Hi--

I really appreciate the valuable information you've provided for us

on the video newsgroups. You played a big role in my decision to buy
a VX2000.
You have mentioned the use of a mic pad when using an external
microphone. I have a Sennheiser MKE 300 that I used with my old
Hi8 camera. Used on the VX2000, the audio is coming in pretty hot.
Can you tell me about the mic pad you recommend, and how you set it up?

Doug Jones


It is basically a 6db pad, easy to make from
Radio shack parts, connected between the mic(s)
and the mic input on the camera. You can make
it almost any length you want (mine is maybe 14"
total, to allow for a loop from the mic to the
mic input on the camera. Start with a shielded
stereo 1/8th inch extension cord (male connector
one end, female on the other), four small
700-ohms or so resistors (I forget the exact
values offered, 4-5 to a pack) + two non-polar
120 mfd or so capacitors (to block the cameras
DC output - these could probably be polarized,
with the + end toward the camera [male connector]).
Connections (Male end goes to camera, female toward
mic - a dual-mono to stereo RS adapter can be used
at the other end for hooking up two mono mics, and
otherwise, the camera may have sound only on one
channel without an additional mono-to-stereo
adapter.) Hook the four resistors in series
(sequence, four in a row); hook the middle
intersection to the grounds of the two wire ends
after cutting the wire in two and stripping
insulation back a bit on the "hot" connectors,
and the outer sheath about 1" on either side.
Hook right hot from the female end to one end of
the resistor string (probably red - check with
ohm-meter between male plug tip and red wire on
male side to make sure that is correct); hook
the white from the female end (after checking that
it is connected to the short male shaft part that
is nearest the tip on the male cord) to the other
end of the string. Connect a capacitor to the
intersection points between 1st and 2nd, and
3rd and 4th resistors, "-" side toward resistors,
if the capacitors are polarized. Connect the
appropriate colored wires of the male-wire ends
to the open ends of the capacitors (so that
current flows red to red, white to white).
Throughout, insulate wires carefully with bits
of tape, sleeves made from stripped insulation,
etc. When finished, carefully pack it together,
adding insulation as necessary, and tape the
outer surface thoroughly. Get the RS
dual-mono-to-stereo adapter, and use it to test
both channels alternately connecting your MKE-300.
The fairly slight but clearly audible mechanical
hum you hear with the mic mounted on the VX2000
should go away when the mic is not mounted on the
camera (Cool Edit noise reduction easily removes
this hum, if the mic is mounted on the camera...).