Video Mic & Fireworks

[ravaz]

Hey guys -

New member here. Just picked up an HV20 after having a Sony HC7 for a few weeks and was not satisfied with it. The HV20 seems to be better so far.

One thing that I'm concerned about is how well does the Video Mic do for recording Firework Displays. We run several displays a year, and playback is important to me as we will be sending DVD's to some clients. Would the Stereo Video Mic do better for this situation, or is the Video Mic good enough for the job.

And before anyone says it, yes the on board mic is OK, but I'm looking for better :)

Thanks,
Bill

[ravaz]

TTT. Ok, so maybe no one has used the Video Mic for Firework displays. How about events other then say interviews and just where people are talking. Which would be best, Video Mic or Stereo Video Mic? I'd like to pull the trigger on this today as I need it this weekend.

Thanks guys.

[TheDingo]

What sort of audio do you want to record?

i.e. the explosions, the crowd, fireworks sizzling/fizzing near the ground

The mono VideoMic is a shotgun mic, making it more directional.

The stereo VideoMic is a super cardoid, making it wider and less directional.

Keep in mind that you might need a Rode "Dead Cat" / "Dead Kitten" to reduce any wind noise when you are recording.

:D

[ravaz]

We choreograph our displays, so they are synced up to music which is played over speakers. So it's a combination of the fireworks and the music. What I'm wondering is everything is mostly in front of me, the speakers are to the left - would the Videomic be good enough for this? Also, the HV20 has a stereo mic input correct? If it doesn't, then the Stereo VideoMic wouldn't be worth getting.

Also, another thing to note is I'm a good 200-300 yards away back from the actual display.

Thanks,
Bill

[Yves]

I've filmed 2 firework displays with the hv20 and the rode svm. Considering the price of the set, the sound is very clear but a little lack of bass. The SVM mic has a very wide recording range, so you will record a lot of background noise of the audience.

I have a HD sample of a recent Japanese show shot in Dusseldorf, max caliber 8" record at about 130 meters. At the moment i don't have webspace for this 460mb file.

[joachim]

forget about the music. it's best to use the cd in the editting stage. you only have to concentrate on the sound of the firework, crowed,...
i would go for the rode stereo mic and try to pick up as less music as possible.
in the edit, you can always use soundfx of a chearing crowd.

[Reichart]

Hi Bill,

I used a Rode stereo Videomic as well and are very pleased by the sound.

If you like, you can have a look at the compressed files at Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-UkhKBl5uc

or:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAAuRzIX1Tk

I am absolutely satisfied, although real experts might be not ;-)?!

Thomas