GH3 Connecting my Rode Lavalier directly to GH3, what to expect?

T

Tass

Active member
I have an upcoming corporate video gig and I can't decide what camera to use because of the sound. I have a wired Rode lavalier with an XLR plug at the end that I use with my HMC150 when needed. In my opinion the GH3 gives a much better image specially with my Voigtlanders but it dosen't have any XLR input as you may know. I could buy an adapter and switch out the XLR on the lav to a 3.5mm microphone plug and connect it directly in to the camera. But this mic needs 48v phantom power. Is it at all usable when connected to the GH3, does anyone have any experience? Can the audio levels be adjusted later in post so I get clear audio?

I know I also could buy a separate audio recorder with XLR inputs but I really can't afford it since this isn't a that well payed job, and I would like to stick to what I got (in worst case buy the adapter for the GH3).

Or should I just forget the GH3 and use the HMC150?
 
It might be a pain in the butt, but you could use your HMC150 as an audio recorder, and still shoot with your GH3. ( nothing to buy, but a small hassle to sync in post )

Otherwise, you are going to have to rent or buy one of the following...

- A DSLR mic pre-amp that provides 48v phantom ( like a JuicedLink Riggy )

- An audio recorder that either takes XLR inputs and supplies phantom power ( like a Tascam DR-40 )

- A tiny audio recorder that can power the lav directly via a 3.5mm input ( like an Olympus DM-620 PCM Recorder )
 
The rode mic will not work at all without phantom power applied. Does the rode mic have a battery option?
You're going to have to do one of the 4 things that TheDingo listed.
 
if it's the Rode lav that takes different connectors then just get the 3.5mm connector and plug straight into the gh3 with audio level at 1 - gh3 will power it and it sounds pretty decent. Record in mov 50mb for uncompressed audio
 
This is the Rode lav without any option for battery power, and you can change the connectors... Right now I have the XLR connector. Strange thing is this lav needs 48v power to work, but it works just as good on my hmc150 even with the 48v power set to off, I dont understand how that is possible.

ade4all said:
if it's the Rode lav that takes different connectors then just get the 3.5mm connector and plug straight into the gh3 with audio level at 1 - gh3 will power it and it sounds pretty decent. Record in mov 50mb for uncompressed audio
Click to expand...

Wow that sounds great if it is true! How do you know this? Are you using it this way with good results?
 
Sorry for the late response but yes have used this combination many times - don't find it noticeably worse than with an sd mix pre-d in the chain - the self noise of the lav is the weak point more than the gh3s pre amp. The gh3 will power the lav with the 3.5mm connection
 
ade4all said:
Sorry for the late response but yes have used this combination many times - don't find it noticeably worse than with an sd mix pre-d in the chain - the self noise of the lav is the weak point more than the gh3s pre amp. The gh3 will power the lav with the 3.5mm connection
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response man! Allright I will order the MiCon 2 connector and hope for the best! I have never used a microphone directly connected to the GH3 (or any other DSLR for that matter) so lets hope for the best! Do you have any videos you can share where you have used this setup?

ade4all said:
if it's the Rode lav that takes different connectors then just get the 3.5mm connector and plug straight into the gh3 with audio level at 1 - gh3 will power it and it sounds pretty decent. Record in mov 50mb for uncompressed audio
Click to expand...

In what menu do you set the audio level to 1? I'm checking the menus now and I can change the Mic Level Adj. from 1 to 19, is it this one that you refer to? 1 is at absolute bottom, won't it be to low?
 
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sorry on a shoot most of today - will see if i can dig out some audio for you, dont have any video with this combination uploaded anywhere
Yes use level 1 and it introduces the least amount of auto gain - you get decent levels with a properly placed lav
 
ade4all said:
sorry on a shoot most of today - will see if i can dig out some audio for you, dont have any video with this combination uploaded anywhere
Yes use level 1 and it introduces the least amount of auto gain - you get decent levels with a properly placed lav
Click to expand...

Thank you once again, really appreciate all your help. The miCon 2 connector is on the way, lets hope for the best!
 
I got my 3.5mm adapter today and I can confirm that it does work when plugged in directly to the camera. In fact, it works really good! That said I think the sound is better when being recorded to my HMC150 with the phantom power on. The GH3 sound clear and nice but lacks some bass, but that was an easy fix in Premiere.

So if anyone wants a nice lavalier for your GH3, get the Rode lav and MiCon 2 connector and you're good to go!
 
TheDingo said:
I wonder if there is any way to adapt the Rode smartLav to fit a regular 3.5mm mic socket? Very curious to hear what a $60 Rode lav sounds like.
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Doesn't the smartlav already have a 3.5mm plug? I find the Smartlav's audio quality to be quite bad... But I love the idea to use your Iphone!
 
Tass said:
Doesn't the smartlav already have a 3.5mm plug?
Click to expand...

It's got a plug set-up for an iPhone input, but will this work with a standard non-iPhone 3.5mm jack ?

i.e. Can I plug this into a Olympus/Sony/Tascam digital recorder that supplies mic-power ?


Tass said:
I find the Smartlav's audio quality to be quite bad.
Click to expand...

In what way? ...I would have thought that Rode would produce a good product, even at the low $60 price.
 
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