Topic: Camcorder External Mics

[buddyboy101]

I will be taping a concert for a band (not stealth) - video and audio.  I was hoping to attach an external mic (1/8"" mini) to my camera to record the audio.  Any mic suggestions?

In a boraders sense, will any 1/8" mic work with the camera?  Are shock mounts universal (in terms of compatability with mics)?  And do shock mounts usually fit any shoe accessory on the camera?

Thanks for the help!

[kuuan]

to recommend any mic one needs to know how much you are willing to spend!

decent stereo mics for your application would be the AT822, the Rode NT-4, the Sennheiser K6 modular system mic, as they
- are housed into one body which allow to be mounted to the cam with a shockmount
- run by internal battery so you won't need phantom power supply
the Sennheiser is the most expensive one and has the advantage of interchangeable capsules. ( cardioid, omnis )

There are different shockmounts for mics with different diameters, I use the AT8410a with my AT822 and love it!

[buddyboy101]

hey man, the at822 looks great, but can it handle really freakin loud concerts?

MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL    125 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.

doesn't 125dbspl seem a little low?  or is there enough head room?

thanks for the help!!

[kuuan]

The AT822 is somewhat of a classic and certainly a very good mic, specially also for the prize it sells for. If it is good for very loud concerts I do not know, the data you posted don't tell me much. Do other mics allow for louder max. input? In case of too loud sound some use a simple mic cable with in inbuilt volume control to attenuate.

I hope Richard alias 'poorlyconditioned' will help you, he is a AT822 specialist and does have a lot of experience recording.

[buddyboy101]

hey thanks for your help.  i was checking out the ae5100 and it has a max dbspl of 150!  i wonder how much is needed for a concert?

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/faef5ae5ca66f16d/index.html

[smokydays]

i think rock concerts are usually around 110db.   150-160db could rupture your eardrum i would imagine.

[NJFunk]

I've used the AT822 in pretty loud concerts with no issues.  125db is like ear splitting loud.

[Church-Audio]

I will be taping a concert for a band (not stealth) - video and audio.  I was hoping to attach an external mic (1/8"" mini) to my camera to record the audio.  Any mic suggestions?

In a boraders sense, will any 1/8" mic work with the camera?  Are shock mounts universal (in terms of compatability with mics)?  And do shock mounts usually fit any shoe accessory on the camera?

Thanks for the help!

Remember when using a video camera mic input its not so much the SPL that your mics can handle as it is the fact that your mic input on your camera will overload easly. I find attenuating the input ether with an external preamp or an external mixer. Will greatly reduce 1- Distortion 2- The amount of distruction your AGC does to the audio.

[buddyboy101]

thanks for the advice!  the at822 ends is xlr(f)-mini.  is there an attenuator that works with mini plug output?

thanks!

[Church-Audio]

thanks for the advice!  the at822 ends is xlr(f)-mini.  is there an attenuator that works with mini plug output?

thanks!

There are a few out there you can try the old headphone attenuator since you are using a self powered mic it should work ok not the best way but that would be a good start.

[taper420]

It may be more money, but I love the sennheisers. I really like the sound, and I personally think they sound great for music too. The removable caps and battery power come in handy as well. Although if you are worried about SPL's, providing phantom will give you more headroom.