Mic suggestions

I guess only someone who's tried a better mic could imagine how it would improve the video.

Then there's another question: is it worth the $$ to upgrade when clients and audience members don't experience a lack of quality? It certainly would be if the soundtrack were harsh or indecipherable to them, and the problem was caused by the mic, but I think if I said "next time I"m going to shoot with a much better mic" they'd just say "Oh? Why?"

Disclaimer: I always LOVE to spend money on the best stuff. Would be delighted to justify a splurge.
 
Most days I don't feel compelled to be so outspoken about it as I used to... I think I'm just tiring of the debate... but I can assure you that if you can get a 4073a side-by-side with your me66 that you won't have any trouble telling them apart.
 
powerdog, that point you made a couple posts back was interesting. at the end of the day, if the mic (or any gear) is doing the job you want it to do, then dont upgrade. if everytime you come back from a shoot, listen to the audio and think - thats great, no problem, then dont bother to upgrade.

the second you want to do something bigger or better, with higher standards (and there are pretty much always higher standards), more complicated rigs etc etc etc, then its time to play with the big toys.

lets put it this way. i used to shoot with a Shure FP33, an ME66, and some Sony wireless sets. But they were screwing me because the bracket of work i was being offered needed better output than that.

so ive upgraded, and now i shoot with sd302, lectro 100's, 416 and an oktava. and to be honest, right now that kit is perfect for me.

if i start working even more frequently because the gear is getting me cooler jobs, ill upgrade to sd442, lectro 401's, cs-3e and a schoeps (expensive jump, this one).

use what the job needs. if you have more, good for you.
 
Ok, so I read "new to audio" I know how to work a mic, like I said, the mic was only a foot away from the speaker, and the most. I know how to operate it, I'm just not familiar with good and bad mics, but for some reason everyone is refusing to give me a small list of suggested mics.
 
BackwoodsTerrorMovie said:
Ok, so I read "new to audio" I know how to work a mic, like I said, the mic was only a foot away from the speaker, and the most. I know how to operate it, I'm just not familiar with good and bad mics, but for some reason everyone is refusing to give me a small list of suggested mics.
Click to expand...


A list (shotguns):

- AT835b (not recommended by most, but I think it's "okay"), $240 USD
- AT4073a (recommended by every man, woman, and dog), $550.00 USD
- Sennheiser MKH-416 (used by EVERY professional in the world), $1100.00 USD
- Sanken CS-3e (getting REALLY nice now...), $1350.00 USD
- Schoeps CMIT5U (yummy), $1850.00 USD
- etc.

not on this list: shockmounts, windscreens and blimps

BTW, most of these have been mentioned here in this thread. All of these are mentioned NUMEROUS times in the audio section. There's even a shotgun mic shootout, and links to about any mic audio sample imaginable.
 
Oh man, soon that Schoeps will be mine. I can taste it....mmmmm Schoeps. And not just the CMIT 5U, but the CMC too! Come to me my Schoepy....come to me! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
BackwoodsTerrorMovie said:
Ok, so I read "new to audio" I know how to work a mic, like I said, the mic was only a foot away from the speaker, and the most. I know how to operate it, I'm just not familiar with good and bad mics, but for some reason everyone is refusing to give me a small list of suggested mics.
Click to expand...

This is on the FIRST post of the FIRST sticky:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=42674

The general consensus for a low budget bare bones kit seems to be at4073a (shotgun) and Oktava MK012 (hyper) + wind protection for each (at least a softie for the 4073a and a baby ball gag for the oktava), shock mount(s), etc.

If you can't scrape up that much then go replace the at4073a with a Rode NTG-2 for your shotgun (that's what I have. It's nothing to brag about but will offer a noticable improvement over the Azden I'm guessing.)

As far as affordable lavs, I can offer the Countryman EMW - it's $149 from Northern Sound and Light and I have been very, very happy with its results. There are MANY better lavs, but this is a good budget mic.

Actually, my Countryman lav is my favorite mic because it's a little more dummy-proof than others because IT'S FASTENED TO THE TALENT WITHIN A FOOT OF THEIR MOUTH! Some of us boneheads need that caveman technology. I really think lavs should be pushed more for newbies (like myself) because they are so much more forgiving than any boom on a pole, stand, or camera-mounted. They're not as sexy as shotguns, but I bet my $149 Countryman lav will sound better than a $1000 416 in the hands of an inexperienced boom op - especially if dynamic movement is required between multiple actors/subjects.
 
MattinSTL said:
Most days I don't feel compelled to be so outspoken about it as I used to... I think I'm just tiring of the debate... but I can assure you that if you can get a 4073a side-by-side with your me66 that you won't have any trouble telling them apart.
Click to expand...


I really the sound I get when I use them together. Great mics.
 
I've bought and sold microphones like people buy shoes, socks, or hookers.

At the end of the day, while I've gone to the top, to the bottom, and everything in between I've learned just one rule of audio that makes me happy with what I have got now...

Pure and simple, use what works best for you. It's not a tough concept to grasp, but just use what works best for you.

-Jeremy
 
Anyone know a good place to get the Oktava MK012? B&H and EVS search comes up blank. And is it really THAT good of a mic for video? You guys seem to regard it highly, but its marketed as a studio mic for guitars and stuff...is there some Oktava MK012 superthread I could be directed to?
 
After much reading of this and other boards, here's my summary. Pick almost any high end mic and you'll find a knowledgeable person who:

Likes it for a particular purpose.
Hates it for same.
Loves the sound of it.
Hates the sound.
Suggests spending less.
Says it's worth the money.
Says it wil give you better sound.
Says it's useless to upgrade unless you've got X amount of experience.

I guess rental and experimenting are the only ways to know for sure...if you live near a rental place. (I don't, unfortunately.)
 
powerdog said:
<snip>Pick almost any high end mic and you'll find a knowledgeable person who:

Likes it for a particular purpose.
Hates it for same.
Loves the sound of it.
Hates the sound.
Suggests spending less.
Says it's worth the money.
Says it wil give you better sound.
Says it's useless to upgrade unless you've got X amount of experience.<snip>
Click to expand...

Wouldn't THAT be true with most everything though, not just mics?
BUT; I am not even sure that is true of all mics anyway; the cheaper ones for sure; but I don't know anyone who "hates" the sound of the 416 or CMIT5U or CS-3e.

But yeah, it all does depend on the individual who use the mics, their level of experience, their ability to discern fine differences in sound, and also the OTHER equipment that is attached to the audio gathering chain!
 
Vidled, you're right. Like asking "Who should I vote for?"

Anyway, I can trace them back if I must, but just this morning I found a comment on another forum expressing strong dislike for the sound of the 416. And another who thought the CS-1 wasn't good (don't remember why.) Those comments surprised me.

Back to thinking, you buy an expensive mic, you hate it, you sell it for close to what you paid. I bet if you price a like-new CMIT or CS3 at $30 below retail it would sell same day.
 
i bet if you buy schoeps and take it from the shop 10% is at least you will loose , 15-20 is more likely
 
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