Microphones - AUDIO

ZanucK

ZanucK

Active member
Planning on shooting a documentary for a thesis and I have been researching for the best possible sound quality out there. I would like to ask you guys for some advice regarding SOUND- What's the best microphone for indoor and outdoor? This mic is going to be attached with the HVX. I have been using a Panasonic Unidirectional Mic - it works great outside... but not indoors...

Thanks,
Zan
 
Read the stickies in the audio section. There is no all purpose microphone and you can't get good sound with a camera mounted mic.
 
i stick my oktava mk012 on top of my camera all the time (my boom guy isnt always available) it requires more planning, but you can capture good audio
 
i use the ocktava for indoors also, and the rode ntg 1 for outdoor (with wind protection) and audio comes out great.
 
Contrary to popular opinion, it's not impossible to get great sound with a mic mounted on camera. There are just two limitations: Distance, and noise from the camera or operator.
You can circumvent the distance problem by being in the face of your subject- a couple of feet away. The oktava is great at this distance, no matter if mounted on a boom or on camera (although the boom has the advantage of better background sound rejection due to pointing at the floor). That leaves the noise thing - the Oktava being extremely sensitive to handling noise, etc. The stock HVX shockmount will help, but a real shockmount is better at keeping out handling noise. Fortunately the HVX in P2 mode generates virtually no noise. Add a BBG or similar to prevent the subject from "popping" when they talk and you have a decent setup- if your shooting can be done at such a close distance. Most shots must be done from further away and will require a boom guy - but if the above works for you, have at it. I've found I can use a camera mounted shotgun mic outside at 3- 4 feet with great results.
 
True, it is not impossible to get good sound with a camera mounted mic. I had to do it sometimes when I have no help, and I understand where you're coming from. But that's like saying that you can get good results just going off the automatic settings on your camera. It can be done, it's just not the optimal way to do it and you shouldn't get into that mindset. The Oktava isn't a particularly hot mic, so you would have to get pretty close to get decent levels. If you're operating the camera then you'll have other things to worry about like exposure, framing etc. and that distracts you from concentrating on getting good sound. It's a case of taking on too many things at once. Pretty much everyone will recommend that you go with a boom op just for that reason alone.

One thing I can recommend that I've done before with good success is to use the Oktava like a wired lav. I have the windscreen from Sound-Room, and with that thing on the mic looks a lot like a normal interview mic. If you're doing interview just hold that thing to their mouth and it won't look weird on camera.
 
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