I've been reading your posts about making better audio for MINI videos. I called the local Radio Shack and can get a 32-1254 mic pre-amp. The camcorder I have will let me hook an external mic for better audio. This mic pre-amp. Would I hook two external mics to the pre-amp and then hook the pre-amp to the camcorder? If so, from the pictures you posted, I would then do some test runs to determine the volume needed for each mic?

I don't have a vacucam, yet, so I'm only going to get one shot from the inside but have a mic for the interior and one for engine sounds. BTW, I tested out a cheap computer mic for engine noises and it sounded very good. The placement was inside the black panel where the brake master cylinder is located. The sc whine was heard very well and with my Pilo intake, air suction could be heard as well.

But it was too much just to have that only as the audio. I need it mixed with some interior sounds.

 

Grab that mic preamp because it's been discontinued. There is no other low cost preamp out there that I know of in this price range.

It's got 2 mic inputs, but I only use 1 of them.

Your assumption is correct. External mic to preamp. Preamp converts mic level signal to line level signal--which feeds into camcorder. One thing I didn't mention is the need for a 12volt plug so you can power the preamp in the car. Just basically a cig light plug since the preamp is rated for 12volts.

The volume is controlled by a **** on the preamp. Just put on some headphones from your camcorder, and check the levels. May take a few tries to make sure it isn't overloading.

Glad you found a good location. It's tricky!

Also make sure to mix in some ambient audio--wind noise, cabin noise, etc. to keep things sounding "real". =)

Richard