Low cost stereo microphone

englishpremier · 26 Jul 2015 at 21:01

I'm happy with the internal sound on my A7, but I need something that I can use with a deadcat to prevent/reduce wind noise when outdoors.

I don't record interviews or anything like that. I'm more wanting to record ambient sounds on my videos such as stream, or a motorcycle passing by etc.. hence the need for the mic to be stereo.

In addition, I'd also like to be able to use it with the NEX5 and AS100 so that rules out the Sony ecm-xyst1m (what a mouthful).

Any suggestions?

CerberusReborn · 27 Jul 2015 at 00:17

Whats your budget? The rode video mic X is a good shout for its's ease of use. Its stereo and outputs on mini jack and xlr so you have the options. Comes with its own wind cover.

Do you really need stereo? A good mono recording with a decent mic is far better than a stereo recording. I have recorded stereo about 3 times in the last 5 years.

englishpremier · 27 Jul 2015 at 09:45

Well I presume that stero is much better for ambient sounds on B-roll. Especially If I'm recording vehicles passing by, they will enter the left channel and leave the right. Mainly I'll be messing about on some salt flats with it.

The Sony ecm-xyst1m is about £90 so that's the max of my budget. I could get a zoom H1 but it's a bit of a faff since really it's an external recording device, though can be used a microphone in it's own right.

The Rode video mic X is a brilliant piece of kit (saw the Philip Bloom video using it), but since I'm actually happy with the internal sound from the A7, it would be major major over kill.

I just want to kill the wind noise, and can't use a micro muff on the body due to the position of the internal stero mics.

CerberusReborn · 27 Jul 2015 at 10:29

It really depends on what you are shooting.

You will be surprised how many TV docs are recorded all in mono (dailouge is always mono). If its only doc work then I wouldn't worry about stereo, it's not important enough.

Drama work there is more of a need for it but it's the kind of thing you would do after you finish shooting.

I don't own any stereo mics and if I require one I normally rent in an MS stereo rig.

Try sticking a roycote overcover on the front of your A7, it's a cheap fix and works well.