Audio-Technica PRO24CM Stereo Microphone with Camera Mount

• Stereo microphone designed to attach to a camcorder
• For camcorders with an accessory shoe and stereo microphone input
• Lightweight, portable design with rugged all-metal construction
• Pair of cardioid condenser elements provides spatial impact and high-fidelity stereo sound image
• Battery-free operation when used with recording devices that provide plug-in power at the mic input

I hadn't seen much of a review addressing this mic for use with audio reproduction in a Venue or live music settingso here are my two cents. I have to say that the frequency response has proven shockingly true with a variety of ensembles, and has generally been a pleasure to work with given its compact size. I use this mic in conjunction with a Kodak Playtouch HD Palm Camera, and it has totally transformed the quality of live recordings. One of the best purchases i've ever made. Could not recommend it highly enough.

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Straight-forward, easy to use. The reproduction of recorded sounds is excellent. The stereo feature works very well with good separation of left/right placement. Very reasonably priced, a good quality microphone for the video/audiofile.

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I tested it with Sony DSLR a560. Without the battery I can hear a sound like a working motor (quiet though), but I did not mount it on the camera, besides, the camera was recording at memory stick not on a HDD or like that. My guess, that this was an EM interference. Without battery there was mono recording no matter what side from I would speak, the sound was on the middle in the playback. With battery in, the interference was 99% gone, but hiss is appear. Not much, but I can tell the difference in the quiet room or if you playing back through headphones, and yes, there is stereo. When I compared the sound with battery out to the sound with battery in, the last one was more clear and a little bit louder. With the battery out, at the same distance from microphone (about 1 yard), the sound was like the battery was dieing: vibrating, more quiet and unclear. The camera battery was at 74% more than enough to power a microphone.

Of cause it might be the camera itself. But camera manual says that external microphone will be powered by camera. Well, and it does, but microphone in any way should record the stereo. But stereo recording works with battery in only. I wrote about this issue to Audio-Technica. Here is what they answered:

"Although the microphone will operate using plug-in power, we recommend using battery power for optimal performance. There are no standards for plug-in power, so the voltage varies by device, resulting in inconsistent performance. This does not explain the mono recording issues; I have not had any reports of this. I recommend simply replacing the battery before important shoots; LR44 batteries are available at most drug stores, etc. and are fairly inexpensive."

In two words. This microphone works great, the price is affordable, not for every camera battery free, and Sony DSLR is needed "Hot Shoe Adapter".

I liked sound recording with battery better anyway. So, I'm gonna keep it. Actually because the microphone does not have a power indicator, I'll try to buy some cheap digital portable button batteries tester and build it in parallel to circuity connection with switch to watch the battery power level. The test "Sony A560 HD Video Test / 1440x1080 " of Sony A560 with this microphone you may find on YouTube on my channel SergSpace.

Update 11.26.2012

I recently upgraded Sony a560 to a65V, which has an auto focus in video mode. The built in microphone pick up so much noise from auto focus motor, that it's impossible to hear anything else. I do not have a SSM lens (too expensive), but this mike helped me to reduce auto focus motor sound dramatically. I still can hear it, but the noise went on background.

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I tried this on my Nikon D600. That camera allows you to adjust the microphone input. At "auto" level the only sound you hear are things right by the camera. The only way to hear anything is to crank the input up to maximum. Of course then your hear an incredible amount of hiss.

The built in microphone on the camera is actually better!

Sure you won't hear the auto focus motor with the Audio-Technica... that's because you won't hear anything at all!

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I bought this microphone to use on my Canon 5d mark II to record my band playing in clubs. The sound it does pics up is much clearer then the onboard mic but it picked up no bass guitar at all even when standing in front of the bass amp. Bass drum was also very limited. What it picked up primarily was snare and cymbals and a little bit of guitar. Not for live music.