External Microphone tests using the Canon EOS 550D/60D cameras Video

The mono internal microphone is severely limiting in producing reasonable quality audio recordings. It provides only 1 channel, is sensitive to camera handling and wind noise when used outdoors. I wanted to find a cost effective solution to use with the camera when I needed to get better quality, noise free, stereo sound when using the camera both indoors and outside. Without going to the expensive of buying something like the Rode video mike which really makes the camera very prominent whilst trying to be discrete with filming I set about experimenting with less expensive electret microphones and capsules to see what the quality would be like with the 550D/60D. The 3.5mm stereo input jack of the camera also provides power for external electret mikes so this came as a real bonus as cheap capsules could be used without the need for them to have their own power source and electronics. Surprisingly the stereo tie clip microphone ( available of ebay from several retailers) gave good frequency response and sensitivity without excessive background noise. I am no audiophile and my hearing upper limit is decreasing but for general purpose recording this unit IMHO provides good enough stereo signals for most purposes that i need it for. It is easy to add a "dead cat" type fur windshield for outside use and can be attched to the hot shoe of the camera by means of a plastic adaptor which can easily be made by anyone with a few DIY skills.
The test files have not been altered in anyway so as to give comparisons of sensitivity, noise and frequency response.

The MP3 file is included to give a reference to the range of frequencies in the original source before it was played back through my audio system (which obviously loses some frequencies or exaggerates others). Message me if you want further details of the capsules used/modification needed.
thanks for watching

Ok I figured it out ...
Ok I figured it out. I used my laptop as amplifier and set? the eos to manual and a low setting. I got a clear and good audio :)

That was very good ...
That was very good comparison between the microphones. My EOS? 600d produces a hissing noise, even with an external microphone with manual audio settings. It gets better if I lower the recording volume, but then the general volume is quite low. Would an an extra amplifier and recording at a low volume help? I found the old Sennheiser MD 421 from my grandpa (early 60s model) and made an adapter from tuchel to the mic plug. On my laptop it produces a very good recording. rgds

Oh dear !?
Oh dear !?

Appreciate? your ...
Appreciate? your comment, thank you.

Great? stuff. Thank ...
Great? stuff. Thank you.

I really like my ...
I really like my Canon 60D and opportunities which are? giving slr cameras, but issues with dirty sensor (so far those cleaning systems are poor in all cameras, I am surprised that there's still no better system) and issues with sound of external microphone sucks :/

You seem like the? ...
You seem like the? kind of man who you could have a serious discussion about politics over a fantastically baked scone and a cup of very expensive but perfect tea. Can we make this happen?

Is the microphone ...
Is the microphone an electret type, does it have its own battery power - is the battery good? It should give audio into the camera -? what model mike is it please?

Hi, I just got my ...
Hi, I just got my Canon 60D with Sony clip-on microphone. Video has been recorded by using this stereo Sony clip-on microphone connected to my Canon 60D. Video was available but not the audio. May I know what cause the problem??

The microphone ...
The microphone power will need to be on as it is powered internally to allow the electronics to work. It couldn't be powered by the 600D. The voice settings are designed with a low pass filter meaning they clip the higher frequencies making the sound a little mellower, the music settings allow the full? dynamic range of the microphone to be output. I'm sure the mike will be okay with the EOS many people are using all kinds of powered mikes with their cameras.

Hi I have a Sony ...
Hi I have a Sony ECM-719 I just got a Canon EOS 600D - will this? microphone be ok when video-filming with the 600D - should the microphones internal power be on or off? - have you got any idea about the difference in the two microphone settings: voice/music? Thanks in advance.

record this mic I ...
record this mic I concerts is very? good

for now I purchased ...
for now I purchased a firecracker microphone form nexxtec goto thesource.ca and search for product=2616578 its only 5 dollars. BTW the mono speaker in? a Canon 60D does record in two channels but it mono, so both left and right are the same. Now to split the sound.

They? are just the ...
They? are just the shells from a couple of cheap table mikes, to hold the electret inserts. The design doesn't work any differently.

Hi, what are the ...
Hi, what are the two black things sticking out of your mic design here that are different from the earbuds you use in the 'how to make' video? Also is this an improvement on the ear buds? Thanks, love the vids and have bought a pair? of Panasonic WM61a mics to do something similar.

I? liked the mic ...
I? liked the mic you designed the best and would like to buy one. Can I get one from you?

Thankyou Graham as ...
Thankyou Graham as always really useful and to the point. Happy New Year :-)?

According to the ...
According to the WiKi site, the? software is loaded along with the camera software from the sdhc card. To remove it just reformat the card in the camera, switch off and on, and is gone!

That'a a really ...
That'a a really good question. The basic files are always on the sdhc card but I think the program needs to load some bootstrap code into the camera to enable the magic lantern to be installed so I guess this would be evident during repair. There may be a way to uninstall it but since I sold? the 550D I cannot verify it now. Try there website to see if its possible

Hi Graham, one more ...
Hi Graham, one more question! If I use magic lantern software in my 550d does this invalidate? the manufacturer's warranty? thank you

Actually I think? ...
Actually I think? it is quite acceptable and with a small piece of fur fabric wrapped around it is excellent outdoors. Choose a decnet stereo one and then mount it on an old hot shoe flash asaptor, or similar.

Thanks Graham, much ...
Thanks Graham, much appretiated. What is your personal opinion on the sound quality of the tie clip microphone? I'm favouring choosing it over options like? the Rode, not just because it's cheaper but because it looks much less obtrusive.

Thank you Graham ...
Thank you Graham very useful and? informative.

With magic lantern ...
With magic lantern software (Google for it) for the 550d there are level indicators but I don't think there is manual gain control like? on the 60D. I don't think that any high levels of audio inpur will damage the camera just cause severe distortion of the audio!

Thanks Graham ...
Thanks Graham really useful. Is there? any way of monitoring the input of audio level to the 550d and is there any danger of overloading audio circuits in the 550d causing damage to the camera?

Hi, that's just? ...
Hi, that's just? another of my DIY mods, an old hot shoe from a defunct flash unit and then glued the tie clip mount to it.

how do you get the ...
how do you get the tie clip microphone at 4:59 to fit on top of? the DSLR? Is a separate adaptor needed? thanks.

I personally think ...
I personally think I'd be better off? using my AKG 214 and recording the audio separate then syncing it up afterwards... Those miss just sound to TINI with NO bottom end whatsoever..

days been? great , ...
days been? great , taa graham

PYRAX?
PYRAX?