What's the best Mic for the FX1?
 

I assume since it says on it "plug-in power", that you can get a mic that is powered by the camera, rather than its own battery, which I would prefer, if it made sense.

I am currently using a Sony mic that requires a AA battery which I hate, because I'm always trying to remember to turn it on and off, and I am always worried that the battery is dead.

Thanks in advance,

David

it's called phantom power, and our Z1's will power just about al of 'em. I dunno about the FX1, maybe with the beachtech?

Can someone recommend a Beachtech / Mic combo that they've successfully used???

It appears the Beachtek DXA-4 is the right model for the FX1.

I'm sure there are 100s of mics that can do the job, but I'd still be interested in a suggestion.

This has already been discussed here:http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=45294
A number of people are very happy with the Audio Technica AT 897 mic.
It's battery as well as phantom powered.
There is no on/off switch, so that's one thing less to worry about- and the battery will last for ages and ages!
If you really want phantom power, then the BeachTek series 6 models will supply phantom power, but you still need to put a 9v bettery in the BeachTek unit.

Robin

With regard to this thread's title, "What's the best Mic for the FX1," that's a somewhat misguided question. Generally speaking, you don't choose a mic for your camcorder; you choose it for the type of material that you're shooting. In some cases you might need a short shotgun, in others you might need a wireless lav. We have an entire forum dedicated to this sort of thing. It's called "Now Hear This" on the main forum index page and that will be the best place to research this sort of question.

I use a Beachtek DXA6 with a AT 835b condersor mic on a VX2100E. Works well, although the camera's audio is noisier that I'd like. I think the DXA8 with built in limiter is worth looking at.

I pulled the trigger on the AT897 with the Beacktek DX-4, and I am very happy with the results so far.

My only question is whether it is recommended to put the audio level meter on the FX1 to AUTO or MAN? At the moment, I have the output level on the DXA-4 cranked up to level 10.

Manual. Always manual.
I haven't played too much with the FX1, we have Z1's, but I do know that the Sony AGC isn't your friend on the PD 170

David,

Curious to hear how you are mounting to the camera and how you have it cabled. Can you open the LCD?

Marc

Marc,

I am out of town right now, and therefore can't post a picture of the setup, but I have mounted the mic on top of the FX1's internal mic, and have an L-shaped XLR cable that connects to the DXA-4, which is attached to the bottom of the FX1, on the tripod mount. It all fits very nicely, and I am easily able to open and close the LCD screen.

David