I use the ATM33a from Audio-Technica.
It's a condenser mic powered with a single AA batterie. That's the most versatile mic I have ever had. Dynamic mics tend to be not enough sensible.

Check this link
Link

Last year I picked up the Sony ECM-MS908C. It's a stereo electret unit, powered by a single cell also, and has a list price of about $100. I got mine on the web for about $70. Sounds very clean to my ears, and has a good reputation from the reviews on the web that I've read. Cable is only about a foot long, so you'll need an extension.

I recently did an interview of a choral director in her living room. The mike was on a separate tripod about three feet from her face, just below the field of view. Even though the room was pretty live, it sounded very clean.

For what it's worth and all that...

There's a lot to be said for *expensive* mics, but there are also a lot of much cheaper alternatives out there that deliver the same quality depending on your rig, and I'm talking the less then $20 range.

I'm not saying the quality of the mic is equal, but look at it this way: You can hook up a $30K camera to a VHS recorder, & compare the results with something using a $200 camcorder. The VHS recorder will only do so much, and in this (admitedly silly) example, the recorder limits the final result. Much the same thing happens when you use a great mic & not the gear to take advantage of it.

For info: Check the audio forums at DV.com, check out the mics and equip. at musiciansfriend.com (ie: a NADY for $8, a wireless rig for $30, an Audio Technica DR-VX1 for $40 & so on), check the bargains online for closeouts of nicer Kareoke mics. With a lot of these though you will have to invest in a small mixer or similar, but that goes for a lot (most?) of the more popular recording mics anyway.

Also, if you want to get the benefit of a better mic, consider recording your audio to minidisc

Ok, let's talk about numbers:

I want the best sound and here are the drawbacks:

I'm with a consumer camcorder (Sony DCR-TRV20). It has a mini-jack stereo mic input, and it has these specs:

*** Mic input***
minijack 0,388 mV low impedance from 2,5 to 3 V CC,
Output impedance de 6,8 ohms. Not balanced.
No manual audio control. AGC sucks.

So I will have to build an adaptor like this: XLR to mini jack

look here for a picture:

http://www.video-computer.com/micro.htm

As I said I'm considering purchasing the Sennheiser e845S:

Pick-up pattern : super-cardioid
Frequency response 40-16.000 Hz
Sensitivity : 1,8 mV / Pa
Nominal impedance 350 ohms.

So, the point is: Sensitivity: 0,388 mV (camera) and 1,8 mV (mic), they are too much different, aren't they ? Will this cause me a problem ? I used to use a Sennheiser MKE 300 (16mV/Pa) and the signal was too high for the camera. The AGC was mad.

I have a Sony portable minidisc with manual audio control, so what would you recomend me ?

I really appreciate your help.

Thanks

Here's a thought...you can use an inexpensive (NOT a toy) mic. Then, when you process the wav file you can use the Antares Mic Modeler Direct-X or VST PlugIn (See it @ http://www.antares-systems.com/products/amm.html) and dramatically change the sound characteristcs. It's not cheap but it supposedly works great. A friend of mine has a recording studio and uses it a lot.

Steve

In between, if you want you don't have to build an xlr to 1/8 cable, HOSA manufactures them and they are great,
I use a "pro" mic (the atm33a) with a cheap camera (sont digi 8) and obtain great results.

What's your application? Will you be doing these/this interview(s) inside with access to AC power outlets - or will you be doing exterior location work. Are you looking to use a handheld mic or a lav attatched to a body pack, will you have someone else to help with audio, ala a boom operater? Also, what's your budget? If you give a bit more information, I may have some helpful suggestions for you. :-)

Thanks,

Shawn

shawnm,

I would like to use a handheld mic for interviews (like the reporters do, BTW which mics do they use for this purpouse?). Not lavaliers. It will be plugged in the camcorder or in a minidisc (because it has manual audio control). Basically location work. In noisy environments (traffic, lots of people...). I do not have boom operator, if I had the Sennheiser ME66 with K6 and a hairy windshield would be the best choice I reckon.

My budget: 300$ maximum

I'm looking forward to read your answer shawnm :-)

Best Regards.

Hi Mitteg,

For your budget I would look at getting into something like the Sure SM 58, 63 or VP64 series microphones - with a very good wind screen from a company like Rycote (http://www.rycote.com/). Also, I would avoid using the audio from your camera altogether and just use the minidisk with a slate. I know the SM58 runs on battery power, but I'm not sure about the other microphones. You might want to do some research and see if you need to include a phantom power module in your setup. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Shawn

Sorry I forgot to post a URL for Shure Microphones. http://www.shure.com/selectionguides/sel-broadpromics.html

I should also mention that Shure makes *very durable* handheld mics. You could probably drive a nail through one of these mics, and it would probably still work.

Good luck man,

Shawn

Mitteg:

What can you tell me about Minidisk? I remember DV magazine ran an article recently that found the miniDV camcorders to be pretty poor with audio, and suggested Minidisk (or DAT for folks with lots of money) instead. What models are there? Any advantages or disadvantages to note?

One disadvantage to the few minidisk recorders I've seen is that you can not get a digital signal out - have to go via analog.

Tor

The Sm58 doesn't run on battery power, it's a dynamic mic.
While being a nice mic, it might not be sensible enough for this kinf of work. This will depend on the preamp, but since you're talking about the camcorder or minidisc, it would be safer to go condenser in my opinion...

Well, I finally could do some tests with a Sony MZ-N707 Minidisc. First of all, it has no digital line out (none of them has). Second, the ATRAC3 compression is awesome, absolutely no difference from the original source. Like someone said: "ATRAC compression : a difference which makes no difference is no difference" ;-)

First test: mic: Sennheiser MKE 300 shotgun condenser microphone with a mini-jack.
Problems: the mic outputs too much signal, the sound level is too high and it clips. This can be solved using manual audio control (manual rec level). Even though is difficult to get a perfect signal, or it is too low or too high :-(
On the other hand MKE300 is a silent mic (no hiss or hum at all, absolutely pristine sound, but it lacks bass).

I'm about to do a similar test with a lavalier microphone : Sony ECM-TS125. Well see what happens.

If someone has had a good experience with a minidisc and a mic, please let us know. Thanks everybody for your help.

Robert.

>The Sm58 doesn't run on battery power, it's a dynamic mic.

You're right - sorry I'm thinking of the SM94. However, I have at different times also used the SM58 for voice overs (software demonstrations) and for interviews. The great thing about the SM58, is that i can keep it in a mic holster or pocket without worrying about it. There are better mics to be sure, but for the price it's hard to beat. At about $100.00, you can afford an SM58 or two, AND a battery powered phantom power module like the the Whirlwind MIC Power box (http://www.whirlwindusa.com/phan.html) or the PB224 Dual Phantom Power Plus (http://www.rolls.com/) both weighing in at about $100.00.

Thanks,

Shawn

"At about $100.00, you can afford an SM58 or two, AND a battery powered phantom power module like the the Whirlwind MIC Power box "

- not that you will need any phantom power for the SM-58, and besides, carrying external boxes in the field is for the birds with so many battery powered mics around, doncha think? -

the SM58 is a fine budget mic, and you can drive nails WITH it, but probably not THROUGH it. (though I really don't recommend doing either) This would be a workable choice for what I think you are describing.

As far as the $20.00 mic ideas being bandied about - save yourself the time and aggravation. Camcorders these days, even the cheap ones have pretty amazing audio capabilities and you WILL hear the difference - Maybe you can save a few bucks, but what's your time worth? What would you pay to NOT blow a one-chance interview with substandard or malfunctioning equipment?

The mic that is all over TV/radio news for reportage is the EV RE-50 http://www.oakwoodbroadcast.com/Microphones/EV/ev_re50.html
The funny thing is, it's an OMNI - one would expect it to be a cardioid, but no. go figger.

Ron Grandia