I'am looking for a microphone
- Thread starter Pascal Parvex
- Start date
Does anyone know anything about the Rode NT4 stereo mic? It was recommended to me as a good mic to get atmos-type sound.
Basically, I need to record sound out in the field, kind of like nature documentaries but without live dialogue or commentary. I need to get good sound in quiet locations (like birds in the country, leaves rustling etc.) without hearing any camera noise. I also need to be able to record in windy locations - eg. I want the sound of waves on the beach without the concurrent wind noise. So would this mic be a good option for getting all around quality atmos, or do I need to go for something more directional to eliminate more of the crap? And if so, will I lose a lot of the background sounds that give the atmosphere to a location?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I don't know much about sound and I want to make sure I get this right. Any advice anyone can give would be appreciated!!
Basically, I need to record sound out in the field, kind of like nature documentaries but without live dialogue or commentary. I need to get good sound in quiet locations (like birds in the country, leaves rustling etc.) without hearing any camera noise. I also need to be able to record in windy locations - eg. I want the sound of waves on the beach without the concurrent wind noise. So would this mic be a good option for getting all around quality atmos, or do I need to go for something more directional to eliminate more of the crap? And if so, will I lose a lot of the background sounds that give the atmosphere to a location?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I don't know much about sound and I want to make sure I get this right. Any advice anyone can give would be appreciated!!
emotepix
Well-known member
hi fritz
I've been considering the NT4 as well.
Here's the thing. It's in a fixed 90 degree XY pattern, which is fine for long shots but not adjustable for when you come up close onto something, the stereo field is a little too wide sounding.
However, it will fit on our camera, it doesn't need adjusting, and it will sum to mono easily.
The other mic that's good in this respect is the Shure VP88, and this is a mid-side mic. Also the AT 825ST stereo mid side short shotgun, which I've been researching but haven't tried out. This would probably be the best, in theory, at least.
Camera noise depends on how quiet you are operatng the camera controls. I know of DPs who use those white Kodak cotton gloves to operate, to minimize hand/finger noise. Of course the best way is to break the mic away from the camera and put it on a boom.
You'll need a Zeppelin style windshield and a hairy cover for windy situations, and even that's no good if it's too windy out. But then you're not shooting sync so you can grab a piece of wind sound from somewhere else and edit it in.
Quality atmos is a cound department thing, not a camera department thing.
The best combo for the price is probably a set of matched Neumans or Shoeps (you're talking thousands here) or the Rode matched pair (forget the model numbers) that are the companion to the NT4. You can mount them in a classical XY and then adjust to suit.
If I were doing nature (under $1000) it would probably be the VP88, or possibly the Sony mid side electrets. I still have an older one that wipes the floor with mics that cost ten times what I paid for it. That's just a personal thing. I prefer mid-side stereo to XY stereo, personally. I know a lot of people don't.
HTH
Cheers
Chris
I've been considering the NT4 as well.
Here's the thing. It's in a fixed 90 degree XY pattern, which is fine for long shots but not adjustable for when you come up close onto something, the stereo field is a little too wide sounding.
However, it will fit on our camera, it doesn't need adjusting, and it will sum to mono easily.
The other mic that's good in this respect is the Shure VP88, and this is a mid-side mic. Also the AT 825ST stereo mid side short shotgun, which I've been researching but haven't tried out. This would probably be the best, in theory, at least.
Camera noise depends on how quiet you are operatng the camera controls. I know of DPs who use those white Kodak cotton gloves to operate, to minimize hand/finger noise. Of course the best way is to break the mic away from the camera and put it on a boom.
You'll need a Zeppelin style windshield and a hairy cover for windy situations, and even that's no good if it's too windy out. But then you're not shooting sync so you can grab a piece of wind sound from somewhere else and edit it in.
Quality atmos is a cound department thing, not a camera department thing.
The best combo for the price is probably a set of matched Neumans or Shoeps (you're talking thousands here) or the Rode matched pair (forget the model numbers) that are the companion to the NT4. You can mount them in a classical XY and then adjust to suit.
If I were doing nature (under $1000) it would probably be the VP88, or possibly the Sony mid side electrets. I still have an older one that wipes the floor with mics that cost ten times what I paid for it. That's just a personal thing. I prefer mid-side stereo to XY stereo, personally. I know a lot of people don't.
HTH
Cheers
Chris
Shooter
Veteran
Just bought a Sony ECM 670 shotgun mic to compliment my Sony UWP-C1 wireless rig (w/ lav). Tests prove it to be a good little package and the bonus was - the Shotgun will run off the wireless as well (theoretically it needs phantom power).
I recommend this as a budget option with very good sound quality.
BTW - it ain't no Sanken ( I have rented them before and the tonal quality and sensitivity is exceptional). The pros I work with seem to use Sankens and Senheissers exclusively.
I recommend this as a budget option with very good sound quality.
BTW - it ain't no Sanken ( I have rented them before and the tonal quality and sensitivity is exceptional). The pros I work with seem to use Sankens and Senheissers exclusively.
Thanks for the advice, guys! I think the Shure is a bit beyond my price range, but the AT 835ST looks nice, and the Sony looks interesting too.
Should I be looking for a stereo mic, or not? I actually called Rode to ask them whether the NT4 would be suitable for my purposes, and the guy I spoke to said that I should be looking at an ordinary shotgun mic. But I think he could see that I didn't have the money for a full Zeppelin style windshield and windjammer arrangement on top of the cost of the mic, and that the best wind protection I'll probably be able to get will be a Rycote softie. Which won't fit over the NT4.
Someone else I spoke to highly recommended (for my price price range, around AUD$1000 for the whole kit including wind protection) the Rode NTG1 and NTG2 - saying that they were superior in quality to the Sennheiser ME66, and for a lower price. Anyone have any opinions on this claim? It seems like there's so much personal opinion involved when it comes to sound quality! As opposed to the image quality of the DVX, which is indisputably outstanding! :laugh:
Should I be looking for a stereo mic, or not? I actually called Rode to ask them whether the NT4 would be suitable for my purposes, and the guy I spoke to said that I should be looking at an ordinary shotgun mic. But I think he could see that I didn't have the money for a full Zeppelin style windshield and windjammer arrangement on top of the cost of the mic, and that the best wind protection I'll probably be able to get will be a Rycote softie. Which won't fit over the NT4.
Someone else I spoke to highly recommended (for my price price range, around AUD$1000 for the whole kit including wind protection) the Rode NTG1 and NTG2 - saying that they were superior in quality to the Sennheiser ME66, and for a lower price. Anyone have any opinions on this claim? It seems like there's so much personal opinion involved when it comes to sound quality! As opposed to the image quality of the DVX, which is indisputably outstanding! :laugh:
Pascal Parvex
Well-known member
How about this one?
How about this one?
Would this one be okay? I heard, that it's a fine model:
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm.nsf/root/03171
[German page]
How about this one?
Would this one be okay? I heard, that it's a fine model:
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm.nsf/root/03171
[German page]
