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Resolved Question

Audio Help in Unique Situation

Mar 27, 2014 9:43PM PDT

I am a local magician, and I want to have some video's done of my show. I own a Cannon HG10.

The issue is I need a good mic that will not only pick up the ambient noise, but my voice as well. I will use an unmanned camera on a tripod and want to record the audio directly onto the camera. The camera will generally be a fair distance from me, going over the heads of the crowd. The shots will be outdoors and indoors.

Here is a link to a video so you can get an idea of the shot and see what it sounds like now directly from the camcorder's audio. I have cropped the video quite a bit.

http://captainkidmagic.com/video.html (the "blue" videos)

Many thanks for your advice!

Discussion is locked

KCCameron has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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You have some options - none are inexpensive.
Mar 28, 2014 12:26AM PDT

It looks like the handheld mic currently being used is plugged into only the PA system. Your step 1: Set a budget.

If I were doing your audio...

1) You would have a wireless lavaliere on you. A small mic element is clipped to your shirt connected by a thin wire to a battery powered body pack on your belt. It transmits wireless audio to a base station. The base station plugs into a mixer, the mixer plugs into the camcorder.

2) There is a second mic or two on or above the stage or crowd that gets their audio.

Because you say the camera is a "fair distance from you" and considering the audience, I would be using wireless on all mics.

Equipment list:

Wireless lav: Shure wireless lav
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553681-REG/Sony_UWP_V1_3032_UWP_V1_Wireless_Lavalier_Microphone.html/prm/alsVwDtl
Sennheiser and Audio Technica make good equivalents (I use Sennheiser G3 series labs).

Wired mic (or two):
Mics
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68459-REG/Shure_SM57_LC_SM57_LC_Microphone.html
These are normally used as a wired mic - but the distance and running cables make that problematic. The wireless modules (below) turn them into wireless mics. A couple of mic stands are a good idea.

wireless connection:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/460225-REG/Audio_Technica_ATW_1822D_ATW_1822_Dual_Wireless.html

Now you need to connect the mics to a mixer. The wireless base stations plug into
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/857043-REG/juicedLink_RM333_RM333_Riggy_Micro_Low_Noise.html
and this XLR adapter plugs into the camcorder's 1/8" (3.5mm) mic input.

There are several other ways - this is just how I would do it...

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A few more questions . . .
Mar 28, 2014 1:07AM PDT

Thanks for your quick response!

The hand-held was an awkward back up. My wireless headset was having issues in the last minute and I couldn't get it to work. I should have brought a spare.

This is the issue - I wish I had the spare cash to go with your suggestions. I don't.

After reviewing your proposal, I was thinking. I have an Samson AR2 (AirLine Micro Earset http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/wireless-systems/airline-micro/airlinemicroearset/ ) - $110

and I was thinking of getting another receiver on the same UHF channel - one for the PA, one for the camcorder.

<span class="gmw_">I could use another mic for crowd noise on a different audio channel and mix them in<span class="gm_ gm_27e1ee63-bf00-2a8a-3030-021916865afd gm-spell gm_tiny"> post.

They both could be connected with a Beachtek MCC-2 2-Channel Audio Adapter and Bracket - $90

Would this work? What type of mic would you recommend for general crowd noise?

Thanks again!

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Not sure where that CSS came from in my last post
Mar 28, 2014 1:12AM PDT

<span class="gmw_">I could use another mic for crowd noise on a different audio channel and mix them in<span class="gm_ gm_27e1ee63-bf00-2a8a-3030-021916865afd gm-spell gm_tiny"> post.

should have been this:

I could use another mic for crowd noise on a different audio channel and mix them in post.

Thanks!

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My mom told me
Mar 28, 2014 4:52AM PDT

not to say bad things about others. I cannot make any statements about Samson gear.

Like I said, there are lots of permutations. Good wireless gear is not inexpensive.

The BeachTek MCC-2 has 1/8" (3.5mm) inputs.
The Samson Airline micro base station can use a 1/8" (3.5mm) audio output to the MCC-2.
Another mic from crowd noise - like an Audio Technica ATR6250 uses a 1/8" (3.5mm) audio output.
Keep the "house noise" mic at the back of the room near the camcorder so it is used cabled.

The MCC-2 OUT connects to the camcorder's mic IN with 1/8" (3.5mm) connectors on both sides - stereo.

You can play with the M/S switch. I suggest keeping it in "S"tereo. In this mode, the two audio channels are independent. Since the camcorder and the MCC2 have no per-channel audio gain control, you will have much better control of the audio when editing. If you put the setting in "M"ono both mics will record the same audio to the left and right channels - and without any audio gain control, it is possible that crowd noise could overpower the wireless mic and there will be no way to change that.

Will what you propose work? Yes. Is it what I would use? No.

Your HG10 has no accessory shoe. Add one using a camera bracket.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918053-REG/vello_cb_510_dual_shoe_brackt.html
This angled bracket has two accessory shoe's so you can mount the MCC-2 and the mic. Yes, there is a threaded hole so the bracket can mount to the tripod.

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Thanks
Mar 28, 2014 9:49PM PDT

boy84

I know Samson does not have a good name, but it works and has the price I need at the moment. Life is a compromise, and at this moment cheap is good. I have copied your recommendations onto my computer, and maybe in the future I will go that route.

Thank you soooo much for your help!

KC Cameron