Audio for video

Hey everyone! I recently misplaced my Azden ECZ-990 microphone that I've been using for the past couple of years and am in the market for a new mic to go along with my recently acquired Canon HV20. I used to be more informed on the microphone market than I am now and was looking for some advice.

I don't want to spend more than $200.

I just need a simple shotgun microphone for recording decent directional sound during video recording. Also I'd like to get a decent omni-directional mic to record ambient noise from different locations. My only recording device that I currently own is my Canon HV20.

1) What shotgun mic would you consider to be the highest quality for the price under $200?

2) Should I buy an Zoom H1/H2 as a microphone and recording device? Would the sound quality be the same as a shotgun mic for a similar price?

3) Should I buy a separate omni-directional mic for recording ambient noise, rather than using a shotgun microphone for that purpose?

I would go with the RODE Videomic, they are running around $150. I have been using mine since 2005, when I was taking acting classes in North Hollywood.

I have no answer for your second question, and as for your Omni-directional, what is wrong with using the one on the camera, unless your camera doesn't have one then yes get a different one for that.

as for your Omni-directional, what is wrong with using the one on the camera, unless your camera doesn't have one then yes get a different one for that.

I want something a little higher quality than my camera mic. As it is an HDV camera, the tape deck makes a bit of noise that gets picked up heavily by the camera mic, so I definitely won't use the onboard mic for anything, however, when I am in a location such as a park, city street, or other location, I will want some ambient sounds to fill in under the dialog/action of the scene. This is what I'd use an omni-directional mic for. Even if I didn't use an omni-directional mic, something with a wider polar pattern than a shotgun mic would be good, I assume. However I don't know that much about these things, hence question number 3.

I just recently used my DR-CX1 to record some ambiance and my motorcycle for Bad Asphalt and it turned out ok, the wind was blowing pretty strong so there was that problem, it also required phantom power which isn't a problem for me my netbook recording rig uses a US-122 that has it, but for you it might be a problem IDK. I'm sure any cardio or omni condenser mike will do though.

Also if you can use USB to record directly musicinsfriend has some good ones,
http://www.musicians...usb-microphones

the BLUE Snowball looks promising it has cardio, cardio -10db, and omni settings. Which would be perfect because you can use the setting appropriated for the situation.

Oh and here's the thread with the video with the motorcycle sounds I did. Not perfect but hey crunch time.
http://community.hit...calyptic-movie/

2) Should I buy an Zoom H1/H2 as a microphone and recording device? Would the sound quality be the same as a shotgun mic for a similar price?

I just purchased a Zoom H1 and really like. Don't have access to a good shotgun mic to compare sorry.
The speaking parts in my last video was all record with the H1.
http://community.hit...t-video-series/

It picked up a lot of wind noise outside, which the reviews said it would. (wind shield is now ordered).
The line "My Turn" was so bad outside that I had to re-record it again inside. If you listen to that line you can hear the slight echo from the closed room we were in.

i havent had time to read it all, i just saw a bit about mics. I recommend the rode video mic pro

Thank you everyone for your replies.

@MaxFNPower So you used a DR-CX1 for just the ambiance and the motorcycle? Were the sound effects, such as foot steps and doors opening all recorded with it as well? Do you recommend using a condenser microphone for this type of recording? Also I really enjoyed Bad Asphalt, it seemed very well done.

@fredclips the H1 sounded good in that. Thank you for sharing, and nice little short there.

@Froi I'm trying to get something under $200 so the $299 for the rode video mic pro is a bit out of my range at the moment

@Froi I'm trying to get something under $200 so the $299 for the rode video mic pro is a bit out of my range at the moment

Oh prices are different in the UK my bad

No just the motorcycle, the others were done with an SM57 in there house, I didn't get my mobile recording rig done till after shooting, most of the sounds were either from the camera mic or were FX added later.

Basically they had it edited and just told me what sound bites they needed, Idling for x amount of time, fast idle for x, that kind of thing. The wind was really bad that day figures since I was trying to record, anyways I did one long recording and in between my bike and the wind you can hear my neighbors 150m off. Its a little too sensitive sometimes but you can always cut the volume in your audio editor, some foam or a compressor would help too. But you can put that on in what ever program you use. If you want I can forward you the audio I recorded.