Audio Questions.

E

EvilHomer

New member
Hi everyone,


I have a Kodak Zi8 camcorder for video, which has a small stereo mic input.

I would like to use a Seinheiser (ME66) condenser shotgun mic + phantom power adapter for sound.


Is it possible to connect the shotgun mic + phantom power to the Zi8 Camcorder?

If so, how?

Or will I need to record the shotgun mic audio on to another/seperate device such as a - Zoom H4n


Regards;
EH
 
I don't know if you can use adapters and go straight into the camera but there are units from Beachtek and JuicedLink that have XLR inputs and connects to the camera via the 3.55mm plug. I can't tell if this camera had threads underneath to attach the unit to but the audio feed should work no problem. Some of the units can supply the phantom power as well.

Cole
 
Thx for your reply.

So the phantom power quality sound can be passed through xlr to 3.5mm plug to the camcorder?

The sound being recorded would be the optimum sound delivered by phantom power?
 
Optimum for your set up, sure. It's no line level feed from a mixer but the units will power the microphone as long as you get one that offers phantom power (some don't). Obviously the sound quality will be dependent on a few more factors such as microphone placement, the quality of components inside of the camera and the volume of your audio source. These units will merely give you the ability connect them properly.

As a precaution I would email the customer support for any unit you plan to purchase and double check the compatability but it should be fine. I used a beachtek to connect xlr inputs to my old Sony VX2100 which only had the 3.5mm input. And obviously you should test it before taking it to the shoot.
 
EvilHomer said:
Thx for your reply.

So the phantom power quality sound can be passed through xlr to 3.5mm plug to the camcorder?

The sound being recorded would be the optimum sound delivered by phantom power?
Click to expand...

I think you're confused on what phantom power is. There is no such thing as "phantom power quality." All condensor mics need power to operate. Phantom power is a particular wiring arrangement that provides it to mics that are setup for it. Other mics have an internal battery. Consumer mics use something called "plug-in power." There are a number of other wiring arrangements like "T-power" that have been used by professional mics over the years. While it is true that most high quality professional mics are designed to operate off of phantom power, phantom in itself doesn't have any effect on the quality of a mic's sound or make it better and there are some mics that use phantom that aren't particularly good sounding.
 
Phantom power does affect the sound if you don't match it to the mic. If you have true +48, you will usually, but not always, be OK. If you have a mic with a DC converter, you will almost always be OK. If you have a mic that really draws, like the Sennheisert MKH800, or some of the Neumanns, you may get problems in the audio. To be on the safe side, look for true +48 that can draw enough amps. You can measure the phatom power with a voltmeter, but it is usually best to look on newsgroups, and someone will have tested it for you, both the voltage and and a variety of mics.
Classic examples of problem P48 are the M-Audio Flash recorder, which works great with Schoeps with the DC converter, but often has problems with other mics as some of the models manage only 30 volts.
 
Would I better off recording the audio on to a device like the - Zoom H4n or the Tascam Dr 100?


Would the quality of the audio be better, than recording it on to the mini camcorder Kodak Zi8?
 
"True" but misleading. The affect is the mics don't work or sound terrible - but that is an "equipment problem" not a "sound quality" issue.

Phantom power in and of itself (assuming it's the right phantom for the mic.) does not add "quality" it just powers the mic.

DrDave said:
Phantom power does affect the sound if you don't match it to the mic. If...
Click to expand...
 
EvilHomer said:
Would I better off recording the audio on to a device like the - Zoom H4n or the Tascam Dr 100?


Would the quality of the audio be better, than recording it on to the mini camcorder Kodak Zi8?
Click to expand...

Probably, IF you do every thing right. A quite possible bigger problem is getting decent booming and good mic placement. Those will make "truer" recordings of what you send them but if you send them junk you get "truer" junk, not "better" sound.
 
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