Noob needs help at DVinfo.net

Alex Kellett · July 9th, 2013, 09:58 AM

Hi everyone, I've just joined this forum as I've just been tasked with creating some film for my company and i need some advice on audio equipment.

We're in the process of buying a Panasonic HC V720 and I'll need a compatible shotgun and lapel mic to do interviews etc.

Can anyone point me in the right direction here? All help is massively appreciated as I am a total novice!

Also, slightly off topic for this sub-forum but what does anyone recommend for a good editing software suite for low experienced users?

Rick Reineke · July 9th, 2013, 10:24 AM

How much is your budget?

A camera mounted mic is only good for nat.sound (ambient), no matter how much you spend.
Do you need a wireless or hardwired lavaliere mics. A hardwired version would be MUCH cheaper and MUCH, MUCH more reliable.. no matter how much you spend. again read the 'sticky' topic on wireless.
NLE: From my pro audio perspective, Vegas is intuitive to me On the Mac OS, many prefer FCP over Avid. It's subjective.

Steve House · July 9th, 2013, 11:36 AM

The camera you mentioned is an inexpensive consumer camera with very limited audio controls. Before you get too far into decisions about audio gear it's going to be important to really nail down just what sort of films you're expected to make and under what circumstances you'll need to make them as a mic is just the tip of the iceberg. Be aware that a single entry level shotgun mic is going to cost about what you're paying for the camera while an entry level wireless lav kit is going to run half again as much. Because of the camera limitations you'll likely need an external recorder. Don't forget boom poles, shock mount, cables, probably a preamp .... the list goes on and on.

Richard Crowley · July 9th, 2013, 06:16 PM

Your Panasonic HC V720 appears to have a 3.5mm microphone input connector. That would allow you to use something like one of the Beachtek adapters in the list below to connect your microphones.

MCC-2 | BEACHTEK for 3.5mm microphones
DXA-CONNECT | BEACHTEK for XLR mics with phantom power
DXA-HDV | BEACHTEK for XLR mics with phantom power

You did not mention WHAT you are going to be shooting?
A talking head lecturer seated in a nice quiet room with sound control?
An instructional video on how to use a pneumatic jack-hammer on a busy interstate highway?

Not really advisable to suggest anything regarding microphones without some background info.

It would also be helpful if you could give us some budget number that you are working within.
Otherwise, we could easily offer suggestions that would be completely useless to you.

Same goes for your question about software. Are you working on a Mac or a PC? Budget?
Skill level of user(s)? Destination of video? DVDs? Internal web page? YouTube?

Alex Kellett · July 10th, 2013, 02:54 AM

Thanks for all the help so far guys.

For starters, it will be a lot of indoor, talking heads and interviews.

In terms of editing software, it's going to be fairly entry level stuff for us but we need to make them as good as possible as we are representing the company and making serious films about us and our customers. We're using PC.

In terms of budget, I have no definite number but obviously, as the camera is fairly basic, I probably can't justify a mic that costs as much as the camera. I'd probably be looking at around £100 I guess.

Thanks for all your help so far!

July 9th, 2013, 09:58 AM	#1
Alex Kellett Tourist Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Derby Posts: 2	Noob needs help Hi everyone, I've just joined this forum as I've just been tasked with creating some film for my company and i need some advice on audio equipment. We're in the process of buying a Panasonic HC V720 and I'll need a compatible shotgun and lapel mic to do interviews etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction here? All help is massively appreciated as I am a total novice! Also, slightly off topic for this sub-forum but what does anyone recommend for a good editing software suite for low experienced users?

July 9th, 2013, 10:24 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Noob needs help How much is your budget? A camera mounted mic is only good for nat.sound (ambient), no matter how much you spend. Do you need a wireless or hardwired lavaliere mics. A hardwired version would be MUCH cheaper and MUCH, MUCH more reliable.. no matter how much you spend. again read the 'sticky' topic on wireless. NLE: From my pro audio perspective, Vegas is intuitive to me On the Mac OS, many prefer FCP over Avid. It's subjective.

July 9th, 2013, 11:36 AM	#3
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Re: Noob needs help The camera you mentioned is an inexpensive consumer camera with very limited audio controls. Before you get too far into decisions about audio gear it's going to be important to really nail down just what sort of films you're expected to make and under what circumstances you'll need to make them as a mic is just the tip of the iceberg. Be aware that a single entry level shotgun mic is going to cost about what you're paying for the camera while an entry level wireless lav kit is going to run half again as much. Because of the camera limitations you'll likely need an external recorder. Don't forget boom poles, shock mount, cables, probably a preamp .... the list goes on and on. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

July 9th, 2013, 06:16 PM	#4
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Noob needs help Your Panasonic HC V720 appears to have a 3.5mm microphone input connector. That would allow you to use something like one of the Beachtek adapters in the list below to connect your microphones. MCC-2 \| BEACHTEK for 3.5mm microphones DXA-CONNECT \| BEACHTEK for XLR mics with phantom power DXA-HDV \| BEACHTEK for XLR mics with phantom power You did not mention WHAT you are going to be shooting? A talking head lecturer seated in a nice quiet room with sound control? An instructional video on how to use a pneumatic jack-hammer on a busy interstate highway? Not really advisable to suggest anything regarding microphones without some background info. It would also be helpful if you could give us some budget number that you are working within. Otherwise, we could easily offer suggestions that would be completely useless to you. Same goes for your question about software. Are you working on a Mac or a PC? Budget? Skill level of user(s)? Destination of video? DVDs? Internal web page? YouTube?

July 10th, 2013, 02:54 AM	#5
Alex Kellett Tourist Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Derby Posts: 2	Re: Noob needs help Thanks for all the help so far guys. For starters, it will be a lot of indoor, talking heads and interviews. In terms of editing software, it's going to be fairly entry level stuff for us but we need to make them as good as possible as we are representing the company and making serious films about us and our customers. We're using PC. In terms of budget, I have no definite number but obviously, as the camera is fairly basic, I probably can't justify a mic that costs as much as the camera. I'd probably be looking at around £100 I guess. Thanks for all your help so far!