Microphone Choice

iamlance

iamlance

Well-known member
Hey, I'm trying to put together a small audio package for a college film club that I help run. I have my own kit that they use currently, but we want to have a club-owned kit so I don't leave them empty-handed when I graduate.

This is the kicker: they set the budget at $400. Hah, I know. After putting together a rough list of items needed, they agreed that we should probably raise the budget some and purchase used. To what I do not know. We can add onto the package over the next couple of months/year, but want to have it good by the end. The budget is not at all huge, and as we are not getting funding from the university, it cannot raise much. If/when we get funding (wouldn't be much), that would also go for lighting and some video items, like a tripod (we use club member's tripods and cameras right now. We won't be purchasing a camera.) So as you can see, we can't just bump up the budget.

What I came up with is this (I haven't purchased yet):

Used Tascam DR-60D Recorder (1st edition)
Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries w/ Charger and Battery Cases
K-Tek KE-89CC Aluminum Boom Pole
SanDisk Ultra 8GB SD Card x2
Kopul XLR Cable 20' (Right Angled Female)
Boom Pole Case
Sound Bag

All for around $225. Incredible, I know. Everything but the recorder is new. eBay is very useful.

The last thing needed is a microphone package (shock mount, wind protection, mic). If budget permitted, I'd like to get another Oktava (hyper cap) for them (they use mine for now). That'd be $200.
The other options are the AT875 and an NTG-1. What do you think would be better to get? Any other suggestions? We mostly do narrative work inside (student projects, not paid), but occasionally the script calls for outside scenes. The Oktava would be ideal, but they can use mine for now (and hopefully we'll pick one up before I leave, when budget permits). So until then, while they can still use my Oktava, should we pick up one of those shotguns? The cost cannot be too much, because I'll have to spend $100 ($175 with the Oktava) or so for the shock mount and wind protection. Any other suggestions?

I haven't done much research on these lower end mics, as I would just purchase a better one myself. I don't have that luxury in this situation, so which low mic is decent?
 
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If you can get only one, get the AT875. While a shotgun can be used for interiors with a little TLC, the hypercardioid is not going to be as versatile for exteriors. No mic is a cover-all, but some are more versatile than others. And between the 875 and the NTG-1, especially with the original DR-60D, the pre-amps do not offer enough clean gain for lower-output mics like the NTG-1/2.

Are headphones accounted for?
 
They will use my MDR-V6 headphones for now. Whenever I see a good deal for another pair of those or the 7506s, I'll snag those as well. Right now, they can't justify spending another $50-$100 on headphones.

And thanks! Is purchasing a used 875 a smart idea? With higher end mics, they are built more dependable and I wouldn't feel worried to purchase a used one. As this mic has a cheaper build quality, does that still matter? I can get a "Like New" mic for around $75, much cheaper than the $150 new cost. I'll get the INV-7 shock mount to go with it. For wind protection, how much is needed? Would a furry (under $50) be needed, or would a foam be fine?


Any other suggestions out there, aside from the AT875?
 
+1 for the AT875. Doesn't do anything exceptionally but does pretty much everything acceptably and is probably the most forgiving mic for amateur use. Anything else I have used that is better does one thing well and everything else not at all. It sounds like the point is to get them up and running once you leave and this AT875 will do that. If anyone joins the group who is into sound they will probably already have something and if not then they will be getting something later.
 
It seems like that's the ideal choice then. To clarify on something, the 875 is decent indoors? Most cheap shotgun mics have problems indoors. This one doesn't too much?

What wind protection would be necessary with this mic?
 
From my perspective, I would not purchase: "Boom Pole Case" - you won't save much $, but with a $400 budget every penny counts. Also - and here I'm certain I'll get my head bit off by the audio pros on this board, but on such a tight budget, I would also skip the boom altogether, and use one of those extendable plastic painter poles that are quite light, and install a $7 converter screw on top (you can buy on ebay specifically for turning a painter pole into a sound boom) - my reasoning: the painter pole is going to be longer, which can be quite critical (the 89CC is quite short), the plastic one is not that heavy, and if handled carefully, you should not transmit handling noise. Dropping the boom and case together now saves you some serious money. I'd concentrate on the basics: the used 60D is a good idea; I'd totally get the 875r (I have two, one I bought new and one used) - I love those mics... I've auditioned several more expensive mics, and I keep coming back to this beauty. Absolutely best bang for the buck - and buy used. I would also add a pair of cardioids for $50 (for both of them!), recommended by Scott the CAD CM217 (I have 4 of them and like them). I would also get a couple more XLR cables - the Pearstone brand at B&H are super cheap and decent quality (no worse than the Kopul) - you'll need a couple short ones and longer ones if you are going to have more mics going on at once. As to the bag - yes, absolutely have a bag... but why buy an audio bag? You are not going to be doing super complicated mixing and running wireless lavs - all you need is something you can put the 60D in conveniently, and for that you can re-purpose some small bag for free. Get some foams for the mics and definitely a deadcat for the 875r for outdoor.
 
I understand your pov, but think those accessories are important to purchase for this situation. This setup is for a small club where sound has been pushed to the back for the longest time. When I joined, they were using a painter's pole with a Zoom h1 duct-taped to the end. It never worked well. Since I bought my boom pole (the 110CC), it has been much easier. We also never extended it the entire length, so the shorter 89CC should be fine. They need to learn to get closer anyways.

The boom pole bag is around $25. I fear that having the boom pole without a case will cause it to be damaged very quickly (the club has some other gear that isn't in the greatest shape). The pole will be used by many people, almost every weekend.

The audio bag is this: http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...437_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1419235373&sr=1-1
Nothing fancy at all. I should have clarified that it isn't a real audio bag.

I'd like to get some other cheap microphones, but barely any of the members understand sound on a basic level. Adding extra choices when preparing the equipment for a scene won't be best for now. In the future, I'll try to pick up other mics.

875. Perfect. Definitely getting one of those! So a foam and a deadcat. Would this cheaper one be fine? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...indscreen_20mm.html/pageID/accessory/mode/edu
 
Budget moved up to $550.


Proposed Equipment Purchases:
AT875 Microphone - $75
Aurray Stuffed Rabbit Windscreen - $45
Rycote INV-7 Shock Mount - $62
Tascam DR-60D Recorder - $150
K-Tek KE-89CC Boom Pole - $98
Eneloop AA Rechargeable Batteries (8) w/ Battery Cases and Charger - $40
Kopul 20' XLR to Right Angled XLR Cable - $20
SanDisk Ultra 8GB SD Card (2) - $17
Cavision 80cm Boom Pole Case - $23
AmazonBasics Large Gadget Bag - $22

Total: $552 + some shipping on a couple items. If I find the DR-60D for cheaper, we should be fine!

When budget permits, I'll try to get some other cheaper microphones (and their needed accessories and cables). This should work splendidly for now! Thanks to everyone who contributed!

P.S. I'm still curious to see what deadcat windscreens people use with the AT875. My price range is under $50.
 
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Yep, that windscreen would be just fine. I personally bought this for mine for $47.95:

StormChaser WindCutter for the Audio Technica 875

I agree with your points wrt. to the rest.

The foam would be enough indoor in case of any drafts etc. in a larger space, or with rapid movement of either boom or people around it. The furry would be good outdoor for minor wind (obviously we're not talking more severe wind which only a blimp could handle).
 
Ooh, I like the look of that StormChaser deadcat. Thanks for the link! I'll check out some reviews!
 
I was turned on to WindCutter by another poster here, Bruce Foreman. I've purchased several different deadcats from them, not just for my two 875, but for my Senn MKE-600. They have some youtube videos on that page I linked to.
 
FWIW,
I would ot recommend an Oktava 012, while it's decent sounding and low cost, it's NOT a good mic for inexperienced boom ops. i.e., unforgiving off-access response, extremely prone to handling, air turbulence, low output/short-reach and the other well-known hit and miss purchase caveats.
I however continue to read positive things about the AT-875. For interiors? ...what can be said, it's still an interference tube design with a substantial rear lobe around 200 Hz, so problems would be expected in some spaces.
 
In general, I would say if you want to grow professionally try to avoid half-pro/amateur compromises. It is better to wait and get a bigger budget to buy pro level equipment, including poles, accessories... any compromise will always make your final sound worse in the end.
 
jdohnddee said:
In general, I would say if you want to grow professionally try to avoid half-pro/amateur compromises. It is better to wait and get a bigger budget to buy pro level equipment, including poles, accessories... any compromise will always make your final sound worse in the end.
Click to expand...

Like they say, "Buy once, cry once."

However, we're talking about college student production on a shoestring budget, and the purchasing of a sound kit for student learners. There's nothing wrong with putting together a kit based on mid-grade "prosumer" or lower-end pro gear for this. It'll be perfectly functional and capable of getting decent-to-good results.
 
That is exactly my line of thought, Alex. They don't expect perfect sound, the video won't be perfect, and half the time the productions are done as learning experiences.

I'm going to stick with the AT-875, as it seems the most useful for my situation. I have encountered several of those Oktava problems, though many are fixed through guidance and proper accessories. I'm hoping this new mic will not face the same issues (very low output).

Again, thanks everyone for their valuable input and help! You guys make this forum wonderful!
 
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