[MacDV] Re: ZR40 question

[Brett Koonce]

> You can't stop the camera from doing that since that's how the built 
> in Auto Gain Control works on that
> model.  (The GL1 has a more sophisticated AGC that doen't pump up and 
> down.)
>
> But you can improve the audio picked up by the camera with a better 
> on-camera mic mounted to the
> hot shoe on top, preferably a good inch or two away from the noise of 
> the camera's mechanics.
> Shotgun mics have been discussed on this list many times.  There a few 
> choices out there in a small
> size (so as not to tip the camera way off balance too much) with a 
> mini plug connector from Sennheiser,
> Azden, Sony and others.  Check www.BHphotovideo.com

Another idea is to buy a cardioid mike, 25' of XLR -> mini cable, and 
then find some sort of stick (look for poles at your local hardware 
store to put lights in with) and use some tape to stick the hole thing 
together.

Simply bothering to attempt to boom your audio will produce pretty good 
results.  The only real problem is you gotta find somebody to hold the 
thing.

-Brett Koonce
universe42.com