2 person interview - best audio practices

N

nickbeef

Active member
My current setup for a 2 person sit down interview is to use two laves, one a Sony EMC-44B, the other a Sennheiser AVX-ME 2. Yes, one is wired the other is wireless, but that's what I got. I also boom a Rode NTG-3 at the main speaker. I could set up a second boom mic for the second speaker, but I never have. It would be a Rode NTG-2.

Now this just happens to be what I've acquired over the years, definitely not the most ideal. I'd like to step it out a notch and looking for suggestions. My main issues is in isolating the two speakers.

Some thoughts:
- Generally with 1 person interviews, I usually end up using the boom, as it usually sounds better. But in a two person interview, each mic would pick up the other speaker and echo. So I don't end up using it.
- I prefer wired lav mics for sit-downs, but I'm not sure that the Sony is better then the Sennheiser. I might give a little edge to the Sony in some tests I've done.
- When the speaker on the Seinnheiser is talking, I hear a lot more echo, though I think this is mostly due to the slight latency in the wireless, setting the two mics slightly out of sync. At the same time, I also suspect that the Seinnheiser does a better job at isolating just the speaker that is mic'ed, while the Sony seems to pick up more of everything. The isolation is better.
- Should I be using two boomed cardioid mic's for this type of work? (some thing like the Rode NT5? Which comes in a set of 2?)

Thanks any suggestions would be helpful.
 
It's normal to hear the quieter speaking person's mic picking up the louder persons voice (including the delay and phasing), though it can be usually fixed in post with volume envelopes and/or delay. Also keep in mind the Sennheiser AVX inherently has 19ms latency (also easiy to adj. in post though its usually not necessary). Note. to time align tracks, your NLE must be able to edit audio down to a sub-frame level.
I do not like the sound of the Sennheiser ME2 ... the ECM-44 ain't a favorite either. The affordable OST 801/802 lavs are often recommended, for a a few $$ more, the Countryman B3 is a good choice and has protective caps available to 'customize' the HF response.
 
nickbeef said:
- Should I be using two boomed cardioid mic's for this type of work? (some thing like the Rode NT5? Which comes in a set of 2?)

Thanks any suggestions would be helpful.
Click to expand...

I have done a ton of this kind of stuff and, IMO, boomed cardioid would be the gold standard assuming you were able to place them close enough to the speaker. When doing a 2 person I would always put the 2 mics in separate channels so I could duck them back and forth in post so you would get no echo (unless they were talking over each other a lot). In a noisy environment like a factory floor or a work shop, I would prefer a pair of Countryman B3's. Very small and easy to hide and if you buy the wired XLR version you can still use them on your wireless rigs if you wish, but you can't just buy an adaptor. Countryman will cut off the XLR and make it into a custom adaptor for you and solder on a connector for your wireless brand and wiring scheme.
 
Last edited:
Curtis Judd compared the NT5 with several other mics; you can see the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqQn9gfKG2I&t=9s

In short; his fav mic for indoor dialogue is Audio-Technica AT4053b

The Rode NT5 on its own wasn't well received BUT it did much better with a different capsule from Michael Jolly Engineering http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=230

hth

edit: I'm probably going to buy the NT5 and then the Jolly capsule simply because I can stage the purchases and the end cost is (Aust$) roughly $450 for the NT5/mod capsule v $850 for the Audio-Technica AT4053b
 
Last edited:
doubledark said:
edit: I'm probably going to buy the NT5 and then the Jolly capsule simply because I can stage the purchases and the end cost is (Aust$) roughly $450 for the NT5/mod capsule v $850 for the Audio-Technica AT4053b
Click to expand...


Wow, is the 4053 that much more expensive over there? Here the usual, from the big dealers, price is $599. If it is any consolation, I can not afford one.
 
FWIW, I have the NT5 without the Joly mod and I like it just fine. I'm sure the AT4053b is better, but I don't think the difference is dramatic. In general, I like blind tests in everything (including high end audiophile gear as well as stuff like wine) - so, so often people are influenced by the label or the reputation and actually can't tell the difference or actually find they like the less popular or cheaper product better. As I keep saying for all gear (and stuff in general): trust you own judgment, you own eyes and ears - because it is you who will have to live with the consequences. And I like the NT5 just fine. YMMV.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top