GH2 Audio filter: I've got a H1, wired lav. or shotgun next?

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peripatew

Well-known member
So far, I've mostly been doing interview style recordings in terms of "professional" usage. I've gotten extremely lucky a few times using the H1 (especially outside, I've used it in pockets, under jackets, etc... with great luck!), and not so lucky a few others (voice recording in a backyard next to the highway). But I also use my camera for personal projects, most of which a lav. wouldn't work. I've mounted the H1 to my camera before, but when I'm at a school play or presentation, the H1 and the GH2 stereo mic are pretty similar (I've yet to put the H1 closer to my kiddos, which I really need to do).

SO... all that to say, which would be a better all around mic for $250 and under? I decent wired lav. in connection with the H1, or the Rode Videomic Pro?

I keep going back and forth, and eventually I'd like a nice wireless lav., but I just don't have the money for that right now. I know that $250 won't give me cinema audio, but it should be an improvement!

In your experience, which would you use more? Wired lav. or a shotgun mic?

Thanks!
 
Ya don't get something for nothing esp. a decent shotgun for under $250... plus you will need a phantom power for that which the H1 does not have. More bang for the buck investing that sum in a halfway decent lav. Why on earth would you want to go wireless, if you have that tiny H1 which you can hide almost anywhere and spare the complexity of wireless? A decent lav does not have to be used just for interviews, you could hide this setup strategically on your location to get better sound without booms, shotguns, and phantom power... esp. since you do not have the reasources for that setup. Good luck... n.m.
 
Thanks for the feedback, I was leaning towards the wired lav. With the H1. But, there are lots of shotguns that done need phantom that have been getting great reviews for DSLR work. Like the Rode videomic pro.

What wired lav. would you suggest?
 
Well Rode also makes a decent lavalier for about the same price as that "videomatic pro". It just seems that the lavalier would be more versatile if you already have a H1... and do not have resources for an extra soundman with higher-end equipment. The lavelier will definitely give you better sound for interviews, the GH1 original sound you can then add for any (indoor) ambience and on top of it you can always place your h1/lavelier strategically on your set/stage for other things as it has a round characteristic. Highly recommended is the DualEyes software for syncing up seperate sound to your original audio track.
 
aresens said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=atr3350&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

I have used that connected to my h1 before. Works well for the price and very easy to hide an h1 in someones pocket. Also use the rode videomic directly on the camera for syncing and picking up background/crowd noise.
Click to expand...

The ATR-3350 is less expensive at Amazon.

I'm on a budget too, but I got tired of wires, so I got a relatively inexpensive Azden WMS-PRO wireless FM system for $147.52, which comes with both a lavalier and a wireless handheld.

If all you need is the lavalier, you can get the WLX-PRO for $140.95.

In both cases , you'll need a $7.42 mono to stereo adapter if you want to record to both tracks on your H1.

Hope this is helpful.

Bill
 
brunerww said:
The ATR-3350 is less expensive at Amazon.

I'm on a budget too, but I got tired of wires, so I got a relatively inexpensive Azden WMS-PRO wireless FM system for $147.52, which comes with both a lavalier and a wireless handheld.

If all you need is the lavalier, you can get the WLX-PRO for $140.95.

In both cases , you'll need a $7.42 mono to stereo adapter if you want to record to both tracks on your H1.

Hope this is helpful.

Bill
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have an video's that you've used this wireless lav. with? I didn't think I'd be able to get into a wireless setup for under $300. Have you used any of the mini-shotguns?
 
peripatew said:
Do you have an video's that you've used this wireless lav. with?
Click to expand...

I shot the first part of this video with the wireless mic going directly into my old Canon T2i. Sounds pretty good for an AGC camera, in my opinion.

Please ignore the last part (shot with the GH2). I was trying to use the H1 as a mic on the GH2 (without the wireless), but the recorder was too far away and the input level was too low :-(

peripatew said:
Have you used any of the mini-shotguns?
Click to expand...

I shot this with the $64.95 Azden SMX-10. I liked it, and it was inexpensive, but people seem to like the $149 Rode Videomic and $229 Videomic Pro a lot better. I have never shot with the Rodes, so I can't vouch for them.

I don't use the SMX-10 much anymore since the GH2's internal mic has been good enough for a lot of what I've been shooting.

Hope this is helpful,

Bill
 
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Azden's mini-shotgun mics are "okay," but I wouldn't suggest investing in sub $500 wireless systems from any manufacturer. Keep savong and put that money toward a Sennheiser G3 wireless system. If you need a quick fix for audio now, getting something cheap like the Audio Technica ATR3350 is probably a good idea, as long as you're not expecting the world from a $25 mini-plug lavalier, you realize it will likely break faster than a professional mic, and that it will only sound good if you use it properly.
 
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