• Wondering which camera, gear, computer, or software to buy? Ask in our Gear Guide.

Super DIY question about lighting and sound equipment!

Alright so first I have a question about lighting, could someone dumb this guide down a bit more, and provide links because I'm not really understanding it fully. Sorry I'm just not that technical when it comes to lighting.

http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting/diy/

Next, could you give me some advice on recording external sound (My camera doesn't have a mic jack). What is the best device for recording external sound from a boom mic. Also I don't won't to spend too much.

Is this a good, cheap effective mic for a beginner:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-14-3...ccessories&hash=item1c18677095#ht_3344wt_1004

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brand-Ne..._Accessories&hash=item415a89d136#ht_500wt_922
 
What exactly didn't you understand from that guide? I'm not sure how to make it simpler. As for the microphone, I'd be highly suspect of any item without a brand/model number from eBay. You're not going to find anything that could be qualified as "good" for that price.
 
Serious audio requires serious investment. At the minimum - if your camera has a mic input - would be the Rode VideoMic, or, better yet, the Rode VideoMic Pro (VMP).

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

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/744768-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_PRO_VideoMic_Pro_Compact_Shotgun.html


After that you get into prosumer gear:


Here are "popular" low budget shotguns:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ica_AT875R_AT875_Short_Condenser_Shotgun.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300615-REG/Audio_Technica_AT897_AT897_Short_Condenser.html (Battery powered phantom power)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367746-REG/Rode_NTG_1_NTG_1_Condenser_Shotgun_Microphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367747-REG/Rode_NTG_2_NTG_2_Battery_or_Phantom.html



Here are "popular" low budget cardioid mics:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...4053b_Hypercardioid_Condenser_Microphone.html

http://www.oktava-online.com/mk012.htm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/359043-REG/sE_Electronics_SE1A_SE1A_Small_Diaphragm.html

I don't know what camera you are using, so you may need an external audio recorder:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...100_DR_100_Professional_Portable_Digital.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600761-REG/Zoom_H4N_H4n_Handy_Mobile_4_Track.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...MD661_PMD661_Professional_Portable_Flash.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/432017-REG/Fostex_FR2_LE_FR_2_LE_2_Channel.html



You will also need a shock-mount, boom-pole, cables, etc. A lot of shotgun mics come bundled in a kit that includes almost everything you need.
 
Well if your on an extreme budget, to get the audio from your mic without a mic jack on the camera, pick up an voice recorder over at Best Buy, (like 40 bucks), then plug the mic into that, sinc the audio later. I did that for awhile, worked well.

Honestly mics are finicky devices, I wouldn't buy any off ebay. Audio Technica makes some good 50-60 dollar shotgun mics that are at least better than your onboard, I'd look up their mics on Amazon. (And they have a great repair policy, mine broke after about 6 months, they sent me a new one no questions asked)
 
Serious audio requires serious investment. At the minimum - if your camera has a mic input - would be the Rode VideoMic, or, better yet, the Rode VideoMic Pro (VMP).

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

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/744768-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_PRO_VideoMic_Pro_Compact_Shotgun.html


After that you get into prosumer gear:


Here are "popular" low budget shotguns:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ica_AT875R_AT875_Short_Condenser_Shotgun.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300615-REG/Audio_Technica_AT897_AT897_Short_Condenser.html (Battery powered phantom power)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367746-REG/Rode_NTG_1_NTG_1_Condenser_Shotgun_Microphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367747-REG/Rode_NTG_2_NTG_2_Battery_or_Phantom.html



Here are "popular" low budget cardioid mics:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...4053b_Hypercardioid_Condenser_Microphone.html

http://www.oktava-online.com/mk012.htm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/359043-REG/sE_Electronics_SE1A_SE1A_Small_Diaphragm.html

I don't know what camera you are using, so you may need an external audio recorder:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...100_DR_100_Professional_Portable_Digital.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600761-REG/Zoom_H4N_H4n_Handy_Mobile_4_Track.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...MD661_PMD661_Professional_Portable_Flash.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/432017-REG/Fostex_FR2_LE_FR_2_LE_2_Channel.html



You will also need a shock-mount, boom-pole, cables, etc. A lot of shotgun mics come bundled in a kit that includes almost everything you need.

Thanks for the help. I've decided on what mic I'm going to get (NTG-2) but I'm not sure whether I should spend the extra thirty dollars on the tascam or should I go with the Zoom?
 
I own both the H4n and the Tascam. The only thing better about the H4N is the fact that you can record the inputs at the same time as the onboard mics. Everything else is way better on the Tascam. It has much quieter nicer sounding pre's and is built to last. (I have had to re saulder the Zoom a couple times on the headphone jack) Also it has better battery power and easy input adjustment.
 
Last edited:
I own both the H4n and the Tascam. The only thing better about the H4N is the fact that you can record the inputs at the same time as the onboard mics. Everything else is way better on the Tascam. It has much quieter nicer sounding pre's and is built to last. (I have had to re saulder the Zoom a couple times on the headphone jack) Also it has better battery power and easy input adjustment.

Thanks, I'm going to go with the Tascam!
 
Back
Top