Finding the right mic for my DVX

M

Movie_Dude_3

Well-known member
I'm planning to shoot a movie over the summer with my new DVX100b. I've come to the issue of audio and realized I need to lay down the money for a nice mic.

What would you guys suggest for a mic that's compatible with a DVX? I'm willing to put out $100-$150 for a nice enough mic. Do they also come with the pole to hold it? Also, where should I buy it? I was thinking B&H.

I'm really sorry if threads like this have been done before, but I just don't know where to start.

I appreciate any help.
 
DVX has xlr ports, so you would be hard pressed to find one that isn't compatible. However, you don't want to get a mic for the DVX, you get a mic that suits the audio you're trying to capture. There is a reason there a million kinds of mics out there.
 
Buy the audio video that Green and Jimerson produced -- it's an invaluable resource, particularly if you have little knowledge of audio. They discuss the different mics to use for different shooting environments. They also teach you where to place the mic for the best recording, how to measure the acoustics of a location, proper use of a boom (boom poles don't typically come with mics, at least if you're buying new), basic sound design, and a lot more.

And to be honest, if you you're making a talkie (as opposed to a silent film)...well, you invested a whole lot more than $150 into your camera so you could get a quality picture...you have to expect to invest more than $150 in order to achieve the same quality with your sound. And don't underestimate how much bad audio will ruin even the best movie.

Link to the audio DVD:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=133986
 
$150? You're willing to use a camera that retails at over $1,000, but only $150 for audio at the high end? You really need to reconsider your priorities. An inexpensive microphone itself is a couple hundred. A boom pole can be made for $30, cables are cheap. Shock mount and wind protection isn't quite so cheap, and those can make or break a project easily.
 
Casalen said:
$150? You're willing to use a camera that retails at over $1,000, but only $150 for audio at the high end? You really need to reconsider your priorities. An inexpensive microphone itself is a couple hundred. A boom pole can be made for $30, cables are cheap. Shock mount and wind protection isn't quite so cheap, and those can make or break a project easily.
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Consider I'm still a 20 year old working part time at a grocery store while being a full time student. It took me about a year to raise money for the DVX. That and plenty of tight spending.

But I really don't know much about mics at all and I'm looking into the DVD. If a quality mic goes for more than $150, then I'll invest. If I'm spending more than $100, I might as well go all the way or go home, me thinks.
 
the NTG1 or NTG2 Rode mic is a good mic. (shotgun mic)
I use the NTG 2 and I"ve been happy with it.
it's much better then the mic on the dvx so you should be happy with it too.
you should be able to find a used one around the $150 range (or a little more)
 
I second the NTG2. That was my first mic. I got it for 260 new and it came with a mount and a small cable. GET THAT DVD! it helped me so much.
 
ryvac said:
the NTG1 or NTG2 Rode mic is a good mic. (shotgun mic)
I use the NTG 2 and I"ve been happy with it.
it's much better then the mic on the dvx so you should be happy with it too.
you should be able to find a used one around the $150 range (or a little more)
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I found this deal that includes the mic, a cable, and I think a stand for $269. I saw the mic itself on Ebay for $219, brand new.

Can't find it anywhere used yet.
 
Movie_Dude_3 said:
I found this deal that includes the mic, a cable, and I think a stand for $269. I saw the mic itself on Ebay for $219, brand new.

Can't find it anywhere used yet.
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If you are going to be using the mic for on-camera dialog, you don't want the mic to be on-camera. Here's a great starter kit that has the NTG-2 with all the basic accessories, including a fishpole. THe beauty part of the suspension is that it can be both cam-mounted and pole-mounted.

http://www.dvcreators.net/dvcreator-location-sound-package-1/
 
I use the Azden SGM-1X (about $182) and it works better than people say it does... for the price.
 
I have my Audio-Technica AT897 that I got for $275... A really great mic! It has a built-in lo-cut filter, great dynamic range, and really nice sound quality that isn't too low and rumbly like some of the cheaper mics!
 
JayR said:
I use the Azden SGM-1X (about $182) and it works better than people say it does... for the price.
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And how do you know that? Have you tried any high end mics? And seen how well the ntg2 stands up compared to how the Azden does? Not dissing you, but if you haven't had much use with other mics, you are missing out.
 
Entity said:
And how do you know that? Have you tried any high end mics? And seen how well the ntg2 stands up compared to how the Azden does? Not dissing you, but if you haven't had much use with other mics, you are missing out.
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yes. being in film school I've used pretty much every level of mics. And Azden is good for the price.
 
i bought the ntg2 from b&h and it came with a deluxe windshield. its a great mic, but you definitely need to buy a boom pole, shock mount and cables for capturing dialogue.
 
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