I have a Canon ZR800 and the motor noise picked up by the mic is something I would like to get rid of. I am not an audio buff and really just want to eliminate the audio noise. I have done some searching and seen some different recommendations for cheap fixes. The two that I have found are a lavalier mic:
Audio Technica ATR-35s

and a condenser mic:
Audio Technica ATR-25

For the condenser I would buy a bracket similar to this


I really just need a microphone that picks up sound similar to the camcorder mic just without the motor noise. Which would be better? Better microphone suggestions are also welcome.

Hi Jaymode.
I purchased the ATR-35 lav a few weeks ago for my ZR800. I've only used it a couple of times in test footage, but it seems to work great. I'll be doing some interviews with it shortly to put it to actual use.

I've also purchased the Rode Videomic, which I've used a couple of times with great results, using a bracket similar to the one in your post. I have no experience with the other AT mic that you mentioned.
HTH

__________________
Robert Peterson
KUUMBA Technologies

PaladinPete, Thanks for the reply. When you use the lav in test footage how did it pick up items compared to the onboard microphone? Does it pick up ambient noise well? I think what I am trying to ask is did it seem to perform like the camera mic sans the motor noise?

I think I am more concerned with a lav vs. a condenser and not specifics. Those were two I was looking at and really I just want the one that will perform the best in general purpose use, similar to the built in mic on a camcorder.

I have read that the Rode mic is very good but it costs more than I paid for my camera.

Jay, just saw your questions. The lav mic did not pick up any sound other than the person (me) speaking. I thought it did a great job rejecting outside noise. It should work fine for you. However, I didn't use it in a very noisy place for the tests.

__________________
Robert Peterson
KUUMBA Technologies

All of the mics mentioned so far are directional mics and will not sound like your camcorder mic, which is stereo. A camcorder mic will pick up everyone in the room at about the same level, without distorting their tone, even people behind you. Directional mics focus on what's in front of them. People to the side and behind will be softer and distorted in tone. They are good for what they are for, but are not general purpose mics.

Here are some reasonably priced stereo mics:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/...ow+to+High/pn/4

And here's the same bracket you mentioned at half the price:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...h=&cltp=&clsgr=

--
Fred

I am also looking for a (or two) microphones for the exact same situation but diferent camcorder.

I have a SONY HDR-HC7 which I like a lot but the motor noise is also a problem.

If a microphone attaches to the camcorder does the noise not get propagated from the motor anyways?

Thank You,
Cori.

Hey there Frethead / Anybody:

I need a bracket that can attach to my Canon HV20 camera while it's mounted onto a JuicedLink mixer, and both are mounted onto a tripod. It looks like the brackets shown will attach to the bottom of a camera - if the camera's bottom is unused as in a hand held situation.

My problem is that I have a Rode SM3 shock mount attached to the hot shoe on top of the camera with a ME66 mic. That works fine until I put on the "deadcat" fuzzy, which puts hairs in front of my lens. I need to get that deadcat up about 3 or 4 more inches.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

Chadfish

__________________
My Rig:
www.precisionintermedia.com/chadsVX2100pics/

My Work(Except for the 3D animation):
http://www.precisionintermedia.com/video_sample.html

My Music: http://www.humboldtmusic.com/chadjohnson

Fun Video:www.youtube.com/chadfish

"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."

Willy Wonka

Chad, in your rig photos I see you are using a shockmount for your mic. That kind of solution is what I was looking for also to eliminate the motor noise. I am concerned that by using a solid metal bracket like the one mentioned in this thread the vibrations from the motor will transmit to the microphone. What do you think?

BTW, great work all around from you - both video and audio. I like the Ebow stuff.

Cori.

Hi Cori

I think you should use a shock mount no matter how you attach the mic to your camera. I think the motor sound in your mic is mostly a sonic thing rather than a vibration thing, but even so any little bump will be picked up by your mic. With my Rode SM3 shock mount I can swing my camera around with no low rumble sound caused by vibration. So maybe tru the shock mount first, and if that doesn't work then try a bracket with the shock mount.

This guy has a cool little rig witha bracket and a shock: HV20 Rig

Here's a company with some more beefy brackets that you can attach more stuff to like a wireless receiver. Bracket1: http://www.bracket1.com/

I hope that helps.

Take care.

Chad

__________________
My Rig:
www.precisionintermedia.com/chadsVX2100pics/

My Work(Except for the 3D animation):
http://www.precisionintermedia.com/video_sample.html

My Music: http://www.humboldtmusic.com/chadjohnson

Fun Video:www.youtube.com/chadfish

"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."

Willy Wonka

Thank You Chad.

I have decided to go with a Rode Videomic microphone mounted on a bracket like this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...h=&cltp=&clsgr=

Any reccomendations about the Rode Videomic? I originally wanted to go with a Azden SGM-1X but I was not able to find a cable that would work with it and fit in my Camcorder's jack.

The link you gave doesn't work. The Rode VideoMic comes with a shock mount built in, sh you shouldn't have to buy another shock mount for that mic.

__________________
My Rig:
www.precisionintermedia.com/chadsVX2100pics/

My Work(Except for the 3D animation):
http://www.precisionintermedia.com/video_sample.html

My Music: http://www.humboldtmusic.com/chadjohnson

Fun Video:www.youtube.com/chadfish

"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."

Willy Wonka