Audio equipment for interviews?

[dat5150]

I'm trying to decide on what audio equipment I need to conduct interviews. The interviews will be setting down, a few feet from the interviewee. I own an AT897, but all I've read on the boards says I need a lavaleir mic or maybe two. Ideally, I would have two tracks of audio, one for me and one for the interviewee. I've thought that I could do this with a wired lavaleir for me and a wireless for the interviewee. I've noticed an Azden wireless lav that two people can use on one set...it looks interesting. I want good equipment, but not the 'Mercedes' level. I've reviewed much of the equipment and information out there, I just want to make the correct decision the first time. Do you have a recommendation for me? What has worked well for you?

[oleg]

the countryman emw is one of the best low cost mikes that you have on the market , if it sit down interviewee , you can use hardwire mike which alwais will be better sounding then one who is going wierless, the same mike can be use if you will deside to add wierless after

[Barry_S]

Nothing to say that you can't use a boomed mic for interviews. You could put the AT897 on a boom stand if conditions allow. Also, do you really need your voice for the interview or will it be edited out? If you're editing out your voice, the boomed mic (or one channel of the on-camera mic) will pick up enough of the questions for editing purposes. If you want to pick up both of your voices with good fidelity, one way to go is with two wired omni lavs like the AT899 for $200 each. Unless there's a strong reason for going with a wireless, a wired mic is the better choice for fewer problems and better fidelity.

[dat5150]

Thanks for your suggestions. I guess I feel pressure to get a wireless mic and I'm not sure I need to. In some of the interviews I will need to have my voice included, in some I want the option to edit it out so I need the flexibility to deal with both situations. I know this may be a stupid question, but how am I going to hide the mic cord on the interviewee? I like the unobtrusive look of the wireless mic. Thanks again.

[Barry_Green]

Wired or wireless lavaliere's are going to present the same problem. The microphone itself is not wireless. It'll have a wire that will be three to maybe six feet long, that runs to the wireless transmitter. You will have the same issue, whether using wireless or wired, about hiding the cord on the interviewee.

[oleg]

stupid question, but how am I going to hide the mic cord on the interviewee? *I like the unobtrusive look of the wireless mic. *Thanks again.

stupid unswer :-)
you will find here more then one way to do it
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=hiding&btnG=Search&meta=group%3Drec.arts.movie s.production.sound

[smithy]

Heard the Azden mikes are not really that good as compared to sennheiser or audio technica's but you could get a solid sound with 1 shotgun mike on a small stand and put it just out of sight of the POV of the camera. I can pickup enough sound as long as you are both talking toward the microphone's direction. But having 2 wireless Laveliers would make it a stronger signal to the mixer or camera.