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Sony Gun Zoom Microphone ECM-HGZ1

This mic sucks at anything over 6 feet. Why, Sony, why did you eliminate a mic input on the 403. Make a device with a mic jack that fits in the shoe.

This is the dumbest move Sony has ever made. No it's more than dumb, it is idiotic. I am really pissed!!!!!

Bob Aronson
Fri, 23 Sep 2005 17:37:12 -0700

Great microphone with superb recording quality when used on my DCR-HC90E, even from longer distance. I made an outdoor recording today and managed to record a soft voice from a distance from about 20 meters without poroblems... Way to go...

Erik Smit
Fri, 30 Dec 2005 13:54:09 -0800

I fully agree with Bob. A mic jack for connecting a external mic is must. I don't know why sony eliminated the mic input in DCR HC90 model. Atleast he can provide a mic input in Active interface shoe

Paul Daniel V
Mon, 3 Apr 2006 18:38:07 -0700

Just bought the ECM-HGZ1 for a Sony DCR-SR80 that I also bought and my initial impression is that it doesn't do what it says it would. What I mean is that it doesn't seem to work like the Directivity Diagram on the spec sheet suggests. That is, without the mike, it shows two small ovals reaching more from the sides of the camera than ahead. With the mike on, it shows a fairly focused field of pick up out in front of the camera. My experience so far with the mike is that, even with the mike turned on, the in-camera mikes pick up every little motion noise made by my hands. I'd rather that the internal mikes just shut off when I put the external mike on the camera. Still, I just bought it and will give it more of a trial.

Carl
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:38:52 -0800

I am about to regret ever buying this mic. It doesn't do a thing advertised.

Ray
Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:36:14 +0000

Great info regarding which mode to use. Indeed, the GUN mode is the best. I got professional results from using this mode. We didn't have to have a separate boom mic and boom operator. We picked up dialogue broadcast quality from even ten feet away. Of course, the closer you move it, the better. I don't get closer than three feet for actors who project because it will distort the recording. The Sony camera just can't handle those high dB levels. But for narration voicever I've used the same shotgun mode and staying a foot away from the mic and pointing it a 30 to 45 degree angle. That reduces the high frequency sibilants and increases the bass response. And never enough to distort. We've shot three features and a documentary using the Sony camera and mic. Looks great. So far, all our productions are shown on cable. The Sony camera's built-in compressor/limiter processor works perfectly. Just enough oomph, so I have not had to do a lot of processing. And the camera's processor does not "pumb": doesn't start high and cut down on the voice like some CB or phone-in on talk radio. I've used Sony open reel recorders years ago for radio spot and AV production. Back then, the comp/limiter held the level constant from -2 to zero dB by pushing the input just below cut-off. Of course, then you'd get the 1950s AM Top 40 radio pumping action. So I'm absolutely sold on Sony products, especially audio.

Steve Harms
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:37:49 +0000

Thanks for providing those practical tips, Steve. Your tips gives me more to think about how t improve the audio quality in my next recording.

Chieh Cheng
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08:52 +0000

Thank you so much we were making some v-clips for our website and needed a lil direction on the settings. You were spot on and al turned out very well.

UR Special 2 US!

Danny & Marie Lena
Papa Lena’s Healthy Foods
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Danny & Marie Lena
Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:25:02 +0000

I! I need to buy a sony microphone to record poetry readings. My camera is a Sony SR290E, and it's only compatible with 3 microphones: ecm-hgz1 (gun zoom), ecm-hst1(stereo) and ecm-hw1 (wirellse microphone). i've already bought de wirelesse, and i'me very pleased with the results. But for recording poetry readings it's note usefull. I Think the best one is the gun zoom, and not the stereo. Can someone please give me an advice? thank you!

rita
Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:24:49 +0000

rita, are you planning on recording yourself at home? Or recording someone on a stage? Without knowing more, I suspect that the ECM-HGZ1 is your best bet.

Chieh Cheng
Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:18:32 +0000

Hi Chieh! Thank you so much for helping me!!!!i'm not going to record my self at home. i'm planning to record public poetry readings, on a "stage". it's not realy on a stage, often is much more informal. But it's not usually outdoors. Sometimes it's in a bar, sometimes in a room of a public institution... i presume that the stereo microphone will catch all the little noises of the public (coffing, movements, snize..). So... what do you think? and once again, thank you!!!

rita
Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:52:55 +0000

I think the ECM-HGZ1 is perfect for that condition. Just set it to the "Gun" mode and point it toward the poetry reader. It will focus its audio recording in that direction and mute the surrounding sounds out.

Chieh Cheng
Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:58:56 +0000

Ok. I think i'm going to buy the gun zoom. Thank you very much for your advices and your help!

rita
Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:20:57 +0000

Hi I have a question

Can you hold your camcorder (I have a sony cx 12) with the gun zoom microphone?

I think it can be a nice holder

olivier Oberson
Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:48:23 +0000

Haha. Sometimes I forget that it's not a holder and use it as one. But luckily I have a small and light camcorder (DCR-HC90). You are not suppose to use it as a holder. And I do not encourage it. Your camcorder will likely detach and fall from it.

I don't know how big or heavy the HDR-CX12 is. But maybe you can compare the weight between that and my DCR-HC90 camcorder.

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:17:47 +0000

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Title: Sony Active Interface Shoe
Weblog: Camera Hacker
Tracked: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:18:12 -0700

Title: testing the Sony Gun Zoom Microphone ECM-HGZ1
Weblog: Camera Hacker
Excerpt: I came across your web site on the emc-hgz1. I bought one of these at an airport recently and I think it is faulty. I plugged it in. Made sure it is home. Run it on zoom, gun and off. Tried it indoors and outside, and I can't hear any difference. If anything it is worse. The sound also doesn't chang . . .
Tracked: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 11:18:48 -0700

Title: Adding a 2.5mm jack to the Sony Gun Zoom Microphone ECM-HGZ1
Weblog: Camera Hacker
Excerpt: Hi, Ive recently been looking at modifing a Sony ECM-HGZ1 so as to connect a Audio Technica Wireless mic via the AIS to record on my Sony DV90. After closer inspection and a local trip to Radio Shack, I found a perfect location for a 2.5mm jack to be mounted inside the Microphone, inside the shoe . . .
Tracked: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:25:09 -0800

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