Good mics for HVX

I just ordered my Oktava from Sound Room. Look forward to using it. I will be getting the Kssm mount, rycote BBG 20mm, and probably a pole in the range of 200 - 90 percent of my upcoming jobs will be talking head so I will be using the Oktava and boom on a Cstand mount. This means for now, I can save a bit of cash on the boom since handling noise or operator won't be an issue. If I REALLY need a $500+ boom, I'll just rent from my favorite place - EVS.

At this point, I don't think I'm getting a mixer - Oktava directly into the HVX. I'm sure more experienced people here can comment on the cost/benefits of using a mixer with the HVX/Oktava setup.
 
mjfvsm said:
At this point, I don't think I'm getting a mixer - Oktava directly into the HVX. I'm sure more experienced people here can comment on the cost/benefits of using a mixer with the HVX/Oktava setup.
Click to expand...
have you tried this? if so, what does it sound like?

i just received my oktava a coupla days ago and wont be home for another week in order to test it out.

i plan on running the mic directly into my HVX also and i want to know if a mixer will be 'necessary' for talking head/dialogue scenes done indoors???
 
A mixer is not required for any technical reason. Its just a matter of how you wish to monitor and control sound levels.
One advantage to a mixer is that the Octava is heavier on the bass than say a Schoeps so some people like to use a high pass roll off ( might also help in extreme wind). That's on a mixer but you can also buy an inline Shure version. I've never bothered to get one and am happy with a simple into the camera set-up.

My theory is that if they want anything more complicated they should hire a sound man.

I don't like to mess around with a mixer when I'm a one man band - too many cables and connections. Straight into the camera is simple and works fine.

i love the quality of the Oktava sound.

Lenny Levy
 
Spinnie said:
Hello,

Good question. It's tough to get something excellent for cheap.

Here are my recommendations for inexpensive and good.

1) Oktava Hypercardiod Microphone. Hypercardiod is best for indoor shooting, but if you get it "close" to your actors it will sound very good in many situations. One of the reasons this type of mic is good for dialogue is it has a "wider" pickup pattern than a shotgun. Your boom operator can swivel it (gently) between two actors and pick them both up. Many people say this mic rivals mics of much greater price. Best price at Sound Room. Around $173.00. Here's the link:

http://sound-room.com/customer/product.php?productid=196&cat=2&page=1

2) You'll need a boom pole. Check www.trewaudio.com. Excellent service. K-Tek makes the best boom poles in my opinion. If you can get an internally cabled boom pole, do it. You can get one for a couple hundred dollars. You can also check at Coffey sound. They have good prices on boom poles.

3) You'll need a shock mount. A shock mount keeps the microphone isolated from movement. It hooks to the boom pole. A good and fairly inexpensive shockmount is a PSC Universal shock mount. It only runs about $55.00. The Oktava microphone is "short" so call Trew audio and make sure it fits. The BEST shockmount for this microphone is the K-Tek K-SSM if you can afford it. It runs about $109.00 at Trew Audio. Here's the link:

http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=326&cat=36&page=1

4) Finally you'll need good cables. I like the ones from FILMTOOLS. They're well made, and fairly inexpensive. Here's the link:

http://cinemasupplies.stores.yahoo.net/miccabbycann.html

5) As an extra piece of advice, I would get a Y splitter and send your microphone cable into BOTH camera inputs. Set Channel 1 audio higher than Channel 2. This way if your actors get too loud, you will have a "safety" take on the lower audio channel. It's gotten me out of some jams in my day.

I hope this all makes sense.

Have a great day! :)

John
Click to expand...

word. the oktava rocks like a muf f**ka

and good tip on the high/low audio split
 
Spinnie said:
Hello,

Good question. It's tough to get something excellent for cheap.

Here are my recommendations for inexpensive and good.

1) Oktava Hypercardiod Microphone. Hypercardiod is best for indoor shooting, but if you get it "close" to your actors it will sound very good in many situations. One of the reasons this type of mic is good for dialogue is it has a "wider" pickup pattern than a shotgun. Your boom operator can swivel it (gently) between two actors and pick them both up. Many people say this mic rivals mics of much greater price. Best price at Sound Room. Around $173.00. Here's the link:

http://sound-room.com/customer/product.php?productid=196&cat=2&page=1

2) You'll need a boom pole. Check www.trewaudio.com. Excellent service. K-Tek makes the best boom poles in my opinion. If you can get an internally cabled boom pole, do it. You can get one for a couple hundred dollars. You can also check at Coffey sound. They have good prices on boom poles.

3) You'll need a shock mount. A shock mount keeps the microphone isolated from movement. It hooks to the boom pole. A good and fairly inexpensive shockmount is a PSC Universal shock mount. It only runs about $55.00. The Oktava microphone is "short" so call Trew audio and make sure it fits. The BEST shockmount for this microphone is the K-Tek K-SSM if you can afford it. It runs about $109.00 at Trew Audio. Here's the link:

http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=326&cat=36&page=1

4) Finally you'll need good cables. I like the ones from FILMTOOLS. They're well made, and fairly inexpensive. Here's the link:

http://cinemasupplies.stores.yahoo.net/miccabbycann.html

5) As an extra piece of advice, I would get a Y splitter and send your microphone cable into BOTH camera inputs. Set Channel 1 audio higher than Channel 2. This way if your actors get too loud, you will have a "safety" take on the lower audio channel. It's gotten me out of some jams in my day.

I hope this all makes sense.

Have a great day! :)

John
Click to expand...

The Oktava Hypercardiod Microphone is great for 'indoor' shooting, but what do you recommend for all in one 'outdoor' shooting?
 
thanks Leny - good info on the high pass.

FilmBoy - I haven't received my Oktava yet, but will try it as soon as I get it. From what I've read, everyone loves the Oktava bang for the buck and many people have used it in this capacity with great joy and happiness. Well, I added that last part - maybe they weren't joyful or happy....but just merely content or satisfied. I digress.

I've run a 416, ME66, and G2 wireless directly in with no problems.
 
yea, i just got home today and did some testing on it and it rocks. this is definately worth the money i paid for it.
 
I've emailed and left a voice message (they never answer) at The Sound Room but no response. Trying for about a week. I'm interested in the Oktava also. Anyone actually talk to them there?

Do they just take online orders?

Pete
 
pxp said:
I've emailed and left a voice message (they never answer) at The Sound Room but no response. Trying for about a week. I'm interested in the Oktava also. Anyone actually talk to them there?

Do they just take online orders?

Pete
Click to expand...

yea man they didnt answer when i called too. i wanted to ask a few questions before i bought it, but i found out the answers here and when i ordered it came in like 2 business days. they may be a one or two man shop most likely.
 
I just picked up this mic from BH Photo.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=8533&A=details&Q=&sku=400806&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


I've mounted it on top of the camera with this,
MD-3000 Light and Sound Bracket
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=126229&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

so I can put the mic and a Frezzi sun-gun on at the same time.


Works like champ. I went hand held at the LA Auto show, got ZERO hanlding noise through the mic (the shock mount worked very well) and interviews from up to 10 feet away came in crystal clear with good background noise rejection. I even got some good audio, although at lower levels, from further away.

VERY impresses with the mic.

are others "better".. I'm sure.

But for the price the Rode NG2 seems hard to beat.

Looks like it will make a nice V.O. mic too.​
 
Choptop, have you compared this to the me66? The Senn is pretty harsh, wondering how this sounds.

Great bracket BTW.
 
No exteriors yet.

Just indoors in a pretty noisy environment.

I'll post a link to the footage once its editied and released.

I can probably "fake" up a couple of interviews this weekend and post them.

Havent compared to the me66. I just made a stab in the dark with the purchase annd have been pretty pleased with it so far.

I'll get a couple clips up soon comparing this mic to a Sony ECM44 lav (the wired lav I have).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top