Need advice on getting a mic for my camcorder.

[OM2]

Not sure if this is the best place to post this question... but I thought I would try anyway.

I need some advice for getting a mic for my camcorder.

I need a lapell (not sure if spelt correctly) mic, a wireless mic and a boom stick mic.

Mic's a cheap! Heck... I can get a lapelle mic for less than £1!
But: I would assume... such a mic would not be as good as a professional alternative costing more?

Also: wireless mic's... very cheap to buy from eBay.
I'm sure I can pick one up for £10 - £20 brand new.
But is there a catch for this?
Would it be OK to get a cheap wireless receiver + get a quality mic attachment?

Boom stick mic: a friend of mine said that I could just get an ordinary mic and stick it on the end of a broom stick!
He said... that would be pretty good! The only difference would be that I'm missing the furry thing around the mic.
Erm: is there any truth in this?
Else... what should I get if I want to get a boom mic? And where should I get it from?
(Assuming if I went to a professional camera shop I would be paying zillions of pounds for the item!)

ALSO: I've seen some mics that have the big fat connection.
Am I OK getting these and getting a converter (to convert into a small plug) to plug into my camcorder?

Any advice would be great.
In particular: some models to look out for would be great.

Thanks.


OM

[edDV]

You need to give some indication of budget and quality expectation.

According to studies, sound quality is most important for a viewer perception of professional vs. home video. That means at least prosumer mics and ideally multichannel recording so that individual tracks can be equalized in post. Pro video is mostly about audio and lighting.

You didn't ID your camcorder. Many lack external mic inputs, others use stereo minijacks. Some prosumer models have provision for four channel recording and XLR connectors for pro mics. Also important is manual audio level control. Most consumer models use automatic gain control (AGC) which causes volume pumping (not good).

Simple wirelss mics are available from Azden, Nady and Sony.

I've had an Azden WMSPro ($150) for 10 years and serves basic home duty. I rent Shure wireless packs for important shoots.

Basic:
Azden WMSPRO http://www.videoguys.com/azden.htm
http://www.radios4you.com/nady351VRLT-camcorder-LG-photo.html
http://www.radios4you.com/nady351VRLT-camcorder-LG.html

Better:
http://www.videoguys.com/uhf63mic.html

Pro mics.
Pro Shure wireless mics can be rented in most cities. They are widely used for weddings.
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/live-sound/microphones/wireless_buying-guide.php
http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WirelessMicrophones/index.htm

Many Pro mics use low Z XLR connectors. Shure makes an impedance matching transformer that adapts balanced XLR mics to camcorder high Z unbalanced mini jacks. It costs about $25-50
http://www.nextag.com/Shure-A96F-Low-to-55185820/prices-html

Good Camcorder Mic Mix amps
http://www.beachtek.com/

Basic Boom Kits
http://www.4videoequipment.com/video/Store2/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=1099

A broom stick could work

[OM2]

hey: thats awesome.
really helpful.
my background: nothing really!
i'll just be using basic home dv camcorders to record.
obviously these will have to have the external mic input.

the video is mostly for web video.
all the information u gave is brilliant - certainly will be helpful for the future when i get more professional.

my main problem: how can i tell a good mic from a poor one?
is it the db levels? impediance? frequencies??

thanks.

[edDV]

Specs mean little other than the frequencies they use. Read the reviews.

Nady is about as low as you should go. These are self contained packages. You can't use a third party mic with them.

Nady has a lower end handheld to receiver wireless system. I haven't used it so read the user reviews.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-NAD-DKW1H-LIST

Here is one with lavalier mic.
http://item.express.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ExpressItem&item=170211899579&FROM_MERCH...M_SIMILAR_LINK

The Nady 351VR series is the next up.
http://www.microphones.com/pdf/nady/151VR.pdf

Here's a 351VR-LT package with one lavalier and one receiver for the camcorder for $109
http://www.radios4you.com/nady351VRLT-camcorder-LG.html

Here's a 351VR HT package with one handheld mic and one receiver for the camcorder for $119
http://www.amazon.com/Nady-Wireless-Handheld-Receiver-Dynamic/dp/B000B73RPW/ref=sr_1_2...8716346&sr=1-2

I have used the Azden WMS-PRO with Lavalier and Handheld. It is OK but no comparison to the Shure.
http://musical-instruments.pricegrabber.com/wireless-systems/m/2268543/search=azden%20...spro/st=query/

The advantage of using Videoguys.com is their support and knowledge.
http://www.videoguys.com/azden.htm