GH2 audio for product reviews question

[Kentster]

I just purchased a GH-2 to produce Newegg style in-house product reviews that will be syndicated via the internet only. I strive to purchase above average equipment whenever possible, however, video production is a bit outside my area of expertise presently. To that end, will a good quality field recorder such as the Marantz PMD660/661 suffice without a preamp for this type of video production? I'd like to avoid purchasing both a JuicedLink DT454 and a field recorder if possible.

The overall goal is to record twice along with the ability to monitor audio during recording.

Any input provided will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sam Mallery]

I don't think using a portable digital recorder is absolutely necessary for shooting basic product videos for the web. I currently do this with a GH2. You can get by with a Rode VideoMic Pro just fine. Avoid shooting your videos in a noisy or reverberant room, position the mic as close as you can to your mouth, and you should be fine.

Check out the beginning of this video:

http://www.sam-mallery.com/archives/1292

It was shot using the VideoMic Pro plugged directly into the GH2. It sounds good. A lot of the advice given on this forum is intended for people who are shooting films & for people who are striving for the highest standards of production. I don't think that's what you're after here. If that is what you're going for, stay away from the PMD660. That's an antiquated design. There are much better choices out there. The PMD661 is a better choice, but personally I'd much rather use the Fostex FR2-LE.

 

[Richard Crowley]

I agree with Mr. Mallery that using a separate recorder, and particularly an up-scale one like the PMD661, seems like overkill for your application. Now if you aspire to producing other kinds of content, then it might have more justification. And as Mr. Mallery said, there are certainly sound recorders of lower cost that would do just as well for that application.

I would allocate the budget more towards getting a decent headset mic for the presenter. That will get you a clean pickup and maximize the signal to noise ratio (including poor ambient conditions thrown in with the "noise" part of that equation.)

 

[boo]

Sam, Can you give me a link to the adaptor cable you used to connect the VMP directly into the GH2? Did you have the GH2 audio levels set to the lowest settings? Also, there will be situations where I will be using the VMP w/ a boompole on a stand. In this case, will having it directly plugged into the GH2 still be a viable solution? I''m usually solo on shoots so portability is essential for me but not at the expense of quality which is why I would like to use the VMP in a boom situation at times. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Kentster]

Sam / Richard,

Thank you both for taking the time to respond. For my purposes, the quality of the audio in the link is perfect, so I'll take Richard's advice and focus the funds on mic quality.

I do have one additional question about audio monitoring. I still have a need to monitor audio during recording and will likely be using a combination boom / wireless lav setup of some description for a maximum of 2 mics. In this type of scenario, what hardware would you recommend to manage the inputs and outputs. It's safe to assume that phantom power will be a requirement for the purposes of this discussion.

Thanks again.

 

[Sam Mallery]

Sam, Can you give me a link to the adaptor cable you used to connect the VMP directly into the GH2?

I use a Hosa GMP-467 3.5mm to 2.5mm right angle adapter. It works well. Here's the link:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488047-REG/Hosa_Technology_GMP_467_GMP_467_Right_Angle.html

Did you have the GH2 audio levels set to the lowest settings?

I don't recall exactly. Whenever I plug in a mic, I do a mic test (by saying "Check 1, 2, 3") and I look at the levels on the GH2's on screen audio meters. If the signal is hot, I'll turn down the level until it looks good. I find with the GH2 & VideoMic Pro that I often end up turning down the GH2's audio level to it's lowest setting, but I don't default to that setting. I always look at the meters and adjust accordingly.

there will be situations where I will be using the VMP w/ a boompole on a stand. In this case, will having it directly plugged into the GH2 still be a viable solution?

It's a "viable" solution for a solo shooter, but you need to limit yourself to using only a 10 foot extension cable. You don't want a cable longer than 10 feet because it's an unbalanced connection, so you'll likely pick up noise in the cable when the lengths are over 10 feet. 10 feet isn't much length for booming, but it can be done. I've had the Rode extension cable for years, and it's held up nicely:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392841-REG/Rode_VC1_Stereo_Mini_Male_to.html

I do have one additional question about audio monitoring. I still have a need to monitor audio during recording and will likely be using a combination boom / wireless lav setup of some description for a maximum of 2 mics. In this type of scenario, what hardware would you recommend to manage the inputs and outputs. It's safe to assume that phantom power will be a requirement for the purposes of this discussion.

You can likely dig up work arounds and find lesser pieces of equipment for monitoring, mixing, and powering. Don't go that route. Do it right... get a portable field mixer. The Sound Devices MixPre-D comes to mind first for your needs, and if you want to save a couple of dollars you can go for the older MixPre:

http://sounddevices.com/products/mixpre-d.htm

http://sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm