Audio setup

[Gogu]

Hello forum people...first post here :nads:

I'm trying to come up with a nice audio setup for my company's needs. We are doing interviews, short coverages, green screen type news you get the picture. The final output of all this will be on an online site.
We have a Sont VX2100 camera.

After searching the net i've come up with the following:

- The ever so great Beachtek XLR adapter. I want to know if there is a quality diff between the DXA-4 and DXA-6...from the specs i can't really find any. And isn't the final UNBALANCED output of this little gadget an issue with the "professional" quality of it's XLR inputs ?i don't get it... rogar-BlackEye(DBG

- Wirelles system --> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...05U3_HT7_Handheld_Microphone_Transmitter.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425559-REG/ Samson_SW87SQL5U5_UM1_77_Series_Wireless.html

I chose this system because the output is on XLR cables. The majority of wireless systems is built on mini jack output.


- Shotgun microphone --> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300615-REG/Audio_Technica_AT897_AT897_Short_Condenser.html

Another question about the Beachtek DXA-6 adapter : it has an impendance of 600 Ohms and this shotfun mic has 200 Ohms...will it work ?

Does the shotgun mic desperately need a windjammer and a suspension system ?
And do all shotgun mics work mounted on a camera ?

Also, do you have any cheaper solution for an on camera mounting clamp (the VX2100 doesn't come with one) ? I found this from Sony but it is piece of plastic shait at almost 200$ rogar-KnockedOut(D http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49117-REG/Sony_CAC12_CAC_12_Camera_Microphone_Holder.html


This is about it. Very happy i would be if you could answer all my questions and if you could suggest any improvements or budget optimization that i can make to my setup.

Thanks!

 

[TheDingo]

- The ever so great Beachtek XLR adapter. I want to know if there is a quality diff between the DXA-4 and DXA-6...from the specs i can't really find any. And isn't the final UNBALANCED output of this little gadget an issue with the "professional" quality of it's XLR inputs ?i don't get it...

Almost all of the BeachTek units are the same, with the model numbers relating to the size of the camera base they are being screwed into.

Most are passive units ( no batteries required ), designed to allow you to reduce the mic signal going to the camera, as well as transform the balanced XLR connections for your camera's un-balanced mic input. They also have "ground-lift" switches that can help to get rid of grounding hum.

They work really well when you feed them line level signal from a good mic pre-amp or mixer, which is then brought down to mic level for your camera. Say good-bye to hiss, if you use a good mic pre-amp.

I chose this system because the output is on XLR cables. The majority of wireless systems is built on mini jack output.

The "mini-jack" you see on the higher quality systems ( like Sennheiser and Lectrosonics ) are actually balanced TRS ( tip-ring-sleve ) connections that are equivalent to an XLR connector.

I owned the Samson Micro 32 UHF system for a couple of years. It worked quite well, but the sound quality was nowhere near what you'll get with the Sennheiser or Lectrosonics systems.

- Shotgun microphone --> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300615-REG/Audio_Technica_AT897_AT897_Short_Condenser.html

Personally, I would choose the Rode NTG-2 shotgun over this mic, mainly for the sound quality. If you can afford to spend more, then the Audio-Technica 4073a is a much better mic, but about twice the cost.

Does the shotgun mic desperately need a windjammer and a suspension system ?

Windjammer is for work outside, which is where you would want to use a shotgun mic in the first place.

A suspension mount is important to help reduce noise from handling.

And do all shotgun mics work mounted on a camera ?

While this is probably the worst place to mount a mic, most shotguns can be rigged to fit a camcorder. ( this mic should be mounted on a boom-pole with an experienced boom-op holding it in the appropriate spot )

Also, do you have any cheaper solution for an on camera mounting clamp (the VX2100 doesn't come with one) ?

As long as your camera has a hot-shoe mount, there are lots of hot-shoe mic suspension mounts available. Check B&H for details.

 

[Gogu]

Thank you alot for your answers.

I've looked up the equipment in more detail and some more questions came up.

The DXA-4 Beachtek adapter doesn't have Phantom power outputs so i cannot use it with a shotgun mic right ? I'll have to purchase the DXA-6.

The Rode shotgun mic that you reccomended has a supercardioid polar pattern. Shouldn't all shotgun mic have...well shotgun polar patterns ?:tongue: Is the supercardioid pattern good for canceling off-axis sound ?
Also is doesn't have a low-frequency cut off, is this critical to soudn quality ?

Apart from this it has a very low output impendance (50 Ohms) which is very good right ?...can the DXA-6 support this mic, since it has a 600 Ohm nominal impendance (does this mean that you cannot connect mic which have more or less than this impendance ? ).

If i buy a hot-shoe shockmount holder for the shotgun will i be able to put the windscreen on the mic or the whole body fits into the suspension system.

Finally is there a solution for shotgun camera mounting that doesn't use the hotshoe as the hotshoe will be used for mounting an on camera light.

Sorry for the numer of questions but the beginner in me begs for answers! thanks rogar-Mark-10(DBG)

 

[TheDingo]

The DXA-4 Beachtek adapter doesn't have Phantom power outputs so i cannot use it with a shotgun mic right ?

This just means you need something else to supply the phantom power for your mic, like a mic pre-amp, mixer, or phantom power unit.

The Rode NTG-2 I mentioned can run from it's own battery, so no phantom power is necessary.

The Rode shotgun mic that you reccomended has a supercardioid polar pattern. Shouldn't all shotgun mic have...well shotgun polar patterns ?

You are getting way too caught up in details right now. Most shotguns have a simillar pick-up pattern, though there are exceptions for long-guns and short-guns.

From a simplistic point of view, the basic rule of thumb for ENG/EFP mics is:

- Use a shotgun mic with a good windshield on a boom for outdoor work

- Use a hyper-cardioid mic on a boom for indoor work

- Use a lav system as a back-up to your boom mic


Don't worry about low frequency cut-off filters, as this can always be removed in post.

If i buy a hot-shoe shockmount holder for the shotgun will i be able to put the windscreen on the mic or the whole body fits into the suspensio system.

Finally is there a solution for shotgun camera mounting that doesn't use the hotshoe as the hotshoe will be used for mounting an on camera light.

It's up to you to figure this out. Yes, with the right gear it's possible to mount a shotgun in a suspension-mout with a windscreen on a hot-shoe, but you will have to figure out exactly what to buy yourself, or trust the place you're buying it from.

If you don't want to use the hotshoe for the shotgun, then you'll have to find another way of positioning it where you want it. ( ideally close to your subject )

 

[Gogu]

thanks for the extra knowledge man! rogar-Happy(DBG):