Mics for documentary

[johny_pablo]

I will be going to india for several weeks this summer to shoot a documentary, its kinda gonna be reality TV style (ie real world, etc).... and i have some concerns for audio. i just purchased a dvx 100a.... which is what i've used on several occasions... i know i know i should have gone for the hvx.... but i just dont have the $$$. anyway... im thinking i want to mic up to 5 people on wireless lavs, AND have an on cam shotgun for nat sound.... how do i record all of that audio to tape..... and if i can't do that how do i do it portably, as we will be on the run and i will basically be the only crew... i know its amitious but i would really like some feedback and advice.:thumbsup:

 

[moe_snodgrass]

To do what you suggest you will need a DC field mixer of at least four channels and mix four lavs down to one channel, then run the fifth lav to channel two on cam. You'll need a lor of battery power and maybe a cig lighter charger. If the people will usually be close to each other it might be more practical and less expensive to use a shotgun on a boom for part or the entire group.

An on-cam shotgun will pick up too much camera noise to be of much value even if shock mounted. For ambient/wild/"nat sound" you need just 60 seconds or so of silence recorded with a good mic and then just loop it in NLE.

Do a search(es) in the Audio forum and you'll find a wealth of info by some very experienced recordists.

 

[johny_pablo]

thanks man... greatly appreciated. just how much battery power are we talking... is it even doalbe? if so for how much?