Microphone for interviews with HDR-HC1

[John van Rosendaal]

I'm new to DV and I'm currently trying to put my first short piece together. I have a Sony HDR-HC1 for now, outfitted with a Rode Videomic. I need to do some interviews, though, and I understand the Videomic isn't right for that.

So, I'm looking for a decent solution. Some more background: the camera doesn't have the so-called XLR connection, but just a little microphone jack; I'm doing journalism work; I'd like to be able to use the microphone on a future upgraded camera as well; my work will be mostly in Europe and the Middle East.

With that in mind:
- what is a good, affordable, sturdy and reliable microphone that would fit this camera and a later more professional camera?
- how much cable do I realistically need to have?
- should I change the camera's audio settings when I do interviews?

Thanks

[Peter Rhalter]

If you are planning on using a camera-mounted mic for your interview audio you may as well stick with your Videomic. Possibly a Sennheiser MKE300 supercardioid might be a slight improvement. It is battery powered and will connect with your mini jack.

However, you will get far better results by using a mic that is placed closer to your subject. This would be either a boom pole mounted shotgun or hypercardioid, or a lavalier mic placed right on the interviewee. If you go to the "Now Hear This" forum, you will find lots of discussions on the merits of various microphones being used for exactly this purpose.

Best wishes,
Peter
______________________
http://www.parkfilms.com

[Peter Ferling]

I've done some of this with an HC1. I used a few old samson UFH series one wireless. However, I used high quality Audio Technica Omni Lavs. They add some good tone and not tinny. If you frame your shot closely, you can mount the lav on a boom just overhead, otherwise, you'll have to mount on the person.

You will get some added noise (due to the unbalanced signal), and you can remedy that by recording a few seconds of just the room noise/ambiance. If you have either sound forge or Audition, you can apply that noise clip as a noise filter in the interviewee's recording. You do want to leave some noise/ambience, however, but it'll give you greater flexibility in shaping the sound in post.