#camera audio

[soundworksrecny]

Sonia De Los Santos - Mariposa Montuna Live at The New Victory Theater

Sonia De Los Santos - Mariposa Montuna Live at The New Victory Theater

Video: Neftali Kratc, Sandra Kratc Audio: Kamilo Kratc Sonia De Los Santos - jarana, vocals Solange Prat - vihuela, vocals Martin Vejarano - gaita hembra Gregorio Uribe - gaita macho, maraca Sinuhé Padilla-Isunza - leona, vocals George Saenz - tambora, vocals Luisa Bastidas - llamador Jonathan Gomez - tambor alegre

[soundworksrecny]

Noah Bless - Latin Explosion All Stars band 2 min reel

Noah Bless - Latin Explosion All Stars band 2 min reel

Kamilo Kratc: Audio Mastering (of Camera Audio and Board Feed)

Worked With: Noah Bless: Producer, Band Leader, Trombone

[bronxdoc-blog]

Microphones for Canon 5D MkII

I was recently asked to rate the audio options when using the Canon 5D MkII to shoot video.  As is well known, the MkII’s onboard mic is very limited.   I've done quite a bit of video with the 5D MkII and here are a few options.  All of them involve compromises, see which one is best for you:

1) The 5D MkII’s built in mic.  Fairly weak, auto gain (which means it spikes and drops on its own, you have no control).  Picks up handling noise as you move hands on the camera.

2) Senheiser MKE 400 shotgun.  Small and ok sound.   Small size is a big plus.  The MKE400 has a rubber hot shoe mount, which breaks easily, rendering the mic useless. Until it breaks, it does do a decent job of isolating handling noise.  If you’re doing run and gun work in rough areas, I don’t recommend this mic.  If you are working in calm, controlled environments, this is a good step up from the built-in mic.  Uses one AAA battery, plugs into side of camera with attached mini cable.  Also uses auto gain as inputs through camera system.  http://www.sennheiserusa.com/professional-camera-microphone-camcorder-microphone_502047

 Cost: approximately $200

3) Rhode VideoMic.  also shotgun mount.  9V batt.  Much larger than the Senheiser--gives better sound.  Has a built-in hotshoe mount that isolates the mic from much of the handling noise.  But I’m not blown away by the sound quality considering how big it is.  Plugs into side of camera with attached mini cable.  Also uses auto gain as inputs through camera system. http://www.rodemic.com/mics/videomic  

Cost: approximately $150

4) Rhode has recently released a VideoMic Pro.  I have not used this but reviews are positive and I’ve talked to a few people that use it and like it.  It is much smaller than their regular VideoMic and does not appear to be as fragile as the Senheiser MKE400.   Details are here: http://www.rodemic.com/mics/videomicpro

Cost: approximately $250

5) Run a small mixing box under the camera (uses the tripod mount) and plugs into the 5D’s mini input on the sound of the camera.   You can see one here, but there are several models and makes:  http://www.beachtek.com/dxaslr.html

With this, you can mount a shotgun mic attached by XLR cable either on the hotshoe or off camera.  You can dial in the sound levels yourself, a much better solution overall. My friend Todd Heisler uses this and likes it.  Cost: Approximately $350 plus external mics

5) You can shoot with the built-in mic (sound is quite poor) and record sound simultaneously with a high-quality off-camera recorder and shotgun setup.  i like these two Sony's, but there are many good ones, you can plug a good shotgun mic into any of them and get very, very good sound.  

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/524130-REG/Sony_PCM_D50_PCM_D50_Professional_Portable.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638090-REG/Sony_PCM_M10_BLACK_PCM_M10_Portable_Audio_Recorder.html

Then you simply run an application called Plural Eyes in Final Cut Pro.    It is a simple plug in.  It will read the wave lengths of the (poor) on-camera sound and the (excellent) sound you recorded off-camera and automatically sync them up.  Quality-wise, this is the best solution, but maybe too intensive for some users.

I have bought my camera gear from Fotocare for the past 15 years.   I consider Fotocare to be the best camera store in NYC.  They have excellent service, are nice guys and thorough professionals.  The few dollars extra one pays vs. a discount store is more than made up for in the service you get.  Fotocare is a supporter of the Bronx Documentary Center.

Fotocare

41 W 22nd st.

[phone]

www.fotocare.com

  Mike Kamber, BDC