Camcorder Audio Distortion

[vht]

How do you guys get good audio on your video recordings? I've taped 3 shows so far with varying degrees of audio distortion on my Sony CX580v camcorder. On one of those shows I was using Church Audio mics directly into my camcorder. The other two were stock camera audio.

I asked this question over on tapers section and they said I needed a battery box/preamp. But that's more gear to haul around and get past security, more cables, and ultimately more money. I'm hoping for an easier and simpler solution, if there is one?

[The Commader]

battery box/preamp? Nonsens! Look over your internal Cam menue. There you will find a lot of different option. Go to the microphone option and choose "Automatic" than it should works and you should have a nice sound.

For instance: I stood 8 or 7 meters from the stage as Hatebreed played and check out the sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2HZYv71C4E

You see the hugh boxes not far away from me and Cam made a clear sound! You can try it....
I think your Cam makes an stereo sound? That's enough..... I don't know other Cams. But the new Panasonic makes an 5.1. audio recording, but who needs it?

[FotherMucker99]

The line in on all those consumer line camcorders sucks.
Even if you had a battery box connected between the mic in of your CX580v and your CA's that wouldn't make any difference (because of the aforementioned reason).

In order to have satisfying results with your audio I'd recommend buying an mp3 player that supports rockbox firmware!
One of the most commonly used mp3 players amongst tapers is the iriver h120 or h140 both of them will do the job just fine!

[The Commader]

Who needs a MP3 recording if you have a good audio when you film a show? You can extracting the audio file later from your recording?! The original sound is always better than an MP3 sound and it makes not sense to record a show twice at the same time.....

[norbinho]

Who needs a MP3 recording if you have a good audio when you film a show? You can extracting the audio file later from your recording?! The original sound is always better than an MP3 sound and it makes not sense to record a show twice at the same time.....

Fothermucker is not talking about an audio recording in mp3. external audio is definately better than cam audio. better listen to one of fothermucker's audio recordings and you will hear the difference.

[Paganec]

vht, external audio rig is always the best option. (mics + battery box + flash recorder with rockbox firmware support, as Fothermocker said)
Of course, there are a few FULL HD camcorders that record decent sound without distortion, but you can't be 100% sure how your audio would be recorded if you use internal mics.
External rig guarantees good results (except when mix at the venue is absolute crap, nothing will help). If you're serious about filming, go for external rig.

[vht]

What recorder do you guys recommend? I don't even see any of those iRivers available on Ebay. I also want something that records in lossless Wave format, not Mp3. Size is important to me since crotching a camcorder takes up enough space as it is.

Would I also need a battery box/preamp? Or can I just plug the mics in directly?

[PAINKILLER]

Sony PCM10 is highly recommended .Its similar in size but a little thicker than a iphone .All the audio experts say use a BB so thats what i use . Really is a big upgrade to cam audio.

[Paganec]

What recorder do you guys recommend? I don't even see any of those iRivers available on Ebay. I also want something that records in lossless Wave format, not Mp3. Size is important to me since crotching a camcorder takes up enough space as it is.

Would I also need a battery box/preamp? Or can I just plug the mics in directly?

I bought iRiver H340 for 100 pounds, second handed, its expensive, but it has 40gb hard drive, which leads to big size. To record loseless you'll need firmware called Rockbox (if you'll decide to get iRiver).
Sony PCM-M10 might be even better. With battery box quality will be better at very loud concerts (http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-b ... batteryfaq).

[SOBERONEZ]

What recorder do you guys recommend? I don't even see any of those iRivers available on Ebay. I also want something that records in lossless Wave format, not Mp3. Size is important to me since crotching a camcorder takes up enough space as it is.

Would I also need a battery box/preamp? Or can I just plug the mics in directly?

H120 for 80$, Rockboxed http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=163271.0