Here are some searches just done for you on "Son of Watchdog" website. If you haven't searched this Forum before I highly recommend it for your VX2000 stuff - yeah?

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8040&highlight=mic

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7753&highlight=mic

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6686&highlight=mic

I've got a Canon XM2 with a Sennhieser MK66 - smashing sound!

These websites any good for you?

Grazie

You are wise not to tap into high school soundboards especially when run by kids.
I shoot a lot of these and have found that my Beachtek type mixer (Sign Video /Studio 1)isn't that useful. They are better suited to tapping into the soundboard in conjunction with a mono mike at or near the camera. I would suggest one of two things:
1. If you can shoot from an area in the room where you aren't close to noisy people, the Audio Technica AT822 stereo mike plugged straight into the camera, but not mounted directly on it works GREAT with the VX2000 (set on Automatic Gain).
It will sound better than it actually did live (often muted to prevent feedback).
The mike sells for around $250.

2. Another alternative which will sound better is to get a mixer (don't spend a lot)which will accept 4 mike inputs (which are always mono on a mixer). Mount the AT822 Center Stage and use a cable which will split into an XLR Tip and an XLR Ring and plug the mike into two adjacent channels of the mixer. Use two other MONO mikes plugged into the mixer. One Stage Left and one Stage Right. They have to be battery operated like the AT822. An AKG1000s will work nicely but if they are too expensive just get some Radio Shack mikes temporarily...even Lavs will work. As long as they are battery powered and do not require phantom power. The AKG's are around $150 each sold in matched pairs.

DO NOT APPLY PHANTOM POWER or you will blow out the mikes. You may have to rig up a back baffle on the mikes if the orchestra is up against the front of the stage, but there are lots of DIY cheapo ways to do this. Mousepads make good isolators. Shockmounts are also easy to make. Lavs can be turned into PZM's for economy mikes, etc.

You will need a 1/4 Tip and 1/4 Ring to XLR cable to go out from the mixer. Then get two 50 foot XLR cables (Proco Lifelines aren't too expensive). Run them up to the camera to a small XLR coupler and use your XLR to 1/8 adapter that came with the AT822 to attach to the mic input on the camera and make sure you switch it to LINE not MIC. Again leave the camera on AGC. Set your levels at the mixer with someone to help and test it by recording on tape at some rehearsals until you get the sound you like. You will need isolation headphones, but concentrate more on the isolation aspect of the phones rather than the sound so you you can tell if the mikes are picking up the sound of the babies crying or the cell phones girbling or the teenagers talking. The headphones won't tell you what is being recorded on that camera so be sure to run a test tape. The 50-100 foot run will not pick up any appreciable noise even without using phantom powered mikes and the whole thing won't cost all that much. The mixer doesn't have to be battery powered as there are usually outlets along the front of the stage. If the musicians are there talk to them about making room for your mikes and mixer. Bring a triple head extension so you can share outlets with them. Hosa makes all the cables and adapters you need. Guitar shops usually carry them.

John

Thanks guys for the advise. Especially craftech for such a detailed response. Much appreciated!

I do have one question.. How well do dynamic mics do when used for this? Do you need mics that are battery powered for proper pic up?