Basic add-on microphone?

[Gimli]

The mic does sound very good, and a million miles better than the built-in, but I am a little disappointed... just glad it didn't cost too much.

Yes, the actual voice of the person talking sounds pretty amazing considering the cost, it's just the fact I get VERY loud noise in the background. Although it is quite cheap for somebody around my age (17) who doesn't really earn much it's a lot of money to throw away, especially when I may have to buy an external recorder (and possibly a small tripod and mount) to record. I, like you, wanted a quick all-in-one solution that wouldn't require much setting up or syncing up in editing.

I could always try for a refund on the microphone but I think I'd prefer to use the Rode with a external recorder rather than just an onboard mic such as that on the Zoom H1. It's just the costs keep adding up!

 

[redline]

Yes, the actual voice of the person talking sounds pretty amazing considering the cost, it's just the fact I get VERY loud noise in the background. Although it is quite cheap for somebody around my age (17) who doesn't really earn much it's a lot of money to throw away, especially when I may have to buy an external recorder (and possibly a small tripod and mount) to record. I, like you, wanted a quick all-in-one solution that wouldn't require much setting up or syncing up in editing.

I could always try for a refund on the microphone but I think I'd prefer to use the Rode with a external recorder rather than just an onboard mic such as that on the Zoom H1. It's just the costs keep adding up!

I'm not sure about the H1 but the mics on the H2 are very good indeed, with no noise issues... in fact I've made field recordings, and pushed certain frequencies, to boost bird song and its stayed very clean and quiet. I have heard, like these lower-end DSLR's, that the Zoom pre-amps can be noisy with an external mic, so using the Rode with the Zoom might not be a better solution.

 

[Gimli]

I'm not sure about the H1 but the mics on the H2 are very good indeed, with no noise issues... in fact I've made field recordings, and pushed certain frequencies, to boost bird song and its stayed very clean and quiet. I have heard, like these lower-end DSLR's, that the Zoom pre-amps can be noisy with an external mic, so using the Rode with the Zoom might not be a better solution.

The type of videos I'm mostly looking to shoot are videos where I'm stood/sat in front of the video talking, funny skits (basically me stood in frony of the camera again) and music videos (outdoor and indoor), though these probably will only require audio for syncing. Basically your average youtube channel I think. Do you think something like the H2 would be good for something like that? Worst part is obviously syncing in post, but I know you can usually get the best quality audio from external recording.

Edit: Just looked and I have until the 8th of Sept to file a return on the Rode

 

[redline]

The type of videos I'm mostly looking to shoot are videos where I'm stood/sat in front of the video talking, funny skits (basically me stood in frony of the camera again) and music videos (outdoor and indoor), though these probably will only require audio for syncing. Basically your average youtube channel I think. Do you think something like the H2 would be good for something like that? Worst part is obviously syncing in post, but I know you can usually get the best quality audio from external recording.

Edit: Just looked and I have until the 8th of Sept to file a return on the Rode

From my personal experience with it I would say yes... the quality of the sound is very good. Use a clap or other sharp sound to give a clear visual marker to sync with, though it will be fiddly to get it perfect.

 

[Gimli]

If the Attenuator doesn't do a very good job I may return the Rode and try the H2, if that fails I can always get another VideoMic in the future. The fact that it's extremely easy to mount to any tripod is quite useful, could easily sit it on my desk.

May be a good idea to order it in advance just incase the Attenuator doesn't work out. Will have to take a look at some reviews.

 

[redline]

If the Attenuator doesn't do a very good job I may return the Rode and try the H2, if that fails I can always get another VideoMic in the future. The fact that it's extremely easy to mount to any tripod is quite useful, could easily sit it on my desk.

May be a good idea to order it in advance just incase the Attenuator doesn't work out. Will have to take a look at some reviews.

Surely the attenuator will only lower the mics output into the camera, which will not help with the noise floor, which is caused by the cameras pre-amp.

The set-up people are using with other cameras is the lower the internal sensitivity, and raise the output from the mic... the mic itself is quiet, so this improves the overall noise level.

I think that is correct anyway.

 

[Gimli]

Surely the attenuator will only lower the mics output into the camera, which will not help with the noise floor, which is caused by the cameras pre-amp.

The set-up people are using with other cameras is the lower the internal sensitivity, and raise the output from the mic... the mic itself is quiet, so this improves the overall noise level.

I think that is correct anyway.

That's what I thought but

confused me a little. I have contacted the seller about cancelling the order.

Something I have only just thought about is I do have a Blue Yeti sat on my desk, I was thinking this may work but it would mean recording direct to my PC. I'm not sure if it's something I'd want to use for standing in front of the camera type shoots, I mainly using it for computer based things (skype, gaming, commentaries, singing, voice overs, etc.).

 

[redline]

That's what I thought but

confused me a little. I have contacted the seller about cancelling the order.

Something I have only just thought about is I do have a Blue Yeti sat on my desk, I was thinking this may work but it would mean recording direct to my PC. I'm not sure if it's something I'd want to use for standing in front of the camera type shoots, I mainly using it for computer based things (skype, gaming, commentaries, singing, voice overs, etc.).

It maybe worth doing a little more research first, as it seems to work for some, but maybe that is with very noisy mic's.

Using a decent capacitor mic, interfaced through your PC will likely give the best results, but is obviously limiting in mobility and fiddly in syncing.

I want mine for outdoor use, so hopefully lowering the cameras amp level will help... Its never simple is it?

 

[Gimli]

It maybe worth doing a little more research first, as it seems to work for some, but maybe that is with very noisy mic's.

Using a decent capacitor mic, interfaced through your PC will likely give the best results, but is obviously limiting in mobility and fiddly in syncing.

I want mine for outdoor use, so hopefully lowering the cameras amp level will help... Its never simple is it?

Too right! If the pre-amp in my 600D worked fine then I'd be one happy person right now.

I think what I'm going to do is go straight down the external route, I don't think I'll be able to get an all-in-one solution with this camera, kind of makes me wish I'd spent the bit extra and gotten the 60D.

Will be able to use my Blue Yeti for some things, but for others (such as one I have planned where there's two of us sat at a table/desk) eating things, I'm going to need something like the H2. Going to read up on which would be best for me. In all the research I did regarding the 600D I didn't once find anybody complaining about the onboard pre-amp!

 

[Gimli]

Ordered the Zoom H2, a little tripod and a 16gb SD card today. I was going to wait until it got here to compare the onboard microphone to when the Rode mic is plugged in, but I don't think I can afford to keep both! Will probably send the Rode back in the next few days.

 

[Gimli]

The H2N arrived extremely quickly so I decided to do a comparison before I sent them off. My cameras audio controls were set to Auto and the only setting I changed on the H2N was the gain (need to have a better play though).

 

[redline]

snip

The H2N arrived extremely quickly so I decided to do a comparison before I sent them off. My cameras audio controls were set to Auto and the only setting I changed on the H2N was the gain (need to have a better play though).

The H2N + Rode seems to give the best results with your setup... The noise with the Rode plugged into your camera is awful, and far worse than with my D5100.

The H2N on its own picks up a lot of room sound, and would benefit from being positioned closer to the sound source, in this case you, with a lower gain. I find the H2 great for capturing quiet sounds, or for capturing ambience’s... I've recorded musical instruments in spaces for their natural reverbs etc. which it does very well.

The 600D sounds okay, if rather harsh and noisy.

I would try the H2 on its own again, but closer to you and with lower gain.

Can you apply some EQ with your video software?... cut the low end, rounding off from 250hz... and maybe some top end too, above 5000hz.

 

[Gimli]

The H2N + Rode seems to give the best results with your setup... The noise with the Rode plugged into your camera is awful, and far worse than with my D5100.

The H2N on its own picks up a lot of room sound, and would benefit from being positioned closer to the sound source, in this case you, with a lower gain. I find the H2 great for capturing quiet sounds, or for capturing ambience’s... I've recorded musical instruments in spaces for their natural reverbs etc. which it does very well.

The 600D sounds okay, if rather harsh and noisy.

I would try the H2 on its own again, but closer to you and with lower gain.

Can you apply some EQ with your video software?... cut the low end, rounding off from 250hz... and maybe some top end too, above 5000hz.

Yes, I agree. If I had the money I'd keep the Rode but I can't afford to do that right now, maybe somewhere down the line I'll be able to pick one up again.

The H2N was probably about a foot away from me, I didn't have much time to play with the settings but I think with a lower gain (as you suggest) I should be left with better sounding audio. I've also got to have a look at the different recording modes, for the video I used 4ch as that enables me to use external microphones (and records from the onboard as back up).

I think a gain of around 4 will do it, but I've not given it a go since I recorded the video. Is there any other settings I should be aware of?

Edit: This isn't the video that persuaded me to buy the Zoom, but from 4:54 into the video you can see that it should be perfect for what I'm using it for!

 

[redline]

I think its just a case of playing with the gain and distance, and use 'front' or 'rear' [facing you] and not 'surround' which will pick up lots of room... which that vid shows. Filtering and some compression would also help clean-up the audio and keep the level even, giving a more professional sound.

I have the older version of the H2, which has fewer settings.

 

[Gimli]

After a bit more testing I've found that having the H2N about a foot away, set to XY and having the gain set to 7/8 produces good sound (like in the video I posted).

 

[redline]

After a bit more testing I've found that having the H2N about a foot away, set to XY and having the gain set to 7/8 produces good sound (like in the video I posted).

Hey, that's good... pleased you've got things to your satisfaction. It seems the new H2 has way more options than I have on my older version.