On Tue, 29 Jan 2002 17:18:53 GMT, "LR" wrote:

>I will probably be asking more questions now that I recently got a VX-2000.
>Sony sells a mic for around 70 dollars that adjusts to the zoom of the
>camera. I am wondering if this is a good deal, I know that 70 dollars is
>not what good mic cost, but never the less I am asking what would be the
>best external mic without spending an arm and a leg.

It depends on what you want it for, how much you are willing
to spend, and how many difficulties you are willing to
surmount...;-) No one recommends the HS1(?). If you want a
short-shotgun, the $175 Sennheiser MKE-300 is not bad, but
it is mono, and it does pick up a mechanical "hum" from
the VX2000 (it can be removed with Cool Edit noise-reduction
quite easily). The MKE-300 output is also too high for the
VX2000 input when using AGC, so you either need to add a
mic pad, or use manual level control of the sound. Otherwise,
among the "low-price" mic possibilities is the Azden WMS-Pro
wireless set, about $150. The mics that come with the set
are quite smooth, but need EQing for reasonably flat
response. The lavalier mics are also available separately
for about $25 each, and these can be hard-wired to the
camera using Radio Shack mini-plug shielded extension
cables. This last is the cheapest high-quality solution
for close-micing, but involves stringing cables... For
not too much money, you can use a Mini-Disk recorder,
and synchronise sound later while editing. BTW, the
VX2000 built-in mic is a good stereo mic for ambient-sound
recording.