How to Fix Latency with Dual Boom Mics

[Joshua Milligan]

I own the mixpre and part of the reason I got it was for the automix feature. Besides that mixpre has a lot of other useful features. All that being said you could fix this problem by using lavs. I know you said you have clothing noise issues but this is usually due to improper lav mic placement technique. You could invest some time and some accessories to improve this area of your skills. If it were me I'd get a mixpre with auto mix, use lavs and have one shotgun just as a safety.

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately the lav issue has nothing to do with my skillset in proper lav placement. It's simply down to how bad the clothing is. I've tried placing lavs on top of the clothes where I could see them and even then there is still a bad clothing sound. It's nothing to do with the clothes rubbing against the mic. It's actually the sound of the clothes rubbing against themselves. Doctor clothes are horrible about this which is why booming is the only option. And even with a boom, you still hear the clothing noise. It's just that the boom isn't right next to it, so it's workable.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

Does anybody have any thoughts they would be willing to share on the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II with the MixAssist plugin vs the Zoom F6?

It looks to me like either one of these will be very helpful for booming two mics as a solo op. Both offer some sort of auto mix, both have 32-bit float audio recording, both can be powered via USB-C/AA batteries/L series batteries, both have numerous XLR audio inputs, both have timecode and both have 3.5 mm line outputs that I could connect up to my FX6 camera.

From what I see, I like the size and build of the F6 better as well as the fact that it has 6 XLR inputs (vs 4), a built-in L series battery sled (vs the Pre-6 II which is a separate purchase and has poor reviews), and a lower price. The battery options and the size/build + 6 XLR inputs make it a really great option.

The SD MixPre-6 II on the other hand seems to have better preamps and a slightly better auto mixer with the MixAssist plugin that you buy separately. Since the overall sound quality might be slightly better and the auto mix feature might be better, that's a strong argument for the MixPre-6 II, especially since the whole point is for me to use the auto mix to help me fix my dual booming issues.

I'd love some input here from anyone who's used these devices.

 

[wjauch]

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately the lav issue has nothing to do with my skillset in proper lav placement. It's simply down to how bad the clothing is. I've tried placing lavs on top of the clothes where I could see them and even then there is still a bad clothing sound. It's nothing to do with the clothes rubbing against the mic. It's actually the sound of the clothes rubbing against themselves. Doctor clothes are horrible about this which is why booming is the only option. And even with a boom, you still hear the clothing noise. It's just that the boom isn't right next to it, so it's workable.

Actual doctor here, and have actually recorded myself (and one of my partners) using Lav. I am not sure what your clothing issue is, scrubs are usually cotton or cotton/poly blend, white coats also may be 100% cotton or a blend. This is a video I shot a few years ago, I am the doctor in this and was also the entire crew. Lav was an Audio Technica clipped onto tie, not hidden, just below frame, going to Sound Devices Mix-Pre, to camera. The audio over Powerpoint etc was recorded with me holding the lav, maybe 10" from my mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHlq_sHad4o&t=32s
Just recently, I shot another video of one of my partners, again shirt/tie, lav on tie, white coat on top. This one was shot wider, lav is visible, but we have no issue with that. While he wasn't walking around, he was moving his hands/arms, no audio issues. Hope this helps. (unfortunately can't upload a still from that).