T2i Rode VideoMic worth buying?

NormanBates said:
* if you want to use the H4n and the videomic to get 3 channels of sound (stereo background from the H4n, dialogue from the videomic), you'll have to use a 3.5mm to XLR adaptor, because if you plug something into the 3.5mm input of the H4n it turns its own mics off,
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There aren't too many situations out there that would warrant this kind of recording. If you're recording dialog, you want to record it in mono and as clean as possible (i.e. with as little ambient sound as possible). All the "stereo background" is going to be recreated in post.

If you're recording ambient sound beds, the built-in stereo mics are fine on their own. There will be no need for the addition of a third recording channel.
 
I am not to keen on the audio vocabulary so if its a better idea to go with just the zoom h4n id like someone to post a link that will hold the h4n on top of my Canon T2i. I cant find anything on google... what are peoples setups with the zoom h4n
 
brandondull said:
I am not to keen on the audio vocabulary so if its a better idea to go with just the zoom h4n id like someone to post a link that will hold the h4n on top of my Canon T2i. I cant find anything on google... what are peoples setups with the zoom h4n
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There are brackets, C-brackets, arms that mount to rail systems, etc.

But keep this in mind: if you go with just the H4n, you're recording everything in stereo (which is not a great idea) through mics mounted on the camera/camera rig (not a great idea) and using a recorder's built-in mics (not a great idea).

The RODE VideoMic is a great solution for better scratch audio on-cam (scratch meaning that it will be used only for reference and not in the final edit). For good dialog, you really need a separate recorder and a mic kit to go with it. Look at this mic kit: LINK.
 
Let's just recommend for him Sanken CS-3 and a Sound Devices 744T. I hear it's really good audio setup.
 
Wait! I'm confused! I was under the impression that the NTG-2 and the H4N didn't work well together. Is this not the case?
 
Hawk Teflon said:
Wait! I'm confused! I was under the impression that the NTG-2 and the H4N didn't work well together. Is this not the case?
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Yeah... forgot about that one.

So to ammend my recommendation: get the RODE for your camera, but get a separate recorder and shotgun mic kit. The NTG-2 and H4n have had reports of problems together. The AT875 works fine, as does the NTG-3.

Or you could go with the NTG-2 kit and get something like the Tascam DR100 with it.
 
... said:
Let's just recommend for him Sanken CS-3 and a Sound Devices 744T. I hear it's really good audio setup.
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It's an amazing setup, though four record tracks for one mic may be overkill which means dropping to the 702.

It seems, though, that the OP is on a budget. But hey, if you have $4k you can spend on sound, by all means get the best.
 
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... said:
You're recommending a setup you haven't actually used yourself? Christ...
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Lest we enter personal attacks in here and ruin the spirit of helpfulness in this community...

... no, I am not recommending gear I have never used. Thanks for making presumptions.

The concept of on-HDSLR VideoMic vs. separate recorder/shotgun combo is what's being debated. And yes, I got distracted in that and lost track of the fact that those two particular (H4n and NTG-2) items don't play as nice together as other mics with the Zoom. I don't use them together, though I stick with my NTG-3 nowadays.

And after working with the H4n, I realized that the improvements did not outweigh the features lost from the original H4 for my purposes... so I went back to using my H4 as a line recorder.
 
C2V said:
Remember that this is about the right tool for the job. No, it doesn't have balanced output and it cannot run off external phantom power. But when you need an on-cam mic that is better that what the camera has built-in, and is for a camera with 1/8" mic input, this fits the bill just fine. Unbalanced output doesn't matter over 10" of cable.
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Agreed, the VideoMic is a fine tool for the job of on camera for a DSLR. All I'm saying is that people who care about sound are only $300 away from getting an external recorder and suddenly wanting XLR.


C2V said:
The concept of on-HDSLR VideoMic vs. separate recorder/shotgun combo is what's being debated. And yes, I got distracted in that and lost track of the fact that those two particular (H4n and NTG-2) items don't play as nice together as other mics with the Zoom. I don't use them together, though I stick with my NTG-3 nowadays.

And after working with the H4n, I realized that the improvements did not outweigh the features lost from the original H4 for my purposes... so I went back to using my H4 as a line recorder.
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What are the problems with the NTG-2 and Zoom H4n? Is there a thread about it somewhere?
 
AndrewGentle said:
Agreed, the VideoMic is a fine tool for the job of on camera for a DSLR. All I'm saying is that people who care about sound are only $300 away from getting an external recorder and suddenly wanting XLR.
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Not disagreeing with you at all. My experience with the T2i is that, even for audio that I'll never use, I have found the VideoMic to be a worthy investment.

But I would never recommend that setup for usable audio. For that, an external recorder with XLR inputs, and a good mic, are vastly superior.

My point is that both a VideoMic on-cam and a second-system kit are necessary here.

AndrewGentle said:
What are the problems with the NTG-2 and Zoom H4n? Is there a thread about it somewhere?
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http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=221031
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=223640
 
C2V said:
There are brackets, C-brackets, arms that mount to rail systems, etc.

But keep this in mind: if you go with just the H4n, you're recording everything in stereo (which is not a great idea) through mics mounted on the camera/camera rig (not a great idea) and using a recorder's built-in mics (not a great idea).

The RODE VideoMic is a great solution for better scratch audio on-cam (scratch meaning that it will be used only for reference and not in the final edit). For good dialog, you really need a separate recorder and a mic kit to go with it. Look at this mic kit: LINK.
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so just get the rode video mic that is 150 to start off with?
 
so when shooting with the H4N like an interview - it would be wise to shoot it with the Canon T2i then have the mics run into the H4n and sync it up in post production?
 
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