Microphone - for use with Camera

[skyflower]

Hi, I'm looking for a microphone to be used with a Panasonic HDC TM700. I'm going to record an instruction video with some piano playing, and live next to a busy road. From my research, a lavalier microphone sounds like the best option to reduce maximum noise from the traffic. Could anyone suggest a specific type? I'm using Windows Movie Maker, which I believe doesn't have the option to convert to Stereo, so I'm guessing I'll need a stereo mic. The current mic I have produces way too much buzz and the vocals are barely audible (it's a TCM110 AV Jefe. This was given to me so it could well be faulty).

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Bop Stop Studio]

Not sure exactly what your asking.

Are u planning on tracking the piano and your voice same time with one mic set up?

It is a bit confusing as some use LAv on pianos for up close mics, and of course could be one on you for the vocal.

If you trying to capture piano (acoustic) of any decent quality, I would highly suggest a stereo pair of mics. As for the windows movie maker, even if it did no way to make true stereo from a mono source, it would be putting the mono in two channels, which is not a LR stereo image.

TO reduce outside bleed from the outside noise, yes close mics will be the way. Upright, Either stereo mic into the top of the piano or two behind the sound board.

I don;t suggest Lav for piano, but some get nice results with DPA Lavs.

It is difficult to know our setup and how many mics you could potentially have access too.

Not saying you could;t do this all with one stereo set or even one mono mic, but getting the proper gain on the vocal and coaxing a nice sound from the piano from these singular sources, will require perfect mic placement and still be a challenge and the vocal might never sit right with the piano.

If you let us know what mics you have access to, how many preamp channels, upright or grand, what kind of quality of vocal and piano are u looking for?

Is this a video camera?
Shotgun mics are popular for video, as they are very directional and reject at good deal of outside noise. Not sure again your exact application and environment.

 

[rob aylestone]

Recording a piano is nowhere near as simple as people think - you have the option to close mic, in mono or stereo, or use a more traditional less close mic position that sounds more like you hear in the room, but that also means the room itself becomes part of the sound, as will the traffic. It's going to be far trickier than you imagine. If really pushed, then the lav mic, will record something - once you find the right place for it. A pair of decent closed headphones will help you locate the right place.

 

[skyflower]

Thank you both for the advice!

I'm not too worried about the quality of sound for the piano as I will only be playing very basic scales in the center of the piano rather than a performance for the time being. I only have a lavalier at the moment which is very poor quality and I can barely hear my voice over the hum so I'm looking to buy a new mic, but due to my lack of experience, I'd prefer to experiment with cheaper alternatives. Yes, it is for a video camera. Would you recommend a shotgun over a lav?