Identifying Your Connection Options

There are two ways to connect external microphones to camcorders, though not all camcorders offer either or both options. First is the microphone port, which comes in the two general categories shown in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1. Camera microphone connectors.

On the left is an XLR connector, which is typically available only on high-end prosumer and professional camcorders. On the right is the more typical 3.5mm stereo connector (also called 1/8" connector), which is found on most consumer camcorders.

If you study the image on the right in Figure 2.1, you'll note that the connector on this particular camcorder, a Sony DCR-VX2000, offers both MIC and LINE input, while the vast majority of consumer cameras offer only microphone input. Here's the difference.

Microphone-level input (MIC) is the sound produced by the inexpensive, primarily unpowered microphones such as those you may have used to record audio to your computer. They're inexpensive, and push out a very weak signal, only a few ten-thousandths of a volt. In contrast, line-level (LINE) power is produced by a powered sound system such as your stereo or a professional sound system. The signal is much, much stronger.

If your camcorder has MIC-level input (which it probably does if it doesn't say LINE), it should work well with many of the microphones we'll discuss here. However, if you ever try to connect your camera to a professional sound system, such as those that used at a speech or conference, you'll need to reduce the line-level output to microphone-level (more on this in the scenarios below). If you don't, the signal will be too strong for your camera and will produce distortion and possibly damage your camera.

The other detail you'll notice on the right in Figure 2.1 is the notation PLUG IN POWER beneath the MIC/LINE switch. Some microphones use "condenser" pick-ups to acquire and convert sound to electrical signals. Unlike dynamic microphones, which are driven by magnets and sound waves, condenser microphones need electrical power to produce a signal.

Connect a condenser-type microphone to a camcorder without plug-in power and you won't get a signal; that's all there is to it. There are alternatives for powering these types of microphones, but before choosing one, figure out whether your camcorder has plug-in power or not. Generally, if it doesn't say so on the microphone port, it doesn't have it, but check your camera's documentation to be sure.

Note that plug-in power supplies only 3.5 volts of power, sufficient for small consumer microphones using a mini-jack connector. However, most professional microphones require what is known as "phantom power," which supplies 48 volts. If you plan to connect a professional microphone to your camcorder, you'll need a device to supply this added power such as BeachTek's DXA-8, discussed below.

On the right in Figure 2.2, you can see the metal connectors beneath the covering I've pulled back, which indicates that the accessory shoe is intelligent and can power and communicate with a microphone and flash attachment.

Figure 2.2. Dumb vs. intelligent accessory shoes.

Typically, if the accessory shoe is intelligent, the camera vendor will offer at least one optional microphone, but check with the seller to be sure. When available, these microphones are easy to install and use, relatively inexpensive, and can noticeably boost the sound quality over that of the embedded microphone. Let's take a look at the types of microphones you should consider.