audio for GL2

[spikeman]

Iam wondering what are the best wireless mics for the camcorder for the best $ value. Iam looking at Sony, nady, and samson. They are range from $100 to $300. Thank you

[Huy Vu]

All crap. Minimum wireless recommendation are the Sennheiser G2 for about $500. Although I don't think the GL2 has XLR input for wireless receiver.

[Captain Pierce]

GL2 is a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo jack. God, I hate those... I've had good luck with the Beachtek adapter, though.

[jason robinson]

Iam wondering what are the best wireless mics for the camcorder for the best $ value. Iam looking at Sony, nady, and samson. They are range from $100 to $300. Thank you


I have never heard of Samson. I use an AT897 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/481529-REG/Audio_Technica__AT897_Shotgun_Microphone.html) but it has its shortcomings. My "it depends" part is based on what you will be filming. If anything is going to be transfered to film, then don't even consider anything short of a Senn and a UHV system (and ditch the GL2 and get a pro camera). VHF works for short distances and if your budget is tight. I have a low end Azden VHF setup and for what I needed and given tight budget constraints, it works well enough. The quality / range are not close to a Senn G2 (http://www.fullcompass.com/brand/SEN/Wireless-Bodypack-Single-Systems.html) but I work with what I have.

I would suggest a good shock mount. Even a cheap shock mount is better than nothing, but usually not much better. Any camera click, tap, or bounce will transfer into your mic (especially onboard mics) so pay for a good mount (if it will be camera mounted and not on a boom).

With a GL2 you won't get balanced input, so there is always the possibility of the L channel bleeding into the R. The GL2 simply isn't a high end camera so if you want the best, look elsewhere. Having said that, I shoot with a GL2, Beachtec DXA-8, and an AT897. There are limitations, but the AT gets the job done infinitely better than onboard mic (just watch out for frequencies that it is sensitive to regardless of direction). The AT can be had for probably $275 and is AA battery powered (if not phaontom available) with an XLR to 1/8" mini jack. I think it fits your price range but the other factor is your shooting style and audio needs. For example it isn't wireless so if your subject is more than 10feet away, it is not ideal.

Hope that helped.

[Captain Pierce]

Samson's a lower-end line, probably roughly equivalent to the Azdens. My company actually uses them in some niche applications for one company we deal with, and they seem happy enough to keep going with them. (Not camera-mount systems, though, I've never seen one of them.)