best lav mic to hard wire into tascam DR-40 for an interview?

C

Carboneless

New member
Hi all! This is my first post here. I've finally decided to join the forum because of the great feedback people receive for their filmmaking problems. I have a problem of my own that I hope the DVXuser community can figure out.

I am doing a documentary and focusing on getting a wired lav mic for an outdoor interview that is $200 dollars or less. The location is a preserve surrounded by a lot of trees. I'm going to be using my T3i for the master shot and an HMC150 for B camera/cutaway shots. I have a Tascam DR-40 which I hope to be recording into. I was thinking of placing the DR-40 in the interviewee's pocket and run the lav through their shirt. However, I'm not sure if I should use the Line, 1/4" or XLR inputs. I guess it depends on which mic I get. I'm willing to go either route. If it's a line in kind of mic, I would hope it has a battery level indicator. The noise friction from rustling clothes is one of my major concerns with lav's and probably everyone else's. Oscar Soundtech, AudioTechnica, Seinheiser, and Rode are the mic brands I'm looking at. The Rode lavalier seems to be popular but it's a little bit out of my budget. I've also heard that the Rode lav is very easy to break because of the mi-con screw alternative. I would use a shotgun mic but wide shots are bound to happen. Besides I'm going to try and tackle this all by myself and my interviewee.

I hope I gave enough insight into a lav mic would best suit my situation. If you have any alternative suggestions or need to know more information let me know. Thanks!
 
Welcome to DVXUser!

You might want to take a few minutes and read through the yellow stickies at the top of the Audio forum... especially "Audio 101", wherein you'll find lots of information on lav mic selection.

Now, to clarify a few things:

Mics are mic-level. Period. You can get a lav terminated with XLR and wired for phantom power use, you can often get them terminated with AA battery power modules, and you can get them terminated for use with various wireless transmitters. Most lavs are available in multiple configurations, and the RØDE lav has the ability to swap connectors quickly. For hard-wired use to your DR-40, you'll want to have a mic terminated with XLR for use with external phantom power (supplied by the DR-40).

Placing the recorder in the interviewee's pocket isn't a great idea. How are you going to monitor your audio? You don't shoot video without watching the viewfinder, so why record audio without listening through headphones? If you don't monitor, you won't know that the audio is good until it's too late. Plus, what happens if the interviewee moves around and bumps the wrong button and stops the recording? How will you know? An XLR-terminated mic can be extended with a standard XLR mic cable to run to the recorder so that you have it with you.

Also, the Audio 101 sticky has some links to great information about using lav mics and avoiding fabric rub.
 
I have a Sony ECM-55 that has been rock solid for the past 9 years. While it is not small, it is very good. I use it with a DR-40 with XLR. Some folks get freaky about the mic size when it appears on the video/film, but I believe for interviews most folks understand that a microphone is being used. The most important thing I have found with interviews is getting a good sound. The only down side with the 55 is that it is phantom powered, so have extra batteries for your DR-40. The other downside is that the 55 is around 300 dollars. They have a smaller unit called an ECM 44B that has its' own power with a AA battery. The sound from this mic is pretty decent as well and they last a long time. This mic also allows you to use XLR.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Bill
 
Alex H. said:
Welcome to DVXUser!

You might want to take a few minutes and read through the yellow stickies at the top of the Audio forum... especially "Audio 101", wherein you'll find lots of information on lav mic selection.

Now, to clarify a few things:

Mics are mic-level. Period. You can get a lav terminated with XLR and wired for phantom power use, you can often get them terminated with AA battery power modules, and you can get them terminated for use with various wireless transmitters. Most lavs are available in multiple configurations, and the RØDE lav has the ability to swap connectors quickly. For hard-wired use to your DR-40, you'll want to have a mic terminated with XLR for use with external phantom power (supplied by the DR-40).

Placing the recorder in the interviewee's pocket isn't a great idea. How are you going to monitor your audio? You don't shoot video without watching the viewfinder, so why record audio without listening through headphones? If you don't monitor, you won't know that the audio is good until it's too late. Plus, what happens if the interviewee moves around and bumps the wrong button and stops the recording? How will you know? An XLR-terminated mic can be extended with a standard XLR mic cable to run to the recorder so that you have it with you.

Also, the Audio 101 sticky has some links to great information about using lav mics and avoiding fabric rub.
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Thanks. I just read the yellow stickies. I will definitely be using the XLR inputs on the DR-40. I understand what you mean about the pocket problem. I'm guessing I just place the DR-40 near my camera (which is 5-7 feet away from the subject) and run a XLR extension cable on the ground and up through his shirt? I'm just struggling to find the most optimal thing to do with less than $200 =/ The Countryman B3 and the Oscar Soundtech 801 are looking really good for me right now. Also the Seinheiser ME-2 looks amazing for it's price range but how would I connect it to the DR-40. Sorry for newb questions!
 
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Every EMC-55 that I've seen with an XLR module can also run on an internal AA battery. (unscrew the XLR barrel)
The Sennheiser ME2 mics are usually for the G series wireless and only have a locking 1/8" plug, regardless, I would not recommend the ME2 in either case. The Sennheiser MKE series mics are pro quality and significantly more expensive.
Whatever mic you choose for the DR40, make sure it has a Phantom Power transformer module.
 
Hey, do not apologize for being new. We all are new at some point, and it is a continual learning process. You know, Rick is right, the ECM 55 does have a battery powered option. It has been so long since I bought it, that I forgot about it. Probably a good thing or I would have had a battery corrode sitting in there. Countryman lavs have a good reputation. The DR-40 has adjustements to compensate for microphone distance as well. You will do fine with a wired lav with XLR cables. Good luck,

Rick, thanks for reminding me about the ECM 55 and the battery. I totally forgot about it. The DR-40 does have phantom power and will work fine.


Sincerely,
Bill
 
BillinSC said:
The DR-40 has adjustements to compensate for microphone distance as well.
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Nothing can compensate for mic distance. The closer the mic, the better the sound. The more distant the mic, the higher the ratio of background sound to dialog. If you're talking about level adjustments, bringing the level up to "compensate" simply amplifies any extraneous sound along with the dialog.
 
Carboneless said:
I'm guessing I just place the DR-40 near my camera (which is 5-7 feet away from the subject) and run a XLR extension cable on the ground and up through his shirt?
Click to expand...

If it's a seated interview, or at least stationary with the interview subject never turning his/her back to the camera, it can be easier than that. Lavs that are terminated for XLR connection often have belt clips for the XLR barrels. Go to the drug store and get a pack of miniature hair clips (the spring-loaded ones that look like Venus Fly Traps). Run the cable up the back of the shirt, on the outside, and use a clip to affix it to the back of the collar. Tuck the lav's cable under the collar and around the front. This isn't as practical if you're burying the lav under clothing, but for surface-mount it's a lot less invasive.

Carboneless said:
I'm just struggling to find the most optimal thing to do with less than $200 =/ The Countryman B3 and the Oscar Soundtech 801 are looking really good for me right now. Also the Seinheiser ME-2 looks amazing for it's price range but how would I connect it to the DR-40. Sorry for newb questions!
Click to expand...

The Coutnryman EMW is not a bad mic at all, and is close to your price range.

OST is a fairly new trend... much more affordable, and getting good reviews. I cannot comment from personal experience, however.
 
Thanks so much guys! I have a way better understanding of what mic to look for. I've narrowed it down to the Audiotechnica AT899 and the Countryman EMW. I feel a lot better now!
 
Carboneless said:
which would be better for my situation? the emw or the at899?
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Short answer: it's kind of a "6 of 1" situation, since you're talking about two omnidirectional condensers (which is what you want). But I'd take the EMW over the AT any day. AT has some decent lavs, but they're hit and miss. I've not met a Countryman that has let me down.
 
Both are decent sounding mics. I prefer the cable on the Countrymans', the cable on my (rather old) 899 has always been kind of stiff. AT may be using different cable stock now? AT includes a lot of mounting accessories, though IMO, some are not particularly well designed.
 
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