Hand Hardware-- a rig for shooting video and recording audio at the same time

[ratbagradio]

I've been experimenting with ways to carry my shooting rig around with me so that I can also hook it up to a recorder. I also wanted to run a microphone to the MiniDV camera -- a Canon MD 120.

Since I had a HiMD recorder-- Sony MD Walkman MZ NH 700 -- with plug in power microphones to go with it I wanted to integrate the two systems.

I also had learnt that if I'm on an "assignment" I needed to record much more audio than I'd videoed. I wanted a system which would enable me to keep the audio recording running while I selectively shot video . I also wanted better audio quality than the inbuilt microphone that came with the camera.

And since I podcast audio and videoblog in effect I wanted to get the best out of two separate mediums.

I had previously hung all this rig from bags and pouches on my person and it proved very cumbersome and hard to monitor and manipulate -- such as turning either device on or off. But I had been using the Ultrapod monopod for some time and loved it. The Ultrapod is a small, lightweight, folding camera tripod with adjustable ball & socket head and Velcro securing strap.

(I've also been using small camera tripods to support my microphones.)

So with a bit of Velcro strapping, I combed the lot-- Voila!

By rights -- and I've yet to confirm this -- the audio that runs from the HiMD should also be automatically gained before it is taken in as audio on the video as I run the HiMD audio out into the microphone in for the Video camera.

VIEW Slideshow of rig here.

[Abby Normal]

I like it. I still think you could find ways to clean up the presentation and still retain all its Borg-ish charm, though.

[bobt]

very sharp, absolutely gets the job done, thanks for sharing

Bob

[ratbagradio]

I like it. I still think you could find ways to clean up the presentation and still retain all its Borg-ish charm, though.

I luv the Borgness. And with the Velcro on the wrist its like wearing a Dick Tracey watch.

As for a clean up...black cable? The complication is that as you pivot your camera you want to have plenty of give in the connections and while I'd like shorter cables I haven't as yet found commercial ones to suit.

I'd also like a better microphone mount (on a camera such as mine that has no shoe) and I'm still experimenting with options. I used Velcro there too but found it cracked when I moved the camera and the sound was caught in the audio.

But for me I solve a lot of problems of out and about recording of both audio and video.

Just on using camera tripods/monopods fro mics -- here area coipel of shots of the way I use small camera tripods to support my microphones.

And the way the Ultrapod can be deployed to support cameras ...and mics!

Very useful for public meetings to set up mics without dedicated stands..

[Abby Normal]

Very nice use of the pods with the mics. Regarding the cables. How about coiled cables to solve the free movement problem? It might be hard to find something exactly the right size/color, etc--but here's a sample:

Their product page:

Auxiliary Coiled Audio Cable for MP3 Players