Countryman 6 vs. Sennheiser

[John J.]

Hey Everyone,

My first posting here - I receive my HVX200 next week :thumbsup:
For the past few years I've been using a basic XL1 for shooting corporate vids, indie music videos, web video, etc.

I'm making my checklist for the first round of peripherals for the new cam - I've learned alot here from the forum (thanks to all the great members and their wealth of infos).

As far as audio, for starters I'm leaning towards a Sennheiser EW122P Bodypack Lavalier G2 system...more convenient for my first 2 upcoming jobs versus working a shotgun and boom for the headshot interviews involved. The countryman B6 mic looks impressive as well. My first question would be about the Sennheiser ME 4 clip on cardioid that comes with the G2 kit I'm getting - how does it sound? Would immediately replacing the ME 4 with a countryman B6 make a huge difference? The specs on both mics are quite similar. User opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

- John

 

[cinemakinoeye]

[...] Would immediately replacing the ME 4 with a countryman B6 make a huge difference? The specs on both mics are quite similar. User opinions would be appreciated. Thanks! - John

Specifications for most audio gear, especially microphones and speakers are for the most part useless rubbish. It's a subjective, aural, experience. You have to listen and trust your ears. And listening is something you learn if you're not into audio to start with. Hang out with some professional audio people if you can or take a class to develop your ear. Listen for yourself, and decide. Listen for the fullness, warmth, and richness of the voice you are recording. consider the clarity (without brittleness) of transients and high frequency details. But don't get hung up on specifications. Specs are useful to know things like mic pattern and such, but you really have to listen. Talking specifications about microphones is like dancing about architecture (to borrow and twist a phrase I believe came from Elvis Costello).

 

[John J.]

Thanks Dave,

As my first posting I also realize I've just asked about my HVX in the DVX forum (my bad :embarasse ).

I definitely agree with what you say about experience being the best barometer for our decisions. I have over 20 years as an audio producer in our digital studio so I'm all over the audio thang - being that I don't have hands on experience with either of the se mics, I thought I'd ask in advance for the guys who are using them. Cheers.

- John