Mic for Optura Xi at DVinfo.net

Michael Wisniewski · May 27th, 2004, 03:51 PM

Is the built-in mic attenuator a redundant feature when used with a beachtek adapter or is there some benefit to using both at the same time?

Bryan Beasleigh · May 27th, 2004, 08:49 PM

The built in attenuator is 20 db and should be used only if your input becomes too loud. try and keep the manual gain at no more than 60% and your audio peaking around -12db.

Use the Beach for primary attenuation. 20 db is a fair chunk. 6db attenuation halves a signal. The Xi looks like a really well featured camera.

You may want to use a flash bracket or a mini rover to keep a mic away from the camera. that would prevent camera noise and keep the mic out of the picture.

The illustration in the link is canadian so don't let the prices give you heart failure. look at the mini rover on the bottom, it's $50 at B&H. You can buy cheaper flash vrackets for $13 but they're not nearly as nice.

http://www.dvshop.ca/camera/videosmith.html

Jason Dirks · January 18th, 2005, 08:55 PM

Howdy,

I'm looking at several indepenent mics to use with my Xi. One for on-camera mounting (dm-50 or the sennheiser mke-300), and one as a seperate shotgun (currently looking at the azden sgm-2x.

My question is do any of you have any experience with the above models? These seem to have gotten good press and fit within my budget as well, so I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

Jason

Chris Hurd · January 18th, 2005, 09:18 PM

I like the Senn 300, but you really can't beat the DM-50 for convenience, since it plugs right into the hot shoe. I doubt you'd notice any real diff. between them. Somebody else will have to pipe up about a wireless. Although there is a tiny little Samson that would be perfect for an Xi. Forgot the model, though. But it's tiny, just right for this cam.

Dave Perry · January 18th, 2005, 11:01 PM

I use the MKE-300 and love it. It's a great cheap shotgun and I have adapted it for boom use as well as on camera. Picked mine up on eBay for $65.

Chris, I thought the DM-50 was a stereo mic also?

Chris Hurd · January 18th, 2005, 11:03 PM

Yes, two stereo patterns, one mono pattern.

Nathan Petersen · November 24th, 2006, 09:39 PM

I may be in the wrong forum. Anyway I am thinking about getting a mic for the hot shoe of the optura xi, but not sure which one to get or which ones will work with the optura xi. I was looking at a few on B and H photo but don't remember the links, anybody have any suggestions?

John Reilly · November 25th, 2006, 04:22 AM

Hi,

I have an Xi and I use the Canon shotgun mic which looks like it came as part of the camera body...nice look, nice sound, for the money...got it at my local Canon dealer....

Just make sure NOT to have the mic attenuator setting, in the camera menu, turned on, as I found out....I left it ON, and the sound was weak, as a result, during a backyard birthday party. I suppose it WOULD BE APPROPRIATE if you were in a loud nightclub or at an air show or similar loud event...

Also, you wouldn't go wrong with the basic Rode Video Mic....lots of readers' posts confirm this....but get extra "rubber bands" (o-rings that hold shock mount base to microphone), as the originals will dry out and break. Rode will send you extras at no cost if you request them....they are also coming out with the heavy duty silicone bands which last longer, as well.

Good Luck!

James W. Graham · November 25th, 2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Petersen

I may be in the wrong forum. Anyway I am thinking about getting a mic for the hot shoe of the optura xi, but not sure which one to get or which ones will work with the optura xi. I was looking at a few on B and H photo but don't remember the links, anybody have any suggestions?

I've always had good experiences with the Azden 990. An inexpensive shotgun mic, and sounds way better than you would expect for a hundred dollar mic.

When I used the smaller Canons, like the zr20's, with their horrible motor whir, the 990 was perfect. A good robust sound and no cam noise what so ever.

Chris Hurd · November 25th, 2006, 08:42 AM

Moved to Optura forum from Open DV Discussion.

Nathan Petersen · December 3rd, 2006, 03:44 AM

thanks guys I will check out some of these.

Dave Perry · December 3rd, 2006, 10:51 AM

I've heard great things about the Rode mic and have considered getting one but I use the Zenhieser MKE 300 which works well also. Got it on eBay for $80.

Nick Royer · April 9th, 2007, 04:09 PM

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=91044

This is what I would say you should get.

May 27th, 2004, 03:51 PM	#1
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Mic attenuator + Beachtek adapter? Is the built-in mic attenuator a redundant feature when used with a beachtek adapter or is there some benefit to using both at the same time?

May 27th, 2004, 08:49 PM	#2
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The built in attenuator is 20 db and should be used only if your input becomes too loud. try and keep the manual gain at no more than 60% and your audio peaking around -12db. Use the Beach for primary attenuation. 20 db is a fair chunk. 6db attenuation halves a signal. The Xi looks like a really well featured camera. You may want to use a flash bracket or a mini rover to keep a mic away from the camera. that would prevent camera noise and keep the mic out of the picture. The illustration in the link is canadian so don't let the prices give you heart failure. look at the mini rover on the bottom, it's $50 at B&H. You can buy cheaper flash vrackets for $13 but they're not nearly as nice. http://www.dvshop.ca/camera/videosmith.html __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

January 18th, 2005, 08:55 PM	#3
Jason Dirks Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 27	Mic to use w/ the Xi Howdy, I'm looking at several indepenent mics to use with my Xi. One for on-camera mounting (dm-50 or the sennheiser mke-300), and one as a seperate shotgun (currently looking at the azden sgm-2x. My question is do any of you have any experience with the above models? These seem to have gotten good press and fit within my budget as well, so I would appreciate any input. Thanks. Jason

January 18th, 2005, 09:18 PM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	I like the Senn 300, but you really can't beat the DM-50 for convenience, since it plugs right into the hot shoe. I doubt you'd notice any real diff. between them. Somebody else will have to pipe up about a wireless. Although there is a tiny little Samson that would be perfect for an Xi. Forgot the model, though. But it's tiny, just right for this cam. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 18th, 2005, 11:01 PM	#5
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	I use the MKE-300 and love it. It's a great cheap shotgun and I have adapted it for boom use as well as on camera. Picked mine up on eBay for $65. Chris, I thought the DM-50 was a stereo mic also? __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

January 18th, 2005, 11:03 PM	#6
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Yes, two stereo patterns, one mono pattern. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 24th, 2006, 09:39 PM	#7
Nathan Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 95	Mic for Optura Xi I may be in the wrong forum. Anyway I am thinking about getting a mic for the hot shoe of the optura xi, but not sure which one to get or which ones will work with the optura xi. I was looking at a few on B and H photo but don't remember the links, anybody have any suggestions?

November 25th, 2006, 04:22 AM	#8
John Reilly Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Eastern Los Angeles County, CA Posts: 70	2 mic possibilities Hi, I have an Xi and I use the Canon shotgun mic which looks like it came as part of the camera body...nice look, nice sound, for the money...got it at my local Canon dealer.... Just make sure NOT to have the mic attenuator setting, in the camera menu, turned on, as I found out....I left it ON, and the sound was weak, as a result, during a backyard birthday party. I suppose it WOULD BE APPROPRIATE if you were in a loud nightclub or at an air show or similar loud event... Also, you wouldn't go wrong with the basic Rode Video Mic....lots of readers' posts confirm this....but get extra "rubber bands" (o-rings that hold shock mount base to microphone), as the originals will dry out and break. Rode will send you extras at no cost if you request them....they are also coming out with the heavy duty silicone bands which last longer, as well. Good Luck!

November 25th, 2006, 08:42 AM	#10
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Moved to Optura forum from Open DV Discussion. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 3rd, 2006, 03:44 AM	#11
Nathan Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 95	thanks guys I will check out some of these.

December 3rd, 2006, 10:51 AM	#12
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	I've heard great things about the Rode mic and have considered getting one but I use the Zenhieser MKE 300 which works well also. Got it on eBay for $80. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

April 9th, 2007, 04:09 PM	#13
Nick Royer Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 133	http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=91044 This is what I would say you should get. __________________ Sincerely, Nick Royer