Help w/ audio for video recording

[cardsfan62]

Hi, I'll be video recording an interview with a small group of people (about three or four) with my Sony DCR-TRV70. The group will be indoors sitting in a semi-circle. I'd like to get better audio with my recording than is possible with the on-camera mic without spending too much $$$. Any recommendations on the best way to do this? This is strictly an amatuer production. Thanks!

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Hi, I'll be video recording an interview with a small group of people (about three or four) with my Sony DCR-TRV70. The group will be indoors sitting in a semi-circle. I'd like to get better audio with my recording than is possible with the on-camera mic without spending too much $$$. Any recommendations on the best way to do this? This is strictly an amatuer production. Thanks!

Best case? Borrow a handful of lapel mics and some multitrack recording equipment.

Personally, I have a four-channel mixer and some unidirectional mics. I'd give each speaker their own mic and mix it down in real-time. I'd probably try to borrow a multitrack breakout box and record the mic lines into GarageBand or something so I could mix it down in post and get the best levels possible.

If neither of these are options (and I imagine they're not), a good omnidirectional mic in the middle of the group is a great solution. Run the output of the mic to the "mic in" on your camcorder and try to coach each speaker into speaking at comparable volumes.

 

[cardsfan62]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have a mic you would recommend? Maybe something under $100?

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have a mic you would recommend? Maybe something under $100?

Something like this is probably ideal: Sony ECM-CS10

It would be better if it were black, but it's small enough to be a workable solution. It should work with the mic power from your camcorder.