Video Camera with External Microphone Input

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Permalink Reply by David Lenef on March 11, 2010 at 4:18pm

If you have a separate digital audio recorder, you could record with both, then use video editing software to merge the camera's video and audio recorder's sound. Keep your fingers crossed that the timing is close enough so it's effectively in sync.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa McCormick : Guitar Teacher on March 11, 2010 at 5:16pm

Hi Bob,

I use a Canon Vixia HV30 mini-DV camcorder to shoot my instructional videos, and it has an external mic input. I use a lavalier (sp?) mic for my voice, and I plug the guitar in through the pickup. Here's an example, if you'd like to see what this all turns out like. I just put this up on YouTube a couple of days ago:

How to Play "The Butterfly" (trad. Irish tune, 9/8 time, DADGAD tuning)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RefEWjkt-eo

I also recently heard there's a micro-mini-DV camera out (Kodak, I think?) with a mic input. You wouldn't get the lens quality of the Vixia, but the price is pretty great. Yeah, I think it's Kodak. I'm sure you could track it down without too much trouble.

Keep us posted! -Lisa

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Permalink Reply by John Wilson on March 18, 2010 at 2:42pm

If I were buying today, I would get a Zoom Q3. The video quality isn't as good as some other cameras but with the built in mics, the audio is supposed to be better.

I use a flip Mino HD, which has decent video quality but the audio is not the greatest.

The bottom line is that it comes down to the bottom line - how much can you spend? Lisa McCormick's recommendations are good and her videos have excellent sound and video quality. The price for that quality is a little under $1000. The Zoom Q3 is under $250.

Good luck with whatever route you wind up taking.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Quinn on March 18, 2010 at 10:33pm

HI John, thanks for sending that along...I looked at the Zoom Q-3 and it looks..or sounds promising. I like the lower price...I won't really use a video camera for anything other than posting my guitar work up here. I too looked at Lisa's video...amazing clear pro results...great lighting, great sound...pant pant LOL! I'm going to check into rates for a pro camera rental...As I'll only have limited use for a vid camera....I'm thinking renting might be a solution...I have a number of pieces ready to record...maybe do them all in a weekend? Depends on the cost...we'll see. Anyway, thanks for your response...If the pro rental is too much $$ the Zoom looks good...Thanks again!

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