• DSLR Video

  Building My 1st DSLR Package: Audio + Rigging Advice?

  Posted by Brian Baker on January 20, 2012 at 7:07 pm

  Hi everyone,

  I’m assembling my first camera kit — an exciting + nerve racking process.

  I’ve decided to go DSLR — the Canon 7D to be specific. I’m going to be shooting mostly sit-down interviews and run-and-gun style documentary interviews + b-roll.

  This package is being designed to shoot as “one-man-band” who can fly under the radar; and shoot photos + videos quickly and simply.

  I feel good about my body and lens choices (f/2.8 17-55mm and a f/2.8 70-200mm) but I’m having difficulty deciding on the best audio + camera rig solution.

  For when I’m on a tripod, I plan on doing the following:

  Having a shotgun microphone (thinking the MXE400) either mounted on my camera or mounted as a boom — depending on the day

  Having a lavaliere microphone on the talent — not sure which one I want to go with here, but I don’t have the budget for an $800 system. More like $300.

  Using an external audio recorder (Zoom H4n) to record both microphone sources, record ambient sound on it’s build in microphone, and feed audio out into the 7D and a set of cans.

  I feel pretty confident in the wide-range of sound this set-up will provide me with — the only thing I’m not 100% on is microphone choice.

  My true challenge comes in figuring out a run-and-gun, hand-held audio configuration.

  I’d love to run the MXE400 right into the camera — but then I need a solution to bypass the AGC of the Canon 7D. Maybe an MP3 rig ( https://www.learningdslrvideo.com/dslr-cable-defeat-agc/ ) But I don’t like the idea of the MP3 component (1hr of tone / another battery to monitor / only 1 channel of audio recorder to camera).

  I’ve thought about a JuicedLink or similar system (instead of even using the H4n), but I don’t see these guys hand-held friendly.

  My other thought is to develop a hand-held rig that can allow me to mount my H4n, shotgun, and maybe even wirelress mic transmitter. I like what this fellow did with what appears to be a Cowboy Studio Arm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swnW84nqk1E

  The drawback I see here is the Studio Arm utilizes the tripod mount on the bottom of the camera — leaves me to wonder how I’d attach a nicer hand-held rig. I’m thinking the new pocket rig ( https://www.edelkrone.com/the-pocket-rig/ ) or a DIY job.

  Anyway, I’d love some feedback on audio + hand-held solutions for my package — after hours of research, I’m not sure which direction to take, and I could really use some field-tested opinions.

  Thanks!

  — Brian

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  Brian Baker replied 14 years, 6 months ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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