Best microphone for PMW-EX1?
 

Hello, i can't choosea microphone for my future ex1. I think about the MKH416 from Sennheiser but this masterpiece have not a lowcut filter. Are there separate lowcut filter for this microphone (small size, not a mixer)? Or the PMW-EX1 has one built in?

Alessandro Zumstein

What about the mic which comes with the Sony PDW-530P ? It's had some very good reviews.

Why don't you wait and test the built-in microphone that comes with the camera?

Stelios

Best microphone for the EX1
 

Because the built in microphone of the ex1 is not a directional shotgun microphone but a stereo omnidirectional microphone.

Alessandro Zumstein

Why not choose according to task not camera?
 

I don't understand how your choice of camera affects what microphone you want to buy. Please explain.

Justin.

Ominidirectional.
Enough said there. LOL
The last thing I want is a recording of me swearing behind the camera. LOL

Find the best solution
 

Hello users, i have no longer problems with chosing the ideal mikrophone.
Mi final chose, go to the Neumann KMR-81, this amazing high-end piece have a low cut fileter built in and a "limiter" switch. The price is a little higher than expected because "it's neumann".

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=c...id=kmr81i_data

Alessandro Zumstein

I would be looking at a good stereo shotgun. There are a few available, in the $600-1,400 range at B&H. Here are a few examples...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...o_Shotgun.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ICROPHONE.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...o_Shotgun.html

I'm curious what the advantage would be to a stereo shotgun? It would seem to be at cross-purposes to itself, in that a shotgun is supposed to be focused in a single direction and yet it somehow would also have to provide enough separation between the channels to sound different than a mono mic on two channels. Where would you use something like that?

Sennheiser ME66
 

I've used the Sennheiser ME66 for years, first on my PD150, then the HVX200, and soon, perhaps, on the the EX1. It suits my needs fine, and I can't imagine that the near $1000 price difference for the Sennheiser 416 is worth it for camera-mounted run-and-gun type work.

B&H has a great package deal.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...oid_Short.html

M + S
 

Well, I know there are circumstances when an M + S pair would be ideal on a mic - in addition to the directional mic (see Sennheiser's MKH 418 S), eg. for factual programming such as natural history or carefully controlled settings. Otherwise, I would be tempted to go for a directional shotgun mic and record additional tracks separately.

Of course, the choice of a PWM EX1 from Sony has absolutely NO bearing on this choice of mic, over and above the choice of any other camera.

Some of these (if not all) have the ability to be switched between stereo and mono. Stereo is important for natural history programming or stock footage and a good quality mike like one of the ones I listed would certainly beat in quality the built-in microphone. If a directionality is required, it's a simple matter of switching that option on. A stereo mike is simply more versatile and if I get the EX1, that would be my choice.

I can confirm the M+S shotguns can be very useful; I have one (Edirol CS-50) to use almost exclusively on my V1E, but this camera hasn't got its own mic, so having both mono and stereo choice makes more sense. For the EX1, I'm buing a mono shotgun - the ECM-673 or above are good enough for general purpose use.

I can second that, too. I have been using the Sennheiser MKH 418 (M-S-Stereo) for quite a while on my Canon A1. You always have all choices in post. If you should need only pristine mono (e.g. for dialouge), just drop the side channel in post, and you get a Sennheiser 416-quality sound.

Are you sure Alessandro?

Stelios

Because these kinds of mics are superior in Narrow / Mono. They use a phased array of capsules and give superior side rejection. This is important if you use the same mic indoors, more so in small rooms. You can buy a similar mic that's mono only such as the Sanken CS3.

Best microphone
 

Yes, why?

The microphone Neumann KMR-81iMT, is expensive for this kamera, i now.

Microphone for PMW-EX1
 

Take a look at the Sanken CMS-10 stereo shotgun. I reviewed it a long time ago for Michigan Vue magazine, and was getting usable dialog 6 feet from the microphone outdoors. Its shockmount was made to fit in the camera mount, and all you need is a Lightwave windscreen to finish the package. Remember, the EX1 is one of only 2 cameras in this form factor that have real PCM audio...take advantage of it. Not cheap, but definitely worth it.

Very true, but my personal plan is to take advantage of the uncompressed hi-fi audio of the EX1 only when it's really worth it, e.g. for shooting music performances of which I'm planning quite a few. But for this, I'm gonna either use decent a pair of high-end mono mics in the X-Y configuration, or "borrow" the ready mixed sound from a sound crew via the line inputs.

For run&gun situations with on-camera mic, the on-boad stereo or a decent (not necessarily top class) mono shutgun, plus of course the wireless, are more appropriate IMHO. I wouldn't feel safe using a shutgun worth the price of another camera in scenarios like this. A sticking out shotgun is probably the most damage-prone component of the setup...Not to mention the fact it could be stolen easily when unattended.

BTW I'd appreciate a recommendation on the best mirophone(s) to use for recording stereo music in the X-Y config... Bob? :)

Schoeps alternative
 

I suggest folks look at this other alternative:

Schoeps CMIT5U Professional Condenser Shotgun
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...icrophone.html

Terrific mic, especially in windy and other noisy conditions often dealt with in documentary production. Google the reviews.

One negative is that it attracts too much attention as some sort of Darth Vader sword lookalike.

L

We recently purchased the Sanken CS-1. I have used it when shooting with our 900R and have no reason to believe it wouldn't make a great nat. mic for smaller cameras as well. At just over 7" in length, it is compact and sits on a camera very nicely. Also, when indoors I will pop it off the camera and onto a boom pole for intervews. Our editors love the performance of this mic., especially when you consider the price, just 795.00 with shock mount.

Yes, this is an excellent mic for this camera. Also, for someone looking for a less expensive alternative, Audio Technica has a new short shutgun out. Model AT875R is 6.9" long, has phantom power and lists for only $259 ($199 at BH).

Thierry.

I have had great audio from my Audio Technica 897 on my Sony Z1 and Canon A1. I think I will give it a go on the EX1 when it arrives.

My ignorance
 

Dear sir,

Maybe microphone performance on particular camera in review differs because other audio capabilities Sony provided, also, balance perhaps with handhold? EX is not simple operating camera for handhold shooting. Different long or short microphone size maybe gives or looses shooting balance?

With respect,

If you are serious about sound don't even think of the internal mic. All internal mics whatever the make of camera are useless for anything other than background actuality. THe EX1 deserves a good mic to get the best out of it.

If you test it, you will also see the internal mic picks up a lot of noise. I was surprised just how noisy it is. You do not have to pay a fortune for a reasonable mic. I got the $300 AT897 Kit - Short Condenser Shotgun Microphone. I keep it on one channel and the internal on the other for background/ambiance/backup.

Whatever you do don't buy the Audio Technica AT4073A mic for the EX1. I did and have had nothing but problems with this combo. The official word from Sony is that there are serious grounding issues between this particular AT model and the EX1. Of course I can't return it now because my broadcast supplier says that it's an EX1 problem and not the fault of the mic.

Be aware that this issue is restricted the the AT4073A model ONLY and not the entire Audio Technica line of shotguns. Other mics work fine on the EX1 and the AT4073A mic works fine on other cameras. It's actually an awsome mic for the money. Guess I'll use it on my PD170 from now on.

- Don

Keep in mind that Sony offers rebates on its shotgun Mics if you buy one within 30 days of buying the EX1.

I bought the ECM-680s and got a $150 rebate. It's a great stereo shotgun (if one misses the internal stereo mic) which has a mono switch as well with very good side rejection. You'd need a 5 pin to 3 pin XLR adaptor for it though.

Another take on the the AT4073A
 

I use the Audio Technica AT4073A with the EX1 and love it...No problems with grounding.

Thanks for the feedback Alex. I'll be sure to mention this when I talk to my EX1 supplier on Tuesday. I'm getting a crackling, static-type problem even when I wiggle the XLR cable between the mic and camera. Trying a different cable didn't solve it. Adjusting the EX's mic sensitivity setting didn't change anything either. And of course the recorded audio has a certain amount of static noise but it's not consistent.

I tried an ME66 for comparison and it was rock solid.

- Don

The Røde nt4
 

I use the Røde Nt4 for concerts on the ex1 (with a shockmount) it is an instant XY. Goes for cheap online (Like $450) and sounds wonderful. Really captures the room and the music.

It can really handle the high Db/spl of a music venue without distortion. The capsules sound AMAZING and it can run off of an internal 9V battery or +48.

My .02
-Josh

Ok.
 

I'll concede that the ability of the EX1 to record uncompressed PCM (16 bits) is a a good reason to re-think the sound you capture. Aside from that, get the best one you can for the job in hand. Schoeps would be my choice, followed by Sanken. I think the original poster went for a Neumann mic which is anything but compact. Perhaps balance was not his concern.

We did another test yesterday down at the broadcast supply house I deal with and the Senn ME66 exhibited the exact same symptoms as my Audio Technica mic, so it's a camera issue and not a mic issue. Their suggestion is to advise Sony and take it in for testing and repair.

- Don

How are you all mounting them
 

Is anyone putting these mics into the on-camera mic mount? I saw one picture of someone who removed the camera mount and bolted on their own shock mount. Are you mounting them on the top? I guess some fit the camera mount and some don't. Any comments?

My supplier recommended a Sennheiser K6/ME66. I'm more than happy with the sound quality but initially it arrived without any kind of PMW-EX1 adapter and was so loose it was unusable on the camera. They then supplied a plastic ring that goes between the mic and the Sony mount and makes it rock solid when camera mounted.

However with the wind shield on I've got caught out several times when using the PMW-EX1 at its wider settings - the wind shield shows up in the top right hand corner of the frame. The whole thing feels like one heck of a kludge to be honest.

I'm using this on my EX.

The picture entitled "ksm3.jpg" is the model I actually have. The picture "kbwc8.jpg" shows the screw on adapter that mounts in the stock camera mic holder, which I'm also using.

http://www.mklemme.com/

- Don

The standard mic mount breaks way too easy.
I've made my own:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....80&postcount=6

When I get some time I'm making a number of the brackets and I'll get them black anodised.