At897?

F

FatBird19

Well-known member
I'm on a limited budget(~$300) and I need a shotgun mic for a film project. I don't want to spend much more than this because in about 6months I will be upgrading to something better($1000 range).

Is the AT897 a good choice for now? I'm doing boom mounted character dialogue.

also, whenever I search for the AT897 I get comparisons to the Rode NTG-2 mic. Does anyone know if that mic is any good/better?
 
Rode is better. FInally got to play with a Rode personally. It's ok and probably best deal for the money in that price range.

I do have to wonder why you are buying a cheap mic now and a good one in 6 months. Buy the good one now and let the balance sit on your credit card for 6 months, you will still be saving money as compared to buying a crappy one now and then getting the good one later. Talking about $70 (worse case scenerio of 15% annual) of credit interest versus $300 of money you won't be able to get much back on the resale.

Just wondering.

Best
 
there are nice ones at 550-700 range - for the beginner and not beginner they are good for few years
 
wabbit said:
Rode is better. FInally got to play with a Rode personally. It's ok and probably best deal for the money in that price range.

I do have to wonder why you are buying a cheap mic now and a good one in 6 months. Buy the good one now and let the balance sit on your credit card for 6 months, you will still be saving money as compared to buying a crappy one now and then getting the good one later. Talking about $70 (worse case scenerio of 15% annual) of credit interest versus $300 of money you won't be able to get much back on the resale.

Just wondering.

Best
Click to expand...


yeah, probably good advice. I have a film project for my community college film class and I think it's good enough to be film festival material(especially for student film; people are a lot more forgiving on student films). I just want to do it right and I don't want to use the DVX on-board microphone.
 
While you will see a massive difference between the on board mic and the 897, why is it that people always assume they need shotguns?

Here's is what you need to do. Tell us where you will be shooting, what sort of environment (indoors, outdoors), and how many people you will be filming.

Only after we know every detail can any recommendations be made. It might be that the 897 is a great mic for you, it might be that the Rode is a great mic. Hell, it might be that the ME66 is a great mic.

I have a feeling that the Oktava is going to be the ideal mic for you though, but please, let us know where you will be shooting and what you will be shooting and what your level of experience is.
 
TheYankee said:
While you will see a massive difference between the on board mic and the 897, why is it that people always assume they need shotguns?

Here's is what you need to do. Tell us where you will be shooting, what sort of environment (indoors, outdoors), and how many people you will be filming.

Only after we know every detail can any recommendations be made. It might be that the 897 is a great mic for you, it might be that the Rode is a great mic. Hell, it might be that the ME66 is a great mic.

I have a feeling that the Oktava is going to be the ideal mic for you though, but please, let us know where you will be shooting and what you will be shooting and what your level of experience is.
Click to expand...

It's a 12min film(although I'd like to get use out of it beyond this film).
A combnation of interior, exterior. The noise level will be minimum inside; not much more than you would expect in a diner. The noise level outside should only be the wind noise.
Two character dialogue at most.

Are there other things you need to know?
 
FatBird19 said:
The noise level will be minimum inside; not much more than you would expect in a diner.
Click to expand...

Actually a diner is quite noisy. Will this be a controlled set?

Best
 
I say Oktava is your best bet with proper windprotection.

THe moment you put interiors into the mix you take the shotgun out.

You really want to go Oktava. Check out www.sound-room.com and move forward with getting the 012 and then get the rycote for wind protection and then get a shockmount. This will work perfectly for your needs.

To answer your original question, no, you don't want the 897.

One final note: as I suggest in every thread about audio, I say that you actually hire a sound person. You should be able to afford one, and it will do a great job to have a pro involved.
 
TheYankee said:
THe moment you put interiors into the mix you take the shotgun out.
Click to expand...

Did you mean that in the sense that "the shotgun should be taken out for use", or "the shotgun should be taken out of the mix"?
I'm assuming you meant the latter, and if so, why?
 
TheYankee said:
I say Oktava is your best bet with proper windprotection.

THe moment you put interiors into the mix you take the shotgun out.

You really want to go Oktava. Check out www.sound-room.com and move forward with getting the 012 and then get the rycote for wind protection and then get a shockmount. This will work perfectly for your needs.

To answer your original question, no, you don't want the 897.

One final note: as I suggest in every thread about audio, I say that you actually hire a sound person. You should be able to afford one, and it will do a great job to have a pro involved.
Click to expand...

ok, I found the mic. How lifelike does this mic sound, realistically? When people liten to it, with their thoughts lean more towards, "that sounds like people talking" or "that sounds like people talking on a decent microphone"?

Also, which capsule type? I guess I don't really understand how it works. So, it's a microphone with changeable parts? Would hypercardoid or cardoid be better?

maybe I should just look into a sound guy. :laugh:
 
Trust me, you want a sound guy as your #1 solution.

If you get the Oktava you will want the hyper cardiod cap. This is the ideal microphone for your situation and needs.

I like the Oktava a lot and the more I play with it the more I fall for it. It is just a great kick ass microphone and exceeds it price and size. Do some research. There are tons of threads discussing the mic. That is my opinion. I think its your best solution for your needs.
 
TheYankee said:
Trust me, you want a sound guy as your #1 solution.

If you get the Oktava you will want the hyper cardiod cap. This is the ideal microphone for your situation and needs.

I like the Oktava a lot and the more I play with it the more I fall for it. It is just a great kick ass microphone and exceeds it price and size. Do some research. There are tons of threads discussing the mic. That is my opinion. I think its your best solution for your needs.
Click to expand...

I read on some review that the mic doesn't handle poping noises well, like for instance if someone uses the letter "p" in dialogue. True, untrue?

btw, thanks for the quick response.
 
Untrue with the popping, from my experience.

The real issue with the Oktava is the handling issue and wind issue.

You need a good shockmount and you need rycote or at the least a heavy duty wind dampener. I am currently using this one that someone was kind enough to hook me up with: http://sound-room.com/customer/product.php?productid=35&cat=13&page=1

I like it and it works well, but not as good as a rycote.

The issue with the Oktava is simple, it is unimpressive to look at. It is tiny. It is ugly. It is snubby. Then again, if that's important get an AT55. The Oktava rivals my AKG modular system. It sounds that good. It is a bad ass little mic.
 
FatBird19 said:
Did you mean that in the sense that "the shotgun should be taken out for use", or "the shotgun should be taken out of the mix"?
I'm assuming you meant the latter, and if so, why?
Click to expand...


I meant that you take it out of the picture. Shotguns are not interior mics. Check out www.tyford.com. Great site with tons of information about microphones.

Hypers are indoor mics
Shotguns are exterior mics

Slakcs are for work on Monday through Thursday
Jeans are for work on Fridays :grin:
 
TheYankee said:
I meant that you take it out of the picture. Shotguns are not interior mics. Check out www.tyford.com. Great site with tons of information about microphones.

Hypers are indoor mics
Shotguns are exterior mics

Slakcs are for work on Monday through Thursday
Jeans are for work on Fridays :grin:
Click to expand...

I checked out Ty's site. Thanks for all the help. I think I might just buy the whole set for that mic. My dad does a lot of field work for businesses, so the varied capsules will come in handy. And you'd suggest the $50 windscreen, not the $7 one?
 
TheYankee said:
You only need the hyper... save the money because you will need a good shockmount and the $50 windscreen.
Click to expand...

I'm a horse with blinders on, direct me to a good shockmount. :laugh:
 
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