Sony Vegas is another commonly used tool for this job, available in some low cost versions.

I also did a blog post on using AVIdemux for syncing, but it’s even more techie than using REAPER.

Hope this helps,
Fran

Thanks for all of your great advice and videos. I have just recently purchased the Zoom H2 to compliment my Kodak Zi8 to record some of my own guitar work and some live performances. I recently tried using the Zoom as an external mic to record some of my friends rock concert and I was pretty disappointed with the results as I had to keep the mic gain on the zoom on L and back the Kodak gain all the way down to prevent the Kodak audio from distorting. Going forward i’d like to replace the video audio with the audio captured on the Zoom as you suggest in many of your replies. Is there inexpensive or free software that will allow me to line the audio up and replace it? I tried using the Kodak software that came with the Zi8, but it only allows you to insert an audio file and doesn’t let you line the audio up.

Thanks again for all the great material!

Sean

Fran

But can I use my SM57 with the Zi8?

A quick note to let you know that I bought the Hosa MIT156 at J&R Electronics, as you suggested.

It was $16.99 plus $2.77 shipping, so under $20 total!

Thanks again for your help. I truly appreciate it!

Joy

You’re the best! I’ve learned more from this thread with you than anywhere else!

For instance, I had no idea that I in dealing with a mono mic to stereo plug things needed to match. As I mentioned, I’m not audio engineer at all, so I didn’t catch that. But the way you explained things, including the transformer info, I think I want to go with the original thing you suggested.

It’s too bad that Amazon doesn’t carry it and qualify it for their free shipping over orders of $25 because I have a Amazon gift certificate for that amount and had hoped to use it for this. Ah well.

I am deciding which company to buy it from thought because Pro Audio also carries it for $2 less and can use PayPal for payment. I still have to compare shipping costs, however, and that has to wait until tomorrow because the Pro Audio folks are not available by phone today. Full Compass ships it for $8.95, in case anyone needs to do something similar to what I am doing.

Anyhow, I’ll let you know what I decide so that if anyone else has these questions, they’ll have more info about Pro Audio shipping and payment info too.

Thanks again,
Joy

3.5mm and 1/8″ are both used to designate the mini-plug and jack system.

The adapter you linked to is similar but has two differences.

First, it has a male XLR, which is the opposite of the one you need to connect to the SM57. This one is intended to plug into a mixing board or preamp.

Second, it lacks the transformer. It may indeed do the job just fine. There are theoretical benefits to using the transformer version – the output from the SM57 is pretty low and the transformer boosts the level in the process of “unbalancing” the connection. While these are desirable features they may not be needed. And low cost transformers are not known for excellent transparency

If you’re interested in keeping costs as low as possible, you can use an adapter with the proper XLR and add a transformer to your chain later if you find that you need more output.

Here’s where it gets a bit complicated. The adapter on Amazon that looks correct, has the correct plugs, is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-XVS102F-Right-Angle-3-5mm/dp/B0010CV2FO/ref=pd_cp_MI_2

But the description indicates that this is intended as a stereo mic cable, not a mono to stereo adapter. So the wiring might be wrong for your use. It’s a subtle difference but can lead to a lot of frustration.

Here on the Hosa page for Specialty Mic Cables http://www.hosatech.com/category/338053/Specialty_Microphone_Cables are some adapters with slightly different model numbers but also slightly different descriptions. The XVM cables like these: http://www.hosatech.com/products/340381/XLR3F_to_Right-angle_3.5_mm_TRS are the ones that I would select. It comes in several lengths and is lower in cost than the transformer model.

Hope this helps.

Fran

Fran

Thanks for your quick response.

I had seen this Hosa cable on Amazon last night after I wrote to you. It seems like the same thing but the product ID is different.

Is there a big difference in audio quality between the 2 that warrants the big difference in price?

Also, I’m a little confused about the size of the mic input. The Zi8 is 3.5mm but the one you mentioned says that it is 1/8″.

Again, thanks for your insights and suggestions.

Kindly,
Joy

I guess the comment has scrolled away, but we did find a cable that is just the ticket for connecting a dynamic mic to the Zi8. It’s the Hosa MIT156 adapter cable. It has the correct connector for the Shure mic, a transformer that adds a bit of voltage gain, and connections to a stereo 1/8″ plug so the signal goes to both sides of the Zi8 input. I found it for sale online at Full Compass at a reasonable price: http://www.fullcompass.com/product/245538.html

Hope this helps,
Fran