I would like to have something for recording video at shows. Really just looking for an improved version of taking video on a phone, especially with regard to audio. Doesn't have to be "stealth" but something casual/not socially insane. Not like I'm there Doing Videography formally. I have some audio experience and essentially no video experience. Thinking mostly of local artists, stuff that might not be preserved otherwise. Prosumer quality is fine.

I have a neglected Sony Alpha camera I could use for this. Would a shoe-mount microphone suffice, or should I be looking into a Zoom/Tascam SD field recorder? I'm a little concerned about later having to sync audio from a second device, but only because I'm inexperienced. (I did a Pre-Taped Call-In Show for a PRF event last year that involved replacing webcam audio, but the "good" audio was recorded simultaneously on the same computer so it's not super comparable.)

Years ago I briefly had a Zoom Q-something (I think Q3HD) "handy video recorder" that checks a lot of these boxes. But I don't know how well this type of video recorder is regarded, when it comes to image pickup mostly. I do love the form factor though.

Throwing up the bat signal for forum friend Eric Fundingsland, if he's on the new board. This could probably have been a DM with him somewhere but I think this should be community knowledge/a community discussion. I want to see more and better documents of bands post-COVID, for real.

one of these rigged to the bottom of a DSLR is a decent solution.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... lsrc=aw.ds

That looks great. Does it have onboard mics? I can't immediately tell from that page.

I know supplying my own mics using the XLR ins would get me better sound, but I'm thinking of this for spur-of-the-moment capture, rather than a pre-coordinated "shoot." Most of the shows I would go to are walking distance so I'd probably go on foot.
So I really am thinking compact, no cables, something as functionally close to using the onboard camera mic as possible. Something not that immediately different from someone unassumingly taking DSLR photos, not letting the screen distract people etc.

Mason wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 5:53 pm That looks great. Does it have onboard mics? I can't immediately tell from that page.

I know supplying my own mics using the XLR ins would get me better sound, but I'm thinking of this for spur-of-the-moment capture, rather than a pre-coordinated "shoot." Most of the shows I would go to are walking distance so I'd probably go on foot.
So I really am thinking compact, no cables, something as functionally close to using the onboard camera mic as possible. Something not that immediately different from someone unassumingly taking DSLR photos, not letting the screen distract people etc.

It does not but he XLR are phantom power so you can do that 2 SM81 on a tall stick like all the dudes at the Grateful Dead show. As far as lining up audio in an editor later, it isn't hard if you record on the camera and the recorder simultaneously and can look at the waveforms. Also, doing a little "Slate" with a piece of paper and a hand clap is monstrously helpful even if you look like a film student doing it. Other good option but can be spendy is to see if there is a XLR audio add-on for what ever camera you have. Camera stuff is weirdly expensive.

There's also the old Zoom H4n that's not video specific, but a totally fine recorder with decent onboard electret mics + 2 XLR inputs.

twelvepoint wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:11 pm There's also the old Zoom H4n that's not video specific, but a totally fine recorder with decent onboard electret mics + 2 XLR inputs.

I have one of these and they really are the indestructible workhorse of field recorders. They are ubiquitous in Oz. When everyone moves on to 32 bit float recorders, I wonder if we will all wax nostalgically for “that dusty H4n sound….”?