DSLR Audio

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2011-02-15 17.02.45

There's been plenty of discussion and audio tests with the Rode VideoMic vs. the Rode VideoMic 'Pro', so here i'm just showing the size difference between what I would normally be carrying around to the new smaller form factor of the Rode VideoMic Pro - Compact Shotgun Microphone. Huge difference in size, weight, and build quality make it all worth the price difference. I'm not sure where I put my OEM Foam cover for the regular VideoMic, so i'm showing my Aftermarket MiCover Dead Cat.

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Sure there's a bit of a price difference, but at least you get a FREE Rode Dead Cat with the new Rode VideoMic Pro (with online registration) shaving the difference down another $40.00 dollars. Otherwise with the normal VideoMic you would need to purchase this optional Dead Cat: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392861-REG/Rode_DEAD_CAT_Dead_Cat_Wind_Muff.html/. The build on the shock mount is a nice touch over the other design in the lower end VideoMic. Aside from design, the switches are much more accessible (finally usable) and comes with the new +20db feature which should work well with DSLR's that have manual audio level controls.

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find-price-buttonRode VideoMic - Camera Mounted Shotgun Microphone

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find-price-buttonRode VideoMic Pro Compact Shotgun Microphone + Free Dead Cat Windscreen w/ Registration

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Looks like Rod's been busy, but it also looks like he's been saving - some cash. This is originally a short review of the Express35 RigX DSLR shoulder bundle, but i'm catching all kinds of cool budget gear over the entire rig. RigX was a project Chris designed after I mentioned about adapting to rails to my cheap shoulder support. The version Rod is showing here might be an earlier version of the RigX bundle as I believe there's some new redesign around the baseplate. Don't quote me on this, you might want to check in with Chris over @ Express35 first. Or sometimes he comments in the articles. More info on the RigX can be found here: https://express35.com/rigs/rig-x/

Besides the RigX rail system, he's mounted it to the cheap $24 $30 dollar shoulder support. This small setup looks super lightweight but very functional. Fast off the shoulder and fast onto a Fluid Head. Rod's also got a Zoom H1 over top with hot shoe shock mount, Sescom cable with splitter from Markertek to feed audio directly into a Magic Lantern loaded T2i, and one of the cheapest follow focus systems - the D-Focus. Rod's got a bit more information over at his Vimeo page which you can find here: https://vimeo.com/19856612

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find-price-button Cheap Shoulder Support for Video Camera

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There's only so many wireless microphone systems out there and If you've been wondering about this particular Audio Technica ATR 288W, here's a small clip. YouTube member creese13 writes in and shares a little test he's put together. Taking the budget wise Audio Technica ATR288W wireless system out for a small stroll it seems to be doing the job much better than the cheap Sony stuff I tried out as a backup wireless system. Flipping between Channel A and Channel B during this test, you decide which sounds better. Overall not bad sound for a budget wireless LAV going into a 7D -with AGC on. [Thanks Corey]


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find-price-button Audio-Technica ATR 288W - Microphone - black

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Vimeo member Carl quickly throws up some sample tests between the Rode VideoMic and VideoMic Pro. He's also thrown in Rode's latest Lavalier directly into the Canon 5D Mark II which sounds awesome (but is kinda pricey). Rode themselves have even left a bit of feedback in the video comments to try another test. Using the new +20db feature in the VideoMic Pro along with the 5D Mark II audio turned way down to improve with the floor noise. This is the benefit for having manual controls over your DSLR's audio levels, a feature native to only the Canon 5D Mark II and 60D. T2i users can benefit from Magic Lantern firmware, but 7D owners need to rely on some type of AGC disable. [Thanks Carl]

[Update] Here's Carl's follow up test using the +20db setting on VMP and turning gain down in the camera. Compared to the non-Pro VideoMic there's a difference.

Another slightly different take on some audio tests throwing in a 550D + Magic Lantern in the mix. This time Vimeo member D Films starts out with an unboxing. Audio in the beginning was the ATR3350 Lav mic + Zoom H1.

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find-price-button Rode VideoMic Pro

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find-price-button Rode VideoMic

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find-price-button Rode Lavalier Microphone

• 16 Comments

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find-price-button Rode VideoMic Pro Compact Shotgun Microphone

Not long ago Rode announced a new VideoMic Pro and now it's available. Didn't I just grab a new Microphone Windscreen over my VideoMic? This does not appear to be a replacement for the already popular VideoMic, but a new microphone altogether. Smaller form factor, better shock mounting, external switches, and a new +20db setting. Price obviously is more than the non-Pro VideoMic, but the new shock mount and smaller form factor already has me sold. Unlike the large VideoMic, this new VideoMic 'Pro' won't look as awkward when mounting on the smaller GH2 camera.

More Rode VideoMic Specs can be found here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/744768-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_PRO_VideoMic_Pro_Compact_Shotgun.html

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find-price-button Varizoom CrossFire Video Camera Stabilizers

If you've been hiding under a rock, you might have missed all the ads for Varizoom's Crossfire stabilizer. Seems like they are really pushing this product towards DSLR shooters. It's a hand held video stabilizer that combines a tripod as the lower weight. When you're not running around, you've got a tripod ready to go. This is another product similar to their stabilizer/monopod a.k.a 'FlowPod'. How well does it work? I don't know, but it's set at a price where i'm not willing to find out. So unless you really need a set of sticks under your stabilizer, you can find it here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/750674-REG/VariZoom_VZ_CROSSFIRE_CrossFire_FP_Stabilizer.html

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find-price-button Vello Battery grips for Canon and Nikon

If you're in the market for a Battery grip but don't want to pay the OEM prices, you might be shopping for aftermarket. If you're a bit hesitant on choosing after market battery grips coming from overseas then maybe the new Vello line of grips might be up your alley. Available for both Canon and Nikon in select models, shipped from the big retailer B&H Photo Video should you run into any issues. Found here: Vello Battery Grips

• 26 Comments

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dual-preamp-xlr

Joey T. writes in and says this ART USB Dual Preamp works well for adding XLR Phantom power to your DSLR. Although it's designed with some old school USB 1.1 and interfaces with a computer, it's also a portable PreAmp with XLR and 1/4" inputs. It can run completely portable with a simple 9 Volt battery or power it with a variety of external power sources. There's also headphone monitoring available too, which makes it even more functional with DSLR audio. He's currently running it directly into a Canon T2i with Magic Lantern to disable the AGC, but for 60D owners you should be all set with Manual levels. Preamp boxes not only power your microphones, but can boost gain with very little noise. This one claims to boost signals up to 48dB, but up to what point is super clean only real tests will tell. If you've been looking for a very inexpensive preamp box to power fancy microphones and clean up audio hiss, this little thing runs under $70 bucks. It would be interesting to see a real video test, but here's more specs.

From BHPHOTOVIDEO.com
Combination portable preamplifier and computer interface, housed in a compact rugged case. The unit is suitable for a wide variety of applications including remote field work to desktop/studio recording. The 2 input channels can accept either a microphone or line input and provide up to 48dB of gain.

Phantom power is available for use with condenser microphones even when running from the USB bus or any of the other powering options. Those include using an optional external power supply, or an optional internal 9V battery. When running off the battery, operational hours are in excess of 50 hours with phantom power off.

A stereo mini headphone jack is provided for monitoring and the rear level and monitor mix controls allow for latency-free recording. The monitor mix is also routed to the main outputs. The USB interface is fully compliant with the USB 1.1 specification and uses USB adaptive mode for playback and USB asynchronous mode for record.

• Portable USB interface with dual microphone preamps
• Low-noise, fully balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS combi inputs
• Preamps provide up to 48dB of gain and feature independent gain controls
• Built-in, low-noise phantom power supply
• Signal present and clip LED indicators
• Latency free monitoring with mix and level controls
• Includes Audacity recording and production software
• 3-way powering options - via the USB bus, an optional external power supply, or with an optional 9V battery

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find-price-button ART USB Dual Pre - USB 1.1 Audio Interface with Dual Mic Preamps

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The Rode VideoMic is the most popular microphone in my bunch. When I needed something that would work well at CES in Vegas - worry free, I used the Rode VideoMic. Well Rode's got a 'new' VideoMic called the Rode VideoMic Pro. I don't think it's available for sale just yet, but it's been officially announced today. Definitely lots of enhancements in the exterior design, making it smaller and with a different shock mount design. They've made it easier to change a few settings with an exterior switch for high pass filter, and a seperate switch for -10dB , 0, and +20dB Levels. Want more? Check out the Microphone introduction here: https://www.rodemic.com/vmp/

I'd really love to check one of these out, and if you'd like to help (me), here's what you can do. Click here to send a Tweet to RodeMicrophones. Maybe a tweets could help hook a brotha up..

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sescom-line2mic

Hey, here's an idea. Run the Microphone into your portable audio recorder, and then run the headphone out port into your camera mic input. If it sounds good in the headphones, it should sound good running into the camera. Well before you tackle that idea, just know that headphone outputs aren't all the same and run pretty hot. Some portable audio recorders have a dedicated 'Line Out' so you'll be safe, but not the Zoom H4n or Zoom H1. You can easily damage the mic input on your camera if you're not careful.

So above is the cable from Sescom. This isn't something new, and most of you might have already run into this product. This particular one I have is for the Zoom H4n, but i'm showing it with the Zoom H1 (didn't have H4n with me). It's a Sescom Line2Mic attenuator cable that drops the headphone out from the Zoom by -25db making it safe to use directly into your camera's Mic input. There's different cables with different levels of attenuation provided for different recorders. Don't think this will save your AGC enabled cameras, that's not what it's there for. This cable is for the Canon 60D and 5D Mark II that control manual audio. (Or try it on the T2i with Magic Lantern).

So why do it this way? Well for starters, the amps on the Zoom recorders will help you adjust levels and sensitivity. If you're using the H4n, it gives you a way to connect XLR type microphones. Is the audio just as good as what's recorded? Not really, but you'll be surprised on how well it does sound. I'm not going to run through a bunch of tests today, a bit swamped, but if you're curious you can find lots of tests already at Vimeo.com. Or for those of you who have your video links, throw them in the comments.


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find-price-button Sescom LN2MIC-ZMH4-MON 3.5mm Line to Mic 25dB Attenuation Cable for Zoom H4N with Headphone Monitoring Jack

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Windscreen, Wind Jammers, Softies, Dead Cats/Kittens - whatever they call some of these things, they can run you a pretty penny. If you're familiar with Microphone Windscreens then this next product might look very similar to other high end stuff. While the 'other' guys can charge upwards of $280 dollars, an equivalent MiCover Windscreen can run you just about $70 bucks. Not always that great in savings, but normally you'll be looking at 40-50% cheaper than the other brands. Depending on the microphone you have, simple SlipOvers can run you around just $20 bucks.

How well do they perform? I haven't had the chance to test just yet as i've been busy, but I can tell you that it will work way better than the stock foam. The build quality is very nice with a rubber ring at the tail end, internal foam that looks to be of quality acoustic material, and a furry outer coat. If I have time today, i'll run a quick 'microphone against the fan' test. You can find them in a limited amount of online websites, biggest one being eBay. Available in a Puffin or SlipOver for some microphones that are already built in to Pro Video Cameras. A variety of sizes should fit the most popular accessory microphones from Audio-Technica, Azden, Canon, JVC, Neumann, Panasonic, RodeRoland, Sennheiser, Shure, & Sony. You can find more at their eBay store following the link.


find-price-button Cheaper Microphone Covers Windscreens, Puffins, SlipOvers