Best mic 500$ and under

PaPa · Dec 16, 2006

mother is killing me for gift ideas, so i decided it might be time to up my audio gear.

i am currently using an Audio Technica AT835b, which has served quite nicely as my standard do it all boom mic, indoor, outdoor, so on.

the question is, what shotgun mic can i get for approxmiately 500 bucks that will serve as an upgrade to what i am currently using?

i.e. best mic for 500$ ?

thanks

Jason Ramsey · Dec 16, 2006

I got the AT4073a for around 500-550. Can't remember now. But, if you are wanting a shotgun in that price range, the 4073a, is a frequently recommended mic.

Jason

PaPa · Dec 16, 2006

how does that compare to the senheiser mk66
or k6

whatever its called.....

John Froton · Dec 16, 2006

From what I have read, The AT4073a is much better.

I have also read that those Sennheisers are not good at all in comparison to the higher end Sennheisers, or in comparison to other good mics in their price range.

PaPa · Dec 16, 2006

that audio technica is slightly out of my price range.

keep it at 500 or less, whats my best bet?

something good for both indoor and outdoor.

John Froton · Dec 16, 2006

Go with the Oktava MK012 Hypercardioid mic. Best value in a mic.

Do a search on it and read up.

Purchase here http://sound-room.com/inc/sdetail/474

Cheers :beer:

PaPa · Dec 16, 2006

cool mate

( Just looked at the price, i know i shouldnt judge a book by its cover, but it looks like a toothpick in comparison to my audio technica 835b. are you suggesting that this microphone is better? )

Also, have been looking it up on reviews, and the only info i can seem to find has to do with using that microphone in studio and how versitile it is. Great for cymbals, toms, instrument mic'ing and stuff.

thank you for helping me out, another question though

how does the AT835b compare to lets say, the AT815b.

i noticed my 835b was very good at recording outdoors, but i found it picked up too much room tone when shooting indoors and i have a feeling this is because of the rear pickup, reverb from the ceiling and other shtick, where as the 815 says its more directional, great for long distance, which im guessing refers to a much narrower pick up pattern with better rear rejection.

ill take a look at that oktava

NEXT QUESTION if your still with me john froton

anything worth getting in terms of wireless mics? For that price range? Or forget it?

William_Robinette · Dec 16, 2006

remember that there isn't one mic that will do everything (esp under $500). Adding the Oktava will give you a good mic for indoors and your AT835 will be better for outdoors.

John Froton · Dec 16, 2006

I have no experience with the AT mics but would suggest that shotgun mics with better rear rejection and narrower pickup pattern may work better for isolating sound indoors without interference. Just remember that a long pattern may cause issues indoors.

As far as wireless mics, unless you can afford the very expensive newer high end wireless, you should take these lines quoted from page 117 of Jay Rose's Producing Great Sound for Digital Video as a golden set of rules to live by:

1: Use a shotgun on a boom, over the actor's head and just out of camera range. If that's not possible...

2: Use a shotgun and boom, but from underneath and pointing up to the actor. If you can't use a boom ...

3: Plant a cardioid or shotgun on the set, where it'll cover dialog. If there's nowhere to hide a full size mic ...

4: Plant a lavaliere on the set. They're small and easily hidden. If you absoluteley can't plant a mic ...

5: Put a lav on the actor, and run cable down their pants leg. If their leg will be in the shot ...

6: Use a wireless lav, and hope that radio problems don't ruin the take.

These are steps you should take yourself through every time you record dialog. Wired is always preferred over wireless if you can get away with it.

John

PaPa · Dec 16, 2006

alright sooo.

been looking more about that oktava mic, but again, im finding reviews on instruments and in studio work.

So im kinda stuck between the sennheiser me66, the AT815b and this oktava which i dont know much about...

Joe_Kras · Dec 16, 2006

So im kinda stuck between the sennheiser me66, the AT815b and this oktava which i dont know much about...

me66--Don't waste your money on that. If you absolutely have to have it, I'll consider selling the one in my closet. I keep it mostly to loan out to people when they want to borrow a mic, or to use in somewhat dangerous situations.

at815b-I don't have this one, but most people wouldn't suggest spending any money on an AT mic less than the 4073a.

the octava-This is considered the "hidden gem" of hypercardioid mics by many on this (and other) boards. Read the yellow stickies at the top of the audio section. There's a link to mic samples that you can listen to.

I don't have an octava, but have listened to Matt G.'s plenty of times. It's a great little mic. As a hyper, the octava will kick butt over a shotgun (and hold it's own with many more expensive hypers) indoors. The only caveat to getting the octava is that you have to commit to getting a good shock mount and wind protection. For a run down on what all you'll need, you can see this thread:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=81414

PaPa · Dec 17, 2006

so, ive been looking now at something a little more pricey,

and now im not sure

need suggestions again, after going through the yellow stickies and the links for sound clips

the mhk 460 or something or another from sennheiser blew my socks off.

then the AT4073a sounded amazing, but for 100 bucks more you can get the AT4071a

What is the advantage to having the 4071a to the 4073a?

Is there anything in that price range that would be competative in terms of quality and performance versus price?

Alan H. Chang · Dec 17, 2006

$500 par mic.
3 options to be honest.

You already have the AT835b. You are using it as your all-in-one mic. I would suggest using your AT835b as your outdoor gun and get the Oktava MK012 Hyper as your indoor. Instead of spending $500 on another microphone that does outdoor, why not get a mic that is intended for indoors. You're saving $300 here. Use it to the fullest and by that time, you will have enough to buy a great shotgun from Schoeps, Sennheiser, etc.

I own the At4073a and borrowed an Oktava MK012 hyper from another DVXuser member here and I've used both in many situations. The Oktava is amazing, but you've got to be very gentle with it and take good care of it. You need good suspension and wind protection. It's the most sensitive mic I have ever encountered. This is my advice.

Alan

PaPa · Dec 17, 2006

which mic are you saying is for outdoors? the AT4073a or the AT4071a?

I just want to know basically which of the two to go for.

i have not heard any clips of the oktava, but the reviews for the audio technicas are great, whereas the only reviews i can find with the oktava are for music studio recording stuff.

so between the two AT's which one would be for indoor?

Joe_Kras · Dec 17, 2006

Most video people tend to get the 4073a. The 4071a is a longer shotgun.

While the shorter shotgun (4073a) could, in some circumstances, be used indoors, you're better off with a hyper (like the Octava) in most cases.

I was going to send you to the sticky "shotgun shootout" up top for Octava clips, but the links from there to Octava clips seem to be down.

Instead, you can find some Octava clips here:

http://www.dvfreelancer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=74&sid=610a4fca04168c6e6f671189786fa85c#74

Alan H. Chang · Dec 17, 2006

I wouldn't recommend the AT835b, AT4073a, nor the AT4071a for indoor purposes. The Oktava would be best for indoors. All the Audio Technica's that I've mentioned would work for outdoors. Since you already have the AT835b, why not just get an Oktava dedicated for indoors and the AT835b for outdoors. This will save you $300. Then again, you still have to buy a good suspension and wind protection. This will settle you back about $300-$400 for the entire Oktava kit alone.

What kind of suspension are you using for your AT835b?

PaPa · Dec 17, 2006

nothing, been using it on a boommic stand when possible, always framing with that in mind, Otherwise someone would hold it above their head, as heavy as that thing is, and try there best not to rub it in any way.

im just curious to see what the sound quality of that mic is. I just have a hard time believing that a microphone that innexpensive is capable of such great quality. i mean marketing is marketing, and prices vary for many reasons, but the difference between these two just seems a little large to settle without hearing the other mic.

anyone have any links?

Alan H. Chang · Dec 17, 2006

I'll post something in a few minutes, I just need to find the audio that we recorded.

vicrattlehead · Dec 17, 2006

The reason everyone keeps pushing the Oktava mic in your direction is becuase it is a HYPERCARDIOID pattern microphone rather than a shotgun microphone. A hypercardiod mic is better suited to capturing dialog INDOORS because it does not tend to pick-up and/or distort the dialog sound as it bounces off other hard surfaces in a room. that is why most people mic from above the subject's head with a HYPERCARDIOD INDOORS, and a SHOTGUN OUTDOORS.

A shotgun works fine outdoors because you generally don't have those hard surfaces bouncing the subject's voice around. When you go indoors, shotguns will pick-up these reflections ('echo') indoors, and will also change the sound of the echo slightly, so that you get a less than desirable sound.

Even though the reviews you are seeing on the net reference the Oktava in it's use for instrumentation, it also has an outstanding reputation as a voice mic for what us video guys do--- mic'ing overhead for INDOOR interviews!

The Oktava would be a great indoor mic for you, in your price range. The only other Hypercardiod in your price range (lower I think) would be an AKG C1000S (I have one and like it very much-- though I hope to get a Sennheiser MKH50 soon), -OR- perhaps you could try the Audio Technica 4053a--- on the AT website, it SPECIFICALLY lists this mic for film/video/critical broadcast use--- if your still hung up on that issue.

Bottom line: Keep your shotgun for your outdoor stuff, get a hypercardiod for indoor stuff! My 2 cents, anyway. -Vic Rattlehead

Alan H. Chang · Dec 17, 2006

Best mic 500$ and under

Major Contributor

Admin

Major Contributor

Well-known member

Major Contributor

Well-known member

Major Contributor

Shallow Member

Well-known member

Major Contributor

Well-known member

Major Contributor

Veteran

Major Contributor

Well-known member

Veteran

Major Contributor

Veteran

Well-known member

Veteran