Testing
For the purpose of our tests, we wanted to really see how the Azden SMX-30 fares against the Sony ECMCG50, Rode VideoMic Pro and the internal amps on a Panasonic GH4 and a Sony A7ii.
Mono
As expected, the internal amps on both the cameras we used for testing recorded very sub-quality audio, with them picking up everything around the camera from the air-conditioning unit’s humming, turning the dials on the cameras and heavy footsteps. Subjects’ conversations would be washed out by other sounds picked up, and when recording inside a room, sounds being bounced around the walls would also be picked up.
Setting the Azden SMX-30 to mono mode, the microphone picked up sound coming from the immediate front of it. Other sounds around the microphone can still be heard, but at a more subtlety muted level, giving a sense of presence within the room but without drowning out the main recording. The conversations mentioned above were now picked up distinctly and each word was distinguishable. We tested this out on a few people, as my voice has a very low tone so wanted to see if a higher, sharper voice such a woman would be still as distinct, and we were not let down by the SMX-30 at all. Comparing this to the Rode VideoMic Pro, I personally found the Rode to have difficulty picking up distinct words when recording my low voice, often becoming a low slur of words recorded, to which I have to go back and record the clip again whilst consciously raising the tone of my voice.
Recorded using the Azden SMX-30 Video Microphone
Stereo
The following tests were done in the noisy environment of the Kowloon Park Aviary where the exotic birds were constantly squawking.
For stereo tests, once again the internal microphones on are test cameras were just not up to scratch. Sound came from all directions without a focus, leading to a lack of presence.
We had previous worked with the Rode VideoMic Pro on many indoor and outdoor events, and were always quite pleased with the audio levels, but then the Azden SMX-30 took this to a new level. Stereo sound recorded on the SMX-30 was gave you a distinct sense of direction. The left, right and centre sound channels were very clear, giving a presence that you are there inside the video.
