Microphone Advice

R

rick3000

Member
Hi,
I know you get a lot of new people posting saying what is the best all around mic. So I will try and not be one of them. I have spent all day reading/searching about microphones, and have come to the conclusion that I have no idea what I need.

I am a student and the maximum I can spend is $200, preferable around $150 or less. It isn't a lot but that's my budget for the occasional short film. I am aware that it won't be professional quality sound, but I would like to get the best audio I can.
I am looking for an indoor microphone, because I rarely shoot outside (if it's okay outside that would be nice). I am going to be getting a dedicated mixer/recorder so XLR would be great.

I saw in the stickies an Oktava hyper, but the cheapest I can find it is $250 which is out of my price range. The Azden SGM-1X also caught my eye.
So what would you get as a good budget indoor dialogue mic?

Thank You! :)
 
Don't buy cheap - it's the most expensive approach in the long term. You can still operate on a tight budget but buy right - people on tight budgets can't afford bargains. Azden's don't have a particularly good reputation. Rent in the meantime and save up a few more weeks toward the Oktava, or save up a bit more and get an AKG Blueline hyper. Consider buying used from a reputable professional location audio house like Trew or Coffey or Location Sound. That $50 price difference you mention is really just the price of a couple of decent burgers or a pizza and a pitcher and a pair of movie tickets on date night.
 
Last edited:
you can get my "chiniz friend " microphone with hyper ,cardioid and omni capsules for 250 incl shipping to usa ( regular postage shipping)
low fq roll of and attenuation directly on the microphone .
i used these on low budgets and high end commercials with grate success

the mic comes with 3 capsules which at least 2 of them are used in film buisness
the omni my be used for sfx or ambient recording
very good bang for the buck

here is the picture of that mic

http://sellbuyexchange-film-videoau...oI8FVGMt3SQ_loZn50glS-C-kZ8n8DnXWKiVsSprjut2A
 
Thanks for the replies.

I am still trying to figure out how I want to get my audio. My current camcorder only has a 3.5mm mic input, which makes me seriously consider the Rode VideoMic. But since I would like to be able to do long runs and have two mics an XLR recorder would be better.

The XLR recorder I am considering is the Belkin GoStudio ($120). (Once again I know it isn't professional) but it records in the same 16 bit/44.1 audio as a miniDV tape. So what do you guys think of this recorder?
If it isn't going to work well, I am may just go with the Rode VideoMic because most other recorders or XLR/3.5mm adapters cost more than $120. Once again I am not after professional audio, but I would like to get as close as possible within my budget.

Thanks!
 
you need an ipod for the gostudio to work.

I'd scratch that and get at least beachtek box or similar to hook to your cam so you can use the XLR mics.
 
rick3000 said:
...

The XLR recorder I am considering is the Belkin GoStudio ($120). (Once again I know it isn't professional) but it records in the same 16 bit/44.1 audio as a miniDV tape. So what do you guys think of this recorder?
If it isn't going to work well, I am may just go with the Rode VideoMic because most other recorders or XLR/3.5mm adapters cost more than $120. Once again I am not after professional audio, but I would like to get as close as possible within my budget.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

DV is 16bit, 48kHz not 44.1kHz
 
rick3000 said:
I've already got the iPod, and FCP. So what problem would I have in post syncing the audio?
Click to expand...

Consumer cameras and consumer recorders aren't made to the tolerances of pro gear. While establishing sync is not a problem - an old-fashioned clapboard slate works fine for that - unless the two devices' sample clocks are running at EXACTLY the same rate they'll soon drift out of sync as the shot progresses. Even top-shelf pro gear drifts out over time unless the camera and recorder are slaved to each other - the difference is how soon. With consumer toys, it'll probably be fairly quickly. To be honest, unless there's a real reason you NEED to record separately, IMHO your money would be better spent on good mics and an XLR/mini adapter such as those from Beachtech, Juicedlink, or Sign Video to allow you to use them with your camera. And as a first step, upgrading from the internal mic by going to something like the aformentioned Rode Videomic is a good start.
 
Steve, thanks for the advice. I don't think I really need a separate recorder I just thought it was cool.
I like the idea of the Rode VideoMic, but my concern with it is how long it will last. I plan on upgrading my camcorder in the next two years to something like a DVX100, which has XLR inputs. So if I buy a VideoMic now, I won't be able to use it then. And if I buy a Beachtech I won't have any use for it then. Which is my major dilemma.

So just a few more questions.
Will a XLR/mini adapter record the audio to two channels or just one if I have two mics?
Could I use the GoStudio and run the headphone jack to the camcorder mic input to keep it synced?
Lastly, if I went with the VideoMic and wanted to run it 10'-20', would converting the 3.5mm to XLR then back to 3.5mm at the camera work?
If I get a new camera with XLR, would a 3.5mm to XLR give me good audio with the VideoMic?

Thanks Again!
 
rick3000 said:
..So just a few more questions.
Will a XLR/mini adapter record the audio to two channels or just one if I have two mics?
Click to expand...
Depends on your camera. If it expects a stereo mic on its external input you can get stereo, otherwise you'll get mono.
Could I use the GoStudio and run the headphone jack to the camcorder mic input to keep it synced?
Click to expand...
Not really - you'd get an audio guide track on tape which can help fixing things in post put it won't do anything to keep drift from happening. Frankly I would expect the audio recording quality of your camera to be better than the iPod anyway.
Lastly, if I went with the VideoMic and wanted to run it 10'-20', would converting the 3.5mm to XLR then back to 3.5mm at the camera work?
Click to expand...
Work as in transferring the signal, sure. But as far as giving you the noise immunity advantages of a balanced cable run, nope. You would need transformer balancing adapter at the mic end and an unbalancing one at the camera end to get any benefit. Unless you're working in an electrically noisy environment, 10 to 20 feet of unbalanced cable shouldn't present any serious problem.
If I get a new camera with XLR, would a 3.5mm to XLR give me good audio with the VideoMic?
Click to expand...
Rode has just such an adapter for about $10. But there's a lot more to 'good audio' than just the mic. The Videomic is a decent consumer mic, far better than the typical built in camera mic, and it's capable of acceptable audio. But it's not just marketing hype and a 'professional' label than puts a Sennheiser 416 at $1200 or a Schoeps CMC641 at $2000 while the Videomic sits at $150. I would say that until you upgrade your camera, go with either an Oktava or a Videomic plus a boompole and windshield and learn to use the tools. Or if you like to get your feet wet in a slightly deeper part of the pool, you could do far worse than a starter kit such as http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=764&cat=66&page=1 plus one of these http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=146&cat=21&page=1. Even though it's double your budget it would work for you now and also when you eventually upgrade your camera. Audio gear does not go obsolete anywhere near as rapidly as does video gear.

Thanks Again![/quote]
 
I am know considering the Rode NT2, since I do mostly indoor filming. I've found it or $180 which is cheaper than the other hypercardioid mentioned. Eventually, I may get a Rode NGT2 for shooting outside.

Since these are both XLR would an XLR to 3.5mm be accetaple? Or would a BeachTek DXA-2S be needed? Culd I possibly use an attenuation?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top