John

I think a better solution for you is to sell that RCA camcorder (put it on Ebay maybe) and use that money toward getting a DV camcorder that *does* have a mic input jack, such as the Canon ZR60 (which is only about $500). Hope this helps,

With no mic input, the really only way to record good audio is either a DAT recorder (which cost a lot) or a MiniDISC player/recorder with a mic input (which still cost a decent penny, $200 minimum)....

You can also try a standard old-school cassette recorder, and rip it onto your computer via line in on your sound card (like you'd have to do with minidisc) but the quality isn't going to be all that great.

Chris - thats a good suggestion, i'd say it's really the most logical one, but i'd rather take that RCA with no mic input then a ZR (with a 1/6" ccd) with a mic input....

John, if you do decide to take back/sell the RCA for some reason, I can suggest Panasonic DV cameras, good cameras, must get one with a mic input though. :D

If you have not yet figured it out let me know and I will have the answer tomorrow.

Thanks but i figured it out today.They just pull off!

All Things Audio
 

XL1 Onbard Mic or Boom

We will be shooting a children's video. We will have children watching as the ins and outs of various pieces of equipment are explained. We are tight on a budget. What loss of quality will we experience if we choose to shoot without a boom for children's questions and instead just use the onboard mic to pick up the children's voices? Our host will have a lav, but getting extra help for the boom and using the boom may be a little much. I know we SHOULD use a boom, but honestly, do we really need one?

Who has experience in shooting just using the onboard mic and will we suffer for using it and not a boom???

Thanks!

Which wireless Lav system?
 

We currently produce children's videos. We will always have one host, sometimes two. We shoot with a Canon XL1. Our hosts will always be within 15 yards, but for the most part much closer at maybe 5 yards. We are set to buy a wireless lav kit. Here are the options we were given for being under severe price constraints:

1 - $119.50 Audio-Technica PRO-88W Wireless VHF Lav Mic Kit
2 - $149.50 Azden WLX-PRO Wireless VHF Lav Mic Kit
3 - $319.50 Azden Dual Wireless VHF Lav Mic Kit (allows recording from two transmitters simultaneously)
4 - $459.50 Sennheiser EW-122P Wireless UHF Lav Mic Kit

We need to purchase in the next few days for a project in early August.....

Please, all comments will be most appreciated. We hear from our seller that pretty much the Audio-Technica and Azden are the same quality wise. But is the Sennheiser that much better?

Thank you so much!

MFP

VX2000 mic/line and BeachTek
 

If a VX2000 could talk how would it tell you to set its mic/line switch when connected to a BeachTek DXA-4?

David Hurdon

You must set the VX-2000 for mic when using the Beachtek. It told me so itself... ;-)

How to do a wireless shot
 

I'm about to do a couple of weddings in a month or so and planning on having multiple(more than 2) wireless mics. I gather that I would need a mixer to combine all the audio since my DVX100 only has two XLR inputs. But I don't want to be tied down by being tethered to the mixer either. So how does something like this usually work?? Get a small mixer and strap it and the receivers onto the cam?? thanks

Yang,

In the situation you defined, you'll be best served by having one wireless feed your camera, use the on camera mic on the other channel. Have other wired/wireless mics feed a mixer that is connected to an alternate recording device (Mini Disk, another stationary camera...). This set up ensures you'll get some usable audio regardless of a single point failure anywhere in your system.

I had some good experience with it, but I'm definitely no audio
pro. I suggest you do some test runs (try simulating the room
and the amount of people etc. as much as possible) and see/
hear for yourself.

Moto 896 and Windows Laptop
 

Does anyone use the 896 with a laptop? I use the 896 now with a dual xeon 2.8 with 1gb ram. I use 7200 RPM ATA 100 data drives to record 24bit 96khz sound. I can record live all 8 channels without any dropouts for at least 1 hour. But I'd like to switch to using a laptop and an external 1394 (or usb2) data drive for ease in portability. Before I plunk down $2000 for a laptop with 2.8P4, 1GB DDR ram, I'd like to make sure that I can record 8 24/96 tracks simultainiously with NO dropouts like I can with my large workstation. Anyone doing this now sucessfully?

another option
 

I don' t know if that sennheiser is diversity or not. If it is, it's probably a good choice. If not, take a look at the Azden 500 series. It is true diversity and seems to work very well. I got a receiver, transmitter and Sony mic for ~$500 a short time ago. I recently used it in a large auditorium with numerous others using wireless mics and security on radios everywhere with no trouble. I haven't had it a long time, but at first blush it seems quite good and the price is good for a diversity system. I think the first three choices you mentioned are not diversity systems, which is a big deal when using a wireless mic indoors where room reflections can cause real headaches in terms of reception.

MOTU 896 ?
 

Hi Mike, I have been looking at the 896 for my studio and on the road.
I know your looking into the laptop but how has the Motu drivers been too you. I am a little nervous about Motu drivers on a XP workstation they don't have the best track record. Any comments would help.

Luke Andrews

Shotgun: Beyer MCE
 

Impossible to find a review of this mic. How it compares to an ME66 or an AT835?

Thanks.