Microphones

[beno]

What do people consider the dogs bollocks in Microphones... I'm failing in this department any advice would be sweet.

Always too much back ground hiss/hum.. I always borrow.. I need to buy something that will work...

SM57?
SM58?
Shoutgun mike?
AKG drum over head?

what do they use in films etc.... does to sock they usually use help?
thanks

 

[Jeremy Ordan]

There is a search function and an entire audio section that deals extensively with this topic. Do a search in there because your question is asked about once a week

 

[beno]

thanks man...

ok I've spent the day reading through the posts on microphones....I've been out to some stores today and I've been asking more questions.

One mic keeps getting recommended is the
AUDIO TECHNICA, ATM33a CARDIOID

The price on this is £120

Also I've been looking at the
AUDIO TECHNICA, AT897 SHOTGUN CONDENSER

The price on this is £250

I'm wanting to mount this on the camera for interviews and in the future some boom work for acting inside and out. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me any reason not to go with the £120 ATM33a Cardioid??

Are shotguns just better in general? Even for one man operations.

I've posted footage from a short test between the two in the store.
http://www.outsideyourself.co.uk/Media/mic/mic.mov

Any help people could offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jeremy Ordan]

I'll answer your question, but for future reference, this should be posted in the audio section, because that would prevent people from asking the same questions again and again.

Now, onto your question.

For interview situations just get a lav mic. Sony as well as Audio Technica make a number of low cost entry level models that are hardwired and will work perfectly for your needs.

You do not want to use a shotgun indoors, and that Audio Technica cardiod mic, well that's crap.

If you are doing interviews indoors and need something camera mounted you are SOL. What you want is a lav that is hardwired. You can get them starting at $100usd.

Now if you have someone with you and you want to work off a boom, if you are working indoors then you can look at the Oktava MK012 (www.sound-room.com for $175). The max distance for this mic is about 36" (for any mic for that matter), so just keep that in mind.

If you read through the sound posts then you should have found a thread I started called 'Audio Tutorial Thread'. I break down almost every single shotgun microphone under $1000 from my non professional hands on experience with them. The 897 is not a microphone I recommend for situations that you are describing.

Hope this helps.