Field Mics

James Carpenter

James Carpenter

Well-known member
I have an HPX170 and am looking to get a field mic for a upcoming location shoot in Churchill, Manitoba.

It's going to be cold, windy and potentially a little damp. I want to mount the mic on my camera and was considering an ME-66 with zepellin and a shockmount for the hotshoe.

From what I've read, the ME-66 is a great field mic, but it's $$$. Is it worth the extra money over an Audio Technica (can't remember the model number)

Any reco's or advice would be GREAT!

Thanks
 
Flambe,

You should hang in the audio section and read the stickies and ask questions.

You might want to look at Rode brand mics like the NTG-2. With a newer generation of mics out, the ME-66 has lost some popularity.

Grant
 
Even though the HPX has phantom power you should use a field mixer. A NTG-1 is not only cheaper but sounds better.

Frank
 
Nah, the preamps in the camera are not the best.

For good sound you need to turn them off (use "line in" instead of "mic") and hook a field mixer between camera and mic. Then it records as good as any other digital recorder.

Frank
 
The HPX has two channels 48v phantom power for any condenser type mic that needs it. So you could have a NTG-1 (or NTG-2) which needs power, and also a dynamic mic on the other channel which doesn't need power. Or, the NTG-1 on one channel and the on board mic feeding the other channel. The HPX can actually record four channels, but two of them would use the onboard mic. So, you can have two external mics and still record with the on board mic. Confused yet, read the manual or Barrys book.

A mixer is a good thing, if it is a good mixer. Think Sound Devices or Wendt. Having said that, the preamps and audio recoding ability of the HPX is really pretty good, so I disagree with Postmaster. What you don't get out of recording direct to cam is good control and the extra things a mixer has like better limiters, better monitoring, better preamps, and more. In most cases you will need an extra person to run it to! If you can get by with a mic plugged directly to cam, the quality of the HPX recording is plenty good for typical video. I wouldn't record a high end musical productions with the HPX, but for interviews, ambient, or general audio for video, it will do just fine.

Grant
 
Thanks for the comments all!

Will most likely be getting either the NTG-1/2 without a mixer as I don't feel the need or have the cash to purchase one just yet. Will definately consider it in the future though.

Cheers!
 
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