Capturing sound some distance away

Thanks Ian, that was an excellent piece if video & performance !

But do you have any with vocal/singing ?

Ian R. Brown wrote:
Quite correct.

If you are filming from a distance, such as the back of a theatre you will get more incidental audio from the audience.

However, if you are in a prime position at the front, especially with music, there is usually no problem as the sheer volume from the performance drowns out any other sounds.

Of course if you have the correct mikes, know exactly where to place them and are allowed to do so, you should get even better quality.

Take a look/listen to this. Not brilliant, but I think many people would find it perfectly OK. (I'm referring to the audio quality not the performance)

http://vimeo.com/9623493

You need the password:- DHASQ

Decent hi-fi speakers rather than the cheap ones built into the computer will bring out the bass and considerably improve the quality.

Message was edited by: Ian R. Brown

Thanks Martin,

This is my video camera. I think it has a mic input. It says here "microphone(stereo mini)"

http://www.panasonic.com.sg/web/pid/2280/Spec

I think the ShurePG48 is about what I can afford. I need to purchase 2 of those to get stereo sound, right ?

If I get 2 stand (ie one for each mic), which mic is the singer suppose to sing in ? Anyone of the two OR in between the 2 mic ?

Another question, if I can increase my budget a little bit to get a wireless mic (I hope to get rid of the cables), what wireless mic will you recommend ?

Thanks

MartinR wrote:
Ryan -
First question is, +does your camcorder have an external mic input?+

If it does, and you are going to have a group of people singing, then I would get 2 dynamic mics, 2 stands, 2 mic cables and a Y-adapter (2x XLR to 1x 1/8" male stereo plug). The reason for 2 mics is so you will have stereo sound.

Mics - there are loads of them to choose from. You want a vocal mic, not an instrument mic, and make sure it has an XLR cable connection (not 1/4", TRS, RCA or 1/8"). For starters, take a look at the Shure SM58, it's a rock solid mic with a great reputation, been around for many years. You should be able to find used ones for $25-$50 USD. Similarly, the Audio-Technica pro 61. On the low end (but still quite good) are mics like the Samson Q4 or Shure PG48 And like I said before, you can find some great bargains on eBay.

Stands - here's a typical boom mic stand about as inexpensive as you can get.

Cables - you can get XLR microphone cables in almost any length. Here's a typical cable Some mics come with a cable. Shop around, you can find good cables cheap.

Y-adapter - XLR-to-1/8" stereo male Plug 1 mic into each XLR end, plug the 1/8" stereo plug into your camcorder's mic input.

MartinR wrote:
Ryan-
The specifications page you linked indicates that your camcorder has a mic input. You do see this on your camera, right?

To get stereo sound you need either 2 individual mics or 1 stereo mic. I suggested individual mics.

If you want a particular singer's voice to stand out from the chorus, then he/she will need to stand close to one of the mics. Your choice.

When I last looked (a few years ago) I could not find an adequate, quality wireless mic setup for less than $250USD per mic/receiver combo. You would need 2 of them for stereo sound. That said, I recently saw the AKG SR40 Dual which I have seen with 2 mics + 2-channel receiver for about $350USD. Sam Ash Direct carries it. You will still need mic stands plus some short cables & adapters to plug it into your camcorder.

Thanks Martin,

But what about this ECM-HW2 from Sony :
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665738362&tab=featuresTab#compatab ility

Is it good enough ?

Thanks

MartinR wrote:
Ryan-
The specifications page you linked indicates that your camcorder has a mic input. You do see this on your camera, right?

To get stereo sound you need either 2 individual mics or 1 stereo mic. I suggested individual mics.

If you want a particular singer's voice to stand out from the chorus, then he/she will need to stand close to one of the mics. Your choice.

When I last looked (a few years ago) I could not find an adequate, quality wireless mic setup for less than $250USD per mic/receiver combo. You would need 2 of them for stereo sound. That said, I recently saw the AKG SR40 Dual which I have seen with 2 mics + 2-channel receiver for about $350USD. Sam Ash Direct carries it. You will still need mic stands plus some short cables & adapters to plug it into your camcorder.

Thanks Martin,

But what about this ECM-HW2 from Sony :
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665738362&tab=featuresTab#compatab ility

Is it good enough ?

Or what about this Azden WMS-Pro shown in this youtube?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlhDGrw_eA&feature=fvsr

Thanks

MartinR wrote:
Hi Ryan,
The Sony mic looks interesting. Do some research to confirm it will work with your camcorder.

As for Azden, I've never been wild about their gear, and for that reason can't really comment on their wireless mic. Let's just say I'd look elsewhere. I would only consider this mic if I could test one myself before buying.

My personal preference is to stick with the big names ... Shure, AKG, Audio-Technica, Rode, Sennheiser, etc, even Sony - they are successful & respected for a reason.

Thanks Martin,

I agree with you it is better to go for reputable & established brand. I am also keen of getting the Sony wireless mic. But the only problem is that the transmitter is just a small rectangular box. I expect it to be in the shape of a microphone so that I can place the microphone on a stand so that the vocal from group of choir can be recorded.

If it is in the form of a small rectangular box, it is not possible to pass the rectangular box around plus cumbersome plus unven sound. How to place & make this rectangular box stand in the centre of the choir ? Or how to clip it onto the stand ?

On the point of established brand, I have also come across this audio technica atr 288W, at least this one has a "real" microphone (I mean a hand held microphone)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeQgc6zEYMo

I hope I have clearly described my problems.

If this doesn't work, perhaps the best solution is to go wired like you suggested a few post earlier ?

Thanks

MartinR wrote:
Ryan,
In the picture, the rectangular box looks like the receiver, and it mounts on the hot shoe on your camcorder. The mic looks like a regular sized mic that would fit in a mic stand.

Thanks Martin,

Very difficult for the to judge the size of the mic (receiver) from the picture. It looks like something that is tag to a pocket or arm.

U mean from this picture:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665738362&tab=featuresTab#addition alImage1%22

the receiver can mount on a mic stand ? If can, then all my problem solved.

Thanks

MartinR wrote:
Ryan,
In the picture, the rectangular box looks like the receiver, and it mounts on the hot shoe on your camcorder. The mic looks like a regular sized mic that would fit in a mic stand.

Here is a link to some more info on this mic - B&H Photo. Note what they say:

+"If your camera does not feature an active interface shoe, the ECM-HW2 will not operate. However, if your camera has a standard 3.5 mm microphone input jack, you can use the Sony ECM-AW3 for this purpose."+ So the question would be does your camcorder have an 'active interface shoe" ?

Here's a link to info about the ECM-AW3. Note that it is a mono mic, not stereo.

Hi Martin,

I think my camcorder has an interface shoe. I will be glad if this receiver would fit on a mic stand. I still have to get a pop filter for this mic, right ?

Thanks

MartinR wrote:
No, the receiver (the square unit) mounts on the camcorder's hot shoe. The transmitter mic (the tubular unit) looks like it would mount on a mic stand. The dimensions are noted in the description, so you could check the size against a typical mic holder.

Note the additional info I discovered on the B&H PhotoVideo site in my previous post. Be sure to check out your camera before you invest in this mic to make sure they will work with each other.

Thanks Martin,

The Sony ECM-HW2 is a new model replacing the ECM-HW1. According to the Sony salesman, the ECM-HW2 will be arriving my country of residence in a couple of weeks' time.

I suppose I will bring my own camcorder to the Sony shop to test it before I purchase it. 🙂

Hmmm ... wonder Sony sells a mic stand so I can test whether the mic can fit on a stand as well. Hahaha.

Is a pop filter really necessary ?

thanks