With regard to the minijacks that plug into your camera and laptop, if camera logistics permit, a 90-degree angled plug is infinitely better than the straight plug - less stress on the input and cable.
Failing that, make sure to 'safety' the cable with a bit of tape to the camera. Listening to what you've got, I'm convinced you've got signal level incompatability issues. If there's an audio adjustment in your camera I'd definitely take a tour around the menus and see if that helps. Otherwise, take the camera down to RadioShack or wherever and try a few possibilities. Better than RadioShack would be your local high-end musicians' store, or professional video/sound sales/rental enterprise. These kinds of places are more likely to assist you in trying a few possible configurations and have more options on the shelf. Jan On 2/15/07, Halcyon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > freaking awesome info!! Thank you! > > Thanks Jan and Randy, too! > > I'll test more with this info and report back. > > -Halcyon > > On 2/15/07, bordercollieaustralianshepherd < > [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Hal > > > > I took a listen to your vid. It is pretty hard to judge this way, but > > these are my thoughts as I listened. > > > > Mic test 1: That mic seemed to transfer the "handling" noise. Who is > > it made by? Is it heavy (does it have weight to it) and is the cord > > hard wired into it? At the very end of this test when you have a solid > > grasp on the mic the audio is much better.... > > > > Mic test 2: This mic almost sounds like one from radio shack. If it is > > a RS it is crisp for audio and should work much better then it sounds. > > I am guessing that this is the same mic as the handheld on test four. > > > > Mic test 3: This one has me stumped. What model lavalier? The really > > sticky thing with Lav's is that clothing and placement really impact > > the quality. Fabrics all have a texture, some that can screw with you. > > I don't think that it is the shirt you are wearing, but it may explain > > some of the muffledness (is that a word?). Placement is as picky. To > > stay on topic, I'll skip details, they don't apply as best I can tell > > here. I posted a link to the list a few weeks ago to a great site with > > audio tips/tricks. I assume this is the same mic used in test 4. > > > > Mic test 4 (lav and handheld): At this point I am of the opinion it is > > the camera's internal audio processing. If it is possible to do a test > > with the camera's built in mics, I'll take the time to listen to it > > too. But you can do the compare to get a better idea. Look at the spec > > sheet that came with the camera and all your mics. If you'll send me > > the model numbers and or a link with the specs I'll take a look to see > > if there is any outright wrong compatability issues. > > > > The mini jacks are not the greatest when it comes to quality. In that > > same post I mentioned, is a link to a XLR to mini cable with gold > > connectors. I think it is about $20. IMO I would buy a connector like > > this, attach it to your camera and seldom if ever unplug it from the > > camera. The reason is wear and tear is eliminated on the camera's > > connector. Longer life. It sucks I know but will help in several other > > ways... a whirlwind or any other mic cable can be bought at a music > > store. The quality is much better, shielding, guage of wire etc... > > (damn I bring it up twice might as well find the URL now... > > > > <http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/message/54103> > > For your cable: > > You can make this cable yourself if you have the parts and handy with > > a soldering iron: > > > > With Monster Cable's iStudioLink XLR to 1/8" Mini Plug you can connect > > your microphone directly to your laptop or desktop computer. This > > single cable provides you with a fast, flexible connection to record > > vocal tracks directly to your Apple software, like GarageBand and > > LogicExpress. Just plug one end into your microphone's XLR male > > audio-out and the other directly into your computer's 1/8" audio input > > and you are ready to go. > > > > > > http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlis\ > > t&sku=400719<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=400719> > > Same link http://tinyurl.com/ycq7ac > > > > Some wireless recievers provide control of the signal. Are there any > > obvious controls? > > > > I looked around the net for any "audio problems" with the xacti. > > Didn't come across one in top tens. I did see that there is some > > choice in bit settings. Are you using the best audio setting (highest > > bits vs needs)? > > > > I like the work/tips this guys has been doing... > > <http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/c6.html> > > > > > > --- In [email protected] <videoblogging%40yahoogroups.com>, > > "Halcyon " <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > > I am SUPER ignorant when it comes to sound. So this may be a silly > > > question... > > > > > > But my audio sounds scratchy and crappy when I use the mic jack on > > my new > > > Sanyo Xacti, mini HD recorder. > > > > > > I made a short (under 1 min) video showing what I mean. Can anyone > > listen > > > and give me some help/advice? > > > http://www.veoh.com/videos/v2492355Drj5R8t > > > > > > -Halcyon > > > www.pinkbroadcasting.com > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > -- The Faux Press - better than real http://fauxpress.blogspot.com
