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Need help mounting an external mic to a camcorder

post #1 of 10
3/16/13 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
I run a website for workshop related activities. To go along with this website, we have a youtube channel where we do tool reviews and other stuff. Our first 50ish videos were done in standard def with a point and shoot camera. We have made a decision to go HD.

This has proven to be tougher than I thought. We bought a HD point and click, but there was a clicking noise that the audio picked up . It was horrible. Returned it and bought a $250 handycam camcorder. The onboard mic would not pick up the audio and it just proved to be too quiet. We returned it today.

I was talked into buying (by my partner) another handycam (HDR-XR260V) for $500 because it has an input for an external mic. The issue that I see with this camera is that there is not hot shoe on this camcorder, so I don't know how I could mount a shotgun mic on it.

Any suggestions on how to do this would be tremendously appreciated.

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post #2 of 10
3/16/13 at 3:35pm
Hi WA - you need an $11 Sony Active Interface Shoe to Universal Shoe Adapter. Sadly, Sony and Canon try to trap you into buying proprietary accessories with non-standard hot shoes. This is one of the reasons I stay away from their camcorders.
Hope this helpful
Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution
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post #3 of 10
3/16/13 at 3:48pm
You could buy a "flash bracket", also known as a "light bracket".

These can be used for microphones, lights or anything with a "shoe" connection.

bracket..
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/185-4818147-3535436?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=flash+bracket

You slip the microphone in a standard microphone clip:
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Line-MS103-ProLine-Rubber-Microphone/dp/B000IY8QCM/ref=sr_1_23?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1363472989&sr=1-23&keywords=mic+clip

Then you screw this adapter piece on the button of the clip:
http://www.amazon.com/WindTech-CM-57-DSLR-Adapter-Thread/dp/B00946JW8M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1363472887&sr=8-4&keywords=mic+clip+shoe

Now the clip can slide/mount on the bracket's shoe slot and turn the adjustable adapter piece until secure on the bracket. (Note the picture doesn't show the pieces I suggested you buy, but at least you can see what a microphone is like on a bracket.)



The brackets can be used hand-held or if you have a tripod, there is usually a female thread on the bottom of the bracket knob to screw the tripod plate in.
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post #4 of 10
3/16/13 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Workshop Addict View Post

I run a website for workshop related activities. To go along with this website, we have a youtube channel where we do tool reviews and other stuff. Our first 50ish videos were done in standard def with a point and shoot camera. We have made a decision to go HD.

This has proven to be tougher than I thought. We bought a HD point and click, but there was a clicking noise that the audio picked up . It was horrible. Returned it and bought a $250 handycam camcorder. The onboard mic would not pick up the audio and it just proved to be too quiet. We returned it today.

I was talked into buying (by my partner) another handycam (HDR-XR260V) for $500 because it has an input for an external mic. The issue that I see with this camera is that there is not hot shoe on this camcorder, so I don't know how I could mount a shotgun mic on it.

Any suggestions on how to do this would be tremendously appreciated.

In the days of yore I used to do this.



If you will be talking a lot, then you need either a lavalier mic, possibly a wireless one, or you need someone else holding a mic on a boom. Another solution is a separate audio recorder, then syncing audio in post.

1. Wired high quality: feed into the cam the best connection is balanced XLR cable and mic. You need a camera that accepts XLR audio too, which none of consumer cam does. In fact, XLR connector is one of the prime attributes of a pro camera. Expensive.

2. Wireless: use a wireless receiver and record directly into camera. See my example below.



3. For syncing in post use a separate recorder like Zoom H1 (audio for the video above was recorded onto the H1) and then sync in post. If you have just one long take, then syncing is very easy. The H1 costs around $100.
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post #5 of 10
3/16/13 at 4:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Hi WA - you need an $11 Sony Active Interface Shoe to Universal Shoe Adapter.

My camcorder doesn't have an active interface shoe, so I don't think this will work.

I was wondering if that light bracket would work for me. I use the camera on a tri pod, but couldn't see if the light brackets would then attach to a tri pod. If they do, this would be a great option for me.

Thanks for the help.
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post #6 of 10
3/16/13 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Workshop Addict View Post

I was wondering if that light bracket would work for me. I use the camera on a tri pod, but couldn't see if the light brackets would then attach to a tri pod. If they do, this would be a great option for me.

Yes, provided that there is a female thread on the bottom. I can tell you this one does:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734090-REG/Vello_CB_500_CB_500_Dual_Shoe_Bracket.html

Located at the the bottom of the knob, that's where you screw the tripod plate or tripod screw.



Other brackets of similar style should also have the thread on the bottom.

Like I posted above you need a microphone clip that can mount on the shoe - that adapter will facilitate that for the clip.
There are all-in-one's, clip with built-in shoe piece, but it would depend if it fit your microphone.

That universal clip will fit just about any microphone.
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Line-MS103-ProLine-Rubber-Microphone/dp/B000IY8QCM/ref=sr_1_23?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1363472989&sr=1-23&keywords=mic+clip

This is a better price for the adapter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68160-REG/Audio_Technica_AT8469_AT8469_Camera_Shoe_Mount.html
Edited by xfws - 3/16/13 at 4:35pm
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post #7 of 10
3/16/13 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Workshop Addict View Post

I run a website for workshop related activities. To go along with this website, we have a youtube channel where we do tool reviews and other stuff. ....

What is the YT channel? I want to watch!

Bill
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post #8 of 10
3/16/13 at 4:57pm
Maybe I found it: https://www.youtube.com/user/WorkshopAddict
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post #9 of 10
3/17/13 at 7:06am
Thread Starter 
Yes, that is my youtube channel.

I spent a few hours on youtube learning about the channel's settings, how to upload HD videos and working with my video editing program (corel studiopro 4X). I don't know if I accomplished much, but I feel a little more confident.

Looking into getting a light bracket and shotgun mic real soon.
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post #10 of 10
3/17/13 at 8:34am
My TM700 with Rode Stereo VideoMic :





With stock TM700 bracket :
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