need a mic
- Thread starter Dave_Fisk
- Start date
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
Dave_Fisk said:
This just became my new favorite thread of all time just because of who posted the question.
-Jeremy
wabbit
Evil has Ears
No fair padding the stats. David took 24 days in my pool to see how many days it would take to have the "cheap mic" question re-asked 20 times.
Play fair now, or at least sign on under a new name if you are trying to rig the contest :happy:
BTW Jeremy, does Yankee know you are stealing his avatar?
Cheers
Play fair now, or at least sign on under a new name if you are trying to rig the contest :happy:
BTW Jeremy, does Yankee know you are stealing his avatar?
Cheers
ScoobySounds
Well-known member
I just wanted my 164th post to be my most inconsequential one yet.
Thanks for listening.
Thanks for listening.
timapter said:
make sure it is mounted on the camera for best sound. (search function works well for learning how to tell audio jokes as well) I think I am getting the hang of this.
And Wabbit, don't think I am not going to start counting the real ones. I choose 60 days. (my showing of faith in humanity)
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The best possible mic to use is obviously the one that came with your camera. - after all, it's been specially chosen and configured by the manufacturer to give the best possible results with your particular model. Most newer cameras are even equipped with stereo microphones to maximize that real life feel. Plus, you all ready have it - doesn't get any cheaper than that.
Dialogue is easy - camera mics are designed to point wherever the camera aims, so simply aim at your subject when they're talking. If they are hard to hear, it's usually because of background noise or other people talking at the same time. Tell 'em to talk louder. If they don't get it, tell 'em to pretend they're ordering a beer (That'll make you sound like a real Director). Then you can tell everyone else to shut up and be quiet too.
If this doesn't work because of things like planes, parties or your jackass neighbor mowing his lawn, you can copy an idea from the pros. They use these really cool looking expensive "shotgun" mics to block unwanted sound from the side or rear.
You can duplicate this for a hell of a lot less. Simply take a small cardboard tube (toilet paper rolls work great) and fit it over the top of your camera's microphone. Secure it with a little duct tape and you're good to go. If you get a lot of wind noise, simply wrap it in foam or bubble wrap. You can even spray paint it black for that "professional" look.
If you have a LOT of noise, no big deal, simply use a longer tube. This also gives voices a great resonant quality so they sound more like professional actors. You have to be careful though - if you shoot cross (90 degrees) to the wind, your camera may suddenly sound like it's having an orgasm. It's just the end of the tube vibrating - shift your position slightly. If this still doesn't work, I want to come to your party.
If you're planning a trip to the beach or somewhere else that's really windy, you can steal another real pro trick. Remember watching all those talking heads on TV in the middle of a hurricane? Remember the mics they were using? Keep an eye out for a dead cat as you drive around town. If possible pick one with really long hair. Fur is your friend. Skin it and save the hide. You can either bury the rest or rub it on your tires to attract more cats. DO NOT leave it in your girlfriends freezer. Detailed instructions on the furry windscreen for your tube shotgun to follow.
Dialogue is easy - camera mics are designed to point wherever the camera aims, so simply aim at your subject when they're talking. If they are hard to hear, it's usually because of background noise or other people talking at the same time. Tell 'em to talk louder. If they don't get it, tell 'em to pretend they're ordering a beer (That'll make you sound like a real Director). Then you can tell everyone else to shut up and be quiet too.
If this doesn't work because of things like planes, parties or your jackass neighbor mowing his lawn, you can copy an idea from the pros. They use these really cool looking expensive "shotgun" mics to block unwanted sound from the side or rear.
You can duplicate this for a hell of a lot less. Simply take a small cardboard tube (toilet paper rolls work great) and fit it over the top of your camera's microphone. Secure it with a little duct tape and you're good to go. If you get a lot of wind noise, simply wrap it in foam or bubble wrap. You can even spray paint it black for that "professional" look.
If you have a LOT of noise, no big deal, simply use a longer tube. This also gives voices a great resonant quality so they sound more like professional actors. You have to be careful though - if you shoot cross (90 degrees) to the wind, your camera may suddenly sound like it's having an orgasm. It's just the end of the tube vibrating - shift your position slightly. If this still doesn't work, I want to come to your party.
If you're planning a trip to the beach or somewhere else that's really windy, you can steal another real pro trick. Remember watching all those talking heads on TV in the middle of a hurricane? Remember the mics they were using? Keep an eye out for a dead cat as you drive around town. If possible pick one with really long hair. Fur is your friend. Skin it and save the hide. You can either bury the rest or rub it on your tires to attract more cats. DO NOT leave it in your girlfriends freezer. Detailed instructions on the furry windscreen for your tube shotgun to follow.
Hmm this is a tough BUT INTERESTING QUESTION. Do you have a mic for your computer? What I usually do is put my laptop in a backpack on the sound guy. Then I tape the computer mic to some bamboo (long bit) .... this ensures you get great quality by getting close to the subject. hat I did though was pull some que tips apart and glue the fuzzy bits to the mic and sprayed it black...
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
I think we know that all pros go wireless:
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
Let's see a show of hands... how many people are asked this question in PMs?
I get the question all the time... I mean AT LEAST once per week... I want to be known as a really nice and helpful guy, but it's funny how so many people flat out refuse to read any of the sticky threads.
I've backed off with the audio board a bit for this reason... I love helping people but what's a nice way to tell a person that they are being really lazy?
Recently a nice guy gave me a really long PM explaining his background and that he was going to be doing independent film in another country... and I enjoy talking to people through PMs once I know they've done a little research... but the end of the PM asks what he should buy for all his lighting and sound equipment... and how to get the best results with it.
How do you answer that? I said that's like asking me to type a book that only HE will read...
The best argument I've heard for asking the exact same mic questions over and over again is that there's new gear coming out all the time so the older threads aren't valid because equipment has changed. (I just realized I'm overdue to get a full report on the THE mic... one of the few new mics out in the last few years.)
For a minute there I thought somebody registered/stole Dave's name... I looked at the name and the subject and said WTF!? D'oh... now I get it.
I get the question all the time... I mean AT LEAST once per week... I want to be known as a really nice and helpful guy, but it's funny how so many people flat out refuse to read any of the sticky threads.
I've backed off with the audio board a bit for this reason... I love helping people but what's a nice way to tell a person that they are being really lazy?
Recently a nice guy gave me a really long PM explaining his background and that he was going to be doing independent film in another country... and I enjoy talking to people through PMs once I know they've done a little research... but the end of the PM asks what he should buy for all his lighting and sound equipment... and how to get the best results with it.
How do you answer that? I said that's like asking me to type a book that only HE will read...
The best argument I've heard for asking the exact same mic questions over and over again is that there's new gear coming out all the time so the older threads aren't valid because equipment has changed. (I just realized I'm overdue to get a full report on the THE mic... one of the few new mics out in the last few years.)
For a minute there I thought somebody registered/stole Dave's name... I looked at the name and the subject and said WTF!? D'oh... now I get it.
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
I'll raise my hand for the one to five times a week I get asked the exact same audio / microphone question. I think that everything is in the sticky thread... but that doesn't change that this is a great thread.
-Jeremy
-Jeremy
bartoy
Active member
As a newcomer to the forum, I just want to give a big thanks to all of the folks who have put so much great information up here. It has taken a bunch of time and effort and good will to create such a compedium of knowledge. With a little search, I was able to get information on just about every type of equipment that I needed. I will admit that I did have a few PMs and a post or two to try to flesh out some other questions. I hope that I didn't come across as rude, ignorant or otherwise.
But, thank you to all the gurus. You all are amazing.
Sorry for the ounce of good cheer. Wish it could be 12 ounces with another ounce of something Irish. God bless the boilermaker!
Kevin.
But, thank you to all the gurus. You all are amazing.
Sorry for the ounce of good cheer. Wish it could be 12 ounces with another ounce of something Irish. God bless the boilermaker!
Kevin.
Dave_Fisk
Well-known member
Matt,
When people ask me stuff like that, I just tell them to talk to their local retailers. I used to get questions like that all the time when I worked at Coffey Sound, and it's a tough one to answer, but my first reply is usually, "what's your budget, and have you dealt with any of this stuff before". From there, I know where to go. What I've found with people who don't know anything about the gear, but do know their budget, is that they don't want to know everything about sound, they just want you to tell them what gear they need. I found that once I get into the nitty gritty about pick up patterns and frequency response with people that know nothing about that stuff, I just confuse them more.
So anyway, I need the best cheap mic out there. Preferebly under $100.
-Dave
When people ask me stuff like that, I just tell them to talk to their local retailers. I used to get questions like that all the time when I worked at Coffey Sound, and it's a tough one to answer, but my first reply is usually, "what's your budget, and have you dealt with any of this stuff before". From there, I know where to go. What I've found with people who don't know anything about the gear, but do know their budget, is that they don't want to know everything about sound, they just want you to tell them what gear they need. I found that once I get into the nitty gritty about pick up patterns and frequency response with people that know nothing about that stuff, I just confuse them more.
So anyway, I need the best cheap mic out there. Preferebly under $100.
-Dave