Inexperienced experimenter looking for gear advice.

T

thekillerbigmac

New member
Hello all,

I've been on this forum checking out the starter threads and things of the like for getting into the audio arena! I've read the 10 point questionnaire and the results are as follows;

1. What is the budget that we are working with (either immediately or over the next few months)
Originally I was trying to spend under $200, then after reading a bit was thinking of upping it. Finally after listening to some samples and reading more, I've jumped down again. BOTTOM LINE, Around 200-300 is good, but I do have the option to wait a few months to spend more.
 2. What type of films are you doing (short dramatic films, feature dramatic, documentary, interviews)
At this point I am doing short, funny, and sometimes not funny comedy sketches. I've started to think about informative video reviews or documentary/interview work, but nothing requiring TOP QUALITY results.
3. Are your locations PRIMARILY interiors or exteriors?
I shoot more indoors, and sometimes venture outdoors. But I run into more audio problems outdoors than indoors.
4. Will you be shooting outside at all with sound?
I've shot some outdoors without audio, some with. I think overall, dialog in comedy sketches outdoors becomes a big problem for me. So yes, I will be shooting outside with sound in some cases.
5. What level of experience do you have with sound?
I have no experience with booming, setting a location up, or recording any audio for video. I've recorded a small bit of music and I am still learning each time I record. So I have some experience with audio as a broader subject, but not for video.
6. What is the outlet you are hoping to have with the projects (DVD release for profit, web distribution, theatrical)
For now, ABSOLUTELY web distribution! I have no plans, or see me ever getting to DVD by myself. ALL of my work is for personal amusement, and hopefully at some point others amusement and enjoyment via the interwebs.
7. Is this purchase for a specific project or are you looking to purchase a kit for general future projects?
This is for general future projects. I have no set projects in line, and I don't plan on having clients unless I were to get good enough to do so.
8. Why do you feel that it is beneficial for you to buy sound gear versus hiring a professional (or networking for free with a professional) to do your audio?
I believe my personal endeavors don't call for professionals at this time. I like to learn to make do with what I have to make trivial videos for hobby and fun. If I ever came across a serious client or job, I would definitely consider hiring someone who knows what they are doing!
9. Will you have a dedicated person to run sound (even a friend to hold a boompole)?
I usually have some friends willing to help out when I need them. My situation may not include a boom(please don't hit me for saying that :P), but if it did, I could have someone help out.
10. Do you notice the difference between good sound and poor sound when you are watching films?
When I am watching films in movie theaters I can't say I notice bad sound. But I do believe I have a good grasp on satisfactory sound and terrible sound. For example, the latest sketch I made included terrible audio from a built in mic... OUTDOORS! I ended up having to live with the terrible hiss and noise whenever dialogue was there(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMC6zFyJl2A). Also, a few older projects had terrible sound from the camera and I decided to voice over ALL dialogue(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka1PANMAU9c).

So with all that said, this is what I have.
-Canon HF200 (Couple year old HD Camcorder)
-Zoom H2 (I figure this to be my means of storing audio or recording ambient. Although I did not use this in either of my links above.)
-Sennheiser HD280 Pro (Headphones used for home recording at the moment, but I figure I can use it for monitoring with video.)
-Some other home studio recording equipment I wouldn't/couldn't use for video projects.

Originally, I wanted a simple external mic to help hiss and off axis/background noise under 200(Rode VideoMic?). Kind of a low pricepoint I know. The more I researched, the more I found its not enough. After starting to stress over the ever expanding cost of it all(Low-mid shotgun mic, external mixer for phantom power, windthings, and shockmounts), and listening to some samples of cheaper vs expensive mic setups. I figure I dont think I need a really good setup. Maybe I can get away with mediocre for the more unimportant personal projects I'm doing.

So what do I want anyway?!
A simple audio setup to get better dialogue indoors mostly, but possible for outdoor dialogue. 200-300 if possible, 500 max. Prefer to plug into my Zoom H2(1/8th) to save money on a different external piece. And as much as you may hate the idea, being mounted on a rig with the camera would be nice(To minimize need for someone to work a boom.)

Mind you, I still have A LOT to learn and I want my projects to improve in quality, but I have to draw a line when its a fun hobby and I'm not trying to make real money from it. :( Please tell me if I am crazy, or tell me I really should spend 800 for a good setup. I take criticism well and RESPECT others opinions when YOU have much more KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE than me!

Thanks to all who can help,
And thanks for all of the information I was able to get because of this forum already!
~Bill Ludwig
 
Your films look fun, and it eems like you put a fair amount of effort into them, it would be a shame to discount the audio quality just because you're not a pro.
You have a group of friends to help so get one to learn how to boom, and you wont regret it.
 
Yeah, we have fun doing them, and my friends who aren't actors and actresses enjoy being a part of it.

I always feel that I am somewhat of a perfectionist and I want everything to be perfect! But then, like I said before, I think I needed to draw the line SOMEWHERE, seeing as it's not really a priority to make and shoot videos.

That being said, what might you recommend? Even on a more general scale. Like, would I be better of with booming a crappier mic(along the lines of rode vm or vmp)? Or should I be focusing on getting a better mic?

As of right now, I have no means on phantom power. So would a battery powered be a good option? Because once I get into mixers and things, it ends up being a lot more money!

Thanks again!!!
~Bill
 
I think you hit the solution before. I would go with the Rode VMP. It can be boomed and it can sit on the camera. It is decent indoors and out and it will be a huge improvement over the built in mics.

I don't think anyone will "beat you up" you were very clear in what you are trying to accomplish and I think it's reasonable. The folks who get beaten up usually post something like "I'm the next great director and sound is god. I just want to do it for $150 because all that over priced stuff is just for show. What mic will give be that big budget Hollywood sound under $150". And well, they deserve some hammering.

You are shooting personal stuff and want some improvement with out breaking the bank, but it's something you are doing for fun. That is fine and it would be silly to drop a few grand on that. You will eventually anyway but that is another story.

You will get a bigger improvement if you can get someone to boom so the mic is closer. The VMP doesn't weigh much you can adapt a painters pole for very little $. It's not a great boom pole but it will work and any boom is better than no boom, providing the boom op actually points the mic at the actors...

Good luck and have fun
 
Thanks a bunch for your help!

I'll end up getting the VMP along with making a cheap boom from a painters pole. I'm excited to hear the difference!

Thanks again everyone!
~Bill L.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top