Interview Mic Choice.

M

Mitch.Kear

Well-known member
Hey guys,

Not really on topic for film/television but I am looking for a inexpensive handheld mic with some range to be used in media scrums or loud convention halls. This is only used for audio transcription and just need to be able to clearly understand the speaker in these situations.

Any info will be great... I've got many handheld dynamic cardioid mics, but I worry about not getting enough level if I can't get the mic close enough. I also don't have time to set up my boom, and it is an inconvenience to have with me (with shotgun and mount too).

Thanks.

Mitch.
 
You say "interview" but it sounds like more of an ENG situation. The classic "interview" mic is a handheld dynamic. If you can't get close it's not really an interview. If your one of many trying to get a sound bite then probably a shotgun. But in a convention hall... I would think you would want a dynamic and get the mic close. Anything else and you going to be swamped with the convention noise.

It sounds to me like you should have a sound person with you.
 
I am a "sound person". I was just looking for an inexpensive model name for a dynamic hyper. I don't think a 58 will do the job as well as other mics design for this. Also a shotgun is out of the question. not only inconvenient but it will cut too much side noise which might be an issue when needing to pick up someone to the side throwing out a question.

You're right, interview was a bad choice of wording. Though I never said I was doing interviews I just wondered the mic choice for it (handheld).
 
Yeah, if it's just for transcription (not audio or video production sound or broadcast), and you want "inexpensive" (un-defined), it seems like you'll have to try different elements from your dynamic cardioid collection. No phantom power or other accoutrements needed, rugged, standard. I'd work with something that proves to have low handling noise...

What range is inexpensive to you, BTW? There are a lot of choices out there. If I was just transcribing for print news or blogging or something though, I'd probably just go with the stereo mikes on the H1, or a 58 or one of the less-expensive handheld beyer-dynamics (they do have a few handheld battery-powered condensers that are designed like handheld dynamics). Or hand-holding a shotgun, as Noiz suggested.

GJ
 
Yeah, maybe I'll just use a 58. I can't even imagine hand holding a shotgun, the handeling noise would be way over the top. With the pistol grip might also be impractical. I found the mics on my dr-100 are just picking up too much background noise. Ideally as I don't need any kind of real quality, under 200$ will do.

Thanks
 
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I commonly use hand-held short shotguns as interview mics in noisy situations (factory floors, etc.) and find that with a reasonably experienced interviewer who knows how to handle the microphone, handling noise and aiming the mic to pick up questions is NOT a major problem. The superior rejection out to the side is very valuable for increasing intelligibility in a noisy setting, and this more than compensates for the other issues. I wouldn't go handing shotguns to anyone off the street to use for this purpose, but as long as the person handling it is aware of the pitfalls and can work around them, the results have always been good for me.

- Greg
 
Hmmm, after a half hour I would have wished I had used a dynamic. You're right though, even a cheaper shotgun could prove useful for this.
 
Looks like you just need a simply tool to capture some intelligible voices in a short distance like 10 feet away, right? I think any inexpensive super cardioid mic can do it really well. The small Rode VideoMic Pro is among the best of them and has built-in shock mount. With a SM58, you'll have to get really close and it's heavier than a small shotgun.
 
Mitch.Kear said:
I am a "sound person". I was just looking for an inexpensive model name for a dynamic hyper. I don't think a 58 will do the job as well as other mics design for this. Also a shotgun is out of the question. not only inconvenient but it will cut too much side noise which might be an issue when needing to pick up someone to the side throwing out a question.

You're right, interview was a bad choice of wording. Though I never said I was doing interviews I just wondered the mic choice for it (handheld).
Click to expand...

OK, The title of this thread is "Interview Mic Choice"...
If all you are asking is what is used then 99% of the time it would be an omni dynamic if it's hand held.

But people on the side don't "throw out questions" in an interview, so?

Are you the shooter or are you the sound person? If your shooting then as I said I think you need a sound person. "Interview" mics are typically omni's and though I imagine there are hyper dynamics I have never heard of one.

You still have not explained what you are trying to do with this mic?

Don't mean to be obtuse here but basically you have said "I want to know what to use for interviews but I'm not going to be doing that"
 
Noiz2 said:
OK, The title of this thread is "Interview Mic Choice"...
If all you are asking is what is used then 99% of the time it would be an omni dynamic if it's hand held.

But people on the side don't "throw out questions" in an interview, so?

Are you the shooter or are you the sound person? If your shooting then as I said I think you need a sound person. "Interview" mics are typically omni's and though I imagine there are hyper dynamics I have never heard of one.

You still have not explained what you are trying to do with this mic?

Don't mean to be obtuse here but basically you have said "I want to know what to use for interviews but I'm not going to be doing that"
Click to expand...

Try not to be so literal with the thread name, It may be a little scattered but it's all there in my opening post.

I am a sound engineer. This is for transcription, therefore no shooting at all. Recording a person or two in media scrums or group interviews.

Be happier Noiz!
 
I'm damn cheery and don't you forget it!

Maybe make the thread name reflect the question? Maybe it's because I'm in the US but "media scrum" is a term I have never heard of. I take it to be a press conference or statement so ENG.
You did mention transcription, my apologies. But it also sounded like you were shooting video. Maybe it was because you talked about it being awkward to bring a boom pole or use a shock mount.

Anyway some figured it out and you have an answer so all is well with the world. Well some small part of it anyway.
 
How incredibly small it is... Ha. Media Scrum - A hoard of people sticking their mics/camera in the face of someone important. Usually to report. Sometimes just for fun.Thanks Noiz!If I knew how to edit a thread title I would have done it long ago.
 
Mitch.Kear said:
How incredibly small it is... Ha. Media Scrum - A hoard of people sticking their mics/camera in the face of someone important. Usually to report. Sometimes just for fun.Thanks Noiz!If I knew how to edit a thread title I would have done it long ago.
Click to expand...

Actually I'm not sure mere mortals like us can change a thread title. I remember trying once when I had really miss titled a thread and my memory is of not being able to. Or maybe I just didn't figure it out?
 
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