Most pros say the same i know but myself i have a rode video mike and stereo mike and the stereo mike gives much better sound for me but thats just my line.i only shoot amateur for myself mind,cheers

Thanks for that Tom,

It will be great to have that running in the background.

At Jessops I think I've located the clamp/table top tripod you have, but it's photo doesn't seem to have the same tripod 'legs' yours has. Do you think it's the same one please?:

Jessops Clamp/Table Tripod - Jessops

"Compact 88.9mm (3.5in) clamp, with ball and socket head. Doubles as a table tripod. Maximum grip 55mm."

This really is a great solution for me as regards backup.

That's the one Peter, go for it. Get the one with the coarse plastic thread rather than the brass (fine) thread as it's much quicker to use. You'll find all sorts of uses for this tripod - as some of my other pictures show.

Brilliant Tom, thanks - looks a class little setup :o)

There's but one niggle in the ointment. The Minidisc is a mechanical device that every now and then spins up the disc to store its full memory, then switches off the disc while it remembers some more. This mechanical noise can be heard on the recording in quiet surroundings, so decent isolation between mic and recorder is a good idea.

tom.

Thanks for that Tom - I guess I could cover it with a dark sweater or something? Just now luckily won a bidding war on a MKE300 Sennheiser mic. I've contacted Jessops to clarify which Stock Code pertains to the clamp/table top tripod with the coarse plastic thread, so hopefully I'll be able to buy that soon too :o)

wow, I came into this thread looking to just read more on the XH-A1 (which I plan to purchase within the next week or two). But I liked everything I was reading on the minidisc. I actually bought a Sony MZ-RH1 minidisc player myself in Spring of last year, mainly with the intent of working with recordings of stand-up comedy (which I like to perform and record). The main thread that advised me was this thread over here:
Recording Stand up / Stand-up comedy - Best Minidisc Solution? - Minidisc Community Forums

I really haven't been using my Minidisc to its full potential but hope to change that by reading more on it in similar threads.

For an off-camera recorder you'd have to go a long way to beat the Roland Edirol R-09HR a brilliant, small, compact (smaller than a packet of cigarettes) professional recorder that records to SD card. Use the excellent built-in mic or plug in your own.

Don't have the website so google it and see

I have a M-audio Microtrack for that purpose. It doesn't have XLR inputs, but does have 1/4" balanced, so I use XLR-to-1/4" cables. Its weak spot is that it has a built-in rechargeable battery, so for a long event it needs to be plugged into an AC outlet.

Hi Tom

How to you get your Minidisc recordings into your computer? Do you play them via your videocamera to get to your computer? What cable(s) should I get for this do you think? The little Minidisc (same as yours) I got had some rust around the battery contacts. I've scraped the rust away and used the tip of a knife to make the contacts touch a little better, and it seems to be working okay now :o)

There's an 'optical cable' with the Minidisc but I'm not sure if I can plug this into my XHA1 (ideally would like to attach the Minidisc directly to my iMac).

As regards the Jessops tabletop tripod/clamp I wrote to them "Dear Sir/Madam, For the Jessops Clamp/Table Tripod (Stock Code : 1018506) I need the one with the coarse plastic thread rather than the brass (fine) thread. Can you please clarify the Stock Code of the Jessops Clamp/Table Tripod which has the coarse plastic thread? I look forward to hearing from you, and placing my order. Regards, Peter"

They replied "Dear Peter Dunphy,

Thank-you for your email.

The Jessops Clamp/Table Tripod (Stock Code : 1018506) has a brass thread and is not plastic.


Regards
Lee Warren
Jessops Sales"

I've since written back to them with "Hi Lee

I've been advised by a videographer that there is a Jessops Clamp/Table Tripod available with a coarse plastic thread. Can you please advise which Stock Code it would be?

Regards

Peter"

...so I'll hope for the best :o)

If the plastic one is not available, would the brass thread one still be okay to use do you think?
_________

I take the audio out of the Minidisc's headphone socket as the optical cable is only line in, The quality is still high because the mic is where you want it to be, and not where the camera wants to be.

The coarse threaded version will be fine - it just takes far longer to tighten it up, that's all.

tom.

Thanks Tom,

The audio from the headphones socket - does that cable go straight into your camera? Am not sure what cable I should scour Ebay for :o)

BTW I went for 100 Sony Premiums and a Head Cleaner :o)

Peter

You did good on the tapes. Use the head cleaner sparingly.

The audio cable is a stereo 1/8" mini plug (same as your headphones of course) and it will terminate in whatever your sound card input is - often the same plug. I go in through my Storm bay, so it's normal phone sockets for me.

Sync it up on the timeline visually at one frame resolution and away you go.

tom.

Thanks Tom, I've just volunteered to shoot my uncle's wedding for free on the 22nd! My two wireless lavs are on the way and I got my tabletop/clamp tripod today from Jessops, albeit with the brass thread as the ones with the plastic thread couldn't be obtained for love nor money :o)

And for anyone that's intererested in connecting their Minidisc to iMac here's some additional useful info I found:

"1/8" to 1/8" stereo cable , to the Line input of the iMac , You can go into Utilities , to Audio Midi setup and Adjust the input for Mic or Line level . then go to System Preferences / Sound and adjust the gain ( it has Meters so you can see the input level ) set the 900 to "Line Out" in the menu ( Audio Output)

Next Download Either "Final Vinyl " from Apple Downloads ( Very clean recorder , good audio quality) or if you want something more involved , Audacity is another freeby

Audio Recorder 3.1 also works and is VERY simple , multiple format recorder

Final Apple - Downloads - Audio - Final Vinyl

Audacity Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder

Audio Recorder http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/17392 "

My usage so far with Sony MZ-RH1 & different mics
 

I know this thread is wedding oriented, but since there's a spectacular discussion of MD usage going on, I wanted to chime in and take any advice anyone has to offer:

I purchased a Sony MZ-RH1 Hi-MD unit back in the Spring of 2007 and my main use so far has been to record stand up comedy with it (I record myself and other comedians). Like you Peter, soon I would like to use my Hi-MD for short films too. So far I've used my Hi-MD pretty passively, taking it out here and there. Saving the audio just to hear it out, but never using it (I just used the built in mic on my Sony HC1 and it was always fine for what was needed).

When I bought my MZ-RH1, I bought it from sound professionals and it came with the SP-BMC-2 Omnidirectional Stereo Microphones with clips. I also added on a SP-SPSB-2 SOUND PROFESSIONALS SUPER MINI BATTERY MODULE for $59.00 with a 6" output cable. Whenever I used this, I would take the mics into the battery module, put that in the optical line in, and record near my camera. The volume was always a lot lower than the sound I got in my camera, but (I believe) it did sound cleaner.

I had also picked up a $25 Omnidirectional Mono Microphone ( w/ 5 foot cable) from giant-squid-audio-lab.com around the time I bought my minidisc, but never got around to using it. Finally when I mysteriously lost my mini battery module this year, I started attaching the Giant Squid Audio Lab mic to my shirt and connecting the mic to the Hi-MD that I would keep in my back pocket while on stage.

I really would like to try this table top tripod method that's been discussed here. Getting a direct line from the PA has never worked out and for most of the shows I record, it's a small room with a mic that plugs into a big speaker that's sort of behind the comedian. I know in better rooms like the Improv or something, the sound comes from all over so maybe for there, I need a different solution.

I had gotten a lot of advice in two forums over on minidisc.org:
1) Recording standup: Recording Stand up / Stand-up comedy - Best Minidisc Solution? - Minidisc Community Forums
2) Using a minidisc on a video production:Using Minidisc For Video Production - Minidisc Community Forums

One of the ultimate things recommended for me was to purchase the AT822. I hadn't got around to doing it, but now that I'm an XH-A1 owner (thanks Dave!, http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...078#post932078), I'd like to finally make the purchase for this mic.

I'd love to hear any further thoughts in regards to using the MD in general or the MD w/ the Canon XH-A1.

That is absolutely brilliant Tom.

Another supporter of MD is myself. I've been using MD for over a decade now and I love the format. Another thought is the hundreds of thousands of writes and rewrites possible on the MD. The heads are a little fragile, but now since its a defunct standard, you can easily purchase replacement units cheaply.

Solid State recording definitely has a barrier to entry in price.

MD Recorders at the highest quality are almost as good as tape!

I've copied the exact same setup and it works a charm! :o)

No motor noise getting through Peter? A mod I've made is to have the top and bottom clamp jaws held away from the MD recorder itself by fairly thick (10 mm) foam rubber, helping to isolate the mic.

Good idea Tom thanks! Where would be good to buy the foam rubber do you think? B+Q?

I had some on the workshop shelf. Better yet is to mount the mic in the Rode elasticated isolation unit. Quite cheap - I think about £25

Because of this thread I have bought an MZ-R900 too :-)

Excellent I'll check it out thanks :o)

EDIT: Are you referring to a Rode Shock Mount? If so, it seems tricky, from the Rode official website, to know whether they are compatible with the Sennheiser mic.

I found this one : Rode NTSM3 but not sure if it's compatible

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/f...roduct_id/8579

Will keep researching :o)

Happy days! The automatic volume limiter is really good. I've yelled and clapped into my mic at the top of my voice and it doesn't distort :o)

'Frog Party' was very good Richard!

Thank you so much Peter. After 6 months I'm amazed that people are still watching it.

After a lot of hunting I decided on (non-rechargeable) Duracell Plus Battery Alkaline 1.5V AA (12 pack) for my Sennheiser LAVs. I chose these because these were the same battery type that came with the LAVs. However, I would like to buy suitable rechargeable batteries, and a relevant charger. I've been on some sites such as 'battery review' but I've ended up more confused. Any tips or suggestions for batteries anyone please?

That's the one Peter. I see it has a conventional shoe but it'd be neat if it had a tripod thread in it as well to fit directly to the little Jessops tripod.

Hmm definitely, would definitely need a connection to the Jessops tripod. In looking at the shock mount in more detail it states :

"A Three Way Mounting System With 1/4”x 20 And 3/8" 16 Internal Threads For Boom Pole Or Tripod Mounting And A Standard Hot Shoe Adaptor For Direct Camera Mounting.

**Distance Between Suspension Bands: 2.25""

Not sure if that means there's a chance it might be compatible with the Jessops tripod or not. If definitely unsuitable, perhaps there's a little adaptor I could place between the Jessops tripod and the shock mount? Will keep searching :o)

It's compatible with the Jessops tripod.

t

Excellent thanks! Ordered one and all :o)

Started using my XH-A1 for the first time today and my God it's a dream! Early days but in particular I love the 'peaking' function to aid focusing. I'd like to have this on all the time - don't know if will run down the battery any quicker though! :o/

Can anyone help me?
 

Hi,

I'm truly appreciate any suggestions about the following audio dilemma of mine.

Gearing up for my first wedding video on the 22nd (voluntary, unpaid, for my uncle who wasn't going to get a wedding video done) and I went to the rehearsal today, and now I'm having a mild panic having seen what sound coverage I will need.

Today I checked out the Church where I'm filming and discovered the priest is already wearing a radio-mic, and will be walking about lots speaking and singing. There is also a mic at the 'lecturn' from where the readers speak but I forgot to ask whether it is also wireless.

I bought the 'SENNHEISER EW112P EVOLUTION WIRELESS G2 KIT' and the 'SENNHEISER EW 100-ENG G2' and am to start testing them tonight with my XHA1 (am already wondering how on earth I will attach both receivers to the camera as I want the output of my two transmitters to go into each of the relevant receivers attached to the XLR sockets on the camera - one lav per audio channel!)

I checked the priest's 'receiver' at the back of the church and discovered two Sennheiser 'Diversity Receiver EW100' boxes on top of each other. Below them is a much bigger Sennheiser EM 1031-U 'True Diversity Receiver' which looks much more elaborate.

Ideally, I would love to be able to use my wireless lavs as I had planned, but does anyone here think there would be any danger whatsoever of my wireless mics disrupting the church's own mics? How might I ensure they are all definitely on totally different frequencies?

Failing this, I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience of attaching the Sennheiser plug-in (from the 'SENNHEISER EW 100-ENG G2' setup) to the Sennheiser Diversity Receivers I've previously mentioned?

I want to be 100% sure of what I'm doing before I tamper with the church's own receivers, for fear of screwing up their own wireless system and not being able to perform the wedding properly!

If there are any extra cables/adaptors I might need to attach my plug-in to the church's Diversity Receivers I'd really appreciate any suggestions. What sockets might I need to look out for to plug them into?

I've informed the church guy that I will turn up 2 hours before the wedding to practice, and ideally either set up my own wireless mics (that hopefully won't conflict with the church's mics) or else get a feed directly from the church's Diversity Receiver, using my plug-in transmitter to send the signal directly to my receiver on my camera.

The speakers in the church were up way-high near the roof, so I am not able even to have a lav attached to a speaker, or even sitting near one.

My audio kit is:

'SENNHEISER EW112P EVOLUTION WIRELESS G2 KIT'

'SENNHEISER EW 100-ENG G2'

Sony MZ-R900 Minidisc with MKE300 Sennheiser Mic

XHA1 internal mic

Any suggestions about what I might do to get usable sound in this already radio-mic'ed church would be really appreciated!

Peter

Hi Peter
I can't give you any advice on the wireless set-up in the church.
But if you haven't see it already I recommend watching this G2 video by DV info member Guy Cochran:
DV Gear Talk

Calm down, all will be well.
First, make sure your XH-A1 works well with your two radio mics tured on. Easy to test.

Now go along to the church and get them to turn on their sound system, including any radio mics that will be used during the service. Turn on your radio mics as well, don headphones and get someone to test the mics.

If you're clashing frequencies you'll know all about it as the church's speakers will tell you. You'll then have to change the frequency of one of your mics and its matching receiver - making sure it's different from your other mic of course.

tom.

Thanks Richard and Tom that's really helpful. I guess there are loads of frequencies available aren't there? I'm just nervous that a conflict in frequencies might not be noticed via a sudden 'squeal' until halfway through the vows! :o)

If my 'RF' light on my receiver lights up green, surely that means I have total command of that particular frequency? Or is there a chance that the church could still be using that frequency? I'd love to be able to press a display button or whatever on their receiver boxes and see exactly what frequencies they are using, to put my mind at rest. Unfortunately, I don't don't how to operate their receiver boxes and am petrified of ruining them!

Saw this advice in another post in dvinfo.net forums:

"With the G2, just wait for the church to power up all their micing systems then use the freq search function on the G2 to look for unused freqs. You won't have an interference problem then."

I think I can breathe easier now. Thanks again for your advice guys. No doubt I'll be posting in this thread again soon with some other major dilemma! ;o)

Canon XH A1 Charger Adaptor
 

Quick Note for whoever might find this helpful:

My XHA1 (in the UK) didn't come with an adaptor in order to plug it in to the mains supply.

The adaptor you will need to buy requires a 5 Amp Fuse (a 1 amp fuse will not be sufficient).

My G2 wireless mics worked a treat. There were radiomics (Sennheiser) already being used in the church but I tuned to different frequencies using the Banks/Channels option on the Menu.

Every so often there was ever so slight 'hiss/spit' but it's hardly noticeable. I'm assuming this may have been due to my wireless mics being located close to the 'in-house' mics people were speaking into.

However, I'd appreciate any suggestions on this:

I had to adjust my incoming audio levels downwards whenever there was loud clapping or laughing so the sound wouldn't distort (I listened through headphones). On the XH A1 is it possible to have an Automatic Volume Limiting System (AVLS) such as I can get on my Minidisc recorder. I notice there is a Mic ATT but I'm not sure of its purpose yet. This is mostly for the benefit of my hearing - I was nearly deafened on a couple of instances!

Overall, I think I did a pretty good job on my first time out. I'll post a link to an excerpt of my filming soon and see what you all think :o)

Hi
I had a wireless lav going into each of my channels on my XHA1.

However, in Final Cut Pro I can't seem to independently edit the sound on each of the tracks without the other track following the same action. I've turned off 'snap' and 'linked selection' but am still getting it. Any suggestions please?

Thanks

Peter

Figured it out - just untick the 'stereo' option under 'Modify'