External Microphone Issue

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I have the DVX100 hooked up to a Shure SM57 - it works fine, but I wanted a better sound for interviews.

I went out and bought a RHODE NT1a - $300

I went home and plugged it in and it sounds terrible.

I know the Mic requires phantom power but the DVX supplies it right? The Shure mic sounds great, but the Rhode sucks - it sounds like I am talking into a tunnel.

Please help!

Cheers
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

You're going to have to tell us more about how you're using the mic... what your camera settings are, where you're placing the mic, are you using the mic's pad, etc.

If your getting a "tunnel" sound... and forgive me if the question is offensive - could it be that you are addressing it the way you do the Sure, i.e., towards the "top" of the microphone? The NT1A is a side-address mic, and the most likely explanation for what you're hearing is off-axis coloration. Make sure it's aimed right!

The NT1A is nice mic, and shouldn't be giving you these problems; however, it does have to be used more delicately and skillfully than an SM57. What's your interview setup?

-BArry
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

P.S. I just re-read your message; yes the DVX supplies phantom power, but you must set the switches properly to do so. However, if you were hearing ANYTHING I imagine the phantom power was on.
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

You have to consider that the NT1a is a condensor mic (meant for the studio as well), and it's going to respond quite differently to a room than a 57. It will be MUCH more sensitive to the room you're recording in, so you'll have to take proper precautions with the space you're in to get a clean sound using a studio mic as an interview mic. It will pickup standing waves, air conditioning noise, strong room tone, etc. While the 57 (used primarily for close-range instrument pickup), will reject more of that since it's not as sensitive.
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

ps: have you considered a good lavalier setup for interviews? That's what I use, and it works great.
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

Please listen to these 2 clips:

www.bullfrogspas.com/NT1.aif

compare this to my Shure SM57

www.bullfrogspas.com/NT1.aif

EXACT same camera setup & recordeing room.

1) Yes, phantom power is on
2) Yes, I am speaking into it correctly
3) What is a lavalier?
4) Do the pots level dials control how sound is recorded or just monitoring volume levels on headphones?

Thanks for your expert help!
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

Joseph,

Unless you're working in soundstage conditions, the Røde NT1 is not suited. It's a mic originally design for Radio DJ's — i.e. very good dynamic response within a 10" distance, not more.

If you use your Røde as you use your SM 57, no surprise you're disappointed with it : it's not designed for this. Directivity and (even more) sensibility are far too wide to get good direct recordings unless you're in a very silent place.

I have a NT1 and I'm quite happy with it. I have even already used it for shooting, but not as principal mic, only as secondary, to get room air I could eventualy mix with the direct track (recorded on a wireless lavalier mic).

By the way, a lavalier is a little microphone you pinch onto the talent's jacket, shirt, hair or any suitable place in order to get very close sound. Generally, thes mics are less good than normal ones, but come to be very handy in certain situations, such as outdoor shooting, TV shows, or on long shots where it's difficult to hide a normal mic on a boom.

Good luck to you.
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

PLease someone listen to the sound files - this is NOT normal!

Both were recorded in a soundproofed room with the exact same settings- thanks
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

I'm afraid you gave us twice the same link. I couldn't tell the difference between them. Whether it's taken from the NT1 or the SM 57, it's a clear recording — maybe you could gain some more presence by setting it closer to the source but... everything seems okay.

And, to answer your questio #4 : the peak levels you see dancing on your viewfinder indicate your recording level, not the headphones'.
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

Sorry Joseph if I offend you, but it's time for the... Yesssssss ! the silly questions of the day ! Here we go...

1 / What was the distance between your mics and the guy speaking ?

2/ Your sample sounds like an off-axis recording. Are you sure you didn't direct your Røde the wrong way ? Mine is an old NT1 (not -A), but the good direction is with the yellow spot on front, must be the same for you...

3/ Old NT1 is a cardioid mic. Does the NT1-A have switchable directivities (cardioid/omnidirectional/bidirectional) ?

If you answer "5 to 7 inches" to question #1, "yes I'm sure" to question #2 and "no it doesn't" to question #3, then your mic has a problem.
 
Re: External Microphone Issue

Bingo!

It was the gold sopt! It was turned round the wrong way!

Thanks for your help!
 
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