Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Maurer
Don't laugh...
Sony HDR-HC9
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Hi Brian,
I have a similar camera (Sony SR-11) and wanted to put up a test to let you hear the
RODE NTG-3 Shotgun Mic. Unfortunately, I found the most troubling part of the experience to be in getting reliable levels into a consumer camera. More so than buying a great mic, you need accurate consistent and reliable levels. Your camera probably just has a high and low setting for attenuation. No VU meters, no fine tuning of levels, no headphone level adjustment.
The ideal situation I would suggest is to use some of your budget to acquire a mixer with proper VU meters. Then test, test, test until you can accurately predict how much headroom you have with your mic. The mics I would suggest looking at are a little less expensive to arrive within your budget, however I'm confident that you'll get better results with the combination of a professional mixer and a lower priced mic. So, instead of the NTG-3, go for an
NT3 hypercardioid indoors. It's heavy so take off the outer metal sleeve if you want to boom with it. For outdoors, less expensive solutions are the Audio Technica 875r and the
Rode NTG-2.
If you were looking at the NTG-3 and Sennheiser MKH-416, I realize that you are serious about sound. So I would start by not looking at the portable XLR adapters, instead at something like the
DV Promix 3
Or, I'm testing and considering reselling the Azden 4 channel
Azden Corporation - Wireless Microphones For Working People - FMX-42 4-Channel Portable Mixer
I'll probably catch hell around here for suggesting it, however against a Sound Devices 302, I found it a very reasonable entry level contender for less than half the $$$.
If you would like, I can 30 day loan any of the above mentioned equipment at 10% of the price. That's a pretty bold offer. Considering the mixer street price is $549 and the mics are under $300. At least you'll then have some time to spend with the products before making a commitment and I'll know that we're providing a total working, field tested solution with a guarantee.
Best of luck,