Canon MD101 and my Sony Vegas

[Mike Kujbida]

If you’re happy (and you seem to be) with the picture quality, consider investing in an external microphone to get rid of the motor noise.
Your camcorder has an external mic jack.
The Rode Video Mic and Sennheiser MKE 400 both get high marks as excellent yet inexpensive shotgun mics.

[Pete Hughes]

Thanks Mike,

what a very interesting suggestion. I hadn’t thought of that specific idea. I have used a zoom H4 but must have got the settings too high and it spoiled the video. Will look at your suggestions

Many thanks

Pete

[Mike Kujbida]

Having an H4 changes my suggestion as this is a great tool as long as it’s used properly.
Please give me an example or two of how you’re using it and under what circumstances as this will determine further suggestions.

[Pete Hughes]

Hi Mike,

thanks for taking the time. Much appreciated.

I use the H4 in two ways. Mainly I just use it as a separate sound source. Put it up close to the person I’m filming – use a clapper board and then incorporate the video into Vegas – sync it with the H4 audio and remove the video audio.

The other way is to use the H4 as an external mic for the Canon MD101.

The problem was that I did a recording of a school prize giving with H4 as an external mic and the applause was so loud that the video just distorted and when I tried to firewire it in the video it just jumped and jolted and I lost everything. I have been reticent to use it this way again incase I do the same and ruin it. Am I right in guessing that I had the input too high on the mic setting ?

Hope this helps and again thanks for anything you can help with

Cheer Cosy Pete

[Mike Kujbida]

Pete, if the person you’re filming is an interview-type situation, I’m a very big fan of putting a mic on the person so I’d recommend a lavaliere mic into either the H4 as it has external mic jacks on it or directly into the camera.
I can’t make specific mic recommendations as the mics I use at work cost way more than your budget allows.
If you have a pro audio shop near you, rent a few different models and see what works best for you.

In your second situation, yes, my guess is that the input got overloaded.

You monitor your video by using your viewfinder and audio is no different.
Buy yourself a decent set of headphones (I use a pair of Shure earbuds – about $100) and use them all the time as this is the only way to monitor your audio as it’s coming in.

Go through the manual and study how best to set up the mic inputs so that you get the best possible sound from the Zoom.
I’ve read a lot of positive posts on it so I know it’s a decent unit.

[Pete Hughes]

Dear Mike,

thank you so much for your wisdom.

I love the idea of a lapel mic and will certainly investigate that. Great idea.

I’m still reticent yet to use H4 as the external mic and I guess that that comes with practice so that’s what I will do.

Thanks again for taking the time

Cheers Cosy Pete

[Mike Kujbida]

Pete, I’m always happy to help out.
Good luck with your purchase, whatever it may be.