[kevink]

So I lash out £90 to buy a Rode Videomic. Unfortunately, although it picks up the words of an interviewee in a room quite well, it also picks up 'ALL' of the noise from the camcorder. To such an extent that although the onboard Sony TRV10e mic is a bit tinnier, it's still the better choice because you don't have any of the hugely irritating background whirr!

So now I am tempted to take the Rode Videomic back to the shop and try to change for a regular Mic. Of course the camcorder Mic port doesn't accomodate a regular mic lead, so:

a) Anyone know of a mic with a 3 metre plus cable that will plug into the regular camcorder mic port and give me good interview audio quality ?
or
b) Anywhere I can buy a 'cheap' adapter/cable to get a regular mic into the TRV10e 1/8 inch port?

TY in advance.

By the way, eventually when I buy the HD Cam all this will go away but it's soooooo frustrating

I guess from your reference to a 1/8inch port your in the USA (because in the UK and most of Europe it is universally known as a 3.5mm socket) - it really would help if people filled in their location box.

Depends on what you mean by a regular mic lead, here in the UK there is a vast range of microphones sold for use with camcorders and these all have the 1/8" (3.5mm) plug - so to that extent a 'regular' mic lead would have that 1/8" plug. We also have a range of semi-pro and professional microphones and these would usually have an XLR connector - is that what you mean by a regular mic lead ??

Here in the UK that also would be no problem because we would simply use one of these http://www.keene.co.uk/cgi-bin/codesearch.pl?41908 - they will ship to most of the world but I am surprised they are not readily available in your part of the world.


Edit - having just posted all that I noticed that you quoted the price in £'s - so are you in the UK then - if so you just havent been looking. - check out www.keene.co.uk

[kevink]

Without getting all defensive, thanks for your advice and the adaptor you highlighted looks like exactly what I need. Yes I am in the UK, I'll stick my location in the profile and yes I did look for adaptors, that's why I referred to the 1/8 inch 'cos I learned it on the net' . However, when you are a bit of a divvy like me and feeling your way around the market, it's better to ask the experts on here. That way I don't waste even more money on another incorrect config.

Again

Thanks

[MarkE19]

If going for a mic to be mounted on the top of the cam then the MKE300 is highly regarded, but you must get the MKE300D as a digital camcorder will give out a lot of additional noise/interference that an unshielded mic will pick up. The MKE300D has this additional shielding and works well, but of course does cost more money
Or if you really want to push the boat out and spend some serious money then you should look at the K6 system!

Mark.

[kevink]

Mark,

As I said, I had already bought the Rode Videomic which picked up the interview dialogue well, but also a huge amount of camera noise. Fortunately, the very nice people and Andertons Music in Guildford let me trade it for a Sony ECM 907 which fits straight into the camcorder mic socket and works like a dream as an interview mic, jusy placed a couple of feet from the sibject and out of shot. It's also very handy for voiceovers straight into the pc since it doesn't have the curly lead you get with a purpose build camcorder mic.

[MarkE19]

Hey, if it works for you then it is the ideal piece of kit fo the job! The only thing is that it is not a well known mic to me, but that doesn't matter if it does all you require.

Mark.

Sounds like a boundary mic, these work reasonably well, giving a unifrom if fairly flat sound.

The MKE300D is an absolute con. It is technically better, basically there is a farady shield system built into the cable (an extra insulation layer with two small tin solder terminations) somehow an extra 2p worth of foil and .50£ worth of labour translates into a £40 difference on the high street!!

Buy the MKE300e instead, if it isn't up to the job then get a refund towards a 300d, don't EVER buy the 300d first. If you have a rudimentary electronics knowledge and a solder iron, buy the 300 and modify it.

YOU ARE BEING CONNED!!!!!!!!!

[kevink]

Blimey Roy,

If I'd know it'd wind you up so much I wouldn't have asked...

I don't suppose you'll be going to the Sennheiser Xmas dinner then?