external mic for hv30

dogwalker wrote on 5/21/2009, 12:21 PM
Just looking around for threads here and on hv20.com on "external mic" and found a few, but I'm still not sure about which mic for my HV30. I'd say the only thing which bothers me is the mic. It seems some people like the DM50 because it can serve both as a boom mic and as a stereo mic (you flip a switch, I think), but others say it's poor quality.

For just videotaping family (and the non-stop dogs) and the occasional band concert at school (and marching band), does anyone have a good recommendation on an external mic for the Canon HV30?

Comments

ChipGallo wrote on 5/21/2009, 1:59 PM
I use a Sennheiser MKE 300 (cheaper shotgun) which works pretty well. Now it's the MKE 400. Cold mounts on the accessory shoe.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 5/21/2009, 2:38 PM
The RØDE VideoMic is also very nice for the price.

~jr
dogwalker wrote on 5/21/2009, 2:40 PM
Thanks, guys, I'll research both of those.
UlfLaursen wrote on 5/21/2009, 9:09 PM
I have the Røde, and like it a lot. I rememeber someone at either vimeo or YouTube making a test with thoose 2 together, but cannot remeber name or link.

/Ulf
DGates wrote on 5/21/2009, 9:13 PM
I have the HV30, and I use the DM50 with it. It's not poor quality. It sounds great!

Plus, it specifically fits in the advanced accessory show with no cords to get in the way like other shotgun mics.
musicvid10 wrote on 5/21/2009, 9:26 PM
At the risk of being repetitive, don't expect an on-camera mic, regardless of the quality or price, to take the place of an on-subject mic.

Shotgun mics actually amplify background / reflection noise, not decrease it.

A lav or boom is preferred by broadcasters and filmers. I'm not about to question their judgment here.
DRuether wrote on 5/22/2009, 8:42 AM
Ah, the "Suitable External Mic" for the Canon HV20/30/40 HDV camcorder problem... I've never figured out why Sony can build tiny or small camcorders that have built-in mics that are free of body handling and camcorder mechanism noises, but Canon doesn't seem to be able also to do that. I really like the picture of my HV20 (once settings are adjusted to my preferences), but the built in mic picks up handling, zooming, and wind noises galore! I have searched for a suitable mic that solves these shortcomings and that also fits on the camera without extending too far rearward, too far forward (intruding on the image with a .66X WA converter on), and which is not too high to fit in a convenient bag. You can find my review of the camcorder (with comments on its audio problems, and on the various external mics I have tried on it) at - http://www.donferrario.com/ruether/Canon_HV20-HV30.htm, and a YouTube video of mine with a (rough) comparison of the sound of the five microphones, at - (click on "HD" if you care, but the picture is "throwaway"...). Overall, I preferred the sound of the Sony 908C with the Rode "Deadkitten" furry windscreen over it, but I could never satisfactorily isolate that mic from camera body handling noise. My other favored (and very promising) mic was the old Canon ZM-100, but it appears to have developed a major noise problem in the last couple of days (and it must be externally powered). The Rode SVM VideoStereo mic is OK, but it solves none of the problems completely, is relatively expensive, is large and heavy, and is somewhat "bright" sounding. The Sennheiser MKE300 with a Rycote "furry" over it, placed on a basic isolator works well, but it is mono (I made a "mono-to-stereo" simulation method that sorta works, described here - http://www.donferrario.com/ruether/mono-to-stereo.htm). Unfortunately, the "100" model Canon mic made for newer camcorders (it comes with a "furry") will not fit the shoe on this series of camcorders, nor can it be powered by them. The "50" mic made for the cameras may work with a suitable "furry", but I could find none, the mic doesn't look well isolated (I could be wrong...), and its reputation is not high (but that could also be misleading). After losing most ambient audio last year to wind, etc., I was hoping to have solved the problem for this year - and maybe the Rode will work since I must use a brace to counteract a tremor of mine, which separates me from directly handling the camera while shooting (I refuse to limit myself by using a tripod - video is about MOTION! ;-).
--DR
dogwalker wrote on 5/22/2009, 8:55 AM
Great info, all. Thanks! DR, I tried to go to your site, but unfortunately can't get there from work at the moment. I'll try again later, I'm very interested in your assessments and in your youtube video.

I'm with you, very disappointed that the HV30 - which I think is an awesome camcorder, especially considering its price - picks up even my moving my finger along the camcorder body.

Stupid question, I'm sure, but it seems that a mono mic loses a lot of what we want for just family videos. However, I'd imagine for interviews or maybe even for capturing a single individual, it would be what we want?

If the DM-50 does a good job of removing the camera noise (including my hand noise as I fiddle with it) and sounds good, it seems a nice option. I have a lot to research this weekend!

I'm going to see if anyone locally has any of these mics for testing.
DRuether wrote on 5/22/2009, 9:14 AM
To "Dogwalker"...
You can plug various mics into YouTube searches and come up with quite a few videos. There are some good ones on the Rode, especially, but some point up its negative side - brightness and a tendency toward sibilence with some voices. Short shotgun mics (which are also mono by their nature) can work well, but you do lose the stereo "width". Do avoid medium or long shotguns for general use. The Sennheiser MKE300 (now 400) sounds fine to me for almost all uses, but I do miss the broad feeling of ambience that a good stereo mic can offer (see my web page for fixing a channel balance problem resulting from plugging a mono mic into an HV20). Take a look at the Sony 908C plus Rode "Deadkitten" on some sort of flexible shoe-to-foot adapter - this may be the best option and it's relatively cheap at www.BHphotovideo.com and likely other places ($85 for the mic, $25 for the "DK", and $? for the isolator [home-made?]). The DM-50 is also well worth a try. Let us know the results.
--DR
musicvid10 wrote on 5/22/2009, 10:30 AM
The way to isolate the mic from camera noise, buzz, and handling noise is to mount it on a tripod extension bar like those used for flash attachments (available at most camera stores).

Using the camera shoe is almost always going to pick up some noise.
Earl_J wrote on 5/22/2009, 1:06 PM
DW,
try this site for a short testimonial of the Audio-Technica $130 wireless. . .

http://reef.beachwalks.tv/video/731804:Video:16509

Until that time... Earl J.
flyingski wrote on 5/22/2009, 9:49 PM
I have an HV-30 and find the DM-50 mic is an excellent addition to the camera. Its compact, mounts easily, doesn’t drain the battery, and delivers very good sound. I’ve used it mostly indoors but haven't noticed it picking up wind noise the few times I've used it outside. For home video use it’s a big improvement over the camera’s onboard mic. I just finished shooting a series of stage plays and used this camera/mic combo as a “B” roll unit. The camera gave great footage and the mic was a real surprise. It caught the actor’s voices nicely and minimized the ambient audience noise. For the price it's a good mic.
DGates wrote on 5/26/2009, 7:26 PM
That's how I use my HV30. Strictly B-cam.

What I also like about the DM-50 is that it doesn't stick out over the lens like some of these shotgun mic workarounds being mentioned.