Cheap on or off camera mic setup. at DVinfo.net

Derek Lewis · February 27th, 2006, 09:21 PM

I need a cheap setup for audio recording that will work until I can buy a Rode VideoMic. It can be on or off the camera, but I need something that will sound better than the in-camera mic. Monetary limit = $100.

If it helps, I'm using a Panny GS65.

TIA! :-)

Robert M Wright · February 27th, 2006, 10:05 PM

Are you wanting a shotgun mic or do you want an omni-directional mic? I think I have an Azden SGM-X somewhere around here. That's the sort of shotgun mic you'd want to look for, within that sort of budget limit. If you're looking for something omni-directional, Audio Technica makes an inexpensive stereo mic that's a nice improvement over an onboard.

Robert M Wright · February 27th, 2006, 10:07 PM

I'm guessing you want a shotgun (since you have your eye on the Videomic), but depending on what you are shooting, those little ATs can be pretty nice for a consumer camera.

Dan Brown · February 28th, 2006, 07:34 AM

I've got an ATR-55 Audio Technica shotty I will sell you for $35 (shipping included). It's a 1/8" mini plug, battery powered condenser, selectable between hypercardioid and line/gradient(shotgun). Comes with the foam wind screen, hot shoe mount, and mic stand mount. You'll probably what a shoucl mount.

Let me know?

Robert M Wright · March 2nd, 2006, 03:35 AM

Say Dan, does AT publish a S/N spec on that ATR55?

Robert M Wright · March 2nd, 2006, 03:39 AM

I'm almost thinking of maybe picking up that little shotty from you, to give to my youngest son along with a little Panny palmcorder that I'm going to give him as a starter miniDV cam.

Dan Brown · March 2nd, 2006, 08:30 AM

Here is a link to what AT has on their web site: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...dd5/index.html

Robert M Wright · March 2nd, 2006, 04:10 PM

Is it in good shape? Got the camera mount piece, windscreen and all? (I almost hate to ask, but it's also kind of dumb not to.)

Dan Brown · March 2nd, 2006, 08:05 PM

Yes, it is in "like-new" condition. I have the mic, the wind screen, the camera hot-shot mount, and the mic stand mount. Don't think I have the box though.

Robert M Wright · March 2nd, 2006, 11:49 PM

I'll send you an email Dan.

Chris Shaeffer · March 3rd, 2006, 03:21 AM

I have an ATR55. Nice little mic for the price! Being an audio guy and having a studio full of great audio mics gives me a pretty picky ear and the 55 definitely has its issues- but its got pretty good isolation, hot output, and decent sound for its price.

Its sounds WAY better than the on-camera mic on my Sony TRV9. Compared to the VX1000, which as an *excellent* on-camera mic... well, I'd only use the 55 for its off-axis rejection when I need to focus in on something far away and the on camera mic was getting too much background noise. And then it needs to be OFF the camera.

The 55 may be a bit big looking for that little camera (the GS65) and you'll have to be *really* careful with camera handling noise: it gets transmitted mechanically to the mic and sounds horrible. A shock mount would really help, mounting it off camera, or even just holding it with your other hand to get if off the camera body.

But I was surprised by it, over all. Not bad for the low price and mini plug.

Take care,
Chris

Robert M Wright · March 3rd, 2006, 04:04 AM

You might be pleasantly surprised by the ATR-25 too. Amazing for a sub $30 stereo mic IMHO. Amazon was selling them under 30 bucks with free shipping when I picked one up last year (unless my memory is toast), but I just looked and they apparently aren't stocking them anymore (just offering them from someone else, through them for about $40 with the ship).

Derek Lewis · March 4th, 2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brown

I've got an ATR-55 Audio Technica shotty I will sell you for $35 (shipping included). It's a 1/8" mini plug, battery powered condenser, selectable between hypercardioid and line/gradient(shotgun). Comes with the foam wind screen, hot shoe mount, and mic stand mount. You'll probably what a shoucl mount.

Let me know?

Sent you an e-mail. I'll take that off your hands if you still have it.

Robert M Wright · March 4th, 2006, 03:06 PM

I just dropped a check in the mail to Dan.

Derek Lewis · March 4th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Oh...beat me to it! :-)

Thanks for all your help guys!

February 27th, 2006, 09:21 PM	#1
Derek Lewis Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 45	Cheap on or off camera mic setup. I need a cheap setup for audio recording that will work until I can buy a Rode VideoMic. It can be on or off the camera, but I need something that will sound better than the in-camera mic. Monetary limit = $100. If it helps, I'm using a Panny GS65. TIA! :-) __________________ Mac forever. derlicte@gmail.com www.wasteddevelopment.com

February 28th, 2006, 07:34 AM	#4
Dan Brown Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 235	I've got an ATR-55 Audio Technica shotty I will sell you for $35 (shipping included). It's a 1/8" mini plug, battery powered condenser, selectable between hypercardioid and line/gradient(shotgun). Comes with the foam wind screen, hot shoe mount, and mic stand mount. You'll probably what a shoucl mount. Let me know? __________________ dB

March 2nd, 2006, 08:30 AM	#7
Dan Brown Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 235	Here is a link to what AT has on their web site: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...dd5/index.html __________________ dB

March 2nd, 2006, 08:05 PM	#9
Dan Brown Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 235	Yes, it is in "like-new" condition. I have the mic, the wind screen, the camera hot-shot mount, and the mic stand mount. Don't think I have the box though. __________________ dB

March 4th, 2006, 06:58 PM	#15
Derek Lewis Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 45	Oh...beat me to it! :-) Thanks for all your help guys! __________________ Mac forever. derlicte@gmail.com www.wasteddevelopment.com

February 27th, 2006, 10:05 PM	#2
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Are you wanting a shotgun mic or do you want an omni-directional mic? I think I have an Azden SGM-X somewhere around here. That's the sort of shotgun mic you'd want to look for, within that sort of budget limit. If you're looking for something omni-directional, Audio Technica makes an inexpensive stereo mic that's a nice improvement over an onboard.

February 27th, 2006, 10:07 PM	#3
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I'm guessing you want a shotgun (since you have your eye on the Videomic), but depending on what you are shooting, those little ATs can be pretty nice for a consumer camera.

March 2nd, 2006, 03:35 AM	#5
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Say Dan, does AT publish a S/N spec on that ATR55?

March 2nd, 2006, 03:39 AM	#6
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I'm almost thinking of maybe picking up that little shotty from you, to give to my youngest son along with a little Panny palmcorder that I'm going to give him as a starter miniDV cam.

March 2nd, 2006, 04:10 PM	#8
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Is it in good shape? Got the camera mount piece, windscreen and all? (I almost hate to ask, but it's also kind of dumb not to.)

March 2nd, 2006, 11:49 PM	#10
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I'll send you an email Dan.

March 3rd, 2006, 03:21 AM	#11
Chris Shaeffer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Big Island, HI Posts: 25	I have an ATR55. Nice little mic for the price! Being an audio guy and having a studio full of great audio mics gives me a pretty picky ear and the 55 definitely has its issues- but its got pretty good isolation, hot output, and decent sound for its price. Its sounds WAY better than the on-camera mic on my Sony TRV9. Compared to the VX1000, which as an excellent on-camera mic... well, I'd only use the 55 for its off-axis rejection when I need to focus in on something far away and the on camera mic was getting too much background noise. And then it needs to be OFF the camera. The 55 may be a bit big looking for that little camera (the GS65) and you'll have to be really careful with camera handling noise: it gets transmitted mechanically to the mic and sounds horrible. A shock mount would really help, mounting it off camera, or even just holding it with your other hand to get if off the camera body. But I was surprised by it, over all. Not bad for the low price and mini plug. Take care, Chris

March 3rd, 2006, 04:04 AM	#12
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	You might be pleasantly surprised by the ATR-25 too. Amazing for a sub $30 stereo mic IMHO. Amazon was selling them under 30 bucks with free shipping when I picked one up last year (unless my memory is toast), but I just looked and they apparently aren't stocking them anymore (just offering them from someone else, through them for about $40 with the ship).

March 4th, 2006, 03:06 PM	#14
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I just dropped a check in the mail to Dan.