Audio with HVX200 - Do I need a boom?

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dalethompson

Well-known member
I'm a total newbie with video and audio and although I don't have a Panasonic HVX200 yet, I'm considering getting this model in the next month or so.

I've read tons of reviews regarding the video quality of the HVX200 and that's led me to the conclusion about how good this camera really is.

However, I haven't heard too much about the audio quality. How good is the audio for the HXV200? In interviews or for documentary filming, is an audio boom needed for sure with this camera?

Yes, I know, a relatively simple question and please excuse my ignorance or lack of experience too. I'm just looking to cover all the angles before I get more serious about getting this camera.

TIA,
Dale
 
The HVX200 is capable of recording high quality audio to a high quality format. That being said, you still need to get the mic close to the source to get professional results. So using the on camera mic is pretty much useless most of the time.

For doing interviews you can do well with using a hypercardioid mic on a boom stand (or boom op) or as another alternative you can try using a lavalier mic clipped to the interviewee's lapel. Use a wired lav if you can, otherwise you might have to resort to a wireless lav with a reciever if the speaker is going to be moving or interactive to a point that being wired would not be prudent.

I use both lav's and a hypercardioid on a boom stand and both work well for interviews. For superior sound (having a more natural voice, such as in motion picture production) i would recommend the hypercardioid on a boomstand, but only if you can get the mic nice and close to the speaker (within 2 feet).
 
You should spend the $70 on the sound DVD posted elsewhere on this site. It will save you thousands more in equipment, re-takes, etc.. than the measly $70 DVD. When I first got into recording I was under the impression that only $1,000 mics would do the job. I didn't have that much, so I bought a Rode NTG-1 and 3, a couple of boom poles and stands plus cords. Still haven't spent $1K on all of it (I record direct to HVX) and customers are more than happy with it. I'd like to get a mixer next, but I've learned to add equipment as jobs call for it. And just yet, I haven't seen the need.

One other great thing about having the DVD is that you can lend it to friends that you want to be boom pole operators for your next big production. It will truly help the novice understand enough to get very solid sound. Don't forget some headphones and checking the settings on the camera constantly as well. Clipped sound is pretty much gone forever.
 
Thanks for both of your suggestions, truly, great help for sure. I will have to research audio a lot more now and I think even though it's pretty much all new to me, I will try to understand it to the best of my technical ability.

I will try to pick up the dvd regarding audio too... can hurt to check it out and get as many pointers as possible.
 
Get a cheap Rode NTG-2, mount it to your camera, plug it into the second XLR and use the camera to patch it through both channels so you can set one track a bit hotter than the other so if one track is over modulated, the other will be there to back you up. You don't need a mixer, another person on set or any equipment at all (save for the $200-300 mic) and you'll get audio good enough for interviews on the fly and documentaries in general.

That's a great place to start and learn the basics without busting your wallet, and then from there you can build your kit with a nice mixer, a nice Audio Technica shotgun mic with a zeppelin, K-tek boom and the works.
 
I second what Rhett says. I have used a Rodes for about 6 months on camera (and boom when possible) with exceptional results. Its bright but not overly so. The trick of setting one channel up and one down gives the option of not distorting on peaks and having low background noise on low dialogue. and best of all, it is soooooooo much cheaper than a Sennheiser. Good luck with your camera.
 
Good replies for your here.

Technique is everything. Better equipment just adds icing on the cake.

BTW, no on camera mic will ever sound good because of the proximity to the source. It picks up the room sound, therefore does not emphasize your subject.
 
Mark is right on with his suggestion to get the DVD. It will give you a great base to work from and be able to see what you really need for what your particular production calls for. Will definitely save you some headaches and poor purchasing decisions.
 
Great replies from everyone... I'm really impressed by the knowledge and hospitality of the people on this forum!

I'm really excited about getting the HVX200 and learning about it. Of course, any dvd's I can get ahead of time, well, I will be putting that into my budget. You can never learn too much and knowledge is best acquired ahead of time, not while you are doing things over and over again.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions/hints/tips, I really appreciate all of it.

-Dale
 
I use either a wired or wireless lav for dialogue. I never use a boom unless I have a soundman, otherwise it's a hassle. The camera mic works fine for recording ambiance.
 
definitley get your mic close to the source

the worst is when the room has an echo - if you try and record off a cam mounted mic you will be hating life - even if you are only 6 ft away - the echo will overpower the voice.

Grab an xlr extension and stand and you will be fine.
I second the Rode call - i have the video mic with an xlr adpator and it works a treat!
 
is an audio boom needed for sure with this camera
Click to expand...

a boom, shotgun, lav, and a host of other sound devices are REQUIRED for ANY camera. doesnt matter whether that camera is $100 or $100,000. if you want good sound you need a collection of various mics and support gear.
 
wgzn said:
a boom, shotgun, lav, and a host of other sound devices are REQUIRED for ANY camera. doesnt matter whether that camera is $100 or $100,000. if you want good sound you need a collection of various mics and support gear.
Click to expand...

^^^ What he said. Hollywood films with $100,000+ cameras and $50,000+ lenses use a plethora of audio equipment (including audio recorders that cost more than an HVX200, JUST THE RECORDER) to get good location audio.

Heck they even spend tons of money on deadening the sound of rooms and/or the camera (called a blimp) if they really do it right. So yeah, get yourself at minimum a boom mic.

BTW a wireless lav for dialogue should really only be used if you can't get good audio without putting the boom in the shot (like on a wide shot of two actors). Boom mics really just sound much better than their lavaliere breatheren.
 
rhett said:
Get a cheap Rode NTG-2, mount it to your camera, plug it into the second XLR and use the camera to patch it through both channels so you can set one track a bit hotter than the other so if one track is over modulated, the other will be there to back you up. You don't need a mixer, another person on set or any equipment at all (save for the $200-300 mic) and you'll get audio good enough for interviews on the fly and documentaries in general.

That's a great place to start and learn the basics without busting your wallet, and then from there you can build your kit with a nice mixer, a nice Audio Technica shotgun mic with a zeppelin, K-tek boom and the works.
Click to expand...

How do you set one track hotter than the other? Is it through the recording set up menu (i.e changing input level from -50dBu to -60dBu) or is it by adjusting the recording level using the audio control knobs?
 
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