Have to mic two people with shotgun...will it work?

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DVXnNYC

Active member
Okay, after just finishing the DVD "Sound for film and Television" (Thanks Barry and Matt! :thumbup:) I realize now that I should've purchased a hyper cardioid...
BUT...I bought a shotgun instead - a Sennheiser 416.

I've been doing alright with it so far (sit down interviews), but my next shoot will be with two people. This is for a documentary, so they will also be sitting, or at least static in movement. And most likely indoors.
My question: can I use the 416 to "split" the audio between the two people being interviewed? Or is the pattern just too narrow to get them both effectively? Has anyone actually used this mic in this situation?

I also have two lavs I could hook up...but again, after watching the DVD, I think I should burn the lavs...or at least not use them!

I wish I had a better selection...but this is what I have for now.

Help and opinions are greatly appreciated!
:beer:
 
DVXnNYC said:
Okay, after just finishing the DVD "Sound for film and Television" (Thanks Barry and Matt! :thumbup:) I realize now that I should've purchased a hyper cardioid...
BUT...I bought a shotgun instead - a Sennheiser 416.

I've been doing alright with it so far (sit down interviews), but my next shoot will be with two people. This is for a documentary, so they will also be sitting, or at least static in movement. And most likely indoors.
My question: can I use the 416 to "split" the audio between the two people being interviewed? Or is the pattern just too narrow to get them both effectively? Has anyone actually used this mic in this situation?

I also have two lavs I could hook up...but again, after watching the DVD, I think I should burn the lavs...or at least not use them!

I wish I had a better selection...but this is what I have for now.

Help and opinions are greatly appreciated!
:beer:
Click to expand...

Very likely the 416 pattern will be too narrow to effectively mic two people without having a boom operator who is able to shift its aim with the flow of the conversation, not easy with unscripted dialog.

I haven't seen the DVD so why does it suggest (or why do you feel) that you shouldn't use lavs? One hard-wired lav on the interviewer, another on the interviewee, sending each to its own track seems to me to be a good way to go for a sit down interview.
 
i think for doing an interview a lav will be your best option based on what you said you have available. Using lavs for narrative work is more of what was discouraged. Use what you have. If your lavs are decent, use 'em.

jason
 
Lavs are just fine for interviews. Your 416 is a great mic, you shouldn't regret having it. Add a hyper later like the AKG blueline with CK93 hyper cap $350. You need more that one tool in your kit.
 
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