I have a Canon HF S200 camcorder. I am thinking of mounting it and recording gigs of mine for documentation. Any recommendations on an external mic for the audio. I don't want to through the PA or anything. Just a simple setup to have video of gigs with half decent sound.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Advice on external mic for camcorder
- Thread starter M Sharp
- Start date
Little recorders like a Zoom H1 are handy.
You can record audio from a more ideal place, and video from another.
And then you have a pocket recorder for rehearsals.
If you have a fairly new smartphone, you might be surprised how well it can record. You can get an external mic for it too. Sometimes just an adapter is needed to use a regular favorite mic
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
There's many software options to sync audio and video after it's recorded.
You can add more cameras to get multiple view points.
You can record audio from a more ideal place, and video from another.
And then you have a pocket recorder for rehearsals.
If you have a fairly new smartphone, you might be surprised how well it can record. You can get an external mic for it too. Sometimes just an adapter is needed to use a regular favorite mic
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
There's many software options to sync audio and video after it's recorded.
You can add more cameras to get multiple view points.
Not interested in post editing to sync right now.
But, I like the H1 for the camera and on on its own for rehearsals. I also like the input level setting to avoid over modulation.
I was wondering if a directional min like the rode would be better, but the H1 seems more versatile.
But, I like the H1 for the camera and on on its own for rehearsals. I also like the input level setting to avoid over modulation.
I was wondering if a directional min like the rode would be better, but the H1 seems more versatile.
For this configuration, you can use an external preamp that boost the signal of your mic and sends it into the camcorder pre-synchronized with the video. I use a preamp like this from JuicedLink.
http://www.juicedlink.com/
Here's their product line. Pricing varies depending on how many mics/XLR connections you need as inputs.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
They offer a free ebook to teach you the basics:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The basic ideas are explained in this video:
Finally, I created a thread that dives into the topic of creating budget-minded music videos for YouTube. Lots of good info here including video demos.
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/how...nded-quality-music-video-for-youtube.1084853/
I've used an AT825 for 15 years. It's an excellent mic! Currently I'm using it as an overhead for the drumkit. It also does a decent job recording the entire band when placed in front. You can hear results as an overhead on several videos in this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/how...nded-quality-music-video-for-youtube.1084853/
This inside performance video was shot with the AT825 as the only mic, placed about 2-3 feet in front of our band. I synched audio later w/video later.
Audio for this outside video was captured only with one AT825.
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/how...nded-quality-music-video-for-youtube.1084853/
This inside performance video was shot with the AT825 as the only mic, placed about 2-3 feet in front of our band. I synched audio later w/video later.
Audio for this outside video was captured only with one AT825.
Last edited:
FWIW, if you have a portable recorder like the h1 or h4n, you should be able to use the built in mics and also record straight into the camera via a short cable. With the H4n, you could use external microphones and have the same function as the juicedlink (although not the same quality). And you still have a portable recorder for audio only. You can also use it as an audio interface to your computer via USB.
Having said that, I have a H4n and I just sync in post. I tried it into my camcorder and was more frustrated by all the cables than I was having to sync later. I have used it as an audio interface and it is just OK for that.
If I were looking today, I'd get the H6. The H4n has a little bit of a hiss that I find annoying, and the interface is not particularly elegant. Plus if you're careful, you can do a lot with 6 channels of audio that will allow you to actually mix instruments in post. I'm not rushing out to upgrade, and the H4n is good enough for what I do, but it's a bit dated now.
Having said that, I have a H4n and I just sync in post. I tried it into my camcorder and was more frustrated by all the cables than I was having to sync later. I have used it as an audio interface and it is just OK for that.
If I were looking today, I'd get the H6. The H4n has a little bit of a hiss that I find annoying, and the interface is not particularly elegant. Plus if you're careful, you can do a lot with 6 channels of audio that will allow you to actually mix instruments in post. I'm not rushing out to upgrade, and the H4n is good enough for what I do, but it's a bit dated now.
I've used a Zoom H6 for a year and a half. Terrific recording device. It sounds better than the H4 because Zoom upgraded the preamps, which is a critical part of the chain. I started a thread on the H6 here: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/zoom-h6-for-studio-quality-live-performance-recordings.1017560/
