Best low end shotgun mic?

renegadewill

renegadewill

Well-known member
I want a shotgun mic that could be put on a boom pole and also fit on the dvx's on camera mount. It would be used for short films and broadcasting style interviews. Help me out I have practically no budget.

Oh and how do you get stereo sound out of the mic?

The bottom line is how cheap can I get a decent mic.
 
Last edited:
Check out the stickies in the audio forum and decide if you really want a shotgun or a hyper, the rode ntg-1 and oktava are going to be your two budget mics. No mic will do a good job mounted on the camera. Even the best mic in the world needs to be close to the sound source (on a boom, just out of frame).
 
renegadewill said:
I want a shotgun mic that could be put on a boom pole and also fit on the dvx's on camera mount. It would be used for short films and broadcasting style interviews. Help me out I have practically no budget.
Click to expand...

If you're planning on recording mostly indoors, then you don't want a shotgun. You want a hypercardioid.


Oh and how do you get stereo sound out of the mic?
Click to expand...

You don't. You'd need two. But if you're recording dialogue, you don't want stereo.

All you should be recording on set should be dialogue. Any sound effects, you add later.


The bottom line is how cheap can I get a decent mic.
Click to expand...

Look for the Oktava MK012. It's a great little hypercardioid for about $180.
 
I will be fairly close to the subjectbut outdoors, I just want a directional mic. Is that correct? a mic that will only pick up sound that is straight infront of it.
 
Last edited:
Well the rode videomic comes with windscreen and shockmount and is only 120-140. It's mounted on hot shoe and offers pretty nice audio even though it's not xlr. So if you go this route be sure to get the adapter.

Note: Not good for boom pole or long distances because it's not xlr. If it's just being put on a camera it will be very nice. Also, depending on your money situation, the rode ntg-2 is very nice but will set you back about 250-300. Also check out youtube for a demo http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=oA3dd1L9fPY
 
B&H has package deals on the Rode NTG 1/2, the kit allows for a wired boom poll or camera mounting. Both with the use of a shockmount. It also includes all cabling, a handle & a Rycote softie.

Don't camera mount unless your application desperately requires it.
 
renegadewill said:
I will be fairly close to the subjectbut outdoors, I just want a directional mic. Is that correct? a mic that will only pick up sound that is straight infront of it.
Click to expand...

Yes, for outdoors, a shotgun is appropriate, because it has a longer reach and a narrower pickup pattern. That doesn't mean it rejects sound completely outside of its pattern, but it's better.

That said, it's also a more difficult mic to use in some ways, because only one person will really be within the pattern -- if you're recording two people, you'll have to shift the mic to get each person within the pattern.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top