AT 4073a

HerzogisGod

HerzogisGod

Well-known member
i dont what it is about this mic but im always disappointed with the quality of my exterior audio when i use it.

hard to explain..its like it picks up every peripheral noise and smothers the dialog making dialog sound muddy.

it's so sensitive. maybe my levels are just to high when I use it.

Ive been using my oktava mk012 for exterior dialog recording. normally considered an interior mic, I find dialog recording crisp and bright when i use it outdoors

i think im giving up on the at4073

and yes, im using a fuzzy on the at4073, I bought one of the best on the market
 
HerzogisGod said:
i dont what it is about this mic but im always disappointed with the quality of my exterior audio when i use it.

hard to explain..its like it picks up every peripheral noise and smothers the dialog making dialog sound muddy.

it's so sensitive. maybe my levels are just to high when I use it.

Ive been using my oktava mk012 for exterior dialog recording. normally considered an interior mic, I find dialog recording crisp and bright when i use it outdoors

i think im giving up on the at4073

and yes, im using a fuzzy on the at4073, I bought one of the best on the market
Click to expand...

Hmmm, are you getting it close enough? Is you boom op aiming it properly? You may be missing the talent with the mic. The oktava is a much wider pattern, so it is hard to miss.
 
I'll second sane's diagnosis. Sounds like you have the mic too far from the talent and its aim is off. Shotguns isolate sounds on-axis, they do not magnify them. Short 'guns like the A/T 4073a need to be boomed so they're positioned 2 to 3 feet from the talent, pointing down towards them at about 45 degrees, and the aim constantly adjusted so their axis is kept pointed toward the talent's throat or upper chest. The aiming tolerance is very small, a circle maybe 8 to 12 inches in diameter drawn around the talent's throat is all the leeway you've got. Note that the point of aim is the throat, not the mouth, in order to place the sound source in the mic's main lobe and with the mic pointing down in order to keep environmental sounds behind the talent from also being within its area of maximum sensitivty.
 
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might also want to check your mic/line switch at the input--just a thought.
I literally chase guys through the woods with this mic mounted on cam (cringe) which is the absolute worst thing to do in a controlled environment. Having a boom op follow me between trees, under bushes and through creeks is just not practical. I get surprisingly acceptable results even though this is considered the worst possible method of recording sound. The 4073 is so sensitive I can get decent dialog at quite a distance. My complaints would be sensitivity to high frequencies (guys walking on dry leaves?....watch out), sensitivity to highway noise and one particular instance of RF interference. Overall this mic is definitely a great value for the money spent.
 
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