Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
Network with members on this board.
-Jeremy
-Jeremy
New To Audio? - Read This First Please
- Thread starter Jeremy Ordan
- Start date
Robert Eldon
Well-known member
OK... We just got a 'kit' with the AT4073a. We checked out different locations for audio and finally purchased from Location Sound in North Hollywood. We had an opportunity to check out a lot of mics, actually using them and listening in the store and decided, for the budget, to get the AT4073a.
Thanks to all (Especially Jeremy and Matt) for the input on this and other audio threads.
Now... questions.
Until we get an Octava, we'll be using the AT4073a for interiors. Should we still use the foam windscreen for interiors?
Is the Octava MK012 available in any stores? Or do we need to purchase on-line?
While doing an early audio test (DVX100B, Boompole, AT4073a, no windscreen, Interior, 12 X 12 room), we're noticing after capturing that there is a low frequency noise (almost like white noise), very subtle, but noticeable. Is there a way to reduce or eliminate this?
Again, thank you all for the education. It came in very handy when making a decision.
Thanks to all (Especially Jeremy and Matt) for the input on this and other audio threads.
Now... questions.
Until we get an Octava, we'll be using the AT4073a for interiors. Should we still use the foam windscreen for interiors?
Is the Octava MK012 available in any stores? Or do we need to purchase on-line?
While doing an early audio test (DVX100B, Boompole, AT4073a, no windscreen, Interior, 12 X 12 room), we're noticing after capturing that there is a low frequency noise (almost like white noise), very subtle, but noticeable. Is there a way to reduce or eliminate this?
Again, thank you all for the education. It came in very handy when making a decision.
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
RobertE said:
Yes, wind protection at all times. I prefer a Rycote Softie to the foam because that is garbage and doesn't work well.
The Oktava is available through sound-room.com. Great microphone, great results.
As I've said before, I don't recommend the AT4073a indoors. I have not gotten good results with it inside. If I were you I would contact MattinSTL and order an attenuation cable for that mic also. It will work wonders for it.
-JunK- said:
Call EVS and speak with Randy, tell him you're a DVXUser member and you want the discount. That's all there is to it, but I don't believe you can get it online. It's easy to do, plus the people there are so nice and helpfull that calling and talking with people who are into the same stuff you are is great (Damn, do I miss Rush working there).
Best of luck and happy shooting to you both!
-Jeremy
alexandroff
Well-known member
Yankee, thank you for you answers! tremendous help.
I went with the Kit #7: Self Distributed Short Film Producer Plus+.
While it's being shipped. I have a general question about a recorder.
Which ones would you recommend? Cheapest & most effective. Is recording to the camera an option? Do I have to have a separate recorder? Why?
I'm getting a Panasonic HVX200 Camera. It uses full uncompressed 16-bit 48khz PCM audio. It has 4 channels but #3&4 are for the internal mic. Can I record straight to HVX with my #7 Kit?
If I record to a camera, do the headphones need to be plugged into the camera also to check the quality? Do I need a mixer?
If I go with the non-camera sound recording can you pls suggest the recording packages (pros, cons & pricing) in a way you did for the mic kits.
Thank you.
I went with the Kit #7: Self Distributed Short Film Producer Plus+.
While it's being shipped. I have a general question about a recorder.
Which ones would you recommend? Cheapest & most effective. Is recording to the camera an option? Do I have to have a separate recorder? Why?
I'm getting a Panasonic HVX200 Camera. It uses full uncompressed 16-bit 48khz PCM audio. It has 4 channels but #3&4 are for the internal mic. Can I record straight to HVX with my #7 Kit?
If I record to a camera, do the headphones need to be plugged into the camera also to check the quality? Do I need a mixer?
If I go with the non-camera sound recording can you pls suggest the recording packages (pros, cons & pricing) in a way you did for the mic kits.
Thank you.
Last edited:
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
I've been busy lately with a couple of personal projects so I've sort of ignored a lot of things that I said I would do... Sorry about that. I will try to get some more package suggestions posted soon, but regarding that kit, yes, you can go ahead and record right to an HVX with any of the things I suggested.
Furthermore, you will be able to monitor sound with headphones right out of the camera.
As for the mixer and recorder issues, I believe that once you move to professional gigs or get more serious about sound that is where the recorder and mixers come in.
Mixers - They are good if you have multiple microphones running, as well as if you are in a situation where you need to ride levels. When you are doing small productions normally you don't have an experienced audio person on set, therefore mixers are not needed for these situations. In these cases you can normally get away with a headphone amplifier which will give you a secondary output for your boom operator to monitor sound. I have used a very cheap MAudio one and a set of cordless 900 mghz headphones for these situations (just to keep the amount of cable running to a minimum). A good mixer though, because it has microphone preamplifiers will go ahead and help the sound of a microphone. It will yield better sound overall and help with the quality of sound. If you have never worked a mixer before, try to network with people on this board or with audio professionals to get a lesson. It is not the type of thing you want to run out and just experiment with.
Recorders - Obviously, this is a unit where you can record your audio rather than going direct into the camera. The +'s of going into the camera are easy, you get your audio in sync right away without any problems and it is right there. The downside is that the DVX has the best audio functions of any camera out there, and it is still noisy compared with an external recorder. When you go external recording you are not teathered to the camera, so you are able to use a steadicam system (or a wireless from a mixer), but furthermore, you are in a position where you are forced to slate and sync in post. You do get better audio, but in our instant gratification world, it is an extra step required in post. The other issue with using an external recorder is that these units are not cheap, but you will get better sounding audio. There are no steps you can take in post to match the clean audio you will get from a good solid state recording in comparison with the DVX (I am not familiar with the HVX so I cannot say whether they are similar in the audio department, but I am assuming so).
It is my opinion, and hopefully Matt, Oleg, Ty, Wabbit or others might back this up, but for the majority of amatuers (meaning you are not being paid for your sound work) that a microphone kit running directly into the camera is more than sufficient. When you get into projects specifically designed for distribution or filmout, that is where a multitrack recorder, mixer, and slating becomes more important, if not required.
The majority of users here will have no problems recording directly into the camera, and unless you are running multiple microphones you should be more than happy with the results.
On the DVX you can easily run two microphone sources directly into the camera and stereo them in post. On the HVX I believe (although I am not positive) that you can run four microphone sources directly into the camera. This is the equivilent of having a $1000-$2000 mixer already built into the camera (albeit without the features provided by a mixer in that price range).
To answer you question though, regardless of what kit you purchase you should be more than satisified with any of the kits I listed, and be able to monitor without problem direct from the camera while you operate or monitor.
I hope this helps.
-Jeremy
Furthermore, you will be able to monitor sound with headphones right out of the camera.
As for the mixer and recorder issues, I believe that once you move to professional gigs or get more serious about sound that is where the recorder and mixers come in.
Mixers - They are good if you have multiple microphones running, as well as if you are in a situation where you need to ride levels. When you are doing small productions normally you don't have an experienced audio person on set, therefore mixers are not needed for these situations. In these cases you can normally get away with a headphone amplifier which will give you a secondary output for your boom operator to monitor sound. I have used a very cheap MAudio one and a set of cordless 900 mghz headphones for these situations (just to keep the amount of cable running to a minimum). A good mixer though, because it has microphone preamplifiers will go ahead and help the sound of a microphone. It will yield better sound overall and help with the quality of sound. If you have never worked a mixer before, try to network with people on this board or with audio professionals to get a lesson. It is not the type of thing you want to run out and just experiment with.
Recorders - Obviously, this is a unit where you can record your audio rather than going direct into the camera. The +'s of going into the camera are easy, you get your audio in sync right away without any problems and it is right there. The downside is that the DVX has the best audio functions of any camera out there, and it is still noisy compared with an external recorder. When you go external recording you are not teathered to the camera, so you are able to use a steadicam system (or a wireless from a mixer), but furthermore, you are in a position where you are forced to slate and sync in post. You do get better audio, but in our instant gratification world, it is an extra step required in post. The other issue with using an external recorder is that these units are not cheap, but you will get better sounding audio. There are no steps you can take in post to match the clean audio you will get from a good solid state recording in comparison with the DVX (I am not familiar with the HVX so I cannot say whether they are similar in the audio department, but I am assuming so).
It is my opinion, and hopefully Matt, Oleg, Ty, Wabbit or others might back this up, but for the majority of amatuers (meaning you are not being paid for your sound work) that a microphone kit running directly into the camera is more than sufficient. When you get into projects specifically designed for distribution or filmout, that is where a multitrack recorder, mixer, and slating becomes more important, if not required.
The majority of users here will have no problems recording directly into the camera, and unless you are running multiple microphones you should be more than happy with the results.
On the DVX you can easily run two microphone sources directly into the camera and stereo them in post. On the HVX I believe (although I am not positive) that you can run four microphone sources directly into the camera. This is the equivilent of having a $1000-$2000 mixer already built into the camera (albeit without the features provided by a mixer in that price range).
To answer you question though, regardless of what kit you purchase you should be more than satisified with any of the kits I listed, and be able to monitor without problem direct from the camera while you operate or monitor.
I hope this helps.
-Jeremy
alexandroff
Well-known member
Thank you for your help, Yankee.
Pieces of Kit 7 start to arrive in my mailbox!!!
This was probably asked a thousand times and I know you'd recommend Matt's cables, but I PM'd him and haven't heard back, but I need to buy some cables.
What are my best options? (like I said, I went with the kit 7 and will be recording straight to Panasonic HVX200). Also, how long of a cable should I get. I know the answer is like - as short as possible that will still do the job, but still what's the average length everyone gets to start with. What's the best place to buy? and what's the brand to buy considering my kit and level of experience.
Thank you
--
Alex.
Pieces of Kit 7 start to arrive in my mailbox!!!
This was probably asked a thousand times and I know you'd recommend Matt's cables, but I PM'd him and haven't heard back, but I need to buy some cables.
What are my best options? (like I said, I went with the kit 7 and will be recording straight to Panasonic HVX200). Also, how long of a cable should I get. I know the answer is like - as short as possible that will still do the job, but still what's the average length everyone gets to start with. What's the best place to buy? and what's the brand to buy considering my kit and level of experience.
Thank you
--
Alex.
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
Matt it out of the country for another four days. Be patient and order from him when he gets back. The quality is worth the 96 hour wait.
Regarding cable length, this depends. For me I have a lot of lengths from 18" - 50'.
For most uses a 20' XLR to XLR will work well. If you are doing camera mounted stuff then I would suggest an 18"
Contact Matt, he'll take care of you with better quality and a lower price than the stuff you would get otherwise.
-Jeremy
Regarding cable length, this depends. For me I have a lot of lengths from 18" - 50'.
For most uses a 20' XLR to XLR will work well. If you are doing camera mounted stuff then I would suggest an 18"
Contact Matt, he'll take care of you with better quality and a lower price than the stuff you would get otherwise.
-Jeremy
alexandroff
Well-known member
Anyone heard from Matt? I need the cables bad....
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
PM's sent... I'm sorry for neglecting you Alex... I will make your cable right away. It's not my style to make people wait... but please understand that it's been kind of weird for me readjusting after getting back... I'm partly showing family and friends the footage, pics, and sound... and I'm partly looking around me every day hearing that Pink Floyd song, "the turning away" I think it's called.
I shot 32 tapes and I have to dub them at the studio... they won't let me just take them home. So that's been time consuming too.
Seriously man I'll take care of you no problem... I appreciate everyone's endorsements. As I always say if YOU are happy then I am happy.
I shot 32 tapes and I have to dub them at the studio... they won't let me just take them home. So that's been time consuming too.
Seriously man I'll take care of you no problem... I appreciate everyone's endorsements. As I always say if YOU are happy then I am happy.
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
With all the freaking mic threads that continue to pop up lately I am just going to stick this thread for a week or two to hopefully cut down on the 'de ja vu' factor.
-Jeremy
-Jeremy
Bumping for a question... I'm looking at Kit #6, but I will be purchasing as I go - I have gigs here and there on top of my day job, and the money I'm getting from the gigs is going into the equipment piece-by-piece.
With that, would it better for me to purchase the Oktava & accessories first, or the Rode and accessories first? The Oktava seems a little more all-around since it's put in more kits, but Kit #6 has a different selection of accessories to get than the Kit #5 which features only the Oktava. I am going to assume this means the accessories should be interchangeable between the mics, but if I can only get one, then would it be the best idea to start with the Oktava & accessories, then pick up the Rode in say, a month or two, when some additional funding comes in?
With that, would it better for me to purchase the Oktava & accessories first, or the Rode and accessories first? The Oktava seems a little more all-around since it's put in more kits, but Kit #6 has a different selection of accessories to get than the Kit #5 which features only the Oktava. I am going to assume this means the accessories should be interchangeable between the mics, but if I can only get one, then would it be the best idea to start with the Oktava & accessories, then pick up the Rode in say, a month or two, when some additional funding comes in?
OK, another question - after doing some research, it looks like the Audio Technica 4073a is going to be my best bet - it's in the upper reaches of what I can afford, but it's a good bang for the buck microphone which will start me off a little higher than low-grade introductory equipment.
Would it be better to purchase this as a kit new from B&H which is a kit that comes w/ shock mount & cable, or would it be better to buy it from say eBay, which is $100 cheaper but may not come with the accessories?
Would it be better to purchase this as a kit new from B&H which is a kit that comes w/ shock mount & cable, or would it be better to buy it from say eBay, which is $100 cheaper but may not come with the accessories?
Capt Quirk
Veteran
Can someone recommend the best wireless mics for my camera? And they need to be really inexpensive too...
Now that you're done swearing at me, it was a joke. I do have some questions about the Senn G2 series. It has been said that this is the best choice for between $400-$600. However, there seem to be several kits available, and I just want to know how many channels the receiver handles. I would really like a pair of lapels and a wireless handheld, but will the receiver handle it? And about the butt plugs, will they work on a dynamic mic?
Now that you're done swearing at me, it was a joke. I do have some questions about the Senn G2 series. It has been said that this is the best choice for between $400-$600. However, there seem to be several kits available, and I just want to know how many channels the receiver handles. I would really like a pair of lapels and a wireless handheld, but will the receiver handle it? And about the butt plugs, will they work on a dynamic mic?