add a voiceover using a yeti pro,

 

When I take footage on my dSLR (a Nikon D3100, wiht a firmware tweak it does 1080p30 which is adequate for this video). I normally record it and then add any required voiceovers using my Yeti Pro.

 

However,

 

I have been asked by a friend to record her doing a some presentations (~3mins each), but I do not have a solution for capturing audio for this.

 

What would people recommend as a solution for around £100-150. I dont really want to spend more than this for a single one off job, otherwise I would just have bought a set of Sennheiser AVXs.

[CyberneticTitan]

The Rode VideoMic and Rode VideoMic Pro are both great solutions.

 

I personally use the Zoom H1 for my audio recordings. I find it is fairly versatile in many situations and shots. However it is not ideal to mount on the DSLR nor is it a good solution for hand-held usages.

 

On my D5300 with the standard kit lens the DSLR makes an "adjusting" noise. Not sure how to describe it. Sounds like you're inside a plastic can and someone is scratching the outside. I could hear this with the built-in mic as well as on the H1 mounted on top. I'm not sure how better the Rode mics are, so you'll have to look into that. The non-pro model does have that shock mount so if it does occur it will be slightly reduced. 

[xtasemusic]

Maybe a cheap Lav mic to a smartphone/ipod ? thats what i do , then i sync everything up in post.

[Elfuego]

I am open to one that can clip onto the person (like an AVX) so long as the quality is good.

 

I will have a look at those 3 though .

 

Oh the lavmic is a good idea.

[Elfuego]

Anyone have any comments on this: Olympus Lav Mic

 

 

Or is this: Rode Lav+ worth the extra moneys

[TroubleKlef]

Lavaliar mics. Boom mics. On-camera shot gun mics.

 

These are all different solutions for different scenarios. If your client does not mind wearing a lav mic, then that is the best solution as its the least intrusive while still being close to the source.

[Elfuego]

I think a lav mic is definately the best solution for something reasonably quick , shotgun and boom mic's while better are going to be significantly more difficult to setup (as I am just doing this for a friend, not binging a camera crew .

 

EDIT: After a bit of Digging I found the Sennheiser ME-2's any thoughts? Am Leaning towards the SmartLav+s currently.

[Elfuego]

The Rode VideoMic and Rode VideoMic Pro are both great solutions.

 

I personally use the Zoom H1 for my audio recordings. I find it is fairly versatile in many situations and shots. However it is not ideal to mount on the DSLR nor is it a good solution for hand-held usages.

 

On my D5300 with the standard kit lens the DSLR makes an "adjusting" noise. Not sure how to describe it. Sounds like you're inside a plastic can and someone is scratching the outside. I could hear this with the built-in mic as well as on the H1 mounted on top. I'm not sure how better the Rode mics are, so you'll have to look into that. The non-pro model does have that shock mount so if it does occur it will be slightly reduced. 

 

I had that - I found wiping the contacts with isopropyl helped .

[ALwin]

Sennheiser ME-2 is a very good mic, however it is meant to be used with the Sennheiser transmitters where it screws onto the port. They are not easy to connect onto other devices as the retaining screw prevents it from fully going in.

Get the Rode smart lav that connects to a smartphone if you want budget lav.

As for the camera noise that the mic picks up, that's from the AF and image stabilization mechanisms. Photo cameras don't have the same type of silent mechanisms found in video cameras. And high end cine cameras don't use AF or in camera/in lens IS.

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

 

A great budget lav is the Mic J 044, check out Curtis Judds review on youtube!

 

Connect it to a zoom h1  (or heck into the camera though you will get more noisy worse audio) and it sounds quite amazing

[ALwin]

I have been asked by a friend to record her doing a some presentations (~3mins each), but I do not have a solution for capturing audio for this.

For the type of recording, at the most basic level I would opt for this setup.  Yes it may cost a bit more to invest in the gear, but it will be gear you can use over and over again repeatedly and will get back your investment.

• Do not line in the external mic to the camera.  Use the in-camera mic to capture a scratch track that you will discard after using it to sync the video with an externally recorded audio track of better quality.
• As you are recording someone doing a presentation, a lav mic will be more suitable than a shotgun mic.  Invest in a good one.  A good lav system like the Sennheiser EW 1xx-P G3 series will last you years, that is if you are willing to spend money on them.
• And who knows, by having this microphone system, you could take on other work that you may not have considered before because you didn't have these accessories.  (For example right now as I don't have a video camera, I am not getting hired for video projects, even if I tell potential clients I have DSLRs that can record video.  Sometimes you need to invest in gear in advance to show that you can do the work, and not wait for the work to land on your lap before buying what you need.)

[Elfuego]

 

For the type of recording, at the most basic level I would opt for this setup.  Yes it may cost a bit more to invest in the gear, but it will be gear you can use over and over again repeatedly and will get back your investment.

• Do not line in the external mic to the camera.  Use the in-camera mic to capture a scratch track that you will discard after using it to sync the video with an externally recorded audio track of better quality.
• As you are recording someone doing a presentation, a lav mic will be more suitable than a shotgun mic.  Invest in a good one.  A good lav system like the Sennheiser EW 1xx-P G3 series will last you years, that is if you are willing to spend money on them.
• And who knows, by having this microphone system, you could take on other work that you may not have considered before because you didn't have these accessories.  (For example right now as I don't have a video camera, I am not getting hired for video projects, even if I tell potential clients I have DSLRs that can record video.  Sometimes you need to invest in gear in advance to show that you can do the work, and not wait for the work to land on your lap before buying what you need.)

 

 

All good points; We have some of those Sennheisers at work for presentations but after having to fork out for a new monitor due to a relative breaking the old one, plus I it is extremely unlikely I would do said work outside the company I work for (this is a special favor); so I can't really justify the expense.

[ALwin]

All good points; We have some of those Sennheisers at work for presentations but after having to fork out for a new monitor due to a relative breaking the old one, plus I it is extremely unlikely I would do said work outside the company I work for (this is a special favor); so I can't really justify the expense.

 

Would you be able to borrow some of those lav mics for your use?  That way you get to use a high quality mic without having to spend money.

 

Otherwise, I recommend the Rode SmartLav+ for your personal investment if you have an iPhone or Android.

 

And a recorder like the Zoom H1 or Tascam DR-05 is also a good investment as you can use it for many purposes.

[ShadowCaptain]

All good points; We have some of those Sennheisers at work for presentations but after having to fork out for a new monitor due to a relative breaking the old one, plus I it is extremely unlikely I would do said work outside the company I work for (this is a special favor); so I can't really justify the expense.

 

Get a zoom h1 (or similar) and a lav

 

Zoom H1 £67

 

Mic J 044 £21

 

[ALwin]

snip

 

This works too, and costs a lot less than a Sennheiser kit.  Sounds perfect for entry level audio recording.

[ShadowCaptain]

This works too, and costs a lot less than a Sennheiser kit.  Sounds perfect for entry level audio recording.

 

Yep I just picked up the Lav, its my first dip into lav mics and will also work as a backup or spare or for a second person later on, my model is also compatible with sennheiser wireless systems so thats good too

 

Connected to my camera (aside from the horrible gain and noise issues) the sound quality is really really nice and you can hear how nice it is on Curtis Judds video, very clean and rich

 

(Now I just want a Zoom H5, and to order a Rode NTG 2)

[ALwin]

snip

 

Already own a NTG2, it's gonna become the shotgun mounted on my FS7 when it arrives.  Good clean audio with the dead cat.

 

Now I am planning to get another shotgun for boom mic, haven't decided on which one to get yet.

[ShadowCaptain]

Already own a NTG2, it's gonna become the shotgun mounted on my FS7 when it arrives.  Good clean audio with the dead cat.

 

Now I am planning to get another shotgun for boom mic, haven't decided on which one to get yet.

 

Good to hear I cant really afford much else (well I cant justify to spend more) also want a new PC mic like an EV RE320 or Sure SM7B but thats another story

 

I think the Mic J lav and H1 are a really amazing combo for a beginner and they can use the H1 as a little field recorder if needed, and connect a rode video mic etc to it too!

[Elfuego]

I went with a Rode SmartLav and a H1. (came to £59 total )  I am going to ninja a Zoom H1 from a friend for the day . I am going to record with both mic's and choose which one I find more pleasant to use.

 

Thanks guys

[ALwin]

I went with a Rode SmartLav and a H1. (came to £59 total )  I am going to ninja a Zoom H1 from a friend for the day . I am going to record with both mic's and choose which one I find more pleasant to use.

 

Thanks guys

 

You may need a small adapter, the smart lav mini jack is 4 sections designed to use on smartphones.

 

[Elfuego]

You may need a small adapter, the smart lav mini jack is 4 sections designed to use on smartphones.

 

 

Oops I typpoe'ed meant a Rode SmartLav and Mic J 044