The
Sony VZ-1 is the perfect camera for making videos, much appreciated by Youtubers, it has a decent built-in microphone and 3.5-mm Stereo mini jack and a Multi Interface Shoe for connecting an external microphone.
There is a compatibility list created by Sony, microphones known to work with the camera, and I can confirm
- Sony ECM-G1 (expensive, ~150 euro)
- Sony ECM-LV1 (cheap ~ 30 euro)
I tried myself these two, and they fully work!
However ... this beaufutul vlog-camera is known to not work with some third-party microphones. I haven't yet understood whether it's an impedance problem or the mechanics of the connectors or something, the fact is that
many complain that, once their external microphone is inserted, the camera no longer records any audio.
"... Sony ZV-1 not picking up audio from external mic ... "Who? What?
Sony offers a
Microphone Compatibility list.
- Sony ECM-AW4: Fully Compatible
- Sony ECM-CG60: Fully Compatible
- Sony ECM-G1: Fully Compatible <---- I have this
- Sony ECM-GZ1M: Compatible with restrictions -> ZOOM microphone mode is not available
- Sony ECM-LV1: Fully Compatible <---- I have this
- Sony ECM-S1: Compatible with restrictions -> Set "DIGITAL/ANALOG switch" to "ANALOG", do not receive power supply from the camera
- Sony ECM-W2BT: Compatible with restrictions -> Set "DIGITAL/ANALOG switch" to "ANALOG", do not receive power supply from the camera
- Sony ECM-W3: Compatible with restrictions -> Set "DIGITAL/ANALOG switch" to "ANALOG", do not receive power supply from the camera
- Sony ECM-W3S: Compatible with restrictions -> Set "DIGITAL/ANALOG switch" to "ANALOG". do not receive power supply from the camera
- Sony ECM-XYST1M: Fully Compatible
The Sony ZV-1 has a built-in microphone, doesn't have any
XLR mic/line, but the built-in mic can be disabled when you plug an external mic to the TRS mic/line input.
The Tascam
DR-60D MKII is a compact 4-track audio recorder that can be mounted directly to the camera and offers various audio inputs
- (channel{1,2}) XLR mic/line inputs can provide phantom power (+24V/+48V, power can be enabled/disabled via software)
- (channel{3,4}) TRS mic/line inputs support +24 dBu input when used as line inputs
I'm thinking of using it because it comes with the XLR lines, which is the professional standard, very expensive > 200 euro, but higher quality!
The DR-60D MKII also offer different outputs to allow the recording of high-resolution audio material in parallel to, but separated from the camera and its video data.
I am thinking about installing the DR-60D MKII under the VZ-1, and via remote control start recording the video and a second copy of the audio on the Tascam.
Obviously, even if the "start" command arrives at the same time, the two devices actually start recording at slightly different times.
A "ciak" signal is needed as the starting point for the rest of the production on { Premiere, FinalCut, ... }
- - - -
What do you think, guys? in this way I would no longer have the limitations on the SONY mic line, and be able to use better XLR microphones