Shotgun Mic for the Panasonic HMC 40 at DVinfo.net

Brandon Tompkins · February 17th, 2010, 06:07 AM

I am wondering what is the best XLR mic to get under $200 for my HMC 40? Also what is the best size to get 6 inch long or 10 inch? I was told the 10 inch may be too long for my camera. (will be shooting more like Video Journalist style)
I been looking at the MXL FR-303 and 300. Both for $130.

Robert M Wright · February 17th, 2010, 08:24 PM

I like the Azden SGM-2X for a low cost XLR mic. It's basically two mics in one, with interchangeable barrels to make it either an omni or a supercardioid.

It looks like they have a rebate on the SGM-2X right now (making it $179 after the rebate at B&H):

Azden | SGM-2X - Omni/Supercardioid Mic | SGM-2X | B&H Photo

Anthony Lovell · May 26th, 2010, 01:36 PM

Robert, I just ordered this Azden mike. I have an EX1 which will want to see this as an XLR input. What sort of cable do I need for this? Low Z?

edit: I think I have it -- ordered a straight variant of this one

tone

Antonio Ricca · May 26th, 2010, 02:14 PM

Consider the Audio Technica AT875R. I have bought it for my HMC151 and match perfectly. Mounted on the camera shockmount the sound is much more crisp and clear but with surrounding sound still present. If you think about, this is not an issue. I have bought from UK for 88GBP (around 100 Euro) a demo item but really still new in box.
If you want, I can send you some test following your specifications.
Regards.

Mark L. Whalen · May 26th, 2010, 03:10 PM

+1 for the Audio Technica AT875. I use mine in both on and off camera situations with great results.

Chris Harding · May 26th, 2010, 06:01 PM

Hi Brandon

I'm using RodeVM's on both cameras and I tossed my AT mike..the Rodes are awesome for punching thru heavy background noise.. I do weddings and at guest drinks time you have a high ambient level which my AT just couldn't handle well. The videomic does an amazing job in bad conditions!!!

However the AT would probably be a better unit if you have pristine "studio type" environments!!

Ask Sherri about using her Rode on outdoor shoots too...she loves it!!! or check out some of her videos here

Chris

Mike Beckett · May 27th, 2010, 06:22 AM

Anthony,

That XLR cable should be fine, the specs show it to be an XLR mic. Right-angle "female" XLR into the mic, the other end, the 3-pin male, into the camera's XLR.

I have a Rode NTG-1 up top on my HMC41, complete with Rycote softie at the moment, and it's a bit long (although it doesn't intrude into the shot without a wideangle converter). I have the AT875R on order (with softie) and will use it for on-cam sound because it is a smaller mic. The NTG1 will then live on my pistol grip or inside the blimp for off-cam sound.

As for short cables, I make my own. Even 30cm cables are too long when you have a tiny cam like the HMC40/41 and I find they get in the way.

Sherri Nestico · May 28th, 2010, 06:13 PM

Brandon,

As Chris said, I do love the Rode Videomic on my HMC-40. Ninety-nine percent of what I do is for my newspaper's Web site so, at least for me, XLR audio is overkill. The Videomic worked great right out of the box, didn't have to fiddle with the camera audio menus at all. And the side-noise and rear-noise rejection is great for a mike in its price range.

Duane Steiner · May 29th, 2010, 08:47 AM

I also use the Audio Technica AT875R and it is fine.

February 17th, 2010, 06:07 AM	#1
Brandon Tompkins Tourist Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 4	Shotgun Mic for the Panasonic HMC 40 I am wondering what is the best XLR mic to get under $200 for my HMC 40? Also what is the best size to get 6 inch long or 10 inch? I was told the 10 inch may be too long for my camera. (will be shooting more like Video Journalist style) I been looking at the MXL FR-303 and 300. Both for $130.

May 28th, 2010, 06:13 PM	#8
Sherri Nestico Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL Posts: 167	Brandon, As Chris said, I do love the Rode Videomic on my HMC-40. Ninety-nine percent of what I do is for my newspaper's Web site so, at least for me, XLR audio is overkill. The Videomic worked great right out of the box, didn't have to fiddle with the camera audio menus at all. And the side-noise and rear-noise rejection is great for a mike in its price range. __________________ Follow me on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/TCPalmSherriNestico

May 29th, 2010, 08:47 AM	#9
Duane Steiner Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA Posts: 195	I also use the Audio Technica AT875R and it is fine. __________________ www.speedandmotion.com

February 17th, 2010, 08:24 PM	#2
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I like the Azden SGM-2X for a low cost XLR mic. It's basically two mics in one, with interchangeable barrels to make it either an omni or a supercardioid. It looks like they have a rebate on the SGM-2X right now (making it $179 after the rebate at B&H): Azden \| SGM-2X - Omni/Supercardioid Mic \| SGM-2X \| B&H Photo

May 26th, 2010, 01:36 PM	#3
Anthony Lovell Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 31	Robert, I just ordered this Azden mike. I have an EX1 which will want to see this as an XLR input. What sort of cable do I need for this? Low Z? edit: I think I have it -- ordered a straight variant of this one tone

May 26th, 2010, 02:14 PM	#4
Antonio Ricca Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Napoli, Italy Posts: 41	Consider the Audio Technica AT875R. I have bought it for my HMC151 and match perfectly. Mounted on the camera shockmount the sound is much more crisp and clear but with surrounding sound still present. If you think about, this is not an issue. I have bought from UK for 88GBP (around 100 Euro) a demo item but really still new in box. If you want, I can send you some test following your specifications. Regards.

May 26th, 2010, 03:10 PM	#5
Mark L. Whalen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: United States Posts: 106	+1 for the Audio Technica AT875. I use mine in both on and off camera situations with great results.

May 26th, 2010, 06:01 PM	#6
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Brandon I'm using RodeVM's on both cameras and I tossed my AT mike..the Rodes are awesome for punching thru heavy background noise.. I do weddings and at guest drinks time you have a high ambient level which my AT just couldn't handle well. The videomic does an amazing job in bad conditions!!! However the AT would probably be a better unit if you have pristine "studio type" environments!! Ask Sherri about using her Rode on outdoor shoots too...she loves it!!! or check out some of her videos here Chris

May 27th, 2010, 06:22 AM	#7
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Anthony, That XLR cable should be fine, the specs show it to be an XLR mic. Right-angle "female" XLR into the mic, the other end, the 3-pin male, into the camera's XLR. I have a Rode NTG-1 up top on my HMC41, complete with Rycote softie at the moment, and it's a bit long (although it doesn't intrude into the shot without a wideangle converter). I have the AT875R on order (with softie) and will use it for on-cam sound because it is a smaller mic. The NTG1 will then live on my pistol grip or inside the blimp for off-cam sound. As for short cables, I make my own. Even 30cm cables are too long when you have a tiny cam like the HMC40/41 and I find they get in the way.