Best mics for interior shoots under 1k?

[scottfs]

I have a shotgun Sennheiser ME66 I've used for nature and wildlife capture, and I've been happy with it. However, I will be helping on a shoot with all the scenes shot indoors. I'm concerned about two things: There is a LOT of overlapping dialog (interrupting, talking over, etc.), and the ceiling height is less that 8 foot and it's both sheetrock and tongue-and-groove wood. I'm worried about what I hear about reflection.

I know there are many, many options, but what are the favorite mics of folks who shoot a lot indoors?

Thanks!

 

[Greg Smith]

There are a few options, but the major ones are a hypercardioid on a boom or stand outside the frame (the Audio-Technica AT4053b is very popular for this purpose, and well within your budget); or lavalier mics (wired or wireless) for a really close-up sound without much room sound or reverb (but watch for clothes rubbing, curious fingers and other handling noise issues when using lavaliers). Is this a narrative style shoot where mics absolutely must be hidden, or is it a news/interview/demonstration type of production where the talent addresses the camera directly and a visible lav might actually add a bit of newscaster cred to the presentation? A good alternative to traditional lav might be the "hide in plain sight" Rode Pinmic. I have no experience with those personally, but Chad's review certainly has me intrigued. How many performers need to be mic'ed simultaneously?

If you can get access to the talent and the location ahead of time, it wouldn't hurt to test with your ME66, which might work better than you expect.

- Greg

 

[dano]

Audix SCX1-HC is a good buy for the money. It's also modular so you can buy other caps as well. I want to say I've seen them for under $499?

I have a shotgun Sennheiser ME66 I've used for nature and wildlife capture, and I've been happy with it. However, I will be helping on a shoot with all the scenes shot indoors. I'm concerned about two things: There is a LOT of overlapping dialog (interrupting, talking over, etc.), and the ceiling height is less that 8 foot and it's both sheetrock and tongue-and-groove wood. I'm worried about what I hear about reflection.I know there are many, many options, but what are the favorite mics of folks who shoot a lot indoors?Thanks!

 

[gpforet]

You'd be well served so spend some time hanging blankets or other absorbing material from C-stands to dampen the reflections. Also, try to have the actors keep their volume at a low but understandable level. The louder they get, the more reflections you'll have to deal with.