"Non-XLR" Microphones You Suggest for HMC40

D

Denniscasey

Well-known member
I don't think budget will permit adding XLR and microphone to HMC40 for about one year. For videos of race cars I do want better audio than onboard mike. Will mikes like Rode that just connect via mini-plug provide meaningful improvement over onboard mike or should I just save money until I buy XLR and microphone? If "mini-plug" mike is worthwhile interim step, what are some options you would recommend?
 
Denniscasey said:
I don't think budget will permit adding XLR and microphone to HMC40 for about one year. For videos of race cars I do want better audio than onboard mike. Will mikes like Rode that just connect via mini-plug provide meaningful improvement over onboard mike or should I just save money until I buy XLR and microphone? If "mini-plug" mike is worthwhile interim step, what are some options you would recommend?
Click to expand...

I just picked up a $116 rode mic and it's a huge improvement for my GH2. If you are just recording race cars how important is audio? Are you also doing interviews?
 
The Rode Video Mic (even more so the "Pro" model) is a pretty significant upgrade over the built-in mics on any camcorder, IMHO. The directionality helps out a lot, and if you get an extension cable, you can take the mic off the camera entirely and get it closer to the subject, which is the single most important factor in improving sound quality. Since it's an unbalanced connection, you can't go overboard with this, but an extension of 15 - 20 feet or so shouldn't be a huge problem.

Based on Chad Johnson's tests here, I'm not too enamored of any of the Rode's competitors, including the Sennheiser MKE400, which I'd really like to like but just can't based on the sound quality I heard there. But both models of Rodes seem to do a decent job at a decent price.

- Greg
 
Zxander34 said:
I just picked up a $116 rode mic and it's a huge improvement for my GH2. If you are just recording race cars how important is audio? Are you also doing interviews?
Click to expand...

Thank you for feedback. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder, but I should have mentioned my videos cover a wide range of vintage sports cars, F1, Can Am, etc on various race tracks such as 4 mile Road America. There is quite a wide range of "notes" from the various engines, high speed straights, corners, elevation changes, etc.
 
Denniscasey said:
Thank you for feedback. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder, but I should have mentioned my videos cover a wide range of vintage sports cars, F1, Can Am, etc on various race tracks such as 4 mile Road America. There is quite a wide range of "notes" from the various engines, high speed straights, corners, elevation changes, etc.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am not familiar in anyway what goes on in that type of event but I wish you luck.
 
Hi

I believe the Rode Video Mic is mono. It records the same mono signal to both channels. Great for dialogue. I could immagine at a race track you might want to hear the cars approaching and then passing and leaving in stereo. I have, use and like very much the Rode NT4 stereo mic. I am guessing it won't fit the budget. I would suggest second sound. Buy a small stereo recorder. I just got a Zoom H2n and like it. But you will find as many opinions on small stereo recorders as their are posts. I will just suggest that race cars don't require the most exotic preamps - even quiet ones are loud. At a race track I would pay a lot of attention to wind protection. So I am suggesting a stereo recorder with really good wind protection.

Hope this helps - good luck and Happy New Year
 
"Blit," for many shots stereo adds a lot for reasons you mention although most of my shots pan with a particularly interesting car. I will also look into the stereo recorder thought and the Rode NT4 ($529 at Adorama) looks to be good value, and maybe what I should expect to pay for results I want.
 
I use stereo AA battery powered Audio Technica AT822 with my HMC40, and it is a big improvement on the internal mics, especially in reducing handling noise of the camera itself (it's in a shock mount). It's not a shotgun ... best for stereo recording of the general surroundings.

It's discontinued but pops up regularly on EBay for well under $200.
 
Denniscasey said:
I don't think budget will permit adding XLR and microphone to HMC40 for about one year. For videos of race cars I do want better audio than onboard mike. Will mikes like Rode that just connect via mini-plug provide meaningful improvement over onboard mike or should I just save money until I buy XLR and microphone? If "mini-plug" mike is worthwhile interim step, what are some options you would recommend?
Click to expand...

Dennis one of the problems with the 3.5 connection is interference when cell phones or radios are on around your mic, it makes a nasty interference sound. I found an answer when not using the beachtek XLR adapter is this :
Azden SGM-1X .

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/238826-REG/Azden_SGM_1X_SGM_1X_Shotgun_Mic.html

It has the advantage of being a XLR mic battery powered, so if you want to use as a 3.5 mic just plug this adapter.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/589872-REG/Pearstone_8111240_LMT100_Low_to.html

With that adapter there is no noise of any type caused by radio or cell interference, AND on the other side if in the future you want to get into XLR just buy the XLR cable.
The at2022 can be used with the same cable low impedance, looks interesting, but is not balanced. I wonder about interference with this mic.
 
Last edited:
Felipe and Graham, Thank you for input and tips about other essentials to watch for besides "just" the microphone. Dennis
 
AudioTechnika AT2022 exp. (why not XLRs)

AudioTechnika AT2022 exp. (why not XLRs)

Will Turner said:
Just out of interest, why not XLR?
Click to expand...

It was my case... If you search for quality mic (like AT2022) and weight does matter for you, you probably always avoid buying and mounting another audio pre-amp mic box onto HMC4x clamp and probably avoid getting HMC4x even more unstable/weight-unbalanced due to more weight shifted into the front of camera.
Next reason is probably also quicker and easier way to set sound level for amateurs/begining semiprofesionals with non-XLR mic compared to XLR. XLR devices are all for something different than for small, mobile, quick handling "without deep thoughts how to set it correctly now":Drogar-BlackEye(DBG for events like sports, skiing etc.

Probably the only advantage for amateurs using XLR mic. on HMC4x could be phantom powering, which means less weight to add-on batteries and absence of their annoying continuous stage control in case of non-XLR.
C.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top