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Advice needed on external microphone

Discussion in 'Technology' started by bigodino, Dec 4, 2011.

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  1. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    Peter den Biggelaar
    #1 bigodino, Dec 4, 2011
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2011
    I'm planning on buying a video camera. Nothing special, looking right now into the JVC GZ-HM445 or the Panasonic HDC SD90. For me the only difference that matters is that the Panasonic can be equipped with an external microphone. But it's twice as expensive as the JVC and ofcourse the price of a microphone would add to that.

    The only reason for me to use an external microphone is to focus on the sound the subject makes. I will mostly be filming cars on the track (track side, not on board). Sometimes there are background sounds like the track announcer or music that I think are a nuissance.

    Would an external microphone be any useful to cancel these sounds out, or am I expecting too much of it?

    If an external microphone does have added value, which one would you recommend? I see mics from 25 to 250 euro. Obviously I want to keep it reasonable. I'm not going to use the camera that much.

    Thanks.

    Peter
     
  2. Crawler

    Crawler F1 Veteran

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    #2 Crawler, Dec 4, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 4, 2011
    I have a Nikon D7000 that I have recently begun using to shoot some commercial video. The built-in microphone is of course tiny and prone to pick up mechanical noises generated by autofocus, etc.

    I did some research and bought a Rode Videomic. I have been very pleased with it, especially considering its relatively low cost of USD 149.00.

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/363083-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_VideoMic_Camera_Mounted.html

    I mainly have been shooting interviews, and have found this microphone to have excellent sound quality and sensitivity.

    Having said that, I don't think that any microphone will be of much use in excluding the sound of a track announcer and music coming over a public address system, as this typically emanates from speakers situated all around the track and is usually turned it up loud for the express purpose of enabling it to be heard over the sound of the cars. If that's your only reason for acquiring an external mike, I suspect that you'll be disappointed.
     
  3. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    #3 bigodino, Dec 5, 2011
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2011
    Thanks for the information. According to the link the Rode microphone does seem to fit the bill but I think I'll take your advice and not expect too much of it.

    Edit: someone at work suggested that it might be possible to cancel sounds with video editing software? If true that would be even better but I highly doubt it.
     
  4. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    #4 bigodino, Dec 8, 2011
    I've been digging some more and came across audio editing software that claims it can cancel sounds, for example voices from a song (making it an instrumental).

    Anybody have experience with this kind of software? Thanks.

    Peter
     
  5. Crawler

    Crawler F1 Veteran

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    #5 Crawler, Dec 8, 2011
    It might be helpful to start a new thread, "Noise canceling software question", or something to that effect. Just a suggestion.
     

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