DSLR Audio

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We'll be tackling quite a few different events and conferences this year, and mic handling is a very important skill for the interviewer otherwise sound can easily be lost. To help prevent those issues when the microphone is not pointing towards the subject properly, we thought we'd try out the Rode Reporter ENG Hand Held Microphone at our next events.

Rode Reporter Microphone ENG HandheldRode Reporter

Quick Specs:
-Ergonomic die-cast body
-Anti-glare matte black finish appears discreet on camera
-Multi-layer wind protection
-Does not require phantom power, enabling the use of field recorders without the ability to supply it
-Extra long balanced handle allows for comfortable handling and allows you to get closer to a sound source
-Removable two-sided polycarbonate/ABS plastic microphone flag for display of your organization's logo

The Rode Reporter uses an Omnidirectional pickup pattern for fairly balanced sound levels whether the microphone is pointing towards the subject or slightly away. There are other microphones that offer an Omnidirectional pickup pattern, but need to be very close to the source. The Rode Reporter Microphone was designed to still perform quite well without being pushed into your subjects face. The uniquely designed mic flag can optionally be added for visibility to brand your company. If you work with an on-camera host or deal with event coverage, make sure to check out the Rode Reporter via B&H Photo Video (click here).

Rode Reporter ENG Hand Held Interview Event Microphone
find-price-button Rode Reporter Hand Held ENG Interview Microphone Omnidirectional

Sennheiser XLR Wireless
find-price-button Sennheiser ew112-p G3 Wireless Lav Kit

sennheiser CL2 XLR Cable Wireless Microphone ENG hand Held
find-price-button Sennheiser CL-2 XLR Cable for G3 Series

Sennheiser XLR Wireless G3
find-price-button Wireless XLR Base for Sennheiser G3

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Rode Microphones has announced another iOS Product called the smartLav. The smartLav uses a TRRS connection to plug directly into any iOS device and uses an Omni-directional capsule picking up sound equally around the lav microphone. The smartLav will work with other recording apps, but is perfectly paired to be used with the new Rode Rec App which includes a wide range of equalization presets to suit various recording situations. The smartLav should retail around $60 bucks. For more information check out the dedicated website at https://smartlav.com.

main_smartlav
Rode smartLAV Lavalier Microphone for iOS

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PMA at CES 2013, Rode Microphones showed off the new iXY Stereo Recording Microphone for iPhone/iPad. The add-on microphone attaches to your iPhone or iPad and offers Two 1/2" Cardioid Condenser Capsules, Onboard A/D Conversion, and up to 24-bit/96k Recording (higher quality audio than the iPhone was previously able to handle). I'm sure you've seen the product announcements on other blogs, and this is a great interview that should answer any further questions.

It's a great little product, but i'm sure the price will drum up a few comments. What do you guys think about this new Rode offering? The new Rode iXY is available for pre-order and expected to be released in March via B&H (click here).

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find-price-button Rode iXY Stereo Recording Microphone for iPhone/iPad

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Here's a clever little tip for carrying around a portable audio recorder 'hands free' and at the same time having quick access to the screen and controls. Vimeo member Bruno Chansou uses a B-Grip Camera Belt (found here Amazon), normally used to clip a DSLR camera combined with a Manfrotto Ball Head for positioning the recorder. [Thanks Bruno] The B-Grip Camera Belt Holster system can be found via Amazon (click here).

b-grip camera beltb-grip camera holster
find-price-button B-GRIP EVO Camera Belt - via Amazon


b-grip evo belt camera system
find-price-button B-Grip Camera Belt Holster System - via eBay

The B-Grip Camera Belt Holster is a nice little solution for a belt mounted audio recorder, but it's a system that can run over $50 dollars. If this is something you might want to tackle on a budget, there are other belt clip systems that might be modified to work in a similar manner for less than $7 dollars via eBay (found below)

belt clip camera holster cheesycambelt clip camera mount
find-price-button DSLR Belt Clip Camera Holster

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If you're looking for a good LAV Mic, go for the Rode LAV which runs $249 dollars. Doesn't require very much gain, and sounds very clean. The Rode allows you to use an exclusive MiCon adapter that can be swapped to support basic 3.5mm, XLR, and more.

Rode LAV Mic
find-price-button Rode LAV Mic with MiCon Connector

Ok so $250 for a LAV is a hike for many, so on the other end of the spectrum is a few inexpensive LAV mics. One you might have heard about is the Audio Technica ATR3350. The sound is not to be compared to a $250 lav mic, but as long as you have a decent portable audio recorder with enough gain, it works in a pinch. We use this $17 dollar LAV mic quite a bit mainly because of the very very long cord that can be run from the the talent all the way back to the Camera Operator without using a wireless setup.

Audio Technica ATR3350
find-price-button Audio Technica ATR3350 Lav Microphone

Another cheap LAV with a 4 star review is the Pearstone OLM-10 Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone. It's also designed with a very long cord that can be worn by the talent and run to the camera a good distance away. Currently it's on sale for the next few days at just over $16 dollars via B&H (click here)

Lav Mic PearstonePearstone LAV Mic
find-price-button Pearstone OLM-10 Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone

Another budget LAV mic shared by J Hanna in the comments is the Olympus ME-15. This one does not require batteries like the other two above, and comes with a 3.3ft short cable. You can find this for just over $20 bucks (click here)

Olympus ME-15 LAV Microphone
find-price-button Olympus ME-15-LAV Microphone

[Updated Entry 2014]
Recently my new favorite affordable LAV Mic is the Aspen Mic series. These LAV mics require very little gain from your recorder so the sound quality is very comparable to high end lav mics. Priced under $45 dollars, it's by far the best of this lineup if you can't afford the $250 Rode LAV. Check out the Aspen Mics website for their products (click here).

Apen Mics Mono Stereo Sennheiser G3 Flesh Colored
find-price-button Aspen Lavalier Microphones Mono / Stereo / Sennheiser G3

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Phocus (previously known as OWLE) sent over this case for me and I thought it would be a fun product to share since (especially as of late) I receive emails about various iPhone Video Rigs. The Phocus is a case for the iPhone 4/4s that allows you to add 1/4-20 accessories and a single hot shoe accessory. The iPhone needs to be removed from a phone case in order to slide in to the Phocus. The reason for this is to align the iPhone camera directly to the adapted lens for the sharpest results. It is a very snug fit which will also cause problems if you are using an iPhone screen protector.

Overall a great kit if you're a die hard iPhone Videographer. I have not found many other cases to fit such a niche that adds a hotshoe and tripod mounts to an iPhone, but a basic kit can run close to $100 dollars. The Phocus Kits are available in different bundles that come with a set of 2-3 lenses. Personally, I find the most useful lenses are the Macro for better close-up photography, and the wide angle lens for a wider field of view in video mode. The lenses are threaded so that you can attach optional filters and here i've found use for a Yongnuo Macro LED Ring Light. Information about the products can be found below.

Phocus iPhone 2 Lens Kit Phocus iPhone 3 lens kit
find-price-button Phocus iPhone Bundle 2 or 3 Lens Kits

iPhone Microphone Cable
find-price-button iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Musical Instrument Microphone Adapter Straight Cable

Yongnuo Macro LED LightYongnuo LED LightLED Macro Ring Light
find-price-button Yongnuo Macro LED Ring Light

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Que Audio offers a Mini Shotgun Microphone kit which is great for small cameras, when traveling, or lightweight audio booming. A nice feature in this small package is the three different gain stages: 0dB, +10dB, and +20dB to help maximize your signal to noise ratio. The Que Audio mini shotgun microphone starts out at $180 dollars or more depending on the kit you choose. Find all the options and prices for the Que Audio via B&H (Click Here)

Que Audio Mini ShotgunQue Audo Microphone
find-price-button Que Audio Mini Shotgun Microphone Kit

MicW is a popular overseas microphone company we checked out at MacWorld earlier this year. MicW just released the iShotgun mini shotgun microphone that not only works with your DSLR Video camera, but can also be adapted to work with the iPhone, iPod, or iPad. Price starts around $250 dollars and can be found via Amazon (Click Here).

iShotgun-MicW-Micro-Mini-Shotgun MicrophoneiShotgun Microphone
find-price-button MicW iShotgun Super Cardioid Mini Shotgun Microphone Kit

On the budget side of things, Polaroid is offering a mini Shotgun microphone. Looking at the photos, it's clear there is a design influence from the MicW iShotgun. The Polaroid mini shotgun microphone runs just under $60 bucks via eBay (Click Here).

polaroid-mini-micro-shotgun-microphonePolaroid Mini Shotgun Microphone
find-price-button Polaroid Mini DSLR Video Shotgun Microphone

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Maybe this just adds a bit more confusion or maybe it makes it easier on the wallet, but JuicedLink has added 4 additional preamps to it's lineup. The new models vary with number of XLR inputs, with or without Phantom Power, and some with or without Assist features like Headphone monitoring or visible audio meters. Some cameras already have Headphone monitoring and Audio Meters available like the new Nikon D600, so you'll just be looking to get a smaller less expensive JL Preamp. Check them out at the Juicedlink website (Click Here).

JuicedLink PreAmp Models
JuicedLink RM333, RM222, RM202, RA333, RA222, RA202 Preamps

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Disclaimer: I help to design products for PhotographyandCinema.com. The article below is information about the new P&C GearBox. There are many other great DSLR style cages available within articles of this blog that you may also want to consider.

PhotographyandCinema_Stabilizer_DSLR_VideoGearbox_PhotographyandCinema
find-price-button P&C GearBox - DSLR Cage Video Accessory Bracket

It's been several weeks, but the new P&C GearBox is now available at PhotographyandCinema.com. The name 'GearBox' was submitted by David during a June contest, so congrats David, PhotographyandCinema.com will be sending one of these GearBox cages your way.

There are many High End, Super Heavy, Robust video cages available for the Professional market, but we found a lack of more affordable options for smaller style video cameras such as the Sony NEX-7 or Popular GH2. The P&C GearBox is designed to be simple, lightweight, modular, and of course - affordable.

PNC-Video-Cage-GearBox_7PNC-Video-Cage-GearBox_1

The GearBox has a solid metal bottom and top bracket with several 1/4-20 mounting options for your accessories such as an LED video light, Portable Recorder, HDMI LCD Monitor, Microphone, Wireless Receivers, etc. To take up minimal space in a bag when packing up or traveling, the GearBox can easily be disassembled with a single Hex driver.

fold-flat-GearBox-Cage

The GearBox will support a quick release plate underneath if you want to mount the rig onto a Tripod. Extension adapters are provided to support taller cameras, or if you want to add a quick release system into the cage unit allowing you easy removal of your camera body. The rubber coated side handles provide a non-slip comfortable grip and are spaced further apart to add stability for hand-held shooting styles. Interested in a Rail System? Soon to be released is the 15mm Rod adapter (sneak peek here).

As a new item, there is an Introductory Price of just $79.99 over at https://PhotographyandCinema.com (Click Here).

DSLR_Video_Cage_GearBoxPhotography_and_Cinema_Cage_GearBox
find-price-button P&C GearBox - DSLR Cage Video Accessory Bracket

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