Best on cam mike, any advice??

M

markp17

New member
Hi All

I have searched the forums high and low, yet I can't quite find the answer..

I need a mic, the problem is it must be fitted to the camera, the reason being we do not want to pay someone to hold a mic...

We make adult films in the UK, well actually we have only just started we are now on our 3rd title, but due to the amount of space and lack of staff we need a mic we can use outside, inside, etc etc..

As you know adult films rely on sound....9times out of 10 the camera is within about 4 foot of the people performing.

We have looked at the 300D, however many of the forums dont rate it..

We welcome any advice to this new camera...

P.S like all users we fiddled with the zoom without it being set to manual, maybe panasonic should stick a huge sticker on box saying not to...lol

Thanks for any help

Mark
 
My friend got a Rode NTG-1. It's an awsome mic, sounds good, and would work well as an on camera mic, its fairly directional, yet not too rejecting. BH has a kit for 229 that iincludes the mic, a shockmount, and a cable for $229. Keep in mind that this mic MUST be phantom powered to work, for bettery operation you would have to step up to an NTG-2. If you're just using it with the DVX though, this shouldnt be a problem, as it has 48v phantom...here's a link to that kit....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=367746&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
 
Another good MIC to use is the Sennheiser ME66 with the K6 power module. It's more expensive than the Rode but sounds great. Because of the length you have to push it back a good bit on the standard camera mount which doesn't cause any problems. Some people even had brackets made to offset the MIC mount so that it clears the lens view.

We hope this helps. :thumbsup:

Andrew Hoffman
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510
800-359-1858
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
I second that, the ME66 is an excellent pickup mic, extremely high output, which is a good thing because the mic preamps on the camera don't have to be turned up to compensate for a low-output mic. Not as quiet as the ME64, but much more directional. I own a 66 and a 64, and I use the 66 for run and gun (MTV behind the scenes type of stuff) and the 64 for quiet indoor interviews. 64, due to its shorter interference tube, has greater bandwidth. 66 has greater range. Using the ME66 on the DVX will not show in frame, unless you use a softie or lightwave miniscreen. In that case, a shoe mount shockmount should be used like this:

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MZSCAM

Complete kit:

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=K6ME66KIT1
 
Rush, I've had my eye on the AT897. between the me66 and at897 what are the differences. Sorry, I'm a newbie so i really don't understand the function of the k6. I understand it is interchangeable with different mics, but for what? the mics won't work w/o them; whereas, the at897 doesn't need any extras, it will work as a stand alone? any info. would be great.
 
The Sennheiser ME66 with the K6 is a very good mic, but it's long. If you put it into the stock holder, it will show in your wide shot. I would recomend the Audio-Technica AT4073a mic. It's short enough that it wont stick into frame even with the .6x wide angle on. The only thing you might have to do is to cut the foam wind screen some (don't cut it too short, make sure all the holes are well covered).

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AT4073A
 
Wow, I've heard the comparisons between the ME66 and the AT4073a, and the ME66 sounded like garbage in comparison (shotgun shoot out site).

I know the ME66 is a pretty standard shotgun in the DV industry, but I've also heard lots of negatives about it's sound ... for the slight bit more cash, I'd go with the AT4073a, based on what I've personally heard in the comparisons.
 
I use the AT 4073a and it is excellent for outdoor scenes. I agree with those that say it sounds horrible indoors, if not using an experienced boom operator. On camera in-doors the 4073a catches too much of the shape of the room. Unless you are treating the interior with blankets or something, but actually might be fine if you are near a bed or pillows, which in your case you might already be. 4 feet away from the 'action' you say... then that might not be so bad. Soundwise I mean.
 
Hi Rasquache, you will need the K6 module, because that connects to the XLR, houses the battery and preamp, and yes, allows the module to be used with other ME capsules. I personally feel the ME66 is a great run'n'gun mic, and has a very high output. This is important. Even though the AT897 is also an excellent mic, but when using it with the DVX, the gain input on the camera has to be turned up very loudly to get a good signal (Level 9). When the gain is turned up that loudly, it adds a lot of noise to the recording. With the ME66, you almost need a pad, it is very bright, the gain input on the camera has to be turned down to get a signal that doesn't clip (Level 2). Though the ME66 is not the warmest mic, I have done many tests with mine, and it is quiet, and extremely directional. The ME64 is what I use for indoor interviews. It is a very quiet capsule, and because it has a short barrel, does not sound as pitchy as the ME66. It is nowhere near as directional, but the bandwidth is really broad.

I know there are a lot of guys that don't like these Sennheisers, but prefer the more expensive variety like the MKH-416. To each his own, everyone has an opinion, and two people will agree on one mic and not another. I am by far not an audio engineer but I know what I hear, and I know we take calls asking for just as many ME66/ME64's as AT mics. It's a pretty even distribution from what I have seen in 3 years selling to ENG and filmmakers. I almost have enough money to upgrade to the MKH series, which I strongly recommend because those set the benchmark, but for the past 5 years, I have made hundreds of productions with the ME mics, including some for MTV and Discovery. No one has ever said, "Change your damn mic, it sounds horrid!", and I can't imagine the more than 3 dozen producers I have worked with just don't know what they are hearing and editing. The AT4073 is also an excellent mic, but it some indoor sound bounce off hard walls. Some people swear by the Sankens, but I have never tried them. The bottom line is, you need to try and hear them for yourself somehow, live, then record and playback. Boy I just know I am gonna get hit for this post :laugh:
 
I also forgot to mention that most of my outdoor run'n'gun type interviews happen in loud environments about 6 feet away from the subject, indoor interviews are more office-type, 3-6 feet of distance from the mic, using a mic stand or boom op. I try to use wireless lavs indoors though, when I am interviewing one person at a time. That has been the best formula for me.
 
wow guys, thanks for all the help, you know you guys have given me more help than a shop in the UK trying to sell me a mike for £800 ($1400)
 
markp17 said:
wow guys, thanks for all the help, you know you guys have given me more help than a shop in the UK trying to sell me a mike for £800 ($1400)
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You're welcome Mark, that's what we all hang out here to do, help. :)
 
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