More gear =3D more exercise? Portability and flash
cards are sparking new recording possibilities in
people's minds, but after a couple of years of
generating material, after truly falling in love
with the practice, you might find yourself
thinking, 'Why did I compromise quality here and
there for modest convenience?" Having good mics
(low-noise), adequate sound file saturation,
plenty of power for long takes/hikes, being able
to use a flexible mic array to respond to the
local characteristics-- There are many factors to
consider when building one's first rig, but these
are the usual complaints I hear about after some
time in the field; after comparing their results
to others' results. Often its just a few extra
pounds difference. But, with $50 phantom supply,
you're good to go and learn what that camcorder
can do,...going in stages is smart. Mics are
always the hardest decision.
I've not tried the DXA-6, Beachtek. A few other
more portable phantom supplies I tried that used
1 X 9 volt battery to generate 48 volts DC had
problems, so be alert there. The Rolls/Art
performed much better for me with all PIP units I
tired. There are comparison tests accessible from
my gallery (url below).
If I did have to go to an external pre for some
reason, I'd consider strapping on a separate HiMD
recorder. The DX-10 specs with more noise and 15
dB less gain than the mic/pre "head end" of the
HiMD recorder. I know video people who come out
of the line ouputs of their strapped HiMD's to
record the audio onto the video when it rolls
(for "sync" or to lessen work in post). In
between video shots, they're getting better sound
and plenty of it. Rob D.
At 1:24 PM +0000 6/9/06, cfmspencer wrote:
>--- In Rob Danielson <>
>wrote:
>>
>>
>> At 2:42 AM +0000 6/9/06, cfmspencer wrote:
>> >
>> >I've seen the beachteks at B&H,
>>
>> Welcome to the list, Clay.
>
>thanks
>
>>
>> Oryoki's right, too-- about having a separate sound recorder. I
>> prefer to be able to let my audio "roll" when conditions are right
>> during a trek and not be generating so many video bits when I'm
>> really waiting for a sound,..
>
>no doubt, and I'm sure I will want to do the same,
>
>my aim is to figure out the absolute lightest
>weight high quality setup possible, so that I can
>actually run/jog to far reaching destinations,
>or said another way, come up with a 'minimal' kit
>that I would never even consider leaving at the
>trailhead becuase it weighed too much.=A0
>if I'm hiking only, then sure,
>a separate high quality sound recorder will
>be ideal, and I will no doubt wind up with
>a setup for recording sans video.
>
>> The word on upcoming HD sound formats
>> involve more compression. But far be it from me to discourage good
>> sound with video!
>>
>> I'm sure Beachtek has different models, but the unit that uses the
>> camcorder's mic input "power in plug" (PIP) to supply phantom
>power
> > is under-impressive.
>
>I was suggested to use a DXA-6,
>9 volt provides phantom power,
>but no gain. I believe the DX-8
>offers gain and a limiter.
>
>both screw right onto the bottom of the camera,
>with corresponding tripod sockets on the bottom.
>
>
>I took a listen to one trying to power-up some
>> MKH's on a TRV900 and a VX1000 last Fall and rather than mess with
>it
>> further, I just scrapped it for an Art Phantom II (at $150 less).
>You
>> can bypass the xlr outputs and add a ~14" long unbalanced lead to
>> a"true" 3.5mm gold plug at the end. You can bolt the Art onto the
>> base of the camera the same way and glue or bolt a 1/4" think
>plate
>> on the bottom side with 1/4"-20 tap for the tripod bolt. With an
>Art
>> (or a Rolls PB224), you can start testing the affects of the
>> camcorder's mic pre and MPGII to hear what it all sounds like.
>
>thanks for the tips,
>I'll check out the NTG-2 using the XLR->stereo mini cable this
>weekend, and also try using the XLR unit that comes with the camera.
>
>someone suggested a Shure A96F XLR to mini cable which has a
>transformer in it I believe to convert from lo impedance to medium
>impedance (providing gain), and it blocked the DC from the PIP. is
>this useful? or a gimmick? if the mic preamp in the camera is
>really bad, I suppose any gain (without noise?) would be a help???
>
>>
>> An MKH-30 would make a light-weight, shotgun M-S pair with your
>> NTG-2. If that is too rich, you could explore spaced omni's with
>> AT3032's. I'm sure you wouldn't be wasting your money or time.
>The
>> world could use a lot more camcorders properly dwarfed by low
>noise
>> condenser mics. Rob D.
>
>thanks Rob, for your response and your advice,
>cheers,
>clay
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> >cheers,
>> >clay
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>"Microphones are not ears,
>Loudspeakers are not birds,
>A listening room is not nature."
>Klas Strandberg
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
--
Rob Danielson
Peck School of the Arts
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-art-tech-gallery/
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