Hi:
I'm experimenting for the first time with using a condenser shotgun mic to record audio via the mic jack on a camcorder.
I get total silence. I also get no sound when I plug the microphone into the mic input on my computer, which works with the cheap unpowered microphone with the tiny mic jack that I use for gaming.
My setup: A Neewer NW-320F condenser microphone plugged into a Panasonic HDC-TM90 camcorder. The microphone did not come with a manual. The camcorder manual specifies a "compatible plug-in powered microphone" with no further information.
I have tried every combination of the microphone switched on or off, plugged directly into the camcorder (XLR cable to 1/4" jack to 3.5mm TS jack adapter -- everything but the 3.5mm TS jack adapter came in the box), or plugged into the included battery holder (XLR connections) and thereby into the camcorder (XLR cable to 1/4" jack to 3.5mm TS jack adapter).
I know this kind of microphone typically requires bias power and assumed that might be the function of the battery holder/cable combo that came in the box. So I used a multimeter to verify that (a) all the cables conduct, (b) there are no shorts between prongs on the cables, and (c) I get 48 volts DC out of the battery holder, when using a standard 1.5 V battery. I would expect that the correct way to connect would be (1) Microphone turned on to (2) XLR cable that goes to the battery holder, which has a new battery in it, to (3) another XLR cable, to (4) XLR cable to 1/4" jack converter, to (5) 1/4" jack to 3.5mm jack converter, to (6) camcorder or computer. But no sound.
What am I missing here? Do I need yet another piece of equipment in line, such as a preamp? Should I go back and buy a different kind of microphone? If so, how do I know it's the right kind?
The whole point of my <$200 setup including camera is to get as close to professional HD quality as I can with a combination of inexpensive equipment, so please don't recommend me any $300 converter boxes unless there's just no other way.
I'm experimenting for the first time with using a condenser shotgun mic to record audio via the mic jack on a camcorder.
I get total silence. I also get no sound when I plug the microphone into the mic input on my computer, which works with the cheap unpowered microphone with the tiny mic jack that I use for gaming.
My setup: A Neewer NW-320F condenser microphone plugged into a Panasonic HDC-TM90 camcorder. The microphone did not come with a manual. The camcorder manual specifies a "compatible plug-in powered microphone" with no further information.
I have tried every combination of the microphone switched on or off, plugged directly into the camcorder (XLR cable to 1/4" jack to 3.5mm TS jack adapter -- everything but the 3.5mm TS jack adapter came in the box), or plugged into the included battery holder (XLR connections) and thereby into the camcorder (XLR cable to 1/4" jack to 3.5mm TS jack adapter).
I know this kind of microphone typically requires bias power and assumed that might be the function of the battery holder/cable combo that came in the box. So I used a multimeter to verify that (a) all the cables conduct, (b) there are no shorts between prongs on the cables, and (c) I get 48 volts DC out of the battery holder, when using a standard 1.5 V battery. I would expect that the correct way to connect would be (1) Microphone turned on to (2) XLR cable that goes to the battery holder, which has a new battery in it, to (3) another XLR cable, to (4) XLR cable to 1/4" jack converter, to (5) 1/4" jack to 3.5mm jack converter, to (6) camcorder or computer. But no sound.
What am I missing here? Do I need yet another piece of equipment in line, such as a preamp? Should I go back and buy a different kind of microphone? If so, how do I know it's the right kind?
The whole point of my <$200 setup including camera is to get as close to professional HD quality as I can with a combination of inexpensive equipment, so please don't recommend me any $300 converter boxes unless there's just no other way.