On Sun, 16 Jan 2000 15:39:28 +0100, Gadget
> I'm wanting to record theater performances with my TRV 900 and I need
>to improve the audio. I can use your suggestions for off-camera mics and
>techniques. I can't use a lavalier (sp?). Is a shotgun mic good? Is a
>multidirectional mic close to the stage good? How do you deal with the
>mini jack the camera has for mics, seeing as XLR jacks are common for
>mics. I've tried an adapter but it was huge and I was worried about
>damaging my camera.
If you are willing to EQ the results, several inexpensive
mics I've used work well. If you can conceal lavaliers
on the set (along with small transmitters), these can work
well (I use the Azden, with the Azden mic, or sometimes
the cheap Sony ECM-T6 [$17] for this - in pairs, with
separate receivers into each camcorder channel). Otherwise,
omni's spaced in "thirds" (more audience noise, but good
sound "space") hung overhead or placed on stands in front
(unlikely...;-), or short shotguns (two can give a pleasant
"stereo" effect if aimed carefully) nearer the camera
position(s) work well enough (the Sony ECM-Z157 is
inexpensive, and a good match with the TRV-900 - the
popular Sennheiser MKE-300 often picks up "hum" from
the TRV-900, though...).