offbeatbryce
Well-known member
Can I successfully use a AT2020 XLR mic as a Boom mic on a stand above me? The shotgun I have is fairly cheap and picks up sounds in a 180 degrees access which causes lots of room echo etc
Bryce
Bryce
AT2020.as boom mic
- Thread starter offbeatbryce
- Start date
David W. Jones
Veteran
A side address cardioid condenser would not be my first choice for a boom, but do your own testing since you have one available to see if it works for you.
offbeatbryce
Well-known member
I did test it out and it sounded okay with the exception of the low end sounded a bit flat which I managed to slightly fit with an EQ in Audition. I would like another alternative that's less bulky and that reduces background noise and is unidirectional. My budget is fairly cheap and so far haven't found one.
Richard Crowley
Veteran
Your unidentified "shotgun mic" must be broken if it "picks up sounds in a 180 degrees access".
Or perhaps it isn't really a "shotgun mic", or you are using it wrong.
You did not mention at what distance you are attempting to use it?
Be aware that a shotgun mic that costs as much as your car becomes nearly useless beyond 24 inches (75 cm)
Remember also that traditional "shotgun" mics are typically NOT used indoors because close reflections destroy much of the directional characteristics.
Perhaps that is what you are hearing. How does your mystery shotgun work outdoors?
We prefer to use hyper-cardioid microphones indoors because of close reflections.
A "large diaphragm", side address mic like AT2020 is not really designed for use on a boom.
It is rather larger and heavier than the kinds of microphones we typically use on booms.
And it is NOT designed for any kind of significant distance pickup as you would expect from a boom mic.
Your loss of LF is to be expected when using a large-diaphragm mic at a distance beyond its design capabilities.
Only YOU can determine whether that mic (or ANY mic) will work the way YOU are using it with YOUR shooting situations.
Or perhaps it isn't really a "shotgun mic", or you are using it wrong.
You did not mention at what distance you are attempting to use it?
Be aware that a shotgun mic that costs as much as your car becomes nearly useless beyond 24 inches (75 cm)
Remember also that traditional "shotgun" mics are typically NOT used indoors because close reflections destroy much of the directional characteristics.
Perhaps that is what you are hearing. How does your mystery shotgun work outdoors?
We prefer to use hyper-cardioid microphones indoors because of close reflections.
A "large diaphragm", side address mic like AT2020 is not really designed for use on a boom.
It is rather larger and heavier than the kinds of microphones we typically use on booms.
And it is NOT designed for any kind of significant distance pickup as you would expect from a boom mic.
Your loss of LF is to be expected when using a large-diaphragm mic at a distance beyond its design capabilities.
Only YOU can determine whether that mic (or ANY mic) will work the way YOU are using it with YOUR shooting situations.
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
Actually shotguns do pick up at 180 degrees, they just don't pick up a lot on the sides. So it kind of depends on your reading but I'm assuming his problem is the rear lobe because that is part of what makes most of them not great for indoor use.
OP, A hyper is generally a better choice than a shotgun indoors. The 2020 is going to be heavy and awkward, but you have it on a boom stand so... A hyper would tighten the pattern a bit. But if the boom is fixed you may want the added coverage of a cardioid so?
A cheap option that may work for what you are doing is a CAD CM-217. Really small and light cardioid and very cheap. I have bought them at 2 for $50. They have a lousy bass response (rolls of at like 120) but for most voices that isn't an issue and it will cut down on a lot of room rumble.
It's hard to tell what you would consider "fairly cheap" but I'm guessing that popping $1,500 for a mic is not covered. The cheapest hyper I can think of that's decent is over $300. The other and posibly cheaper/ better solution is to treat the room and use your shotgun. Packing blankets and egg crate foam and do wonders for an echoey room.
OP, A hyper is generally a better choice than a shotgun indoors. The 2020 is going to be heavy and awkward, but you have it on a boom stand so... A hyper would tighten the pattern a bit. But if the boom is fixed you may want the added coverage of a cardioid so?
A cheap option that may work for what you are doing is a CAD CM-217. Really small and light cardioid and very cheap. I have bought them at 2 for $50. They have a lousy bass response (rolls of at like 120) but for most voices that isn't an issue and it will cut down on a lot of room rumble.
It's hard to tell what you would consider "fairly cheap" but I'm guessing that popping $1,500 for a mic is not covered. The cheapest hyper I can think of that's decent is over $300. The other and posibly cheaper/ better solution is to treat the room and use your shotgun. Packing blankets and egg crate foam and do wonders for an echoey room.
Richard Crowley
Veteran
I took the statement from @offbeatbryce to mean that the microphone was picking up across a very wide pattern.
But, as you say, there is insufficient detail to reallty tell what @offbeatbryce meant.
And we also don't know whether he understands what a practical working distance is.
So many people think that shotgun mics are like zoom lenses.