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What should my external microphone upgrade be?

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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
I am currently in the process of looking to upgrade of my Audio-Technica Pro 24cm Stereo Microphone. This microphone has been decent so far but I have started filming things that are more reliant upon audio (such as interviews and musical artists). Whenever I use the microphone I seem to experience "noise" in the recordings and it is not the clearest...it was $60. I am posting this thread to see what your opinions and suggestions would be on mics that you really like, wish you could get, or are saving for. I am thinking about splurging for the Rode Video Mic Pro or even just the normal one. Does anyone know anything about either of these mics? Are these the best ones to use with my camera or are there better ones? (I have a Canon T2i and am considering upgrading down the road) I have looked at reviews for these mics and they appear to have good reviews and support. Would it be a smart move to buy the Pro? (

Thanks NS

This is the link for my current mic: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-PRO24CM-Stereo-Microphone-Camera/dp/B0016ARZ9C

Click for larger image

Considering: http://www.juno.co.uk/products/rode-videomic-pro-compact-shotgun-microphone/455762-01/?currency=USD&utm_source=google_us&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google%2BShopping
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=363083&Q=&is=REG&A=details
Dec 6 2012 2:49PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9221 - Karma: 9,939
if you want quality audio for interviews and you're using a shotgun mic it really needs to be boomed
Dec 6 2012 3:19PM
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Roachey
Posts: 611 - Karma: 209
Zoom H1 possibly?
Dec 6 2012 3:49PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
this. some sort of external recorder. Yes its a pain to synch it up in post but its worth it imo. Also if you don't have magic lantern installed do that, so you can have manual audio control and levels
Dec 6 2012 8:44PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
sounds like you need a bigger audio upgrade. i would recommend getting a legit shotgun mic and a zoom h4n external recorder for interviews and musicals that would be the better combination. lavaliere mics are also really nice for interviews but you could also just set up a boom mic on a stand over the person and it will be just a good. but definitely get an external recorder and you will no longer have the noise issue that is a problem with most dslrs especially canon because of the auto gain control. unless you have magic lantern and can turn that off.
Dec 6 2012 9:02PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
even with magic lantern, its still pretty bad. definitely go for a external recorder
Dec 6 2012 9:45PM
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
I do have magic lantern and seem to get the noise. I used to also be looking at the sound box things that you run your mic through then into your camera....called like a juiced link box or something? I'm really unfamiliar with them. Would those help at all or no. Sorry that's so unhelpful, I'll look through my pictures because I know I saved one somewhere.
Dec 6 2012 11:05PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Those would definitely be helpful, they increase the quality of signal that goes into the dslr, but it would be better just to get an external recorder and synch it in post, also it'd probably be cheaper.
Dec 6 2012 11:29PM
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
Ok every one. I know I'll have about 250 to be spending on this because I just sold my Gopro and some other things. If I do get an external recorder, how hard is it to keep all the audio files matched up to the film and then sync up in post?
Dec 7 2012 11:58AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
i usually never have a problem with matching audio tracks up and i don't use any fancy audio match software. but if you go the external way, one thing you can do is when the camera and sound are rolling, clap right by the mic in the frame of the camera so when you go to edit you can line up the peak of the sound coming from the audio file to the moment you clapped your hands. then just nudge it left or right a frame until it matches perfect.

you just gotta make sure you are recording the audio at the right frequency for the frame rate you are shooting, otherwise it will sometimes slip up later in the video. but you can just google that real quick for the right numbers
Dec 7 2012 12:28PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
I'd definitely look into getting a Schoeps CMIT5U microphone. They may be a bit higher than the price you listed, but they're great. Use that bad boy with a Sound Devices 788T, and you're set.
Dec 7 2012 5:57PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
You might also want to think about lav mics for interviews.
For $250, rode videomic - $150 + zoom h1 - $100 would probably be good, much better than spending all of the $250 on a more expensive mic and recording into your dslr. And synching in post is pretty easy, as long as you remember to clap before it. But even still, you can usually just match up them starting talking on video with it on audio, but it will just be a bit harder to get it perfectly.
Dec 7 2012 6:13PM
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