camcorder mic

[mkfs9]

Hi can any one reccomend a mic for my sony camcorder. The built in one distorts on loud vocals. I am filming a function band just for fun so they can watch themselves back, but would loke the sound better.Thanx.

[Cal]

it all depends on the sony camera you are using as well as the proximity to the band?

 

The major question is what sony camera you are using, is there the option to manaully control the levels or add attenuation? and what audio imputs are availible?

[mkfs9]

It is a sonyDCR TRV 340E.it does have a small jack input for a ex mic.

[Cal]

I have had a quick look through the manual for the camera and can't find any information on the audio mixing abities and sony's specs claim there is no audio input.

 

However if there is a 3.5mm input then your choices come down to a few options.

 

1. dynamic mic straight in, however you would be relying on what ever auto audio functions the camera has.

 

2. an audio adapter such as beachtek (www.beachtek.com), these can get very expensive.

 

3. the other option is to take a 3.5mm out from a friends (or venue) mixing desk however this does restrict you in terms of positioning and movement, this however would allow you to judge sound levels through headphones leveling on the desk.

 

I can't offer too much help as to me your main problem is the internal audio leveling system of the camera, the manual control on higher end equiptment can solve these problems without any further purchases. If you can borrow a small mixing desk allowing you to use any mics availible with the bonus ability to control the sound.

 

You can also perhaps look into rodes range of video mics that would sit in the accsessory shoe and then imput into the 3.5mm input however you are likely to still have the problem of the audio peaking.

 

another option would be to use an external recording device (Pro: solid state recorder, Consumer: dictaphone) and sync it up during any post production phase, allthough this adds a completly new range of problems

 

Sorry I cant help any futher, look through your camera menues to try and find a audio control option just in case the manual has missed it

[sleah]

The best you can do is maybe get a Rode camera mic and see if you can manually turn down the levels in camera. But you still may get distorted sound

I have a couple of Sony cameras and have had zero luck connecting their inputs to any kind of external input from say a mixer or even a radio mic receiver, either directly or via a DI box, with or without earth lift.

The only way to get a really good recording is either external and sync up in post production, or using a professional camera with XLR/Jack inputs that can be connected to a mixer etc.

[lightsource]

I have a couple of Sony cameras and have had zero luck connecting their inputs to any kind of external input from say a mixer or even a radio mic receiver, either directly or via a DI box, with or without earth lift.

 

We've done a few jobs where we've fed a mix (aux send or Matrix out (Allen & Heath GL2800 Mixer)) directly into a Sony Z1 and no problems whatsoever. I never heard the final recordings, but during soundchecks there was the thumbs up from all the camera crew.

 

Now back to the OP.

 

Hi can any one reccomend a mic for my sony camcorder. The built in one distorts on loud vocals. I am filming a function band just for fun so they can watch themselves back, but would loke the sound better.

 

There is a high sound pressure level at most live events that can easily overpower mics.

 

Mic positon is very important. keep them well away from the speakers, as camcorders can easilly go from bass only mode to treble only mode when close to the PA, as the cameraman moves.

[paulears]

The problem is usually the camcorder pre-amps are built for more gain as sound sources are generally distant - so your loud band overpowers them and the only real cure is to provide the camera less input from whatever you plug in. Personally, I usually find the agc is pretty good for controlling almost any level you apply - but with distortion. Getting a thumbs up fro the camera crew should be taken as an indication they have something ... but not a judgement on quality - they find that out later. I nearly sent a camera crew nothing but float mics a few weeks ago. I could see a meter flickering, their quick test with headphones revealed sound. I only spotted there was no music in it at the last minute. When taking feeds myself as a cameraman, I've discovered next day distortion, various hums and all sorts of nasties I didn't notice in the noisy venue.

 

The other thing is that often what sounded good live, is revealed as containing some major faults that the volume disguised. Distortion on the vocals, odd eq and worst of all - bad tuning!