need advice re shotgun mic for EX1...
 

Hi there,
I'm hoping you can advise me... my EX1 is on the way, should have it this week, and I'm ordering an extra battery and 16GB card, but definitely need a good shotgun mic.
Good sound is the priority, obviously, but I'd also like something that fits the EX1 properly, both in terms of length, and circumference.
So what would people recommend? Here are some possibilities:

- Sennheiser ME66 ($479 at B&H)
- Audio Technica 4073 ($569.95 at B&H)
- Sennheiser MKH-416 ($1,100 at B&H) is longer and more expensive
- Sony ECM-680 Stereo Shotgun Microphone ($850; a bit more than the first two, but I think you can get a rebate from Sony if you've just bought the EX)

If there's another, better possibility that hasn't occurred to me, please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
Malcolm

Malcom, be very cautious when doing this as there are some of us having technical problems when putting a shotgun on the ex. I am awaiting a solution as I currently have the me66 and have clipping problems. Read the following posts if you havnt already.

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=117354

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=115101

Thank you Mark, for the timely advice.

I've read the threads you highlighted, and (I'm not good with the more technical elements) this is what I picked up on re the EX1's audio "peculiarities":

- it seemed to me, part way through the threads, that cheaper shotgun mics, like the Sony ECM-673 ($295 at B&H) or the Rode NT3 ($269) might be better than the more expensive ones (???!!!!)

- it seemed possible that phantom power causes some of these issues

ON THE OTHER HAND (after reading further)...

- Piotr concludes that all that's needed in the end, is to limit your shotgun mic's input sensitivity (sorry, Piotr, if I'm simplifying what you said)...

Is this what more technically-savvy EX1-owners conclude?

And if that is indeed the case, and all I have to do is limit the mic sensitivity, any advice about which mic I should get? (I want the best sound I can get, and I also want the thing to fit, not just on the camera, but on the camera when it's in the case... i.e. are the shorter models better regarding this?)
Cheers, Malcolm

If you want short look at the Sanken CS-1. I opted for the longer CS-3e though which will work better on a boom, but the CS-1 is very short and likely a good option.

thanks Benjamin... does it fit nicely and securely on the EX1?
M.

Good thread.

A decent sound guy i know has recommended the Sennheiser 416.

Any thoughts?

The 416 is a sonic workhorse. You won't be unhappy, but put it in a Rycote or similar.

I'm using a Sony ECM-678 which I previously used on my Z1 - excellent results, no audio issues.

The 416 is, I think, too long to mount using the standard EX mic mount;the 416 is a great boom mike. Mounting the mike on camera is always a compromise and it is better on a boom. I use a Rode NTG-1 without any of the problems mentioned in the other threads. I don't use low cut but of course outdoors always mount the mike on a boom in a Rycote windshield + deadcat (furry). I don't believe that the camera mount is adequate for carrying mike + effective wind protection, but others may do so.
http://www.rycote.com/products/full_...em/windshield/

The Sennheiser 416 is 9.84 x .74 (250 x 19mm)
The Rode NTG-1 is 8.54 x .87" (217 x 022mm)

A little over an inch difference in length.

I was a long-time user of the ME66, but recently got a used Sanken CS-1, which I find superior in both quality and form. It's very, very small, far shorter and thinner than the ME66 and 416, which made me worry about its "reach," but so far no problems, and no inadvertent inclusion of the softie in the upper right of the frame. The ME66 sounds very thin in comparison. The supplied mic mount on the EX1 will not fit the mic, which can be remedied with a couple of rubber bands wrapped around the base, or better yet, get a mic mount. I prefer the Rode SM5, as it leaves my shoe free.

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

thank you all, for the info. If I go for the Sanken CS-1 (some other mics were highly recommended, but concerns were expressed about their length... I don't want to have to take my mic off the camera outdoors, to put it on a boom), I guess I should get the Rode mic mount; there's also a Rycote softie on the same B&H page (for $110) - - the odd thing is, even though it's listed as an accesssory for the Sanken CS-1, the Softie write-up says it's for the Audio Technica AT835ST or the Sony DXC-M7. Is it too long for the Sanken? Is there a better softie for use with the Sanken?
cheers, Malcolm

There you go, then.

Check out AT 4073a at Equipment Emporium
 

Malcome,

I own a 4073, which is a short shot gun that is appropriate for your EX1 in terms of size. Although I don't own an EX1, I can vouch for the sensitivity (reach) of this mic (not withstanding other reports about 48 v phantom powered mics).

Price at the Equipment Emporium is $539.95

Fred Ginsberg is the person to contact there. These people are extremely reliable and are knowledgeable about all things concerning audio.

http://www.equipmentemporium.com/Shotgun%20Mics.htm

Collis

I have the audio problem with distortion and I can tell you that for my camera (which is in for repairs), adjusting the input sensitivity does not fix it.

What mic are you using Akira? Is it one I should stay away from? Have you tried anything else?
Malcolm

Akira, even though I have been understood differently, I must confirm, unfortunately, that indeed adjusting the input sensitivity does not fix the problem entirely - just alleviates it considerably (to a degree depending on the specific microphone being used).

Piotr, what shotgun mics have you tried with the EX1, and which worked best? I'm thinking I might get a new one to replace my ME66 as I've been meaning to anyways, I was thinking the AT 4073 as thats at the top of my price budget.

Akira,

I must admit the microphones that are the least prone to these distortions are not necessarily the best ones (in terms of general opinion, and price).

The on-board EX1 mic is the one I'm hardly ever getting the "chirping" distortion with (though it happened with a strong wind rumble). Then comes the basic mono shotgun from Sony - the ECM 673; at some -38 dB at the input, distortions are avoidable at most circumstances.

The most difficult to handle (out of the microphones I am using, of course) is the Edirol CS-50 stereo shotgun. This one is by far the "hottest" of the three, and also the most distortion-prone. Interestingly, nothing like this ever happened when I was using it with the V1E.

AT-BP 4029 work on the PMW-EX1
 

Does anyone think that this mic would work on the PMW-EX1 : http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...30f/index.html
It is the successor to the AT835ST which works very well on my V1. I would hate to get a mic that runs into distortion problems that I am reading about on this forum.

Hi Barry,

I would conduct a very thorough test of the mic you're considering on your EX first before laying down any cash. I'm using the Audio Technica AT4073a on my EX and have crackling/grounding issues that aren't resolved yet. This mic works fine on my other cameras but not on my EX.

- Don

Barry, I am using the AT835ST without problems. I also have the Rode NGT1, Sennheiser 416, Senn ME64 and several Sony shotguns, along with a Sound designs 302 mixer, a Sony UWP diversity wireless system and several lav microphones. Have not had any audio problems as yet, but can't say that I have given the audio side an extensive workout. I use the AT835ST a lot - and have had no problems on the EX1 with it - but I always use a mini-blimp, and mount using very high quality XLR connectors and cables which I had custom made (I am very fussy about my audio). I also use a lightwave mini-mic mount - which I prefer to the Rode SM5 (that I also have) as it is much lighter and easier to use - puts less strain on the mic holder.

Hope this helps,

Rode M3 ...
 

anyone use this mic? I've been mulling over something for general use and have been thinking about the Rode.

Graeme,
You're in a perfect position to tell us which of your shotgun mic aresenal you think works best (least crackle, cleanest sound, etc.).
I thought I'd settled on the Sanken CS1 (partly because it's had good reviews on this forum, and partly because it's short, and I want something that won't get in the way when I put the camera into the case and take it out, fifty times a day), until a guy at Trews said the Rode NTG1 was half the cost (or less) and just as good.
Can you weigh in on this?
Thanks, Malcolm

RE: AT 4073a
 

Hey Graeme -

I also have the AT 4073a. Try switching the low-freq roll off. That should take care of the problem. At least it did for me.

Alex

RE: AT 4073a
 

My previous post was meant for Don, not Graeme.

Sorry Graeme...

This is just a followup to add some specifics to mics used on the EX1. I got a little studio time today to do some lighting and audio testing and got some very clean audio using the following two mics both on 48v phantom power:

Sennheiser MKH60 - short shotgun
Schoeps MK4 - cardioid mic

These mics were boomed overhead while a buddy of mine talked to me on-camera. Mics were set just out of frame pointed at his mouth. I was mostly using them to see what kind of input levels I had to use to get good audio for interview situations. I ran the Senn MKH60 all the way up and down the dBu scale from -20dBu (too low) to -41dBu (almost too loud) and settled on -29dBu as being a good compromise. If I had a quiet speaker, I might have to bump it up to -35dBu.

One other thing I noticed (off-topic, sorry) was the infrared(?) problem. He was wearing a black baseball cap and it photographed as a very dark brown color. It was noticeable in the viewfinder and on the captured footage.

Yep. This is the only way I've been able to use it, but one shouldn't have to compromise. Dynamic range is lost and the difference is noticeable. Heck, my PD170 records a wider dynamic range and cleaner sound with this mic than my EX does. I'm waiting on Sony to get back to me with this issue.

- Don

Hey Graeme, have you had any issues at all when using the NTG1 with the EX1? At this point, I think I'm either looking to try something like the CS-1, AT875R, or maybe the Rode NGT1. About the AT835ST, whats it like using a stereo shotgun, and how would it work if I wanted to use it as a mono shotgun with my wireless lav on the other channel? I've only used mono shotguns before...thanks.