Possibly a stupid question...

Rylan Zolinski

Rylan Zolinski

Well-known member
I am looking into buying a Canon 7D. Obviously I will need something to capture audio as doing it through the camera will produce awful results. I do own a Rode 2 mic and a Macbook Pro. Is there any way to use a mic like this and capture audio into this laptop?
 
WHICH "Rode 2" mic? Classic II, K2, NT2-A, M2, NTG-2? If your mic doesn't require phantom power (like the NTG-2) then you could use something as simple as an XLR to mini-phone adapter cable to connect it to your Macbook. But computer mic preamps are pretty much the bottom of the barrel in quality and performance, so an external preamp (connected to the Macbook via USB) would be a better bet. If your mic requires phantom power, many of the external preamp products will provide the phantom power.

NOTE HOWEVER, that recording on location with a notebook computer and the mic preamp adapter is REALLY "fiddly" and awkward. You will soon grow tired of lugging around all that stuff, finding a place to put the computer, etc. Even recording in a "studio" situation with a notebook computer isn't great unless you have a dedicated sound cart setup, etc. But it doesn't sound like you are at that stage yet. That is why the little sound recorders are so popular these days.
 
Richard Crowley said:
WHICH "Rode 2" mic? Classic II, K2, NT2-A, M2, NTG-2? If your mic doesn't require phantom power (like the NTG-2) then you could use something as simple as an XLR to mini-phone adapter cable to connect it to your Macbook. But computer mic preamps are pretty much the bottom of the barrel in quality and performance, so an external preamp (connected to the Macbook via USB) would be a better bet. If your mic requires phantom power, many of the external preamp products will provide the phantom power.

NOTE HOWEVER, that recording on location with a notebook computer and the mic preamp adapter is REALLY "fiddly" and awkward. You will soon grow tired of lugging around all that stuff, finding a place to put the computer, etc. Even recording in a "studio" situation with a notebook computer isn't great unless you have a dedicated sound cart setup, etc. But it doesn't sound like you are at that stage yet. That is why the little sound recorders are so popular these days.
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I have an NTG-2. What would be my best option? I only have a few hundred dollars to spend. Or, better yet, what would YOU do?
 
So you can power an NTG-2 with an internal AA battery, right?

I saw a couple of nifty-looking gadgets at Guitar Center with female XLR at one end and USB at the other end. They would plug into the USB port on any PC or Mac. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Blue-Icicle-XLR-to-USB-Mic-Converter-105315832-i1427196.gc

OTOH, I would rather use one of the small audio recorders than have to deal with a computer. Here was a recent review of the field. Maybe something relevant for you... http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=193842&highlight=review
 
Dual system would be your best option - meaning a recorder. Zoom H4n is a good bang for buck. Plural Eyes software (150.00) can automatically sync your audio. If you want great quality you'll be into 1,000.00 for a decent recorder like the Edirol R-44 4 track.

Plural Eyes
http://www.singularsoftware.com/autosync/

This mixer sort of defeats the AGC in DSLRs, but I can't vouch for the sound quality because I've never heard the results.

JuicedLink
http://www.juicedlink.com/?gclid=COWjsbfzp6ECFRkBiQod_SX-EQ
 
I actually own an XHA1. Would the sound quality be better if I captured using the XHA1 or my laptop with my Rode NTG 2 mic?

You're probably wondering why I wouldn't shoot with the XHA1. Well, I am jumping ship and going to DSLR like many people. :)
 
A couple of things. First it's really not that hard to sync dual system sound. If you have the $ then Plural Eyes is supposed to be really good. Second mic VS recorder, they are different things So the XHA1 doesn't really enter into it. Don't use a camera to record sound.

One of those XLR > USB converters are around $50 and should do a decent job. Of your on a Mac and on OS 10.5 or lower then you can get Boom Recorder for $20 (two track version) from VosGames and be using the same recorder software they used on Flags of Our Fathers.
It is not a big deal to use a laptop to record sound IF your not doing Run&Gun. A cart is nice but as long as there is a table to set up on it's OK. It is not as portable, but you just have to plan around that.
So Yes you can use the Mac and it can cost less than $100 including shipping and tax.
 
In my tests XH-A1 running in DV25 mode (SD with pure 16/48 PCM audio) gave over 90 dB dynamic range. I would say it is a passable audio recorder, wastly better than 7D at least, and about the same leaque as cheap pocket recorderds like Zoom H4.
 
I currently have the Blue Icicle and a rode ntg-2 (haven't used them together except for voiceover), but the interface only records 44.1, always wondered if this would cause problems if I had to sync it with video someday. Anyone know? This might change your mind if you're considering such an adapter to record dual system sound.
 
KnoxHotch said:
I currently have the Blue Icicle and a rode ntg-2 (haven't used them together except for voiceover), but the interface only records 44.1, always wondered if this would cause problems if I had to sync it with video someday. Anyone know? This might change your mind if you're considering such an adapter to record dual system sound.
Click to expand...

Lower resolution but the same speed. So you would want to convert to 48K (because that is what video sound is at) but there should be no sync issues.
 
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