a Good XLR Mic for HMC150

Peter Wayne

Peter Wayne

Member
I am in hurry, have many urjent shoots of Documentaries with interviews.

I checked out everywhere but didn't found a Good XLR mic within $100.
However there are some good mics within $100 but are not XLR they are mini plug.

Is it ok to get Mini Plug to XLR converter for such mics? Can I get good results?
 
Its ok, I dont think you will find a good mini mic under $100 either. I would go with a $200 rode NTG series... in the end you will use it forever and be happy with it.
 
Do you really want to use a shotgun for interviews?

You can use the Adzen WGM-PRO wireless lav kit, but it's not fantastic. You're missing battery levels, decent reception, choice of frequencies, etc etc. I use that with an XLR -> Mini adapter and it works alright.
 
My own personal experience with 1/8 to XLR adaptors is not that great. Every time you introduce a new item to your gear, it has to be a solid choice! XLR adaptors cause handle noise, everytime you move the connection causes noise or even drop on audio... I used them before and thats why i switched to an XLR mic. Nothing beats a solid clip on connection that won't move.

Get an XLR mic is my advice!
 
I was using the Rode Videomic with the HMC 40 and it worked fine. But just ordered the AT875R so looking forward to that.
 
digexpressions said:
Any particular model #? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have tried the Rode NTG-1 and NTG-2 -both nice clean audio.

I would agree that a LAV wireless would be the best, but a good single channel kit is $300... you want to add static problems too?

You don't have to mount the mic on the camera. I put it in a mic stand and move it close as possible...
 
The best results I've ever gotten are with my Rode NTG-2 and i've boomed every interview i've done and had perfect clean low noise dialogue with stuff all background noise.
 
Am I the only person not keen on the Rode NTG-1? To me it sounds like listening down a long cardboard tube! I sold mine and find the Audio-Technica AT875 crisp and clear, perfect for the HMC-150 but it does need the Rode SM5 shockmount for best results.
 
Bluntly, (because when it comes to audio equipment, I'm always very blunt) the Azden microphones are not worth more than about $.01 (that's one cent). They are terrible. You honestly cannot get even a decent shotgun for $100. If you really want quality, look for a used Sennheiser 415 or 416 - I picked up a t-powered 416 for $350 (including the P48 to T power adapter). The 416 has been the industry standard shotgun for 15 years or so (and unlike cameras, the technology doesn't change all that dramatically).

The reality is, if you're serious about getting good sound, you will want to have a selection of mics available to you. A short shotgun, a hyper cardiod and a lavaliere or two is the minimum. In my sound kit right now, I have 8 full mics of various sorts and about 12 lavalieres (along with the wireless systems to go along with them).

You also need wind protection and shockmounts to use any of these microphones. If you're looking for on-camera, I just picked up the Rycote InVision and really like it. I have used both my Sennheiser 416 and my Schoeps 641 (hyper) with my HMC150 with great success. I will have a sample of some recent video available early next week I can post.

Phil
 
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