New Camcorder with decent audio suggestions

[hallb15]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonable camcorder for recording school productions?

 

Capturing audio seems to be the hardest part - with our existing camcorders (Panasonic HC-W570) the audio is pretty awful and requires a lot of tweaking in the edit to get it anywhere near acceptable.

I presume an external video mic would help with this but our camcorders don't have an input for one.

 

I've been given a budget of £750.

 

What are other people using?

Edited January 23, 2024 by hallb15

[Oaktech]

I'd be looking at a 4k SLR with an external mic.

 

Might be worth speaking to your local uni or FE college to see if they have anything on a disposal list?

 

We were able to purchase 10x 12month old Canon EOS90d kits for £400 each with a selection of lenses (mainly 18-135 and a couple of 55-250) and mics (a mix of Rode zoom mics, sennhesier belt pack lav systems and a couple of canon genuine zoom mics) and a dji gyro mount per school, for our local schools partnership. They were even able to transfer some remaining warranty to us. They retail for £1800 per kit without the extra tele lenses mics and gyros so it was a bit of a bargain.

[ajevanu2]

Have you already got an audio system in place in the space where the school production is?

 

Camera wise depends on distance away from the stage as well will impact on lens and zoom you need. I used a decent DSLR before (Canon 700D I think) but would recommend maybe second hand/refurbed kit to keep costs down. You then need a tripod and would recommend spending time getting used to using it combined with the camera. Alternatively have a look at a couple of PTZ cameras you can setup in multiple locations in room. I use this for a weekly livestream at Church with a separate audio feed from sound desk. Quality is ok and allows us to be flexible in use around the building.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenveo-Conference-Supports-Streaming-Education/dp/B0BY7R3D9V/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8#immersive-view_1689124113346

 

Would recommend an external mic as they are usually better. You could go with a Rode Wireless Pro kit as well and just connect this to your mic input on the camcorder. You then have the option of two+ lapel mics connected to the camera.

[Davit2005]

On the SLR note I'm pretty sure there is a 30min limit to recording.

 

If you have a camcorder or SLR with MIC input you could have a look at a Rode Mic (shotgun and maybe a few Rode wireless), I'd use 2 mic sources then have each mic on a different channel i.e. left or right so you get 2 options for the audio. Alternatively a field recorder or a mixer such as a Zoom with multiple channels and the camera sound fed into the Zoom too for aid to syncing the sound then put together in post.

 

In the past I've had multiple mics and cameras and sync'd using a clapper it was still a PITA but possible. Practice and get a working setup then note the details of the tried and tested method :-)

Edited January 23, 2024 by Davit2005

[hallb15]

We have a permanent PA in the Hall, but no permanent stage setup, which makes recording (both audio and video) more difficult. The video on the current camcorders is sufficient, we already have tripods.

I'll see if any of the local universities have anything they would like to part with - good idea @Oaktech

[hallb15]

On the SLR note I'm pretty sure there is a 30min limit to recording.

 

If you have a camcorder or SLR with MIC input you could have a look at a Rode Mic, I'd use 2 mics then have a left and right each mic on a different channel so you get 2 options for the audio. Alternatively a field recorder such as a Zoom with multiple channels and the camera sound fed into the Zoom too for aid to syncing the sound.

 

In the past I've had multiple mics and cameras and sync'd using a clapper it was still a PITA but possible. Practice and get a working setup then note the details of the tried and tested method :-)

 

Unfortunately, none of our camcorders or the DLSR have a mic input.

[Andrew_C]

If you can buy 2nd hand, have a browse at the BB List. Lots of proper kit. You might want to sit down when you see some of the prices.

[Oaktech]

If you can buy 2nd hand, have a browse at the BB List. Lots of proper kit. You might want to sit down when you see some of the prices.

 

My friend's daughter has just picked up a Black Magic Ursa Mini G2 off bblist - wasn't cheap, just under 6 grand, but the guy who sold it took a whole day out to come and shoot with her to make sure she got the absolute best out of it!

[Davit2005]

Unfortunately, none of our camcorders or the DLSR have a mic input.

 

Use the tried and tested of a clapper and record the sound separately so you can sync I used to that but it was a PITA. Then I bought a Canon 80D which gave me the option of either recording to it or taking the sound as a reference for sync and using an external audio recorder that had mics plugged in to it as well as the camcorder.

 

Seriously though a camera with a MIC input and a Headphone/Audio out is going to give you better options but in your budget it will be difficult to get new I think. Then budget a MIC and possibly a Phantom power adapter.

[hallb15]

Thanks for all the replies.

It has been suggested that a zoom audio recorder with built in mics and external mic inputs could be a good solution. Amazon have the H6 on offer at the moment at £189. We already have several XLR mics so this may be something to look into.