Budget Audio Solution

N

Nucky

New member
Hi,

I want to record video lectures at the local community centre to put up on to YouTube. I have a basic Canon R306 camera which should do the job but the problem is that it doesn't have an audio-in jack. I have done some research and found that I need a portable audio solution like a audio recorder. Then sync them up to video on my MacBook.

My budget is only about £100 for the recorder and a lav mic. I just want something of decent quality, nothing top notch and I know I won't get that at the price anyway. What's the best I can do with my budget? Bearing in mind that these videos will only be for YouTube.

I came across the Zoom H1 but that's £80 on it's own, without a lav mic.

I have also seen the Sony ICD-AX412 but unable to find reviews which actually test the audio quality.

Please help.

Nuck
 
Welcome to DVXUser, Nuck.

Have you read through the yellow stickies yet? Located at the top of the audio forum, they already answer some of your questions. You might start HERE and HERE.

Regarding the Sony recorder, you can find reviews on the B&H web page for that device. Take all online/customer reviews with a very big grain of salt, however, as you never really know what each reviewer's true levels of knowledge and skill are; also, pay attention to how they review to get a better idea of what they're using it for. "Bob" may think it's a fantastic machine - best he's ever used - but if he's using it for meetings at the office so his assistant can transcribe the minutes, his review won't apply to you. That said, simple voice recorders like this aren't really up to the task of production as they record in the highly-compressed MP3 format. Further, they're designed primarily to record voice memos, corporate meetings, etc. for minutes and notes, so they aren't engineered for high-quality recording.
 
Hello and welcome.

I second Alex suggestion to read the stickies - they contain much information regarding your situation.

As to your budget, I think it's slightly narrow for buying something new. The Zoom H1 is one of the cheapest recorders available that can record uncompressed audio with decent quality (not saying it's the best choice for you, but it is one of the cheapest), and then the lav can cost at least as much. I think you must add a bit more, or try to find something on the used market.

Good luck with your recordings!
 
I was working with a large junior high class and needed several mics. I bought these cheap wired lapel mics. They require powered mic input which I don't know if the zoom provides. Not the greatest quality but way better than using on-board mic and perhaps good enough for your budget:

UNI-DIRECTIONAL MINI LAPEL ELECTRET LAVALIER MICROPHONE" http://r.ebay.com/FTdNaw
 
The Zoom and most recorders and cameras with a 3.5mm (1/8") connector can supply 'Plug-in Power' (technically= Bias current). With some recorders, like the H2, it can be switched on/off via the software menu. 'Plug-in Power' should NOT be confused with 'Phantom Power' and the two are NOT compatible..
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I read what you guys said, also read through the stickies and stuff then decided that Zoom H1 was the best option. £80 for the H1 and then I got the Audio Technica ATR-3350 lav mic for £20. That should be sufficient for me hopefully!

Thanks,
Nucky
 
Do these lectures happen in a room with a public address system? If so perhaps you can forget buying a mic and record directly from that existing system.
 
Pickthorne said:
Do these lectures happen in a room with a public address system? If so perhaps you can forget buying a mic and record directly from that existing system.
Click to expand...

There's a mic hooked up to speakers but that's about it. Not sure if I can do anything with that.
 
The "mic hooked up to speakers" is what we call the "public address system". If the lecturer actually uses the PA system microphone, then you may be able to get the audio signal from the PA amplifier.

Lecture halls are typically not very good for trying to capture intelligible audio from a distance. You typically need to get the microphone attached to the lecturer, or on the podium (if they never move).

A tiny pocket-size voice recorder can often work OK just slipped into the shirt pocket of the lecturer. Of course, that requires their cooperation, and the ability to retrieve the recorder at the end of the session.


You MIGHT get away with trying to use compressed (MP3, AAC, WMA) audio recordings, but it is a BIG gamble. Using uncompressed (WAV) audio is a SURE thing, so select a recorder accordingly.
Uncompressed recording is more important than an external microphone, assuming you can put the recorder in the lecturer's pocket or clip it on somehow.

Combining and syncing the audio with the video will get tiresome really fast. Next time, select a camcorder with an audio input.
 
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