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Resolved Question

Sub $1000 Camcorder with usb audio input?

by Nov 25, 2013 11:57PM PST

I'm a musician who regularly performs in situations where it is difficult/inappropriate to set up both a video camera and an external audio device with microphone etc. I am wondering if anyone knows of a decent camcorder under a thousand bucks that has a dedicated usb audio input. This would allow me to hook up better mic options in performance environments. Or, if someone can point me in the right direction to get decent sound with a regular 1/8 inch mic jack, I'd be happy to get some advice. Just bear in mind that I don't have the luxury of connecting to a laptop and external sound card etc.

For reference, I mostly need to record live piano, which obviously involves a very large frequency range. The performance spaces are typically large and acoustically live (lots of echo). Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

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NeedTechForMusic has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
4 Posts
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I'm watching this one.
by Forum moderator Nov 26, 2013 12:08AM PST

I've been at the trade shows for about 2 decades and if there is one with USB mics, I missed it.

So I'm going to "track this thread" in case I missed it.

In parting my son does such capture work and uses a Tascam and external mics. Audio is mixed back in during post production.
Bob

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That should work, thanks
by NeedTechForMusic Nov 26, 2013 1:25AM PST

If you haven't encountered the usb audio input on a camcorder, I doubt I will find it. Thanks for the reply. I'm new enough to recording that I didn't know about Tascam, but it looks like a great option. Eric

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Tascam and well, what a range there is there.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 26, 2013 1:48AM PST

You see they offer stereo, 4 channel, "microphone" and then XLR connections.

The prices run from under 100 to about 400 for their high end model with XLR connections. I have the DR-40 and that's as high as I can bring myself to invest in such a system.

I do want to write that my backup audio recorder is a Sanyo ICR-XPS01M and a dear friend has one and used it for voice over work in his videos. He thinks it's the best he's had in years.
Bob

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Sorry - meant to leave this unresolved
by NeedTechForMusic Nov 26, 2013 1:39AM PST

Didn't mean to mark the conversation as resolved, finger slip, now can't unresolve it. New to forum, hoping we could both get new info.

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