Pedantic Sound
Member
The SuperCMIT5U is the very popular Schoeps model retailing new for around $2200. The SuperCMIT 2U is the $4700 version, that no one uses (obviously not no one, but I've never known someone who does).
Cheap shotgun mic for video
- Thread starter Daviesgeek
- Start date
The SuperCMIT5U is the very popular Schoeps model retailing new for around $2200. The SuperCMIT 2U is the $4700 version, that no one uses (obviously not no one, but I've never known someone who does).
John Willett
Veteran
There is no such mic. as a "SuperCMIT5U".
There is the CMIT-5U - analogue short gun mic.
There is the SuperCMIT (old model) and the SuperCMIT-2U (new model) which are digital.
The SuperCMIT models are highly respected in Europe because they are the only gun mic. that can cancel the out-of-phase rear lobe.
Just because you do not move in the circles of professional recordists that *do* use the SuperCMIT(-2U) does not mean that "no-one uses it".
In some broadcasting areas where the sound recordist is under-paid and budgets cut to the bone, of course the best equipment will not be used. But in areas where quality is important and the budget is better, then the equipment that is best for the job will be used.
And, yes, I do know of several sound recordists who use and highly respect the SuperCMIT.
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
Actually, though that is what some folks on that thread have also said, that is not actually what he said. The capsule is a cardioid one so it does indeed have rear ports and the interference slots will affect what gets into the rear ports. So while most of the shotgun function is coming from the front slots the rear ones are not just cosmetic.
As to the physics. IF the capsule in his mic is somewhat down the tube and not at the front then side shielding will block side sounds and make it more "directional". It is likely to also make it sound hollow and "tubey" but???
IF the element is at the front then you will be making it more omni and less directional. And IF it has an effective interference tube (don't think that is possible looking at the picture) then you would defeat them and probably get a somewhat less directional and very tubey sound.
There is a form of super directional mic that uses a whole bunch of tubes to create the directionality. Like a parabolic reflector it also has a pretty drastic affect on the sound.
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
Really guys? Your arguing about how much over a thousand dollars "professional" shotgun mics are on a thread about under $100 shotgun mics???
You can spend well over $10,000 for a mic, popular shotguns for (full budget) film work range between around $1,000 to about $5,000. This is DVX User and the guy is trying to get some decent sound into a DSLR. Your pissing contest is TOTALY off topic.
Maybe instead you can offer some constructive advice.
As in you can get very usable shotgun mics for around $300 - $1,000. Still out of his range but at least it's in the same universe.
OP,
Maybe some one mentioned this but if you are mostly indoors then a hypercardioid or cardioid is generally a better choice and can be had for less. Hyper would the choice but I did a short or two with a cardioid and other than having more room on it that it would have with a hyper it worked quite well. If the pattern isn't an issue it will even sound a bit "better". There are a number of cardioid mics that are quite decent and well under $100. CAD makes some drum overheads that are pretty decent and very small and light. Last time I bought them they were going for $50 a pair.
HOWEVER they will need phantom power and like most of the mics talked about have XLR connectors so they won't plug directly into your camera. So you will need either an external recorder (best choice) or some kind of preamp that can feed the mini plug on your camera. Neither of those will be under $100. If you have to go into the camera then the RODE Video mic is probably the way to go, and it's not too far from your budget.
You can spend well over $10,000 for a mic, popular shotguns for (full budget) film work range between around $1,000 to about $5,000. This is DVX User and the guy is trying to get some decent sound into a DSLR. Your pissing contest is TOTALY off topic.
Maybe instead you can offer some constructive advice.
As in you can get very usable shotgun mics for around $300 - $1,000. Still out of his range but at least it's in the same universe.
OP,
Maybe some one mentioned this but if you are mostly indoors then a hypercardioid or cardioid is generally a better choice and can be had for less. Hyper would the choice but I did a short or two with a cardioid and other than having more room on it that it would have with a hyper it worked quite well. If the pattern isn't an issue it will even sound a bit "better". There are a number of cardioid mics that are quite decent and well under $100. CAD makes some drum overheads that are pretty decent and very small and light. Last time I bought them they were going for $50 a pair.
HOWEVER they will need phantom power and like most of the mics talked about have XLR connectors so they won't plug directly into your camera. So you will need either an external recorder (best choice) or some kind of preamp that can feed the mini plug on your camera. Neither of those will be under $100. If you have to go into the camera then the RODE Video mic is probably the way to go, and it's not too far from your budget.
Daviesgeek
Active member
Ah. That helps a lot. Thanks!
Daviesgeek
Active member
Thanks!
and to clarify a bit, I am planning on using a field recorder. I'm also mainly going to be doing shooting outdoors, so a cardioid won't probably work.
ROCKMORE
Veteran
I thought the OP was looking for a $100 student level solution on a 550D. Wondering how the thread drifted to $4,500?
OP/ I have a 60D with manual audio, but had a 550D for 10 months before. You are limited with your $100 budget, so I would suggest Ebay as the best place to start comparing prices.
The AGC (auto gain control) is one of your biggest problems with the 550D because when it get's quiet the noise (hiss) in the background will increase and get louder as the camera's auto control system searches for sounds, then when your talent starts talking the audio will dip dramatically for a second while the system adjusts. No Shotgun even at the suggested $4,500 will fix that. I've read some budget solutions using a constant signal outside the range of the human ear to force the AGC off, like an Iphone, or some electronic device you can borrow, maybe you can search this site for a thread.
You should try some tests on your own. I have a variety of Sony wired studio lavs, but tried my cheapo 3 dollar computer mic and it was better than I expected, much better.
While the audio elitists here are on the floor busting out laughing and ready to hammer my suggestion, it's better you test as many solutions for yourself and listen for yourself. There is no teacher like first hand experience. $100 is $100 and if that's all you have to work with than make it work the best you can at that level of production.
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John Willett
Veteran
I actually said that the raw capsule in a gun mic. is normally super-cardioid.
The longer the interference tube, the lower the frequency that the interference tube starts working and the more directional it is at high frequencies - a very short tube means that it will not be much more directional than a super-cardioid.
If the capsule were at the front of the tube it would not be anything like omni at all - it would just have the polar-pattern of the super-cardioid capsule. All the tube does is to cancel out off-axis frequencies and make the mic. more directional at higher frequencies.
Maybe the following screen-grabs from one of my PowerPoint presentations will help explain.
Daviesgeek
Active member
As I've said before, the audio from any of these shotgun mics will be recorded onto a field recorder. And, if I were to record on-camera audio, I woul turn off the AGC with Magic Lantern.
100$ is not much for a good mic... But as you have seen yourself there are "very expensive, expensive, quite cheap, cheap, very cheap mics".
You "ll also don't have enough with the mic, you'll need maybe boompole, zeppelin, windjammer, foam,....
It depends also in what you're planning to do. If it's for some happy people having a website and they want a short video on their site and they can only give 100$... it can be enough...
If it's for a tv-show... buy a more expensive one.... and ask enough money.... if you show up with cheap material to do tv stuff...forget it....
If some guy thinks he can escape with 50$ to make his company movie for coca cola just say "pwoo pwoo pwoo pwoo !!"
In my opinion 100$ is just not enough.... Make it 500$...and don't go on vacation, don't go out every weekend, don't by expensive clothes but cheap clothes, don't by that new car...
and yes it's hard... But you'll see you will be happy you did it later on...
You "ll also don't have enough with the mic, you'll need maybe boompole, zeppelin, windjammer, foam,....
It depends also in what you're planning to do. If it's for some happy people having a website and they want a short video on their site and they can only give 100$... it can be enough...
If it's for a tv-show... buy a more expensive one.... and ask enough money.... if you show up with cheap material to do tv stuff...forget it....
If some guy thinks he can escape with 50$ to make his company movie for coca cola just say "pwoo pwoo pwoo pwoo !!"
In my opinion 100$ is just not enough.... Make it 500$...and don't go on vacation, don't go out every weekend, don't by expensive clothes but cheap clothes, don't by that new car...
and yes it's hard... But you'll see you will be happy you did it later on...
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
I actually said that the raw capsule in a gun mic. is normally super-cardioid.
The longer the interference tube, the lower the frequency that the interference tube starts working and the more directional it is at high frequencies - a very short tube means that it will not be much more directional than a super-cardioid.
If the capsule were at the front of the tube it would not be anything like omni at all - it would just have the polar-pattern of the super-cardioid capsule. All the tube does is to cancel out off-axis frequencies and make the mic. more directional at higher frequencies.Maybe A trip down memory lane is in order.
Is what you actually said. And.
Originally Posted by Doc Bernard
Noiz2, you are not incorrect, the openings to the rear of the capsule assist in patterning of the capsule and off-axis rejection. To accurately describe the action of how this works is a pain.
Correct.
And what I said above was
I didn't say it would be omni just more in that direction than a directional mic since the interference tube would not be helping to make it more directional.
I understand the concept I spent quite some time in Physics. I am not disagreeing with you. I not only agree but quoted you so WTF?
No offense intended but your arguing with yourself, and I only agree with one of you.
I didn't read back through this whole thread so forgive if I am repeating someone. Though somewhat more than $100, the AT875 for about $175 is a great compact and inexpensive shotgun offering a lot of bang for the buck. If the mic needs to be self-powered, the AT897 or Rode NTG2 for around $225, which both have battery power are very decent for the money. This is about the least money you can spend for a decent shotgun.
Grant
Daviesgeek
Active member
What about the SGM-1X?
Not familiar with that mic. I own both the 875 and 897, so with these I am speaking from experience. Neither stack up to the next tier of shotguns like the ntg3, but they are 1/3 the cost. One issue with inexpensive shotguns is the gain structure, or lack there of. When using these mics with recorders like the H4 and or DR100, you will be on the edge of what the preamps can do since they are both a bit weak. I have used my 897 with the dr100 and it works, but is nothing to write home about. A mixer (more money) really helps by having stonger preamps. Not sure what recorder you are using, or how this might work going straight to into a dslr with a powered shotgun like the 897. Using either mic with a real video cam is cake.
Grant
edit for grammar....I hat the new spell check as you type feature.
Grant
edit for grammar....I hat the new spell check as you type feature.
Steve House
Veteran
It's an Azden, not the most favoured of brands.
This thread would have been useful if it had stayed on topic. The guy had a very limited budget of $100 - not thousands - and presumably isn't making video for broadcast TV or feature film work. The DIY shotgun mod for a regular mic was an interesting proposition, even if ill fated.
GaryNattrass
Veteran
As well as my pro kit I also have an HD handcam that I use for run and gun and smaller jobs, it is a canon HF11 and shoots in full 1920x1080 HD AVCHD at 24mbs, I don't use a shotgun with it but if I need to do interviews or record better audio I hook up a Sony ECM-MS907 and put it on the end of a short boom arm to get it closer to the subject.
Works a treat for less than $100 and as it is an M/S mic it records most things very well with the addition of a larger foam wind shield, I also have it's larger brother the ECM-MS957 and that has been used as main stereo FX mic on major TV and film drama's.
Works a treat for less than $100 and as it is an M/S mic it records most things very well with the addition of a larger foam wind shield, I also have it's larger brother the ECM-MS957 and that has been used as main stereo FX mic on major TV and film drama's.
Steve House
Veteran
One can appreciate the fact he's on a limited budget but there's a limit below which one is throwing away that budget on useless junk. The alternatives are NOT only sub-$100 or over-$1000, there is a middle ground where one can obtain decent quality at reasonable cost. But budgets can't just be an arbitrary amount - one needs to look at one's requirements first and then find out what meeting those requirements will cost. Budgeting is bottom up, "What is the least it will cost to do the job I need done?" not top down "I have X dollars, what can I buy with that?" This is even more true when resources are limited because funds expended through top down budgeting are often wasted on equipment that fails to meet requirements.
as for low cost shotgun mics options, over the years i have seen enormous changes in media acquisition as the world transitions from analog to digital.
camera changes. camera support systems using lighter metals and plastics, light fixture changes, sound recorders.
the one area that has changed the least is sound.
a good mic x years ago is still a good mic.
there might be better mics.
there might be new brands employing new materials with new designs.
but for me, investing in quality audio gear often pays off more than invest in other production areas where change is more constant.
ymmv
be well.
rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
camera changes. camera support systems using lighter metals and plastics, light fixture changes, sound recorders.
the one area that has changed the least is sound.
a good mic x years ago is still a good mic.
there might be better mics.
there might be new brands employing new materials with new designs.
but for me, investing in quality audio gear often pays off more than invest in other production areas where change is more constant.
ymmv
be well.
rob
smalltalk productions
nyc