Sony HDR-FX7 & Audio-Technica ATR20, ATR35s & ATR55 Audio Test 1

[Joshatdot]

nice tests .. I like the sound of the ATR-35S best, most others had very noticeable BG noise, and the ATR20 kinda sounded veiled/dark.

[VisorBlue]

@Joshatdot Yes, I have several ATR-35s wired lavs. They're cheap and sound pretty good for my uses. They've been replaced with the ATR3350 which appears to be the same mic with just a number change.

[nerwin]

Yep.. I'm totally getting the ATR35s.

[julioalex922]

i just got a audio technica atr20..i primmary use mics for recording drums...you think it'll do the job?

[VisorBlue]

@julioalex922 On a tight budget and in a pinch, sure. However, that's not what they were designed for and you'll have to listen and be the judge if i works for you. There's special mic kits designed for recording drums. Shure, et al. make them. Samson has a 7-piece drum mic set as do other. Each drum has different sounds and it depends on how critical you need to be in capturing those sounds. Search for "drum microphones". Good luck!

[julioalex922]

@VisorBlue i know that..i have some drum mics myself but i bought one of these for like 5 bucks and i haven't had time to test it

[VisorBlue]

@julioalex922 Let me know how it works out for you.

[julioalex922]

really helpful...it was funny you repeated all the name..professionals dont do that and it is really helpful to repeat...thanx

[VisorBlue]

@julioalex922 Thanks. People forget (I forget), so I repeated things for clarification and to save everyone from asking, "Which one was that again?" :-)

[kex192]

PLEASE Answer this: Will a 62mm lens fit on my FX7?

[ngvgnDOTcom]

Great review! 5 Stars!!!

[MattByrneFilming]

Hey, I'm am planning on buying the fx7, but would you suggest it? Video quality is the main factor, and the fx7 wins there, but I thought you couldn't plug any other mics into it? It doesn't have any xlr ports, so are than any types of converter cables? I would use a zoom mic or shotgun mic, and one more thing; would a 56mm lens fit on it? What about a 72mm?

[VisorBlue]

Hi, it has a 1/8" (3.5mm) mic jack which gives options; you can use it as-is (on-board mic is pretty good), with a mic that has a 1/8" plug, buy a 1/8" to XLR conversion cable ($9-$65 or so -- I have a Shure A96F), a two mic XLR adapter (Zoom H4 or H4n, JuicedLink, or Beachtek). Thread on the lens is 62mm but you can buy step-up and step-down rings to put whatever size add-on lenses and filters you want -- 56mm or 72mm would be fine with the right adapters. Enjoy.

[VisorBlue]

Mics in this video are all 1/8" (3.5mm). I use a Azden SGM-1X XLR mic with adapter cable in another.

[eabrantes1979]

I'm considering to actually buy the fx7. Should I expect such a high level of noise in most external shotgun type mics, especially with a xlr adapter involved? again thank you for the good work!

[VisorBlue]

If you place it on the camera, as most seem to, you may pick up some noise. Record 5-10 seconds of room (ambient) noise and use that in post to filter it out. A lot depend on your final use.

Few are listening to these type of tests on quality headsets or through good monitor speakers. Usually, it's just through their computer speakers and how good are those for judging quality audio?

[eabrantes1979]

Thank you for the quick answer and the generous information!

[owningyourfinances]

Thank you for the deomonstration, that was very helpful. I like the ATR35s (from what I've seen). At this point I'm still using the onboard mic with my flip cam, do you know if the ATR35s can be attached to it?

[VisorBlue]

Look and see if there's a mic jack on it. Few flip cams have one, but I've been wrong before. :-)

[owningyourfinances]

Thanks!! That reply was REDICULOUSLY fast!!! Subscribed! I am now officially a fan of yours.

[lagiator]

Hello! I use a xenyx1202 with the ATR35s but i get a lot of noise when i use it.. do you know how to fix this problem?

[VisorBlue]

Sorry, out of my area. Maybe call AudioTechnica?

[jacktotheanthony]

this video has helped me a lot! the fx7 appeals to me a lot, but the only thing that was putting me off is the lack of xlr inputs. but to me the built in mic sounds just fine for the type of thing i will be using it for.

ive made my decision - thanks!

[VisorBlue]

Look at the Zoom H4 (which I bought) or a JuicedLink adapter if you need XLR connections. Yes, the built-in mic on the FX7 was a surprise to me, too. Most on camera mics are there just for looks, Sony actually used some good components on this one.

[DirectorJavaun]

can you tell me how you made the video look animated-ish?

[VisorBlue]

Simple, I'm actually a cartoon character. :-)

Okay, search for NewBlueFx Cartoonr (not a typo).

[NiGHTSChao689]

Thank you for the detailed demonstration

[nublackmusic]

the atr33 sounded really bad. after watching this vid we thing lavalieres are the way to go. we'll get the wireless ones though. thx good job!!

[MicGeezee]

does the sony duplicate the audio feed if it is a mono signal? Nice if it does?

[VisorBlue]

Yes, but only in normal mode for some reason. I have no idea why it doesn't do it in Tele mode as well. I just tried it again with headphones and got the same results. Plugged the ATR55 into my Canon HV30 and it's in the left channel only regardless of setting on the mic.

[amnettube]

The 35s seems to be on another planet compared to the others... very natural and noise-free.

How would you explain the virtual stereo effect?

[VisorBlue]

Hmm. I replied to this a couple days ago but don't see it. See the other reply.

[VisorBlue]

There's going to be a test 2 soon. I took the ATR55 off the camera and put it on a light stand about a foot from the camera and the noise dropped considerably. Almost zero noise in Normal mode and less noise in Tele mode. So, it seems that a lot of the noise was from the camera motors, etc. Didn't think the shotgun would pick them up but it did.