External Mic Problems

clarkage

clarkage

Well-known member
Ok... So it is Christmas time and i unwrap my last gift and I find that it is a BRAND NEW Panasonic PV-GS320!!!!!!!!!!! In my excitement I set everything up and am already to shoot when i see there is no mic input. =(

So I did my research and i found that you don't necessarily NEED a mic input in your camera. I found that you can use a DAT recorder or a mini disc player and sync the audio and video in post. Well does anyone have any other solutions? I know audio is expensive so i don't want to go out and buy the wrong thing because i am already low on money.

Also if you have heard anyone that uses this or if you do this yourself (I think that most experienced filmers do I'm not sure??) feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you ahead for all of the help!


PS also here is a link to the camera
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/panasonic-pv-gs320/4505-6500_7-32330317.html?tag=box4505
 
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Congratulations, it's a great little camera that makes really wonderful images. The on camera mic is okay, so it's not like you have no sound at all.

Not sure what you are planning with it, but you could do some MOS work and concentrate on the imagery. You can always add soundtracks in post.

There certainly are a lot of ways to record sound. But I suggest before you buy anything to figure out what you really want to do. You could spend a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Or no dollars at all and get inventive and imaginative with the camera.

Have fun.

p.s., I have one of these cameras myself. But I also have a S16mm film camera. So I own a Sound Devices recorder, a mixer, and many mics and other money draining audio equipment. But only because I have to with film. So, I can record sound and add it to the footage from the Panny. But there are other options such as small solid state recorders (Sony, Edirol, etc.) Minidisc is an option, too. DAT is somewhat on it's way out, but you could still rent DAT (and newer solid state units.) btw, I have also cut in the video with my telecine'd film footage and it looks quite nice.
 
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a small digital recorder is going to be better than a dat or mini-disc. There are quite a few inexpensive options from the zoom h2 or zoom h4 to edirol and maudio. you will need to sync these visually with a a slate (and by reading the slate aloud). It is a bit of a pain, but it can work well.

Read the stickies on the forum to see what else you may want.

I would suggest :
zoom h4
oktava mk012 w/ hyper cap
k-tek kssm
Rycote Baby Ball Gag (20mm)
Jammer (for bbg)
gitzo 12' carbon fiber pole
Sound Devices Mix Pre
Mixer bag
Sony 7506 headphones
Good quality XLR Cables(not cheap guitar center)

This is a good starter kit.

You can add a shotgun and zepplin later if you want to shoot more outside.
 
saneproductions said:
a small digital recorder is going to be better than a dat or mini-disc. There are quite a few inexpensive options from the zoom h2 or zoom h4 to edirol and maudio. you will need to sync these visually with a a slate (and by reading the slate aloud). It is a bit of a pain, but it can work well.

Read the stickies on the forum to see what else you may want.

I would suggest :
zoom h4
oktava mk012 w/ hyper cap
k-tek kssm
Rycote Baby Ball Gag (20mm)
Jammer (for bbg)
gitzo 12' carbon fiber pole
Sound Devices Mix Pre
Mixer bag
Sony 7506 headphones
Good quality XLR Cables(not cheap guitar center)

This is a good starter kit.

You can add a shotgun and zepplin later if you want to shoot more outside.
Click to expand...

Yikes. He said he was "already low on money." :D

It's a $450 dollar camera. Now it's a thousand dollar adventure. :smile:

A slate? Roll the recorder and clap yer hands in front of the camera.

How you get to a finished product is a matter of need, desire, convenience, and a certain subjective quality based on your pocketbook. There are many routes.....
 
Ya it is a great camera! Thanks fro your help guys and i took a look at the zoom and it looked good but i just cant spend that kind of money right now for audio. Is there any cheaper solutions? I don't need to record sound right out from the device. I just want almost maybe if there is an adapter or something where i can plug in a mic and run a cable back to a laptop.
 
well, I guess it is kind of expensive, but I would like to know about that package if I were him. You can always pick things up gradually and work twoard a complete kit.
 
Yes this would be really helpful actually! Because I am going to probably be wanting some of these other things later on. Do you guys have any info? What do you think the best kit would be for an audio newb that doesn't have a lot of cash right now?
 
clarkage said:
Yes this would be really helpful actually! Because I am going to probably be wanting some of these other things later on. Do you guys have any info? What do you think the best kit would be for an audio newb that doesn't have a lot of cash right now?
Click to expand...

There is no best kit. It is all very subjective. Microphones being one of the most subjective items of all. There is no direct answer to your question, sorry.

A better approach would be to figure out **what** you plan to be doing and read and study as to how to get to that end product. There are many stickies here for you to look at. But, please, do yourself a favor and stay away right now as to what **brand** of equipment. Learn first to decide what **type** of equipment. And in your case, the budget is probably the biggest factor right now. Then go looking.

Check Oleg's posts on this forum. He's opinionated --hey, aren't we all? :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) But he does know audio. And you will find that his preferred gear won't be identical with the next person's.....

So, seriously, figure out what you are trying to accomplish and then do your research. There are a lot of good audio books. Take your time.

Gear is gear, and all that takes is a bank account. Knowing the proper tools is another thing. And using it is a whole other thing all together.

Can you rent gear where you are located? That's a great way to experiment.
 
Congrats on the new camera. First things first. Determine what your needs are. Then go out and educate yourself by reading these forums and others. Do a search based on your needs.

There are a few good audio for video books out there. One is by a member here (at least I think he is) Ty Ford. Google it to find his website. Good little book that provides an excellent overview and will get you asking yourself some questions about what you expect out of your sound.

Then rent before you buy anything. There are a bunch of recorders out there and it's worth it to try them before committing. When you think you've made a choice, do a search to see what kind of reviews it gets. Just like mics, different recorders for different applications and budgets. Expect to spend some dough to get good sound. They don't tell you that in the camera instruction book!

At the risk of sounding like an awful chap, is there any chance you could exchange it for one with a mic input? That would simplify matters for you.

Finally, have a really good look around the camera. Are you sure there are no ports that do double duty as mic input and something else? For example, the headphone jack on my cam is also a secondary video-in plug....but you wouldn't know it unless you read the instruction book with excruciating detail.

Cheers,
Bob
 
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