Jan, thanks for the tips about taking your camera to the store with you when you are buying microphones.
I live in NYC & want to echo your recommendation of going to a store with a large selection of video equiptment & knowledgeable salespeople. I've usually been impressed with the technical knowledge of the staff at B&H Photo which is a HUGE store in Manhattan. More importantly, I find that one can hear all sorts of interesting conversations among other customers discussing "that is the mike I have or my friend is sorry he bought, etc." People working in video, professionals and hobbyists, are really a friendly group & many of them will talk about the advantges and disadvantages they have found using different versions of the mikes on display, etc. Such interactions have helped me greatly in making choices and decisions on equiptment. People on the list here share many of those same qualities. I remember you as the first person to answer my questions about Macs vs PCs, cameras, etc. a couple years ago when i first discovered vlogging. Randolfe (Randy) Wicker Hoboken, NJ --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Jan McLaughlin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > With regard to the minijacks that plug into your camera and laptop, if > camera logistics permit, a 90-degree angled plug is infinitely better > than the straight plug - less stress on the input and cable. > > Failing that, make sure to 'safety' the cable with a bit of tape to the camera. > > Listening to what you've got, I'm convinced you've got signal level > incompatability issues. If there's an audio adjustment in your camera > I'd definitely take a tour around the menus and see if that helps. > > Otherwise, take the camera down to RadioShack or wherever and try a > few possibilities. Better than RadioShack would be your local high-end > musicians' store, or professional video/sound sales/rental enterprise. > These kinds of places are more likely to assist you in trying a few > possible configurations and have more options on the shelf. > > Jan > > On 2/15/07, Halcyon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > freaking awesome info!! Thank you! > > > > Thanks Jan and Randy, too! > > > > I'll test more with this info and report back. > > > > -Halcyon > > > > On 2/15/07, bordercollieaustralianshepherd < > > [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > > Hal > > > > > > I took a listen to your vid. It is pretty hard to judge this way, but > > > these are my thoughts as I listened. > > > > > > Mic test 1: That mic seemed to transfer the "handling" noise. Who is > > > it made by? Is it heavy (does it have weight to it) and is the cord > > > hard wired into it? At the very end of this test when you have a solid > > > grasp on the mic the audio is much better.... > > > > > > Mic test 2: This mic almost sounds like one from radio shack. If it is > > > a RS it is crisp for audio and should work much better then it sounds. > > > I am guessing that this is the same mic as the handheld on test four. > > > > > > Mic test 3: This one has me stumped. What model lavalier? The really > > > sticky thing with Lav's is that clothing and placement really impact > > > the quality. Fabrics all have a texture, some that can screw with you. > > > I don't think that it is the shirt you are wearing, but it may explain > > > some of the muffledness (is that a word?). Placement is as picky. To > > > stay on topic, I'll skip details, they don't apply as best I can tell > > > here. I posted a link to the list a few weeks ago to a great site with > > > audio tips/tricks. I assume this is the same mic used in test 4. > > > > > > Mic test 4 (lav and handheld): At this point I am of the opinion it is > > > the camera's internal audio processing. If it is possible to do a test > > > with the camera's built in mics, I'll take the time to listen to it > > > too. But you can do the compare to get a better idea. Look at the spec > > > sheet that came with the camera and all your mics. If you'll send me > > > the model numbers and or a link with the specs I'll take a look to see > > > if there is any outright wrong compatability issues. > > > > > > The mini jacks are not the greatest when it comes to quality. In that > > > same post I mentioned, is a link to a XLR to mini cable with gold > > > connectors. I think it is about $20. IMO I would buy a connector like > > > this, attach it to your camera and seldom if ever unplug it from the > > > camera. The reason is wear and tear is eliminated on the camera's > > > connector. Longer life. It sucks I know but will help in several other > > > ways... a whirlwind or any other mic cable can be bought at a music > > > store. The quality is much better, shielding, guage of wire etc... > > > (damn I bring it up twice might as well find the URL now... > > > > > > <http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/message/54103> > > > For your cable: > > > You can make this cable yourself if you have the parts and handy with > > > a soldering iron: > > > > > > With Monster Cable's iStudioLink XLR to 1/8" Mini Plug you can connect > > > your microphone directly to your laptop or desktop computer. This > > > single cable provides you with a fast, flexible connection to record > > > vocal tracks directly to your Apple software, like GarageBand and > > > LogicExpress. Just plug one end into your microphone's XLR male > > > audio-out and the other directly into your computer's 1/8" audio input > > > and you are ready to go. > > > > > > > > > http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlis\ > > > t&sku=400719<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=400719> > > > Same link http://tinyurl.com/ycq7ac > > > > > > Some wireless recievers provide control of the signal. Are there any > > > obvious controls? > > > > > > I looked around the net for any "audio problems" with the xacti. > > > Didn't come across one in top tens. I did see that there is some > > > choice in bit settings. Are you using the best audio setting (highest > > > bits vs needs)? > > > > > > I like the work/tips this guys has been doing... > > > <http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/c6.html> > > > > > > > > > --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com <videoblogging%40yahoogroups.com>, > > > "Halcyon " <halcyon@> wrote: > > > > > > > > I am SUPER ignorant when it comes to sound. So this may be a silly > > > > question... > > > > > > > > But my audio sounds scratchy and crappy when I use the mic jack on > > > my new > > > > Sanyo Xacti, mini HD recorder. > > > > > > > > I made a short (under 1 min) video showing what I mean. Can anyone > > > listen > > > > and give me some help/advice? > > > > http://www.veoh.com/videos/v2492355Drj5R8t > > > > > > > > -Halcyon > > > > www.pinkbroadcasting.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > -- > The Faux Press - better than real > http://fauxpress.blogspot.com >
