Microtrack II + NTG-1

R

Ryan McCarvill

Well-known member
Hey Guys,

I have recently moved from a DVX100 to a DSLR with external sound. I haven't shot external sound for about 8 or 9 years (back then it was mini disk). Anyway I purchased a Microtrack II for $150 on BH which seemed like a good bargain, but I am at a bit of a loss about what I should spend the rest of my budget on. Eventually I would like to get something like a Juicedlink as a preamp because the Microtrack's seem to be horrendous but at this stage I can only buy a good mic or a preamp and not both. Anyway I was wondering if the output from the NTG-1 under the Microtarck II's (48v) phantom power was good enough that it's usable (for the time being) without too much amplification.

Otherwise it might be a Juicedlink and a $50 microphone as stage one. And A better Mike for stage 2.
 
From what I understand, battery life can be an issue with the Microtrack, so you might be better looking at the NTG-2 and running the mic on battery instead of phantom to extend the run time of the recorder.

Don't bother with cheaper mics. The NTG-1/2 and the AT875 are pretty much the least expensive you can go and still get a decent mic.
 
Thanks Jordan,

I can always get a USB booster, but your right I was concerned about the battery life. The NTG-2 is only $50 (NZD) more than the 1 so I suppose I should get it.

So without a pre-amp if I can get an NTG within a few meters of the subject at all time I should be getting good enough sound without relying too much on the Microtrack's amps?

Unfortunately I live in New Zealand the market is reasonably small so its not always possible to test these devices (I have asked on a few NZ forums if anyone in my area has one they can lend for a day).
 
Steve House said:
The normal working distance of a shotgun mic like the NTG-1 when recording dialog would be approximately 50 to 60 centimetres.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. On previous shorts I guess the boom has been a token gesture, done by whoever was free on set. We usually boom as close as we can either above or below frame - so I guess 50 - 150 cm.

What do you use for shots that aren't a closeup? Lavs? Just adr it?

Thanks
 
RyanMc said:
That's interesting. On previous shorts I guess the boom has been a token gesture, done by whoever was free on set. We usually boom as close as we can either above or below frame - so I guess 50 - 150 cm.

What do you use for shots that aren't a closeup? Lavs? Just adr it?

Thanks
Click to expand...
You usually don't show a lot of air above the talent in medium and closeup shots where dialog would be recorded so booming just above the upper frameline should usually be possible. Even longer shots usually don't show a lot of air in the top of the frame. Side frameline clearance is more of an issue than top clearance in longer shots and that's why booms used in features can sometimes run more than 20 feet in length. Long shots where you can't get a boom close enough without intruding into the frame, lavs and plant mics are used.

Handing off the boom operator role to anyone handy is a major causes of compromised sound in a lot of indys. Done properly, booming is a task that requires a high level of skill, technical knowledge, and physical endurance. Ops need to know sound recording technology, acoustics, the characterisitics of the various mics that are called for and how their timbre changes with distance and aiming, and they need to know and rehearse the script and scene blocking as well as the cast and camera crews do. Feature industry boom ops often make an entire career of their specialty and are well paid. The boom op is far more than just a living mic stand.
 
All good info - thanks for that.

So from my reasearch the NTG-2 has quite a hot output and should be good enough to plug into the Microtrack II without too much amplification needed. However I was wondering if I would get better quality (and less noise) if I get the Azden SGM-1X shotgun and Rolls MX34b which work out as $10 more than the NTG-2 itself.

I have read that the Azden is slightly worse than the NTG-2 but it is noticable.

I haven't read much about the Rolls at all.
 
Well I suppose that settles it then NTG-2 into the Microtrack (with its noisy amps) until money arrives for a mixer or I manage to borrow one for all my shoots.
 
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