Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

I am considering buying an external (hot shoe mount) Stereo mic for my D5300. So for I have found the following 2 Mic's that seem worthwhile:
Movo VXR300 HD PRO
Movo VXR280 Condenser Stereo Video Microphone w/90-120° Directional Mic Capsules
Any comments on these two, or other suggestions.
Thanks

Bill P

I've got no experience with video, shen I shot that it was film. But I have a lot of experience with broadcasting live Jazz. I don't know what you limits are, but I don't think there is a mic made that will do an even barely acceptable job for $20. I would expect you could get it for ten times that.
(Quick, call a doctor, that man has fainted!!) Oh, and the hot shoe mount will limit you to the bottom of the mic barrell.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

I'm only looking for an improvement over the on-board mic's. Even the "$20" versions have better specs than the on-board pair. I shot live events, I-Mag, & concerts @ broadcast level; back in my "Heyday" and know the drill. Not the case now. Just want to use my (primarily) still camera to shoot the occasional live music gig.

Bill P

Sorry, I can't help.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’m going to have to agree with the earlier reply that cheap mics are about as useful as really cheap lenses, cheap tripods or Tasco $100 telescopes - the results are going to be disappointing. Good audio is hard, sometimes harder than the video. Your enemy is noise, and the closer you can mic your performers, the better you will be. An ideal setup would be a mic or mics in close proximity to the performers either wirelessly attached to your camera, or better yet, a separate digital recorder. If you have to run cables, they need to be balanced (XLR) low impedance or hum will kill you - it’s everywhere. Also, you’ll need to pay attention to the pattern (such as cardiod) to minimize extraneous noise from of-axis directions. In terms of mid range mics, there are good offerings from the classics such as Shure, EV, (Electro Voice), Sennheiser and Audio Technica in the $100-$200 range. That’s the minimum it’s going to take to get decent quality. If he doesn’t reply to this thread, you might shoot Bill (burkephoto) a PM and ask his advice - he does this type of work professionally and can point you toward the best value that has been determined by long experience.

Good luck!

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Interested in the responses to this...

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

I appreciate your feedback. I was a Broadcast/Corporate camera op for over 25 years, so I am very familiar all of the gear you mentioned. Like theY say, "Been there, done that, got the T-shirt". I'm working with a Nikon D5300 & just want to improve, Slightly, over the built in mic"s. Not going for "Broadcast quality".

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Cheap mics placed near the sound source can be an improvement over any camera mounted mic. But, you have to get the mic close to the source of the sound.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’m hoping Bill Will have some good choices for you that don’t break the bank.

Cheers.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

TriX, did you mean this Bill?

I've had good results with this one at $25.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-Omnidirectional-Condenser-Microphone-Discontinued/dp/B002HJ9PTO/ref=asc_df_B002HJ9PTO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312146578215&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17128629481516540633&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-362879265831&psc=1

BebuLamar

Although the specs look good they may not work better than the built in mic.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

actually was thinking of Bill Burke because I know he does a lot of audio/video work, but I’m sure your suggestion is welcome too! I do see that this Audio Technia is an Omni pattern though - I was thinking of something a bit more directional.

Cheers

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

Be aware that any hot shoe mounted mic will pick up every noise from the camera including handling and tripod- induced floor vibrations. Also, having the mics closer to the performers, as others have said, will reduce room-effect noise.

daplight Loc: Kansas

I just bought a used Rode SVM on eBay for around $100 for this purpose. I plan to use a boom pole and record a stock library of natural sounds on a recorder, in addition to using it on camera. It also comes with a shock mount of sorts.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

Thanks for the tip. A Lavalier won't cut it for what I want. Ideally, I'd use a couple of Shure wireless SM 58s
https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/wireless-systems/slx_wireless/slx24_sm58_wireless_set
run thru a small mixer, then pull a mic level mixed feed off the board (1/4" stereo phone out, turn around to 3.5mm stereo Plug) & from there to camera.Sound about right?