Best Camcorder for Singing Audition and Singing on YouTube?

[charmstarz]

Hi all,

I'm a total novice when it comes to these sorts of things, so just to put it out there, you may need to dumb things down for me.

Anyways, I've never owned a camcorder and I have no clue what I need (except that I heard an external mic is best for singing videos).

I want to audition for a singing competition and want to find the best camcorder and mic possible for this. I know that I don't want to have to sync my audio and video, I'd prefer if it just came as one package. Also, clarity is key and I need a camcorder that can capture my singing voice as if the producers were right in the room with me. I will have someone playing the guitar and/or background music (or karaoke soundtrack) so it's important that you can hear this as well but that there isn't a competition between that and my voice. I am someone that projects my notes very loudly and when I've tried to record with voice recorders I suppose the recorders can't handle it because I end up getting a "garbly" sound like when you turn the radio up too loud (that's the best way I can describe it). I need to know that the camcorder and mic you suggest won't do this.

I'm looking to spend around $600-$800 total for camcorder, mic and any software I might need (please let me know which mic and software is best as well) but if I have to spend more for better quality I'm willing to do that.

This is very important to me and I thank you in advance for any advice that you have!!

[filmboss80]

You're going to need more than a single mic, if you intend to have the instrumental portion (guitar or karaoke soundtrack) mixed well and sounding good with the voice. You likely need multiple mics, plus a rudimentary sound mixer. If you attempt to record it all directly into the camcorder, you would need one that had an external mic input, plus the ability to override the camcorder's automatic gain control. Even then, there are complications in trying to split between a low-impedance microphone and a high-impedance karaoke machine output. At the very least, you would need a camcorder adapter like the ones made by Beachtek, and seen here:

http://www.beachtek.com/products/camcorders/

Another option is to buy a separate digital audio recorder. like the Samson Zoom H4N (http://www.samsontech.com/zoom/products/handheld-audio-recorders/h4n/). If you do not have a sound mixer at the live recording point, you could separate music and voice sources to different inputs, then do the mix later and sync to video with a software editing program like the Platinum Suite edition of Sony Vegas (which links the video editor to its Sound Forge audio software).

As for microphones, I'll let others chime in. Expect to get something with XLR connections. Expect to spend a bit.

Your budget is really inadequate, by the way.

[aedipuss]

what you need is to contact an audio recording studio. cheap consumer gear in a standard room will not cut it. for top notch audio you need.
1. Neutral acoustics.
2. Neutral and accurate sound monitoring system.
3. Top shelf recording, editing and processing gear (used correctly).
4. The know how to make it all work towards the goal and message of the material.

[maeaguilar]

One of my best camcorder in terms of reviews and specification is the Panasonic HDC-SDT750, High Definition 3D Camcorder.

[brunerww]

Hi charmstarz - With respect, the SDT-750 is an old model, has a clunky 3D attachment on the front, and is difficult to find. The new $668 Panasonic HC-X900 is their new top of the line model and has external mic input as well as manual audio gain control. I own this camera's immediate predecessor, the TM900, and (with an external mic like this one), it should be able to deliver high enough audio and video quality for YouTube.

Here is an outdoor comedy short shot with the X900 and an external mic (an old Sennheiser MKE300):

Here is an outdoor test with the X900 and a Sennheiser MKE400:

The shotgun mics used in these examples are fine for dialogue, but for music, you will need a $142 AKG battery powered cardioid condenser mic specifically designed for vocals, a $25 mic stand, an $8 cable and a $46 impedance matching adapter to plug it into your camcorder.

With this setup, your should be able to produce solid video and audio quality.

Hope this is helpful and best of the holidays,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution