What on-board mic is everyone using on the GH4?

S

salvo

Active member
Hi Everyone,

I just got my GH4 last Thursday and over the weekend went out shooting test footage in 4k. Didn't have a mic handy until I got back to work today. So when I tried plugging in a 3.5mm to XLR adapter to the mic input it wouldn't go in all the way. Tried using a SignVideo XLR-PRO and the mini plug fit. So my question is, what type of mic is everyone having luck with and do I need any special adapter for a good fit?
I'm sorry if I sound naive but I'm use to shooting with camera's with XLR inputs. Anyway, I'm looking to buy a decent stereo mic for my GH4.

Thanks,
Salvatore
 
I've got Rode's VideoMic Pros, & Shure's LensHoppers, but prefer Panasonic DMW-MS2 Stereo/Shotgun Microphone for use onboard the GH4.

The Panasonic's directionality can be adjusted from within the GH4's menus & has a number of settings that range from "Super Shotgun" to Stereo. But my favorite feature is it's a dynamic mic that's powered by the camera.

Typically I work with a dedicated SoundPerson & haven't got round to doing a direct comparison, but too many times have forgotten to turn on the Rode's or Shures & got no sound at all.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/907000-REG/Panasonic_dmw_ms2_External_Stereo_Mic_For.html
 
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I DON'T ALWAYS USE ON-BOARD MICS...
BUT WHEN I DO, I USE RODE VIDEO MIC, AND RODE STEREO VIDEO MIC.
dos equis man.jpg


I opt for external whenever possible. My ZOOM H2 is wonderful.
The built in mics are not as horrible as most seem to rate them.
 
Bern Caughey said:
I've got Rode's VideoMic Pros, & Shure's LensHoppers, but prefer Panasonic DMW-MS2 Stereo/Shotgun Microphone for use onboard the GH4.

The Panasonic's directionality can be adjusted from within the GH4's menus & has a number of settings that range from "Super Shotgun" to Stereo. But my favorite feature is it's a dynamic mic that's powered by the camera.

Typically I work with a dedicated SoundPerson & haven't got round to doing a direct comparison, but too many times have forgotten to turn on the Rode's or Shures & got no sound at all.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/907000-REG/Panasonic_dmw_ms2_External_Stereo_Mic_For.html
Click to expand...
Thanks, The Panasonic DMW-M52 Microphone seems to be the logical choice.
 
wwjd said:
I DON'T ALWAYS USE ON-BOARD MICS...
BUT WHEN I DO, I USE RODE VIDEO MIC, AND RODE STEREO VIDEO MIC.
dos equis man.jpg


I opt for external whenever possible. My ZOOM H2 is wonderful.
The built in mics are not as horrible as most seem to rate them.
Click to expand...

With Zoom H2, do you have to do double sound and sync in post or can you output to the camera?
 
I don't use a lot of onboard mics so I usually just rent a rode video mic pro when needed. If I were to buy one that Panasonic model hits a nice spot and being integrated really helps.

For now when I need sound I record dual sound to my Tascam DR60 and into the camera mic port. Gives me lots of safety options (in camera, external record & ext record -15db) and most of the time the in camera record is good enough.
 
salvo said:
With Zoom H2, do you have to do double sound and sync in post or can you output to the camera?
Click to expand...

I drop it into post. probably COULD run the headphone out to the GH4 in.... but then I would be using a 2nd pass of electronics on the audio... and subject to the camera's most likely inferior preamps.
But I use the H2 separate with a boom mic plugged in.

And I meant the built in mics on the GH4 are not as horrible as many think.
 
wwjd said:
I meant the built in mics on the GH4 are not as horrible as many think.
Click to expand...

I ran a test recently on the GH2. I recorded a live orchestral performance using the camera's built-in mic at a hacked 448 Kb/s and the Zoom H4n at 24/48 WAV files. I brought the two into my NLE and cut it up so the audio switched somewhat randomly between tracks, then exported at 24/48 and listened on my Denon/Paradigm setup, and I could not tell which track I was listening to. The switch was seamless.

So I'd agree that the built-in mics are pretty damned good!
 
Today I finally received the DMW-MS2, so far I have tested out only the super shotgun mode and of course no way could it be compared to a proper professional XLR mic, but it will do the deed. The sound quality is not the thing Im worried about, what bothers me is how loose it sits on the camera, any advice how to tighten it up??? Edit, nvm I should have read the manual first.
 
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Okay now I have tested it inside and outside.
And why the hell is the shotgun mode so noisey?
With Stereo mode the audio is fairly clean. Stereo mode it has noise. And super shotgun mode its very noisey.
Maybe because shotguns are meant to be mono not stereo? I wished this could do both mono and stereo, but its stereo only.

Anybody experiencing lots of noise with shotgun mode as well?
 
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