Need Help With Audio Kit | What is in your kit?

C

Centwo

Active member
Hello
I am new to audio and looking to get a bit in to it My budget is around $2000 - $2500
I have H4N I am running a Canon 5D.

Let me start with Lav Systems.
I am looking at Sennheiser EW 112 EW112 G3 Lav Omni Wireless Mic System Price $550.00
I am confused a bit about this
G3 Body Pack Diversity Receiver
G3 Body Pack Transmitter

For each transmitter do you need a second receiver or and you run 2 transmitter on 1 receiver ?
If you have more then 1 lav system do you get them on the same frequency?

Field Mixer
What is a good field mixer that is in a decent price range?
Azden FMX-32 3-Channel Portable Field Mixer any good??

Boom Mic

What would you go with a Sennheiser MKH-416 or NTG-3??
Or should I go with something like NTG-2 and my be something else to pick up different patterns?

Head Phone

I cant say I have done much research on them what is a good price point?
what model should I be looking for?

Should I sell the H4N and if so what recorder should I go with ?
If I am using the Lav System on set can I record up to 3 people on the H4N or only 2 people?

What gear do you guys use?
 
I'll start with your question regarding wireless:

You need a transmitter for each actor. You need a reciever for each transmitter. Each transmitter/reciever pair talks on a unique frequency. You can use additional recievers to send the signal to more than one place but you cannot send multiple transmitter to one reciever.

Now, to more generally answer your question:

I think most here (who are primarily sound guys/gals) would direct you away from Azden gear. The least expensive mixer I would recommend is the Sign Video ENG-44 which runs around $500. The next step up would the PSC Promix 3 at around the same price, and the PSC promix 6 at around $1,300. Most consider Sound Devices to be the defacto standard and the Sound Devices 302 mixer will set you back about $1,300 as well, and the prices go up from there.

For your budget, the NTG-3 will be a solid performer, but you'll need a hyper for most indoor work, and the low budget choice there is the Oktava MK-012. I'll be receiving a Avant CK-1 with hyper cap tomorrow and will post my evauation. This mic is a bargain at $150. I'll post again once I've put it thru it's paces and see how well it performs.

The H4N will support line-in from the mixer but only by using 1/4" TRS connectors to the inputs of the H4N. Plugging in XLRs into the H4N uses mic level signals. While there are far better and bag friendly recorders out there, the H4N, running line inputs shoudl get you started just fine.

You'll also need a decent boom pole, shock mount, and wind protection. Expect to spend from $500-$1000 for these 3 items. It does no good to have a great mic, and then stick it on the end of a painter's pole (which transmits all kind of mechanical handing noise to the mic) and have wind destroy your capture.

It looks like I just spend your $2000 and we haven't talked wireless yet. I'd strongly consider renting wireless when you need it. You'd be surprised how much can and is done with a boom mic.

Regarding what's in my bag:

Mixer: PSC Alphamix
Recorder: Tascam 680
Shotguns: Sennheiser ME-80, MKH-70
Hyper: AKG CK-93, Avantone CK-1
Wireless: 3 channels Sennheiser G3
Lavs: Tram TR-50, AST 801s, Sennheiser MKE2
Headphones: M-Audio IE-30 in-ears
Boom Pole: Gitzo, K-tek Avalon
Aspen 4 slot ROQ-4 charger, 4 Frezzi NPX-2 batteries
 
If you don't need more than 2 channels, the Sound Devices Mixpre is basically the go-to starter mixer, should be around $650.
 
you can always look for used gear.

i've got a 4 channel mixer kit that i just posted up for sale that could be a great start. and if you don't want the ENG beta cable i could knock some $ off.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?233272-PSC-M4-mkII-ENG-mixer-kit

good thing about the PSC mixers is that you can change the xlr outputs from line to mic. i used to use a zoom h4 with my kit and it was a great setup.

but as of now my kit is:
mixer: PSC M4 mkII
recorder: fostex fr2le
shotgun: mkh60 and rode ntg1
hyper: oktava mk012
wireless: 1 lectrosonics 211 and 2 sennheiser G2s
lavs: tram tr50, countryman b6 and sanken cos11
headphones: sony 7506 and bose
boom pole: ktek 152cc 12' and the other cheap ktek 8'

if/when i sell my mixer i'll be getting the sound devices 552

and i'd also recommend the ntg3 for its price:performance. but you def need a hyper mic. i've had great results with my oktava. you can pick one of from the sound room for less than $300. but i'd really try stretch the budget a bit to get a decent boom, mounting and wind protection. with the ntg3 the rode blimp is a good purchase. and you can always pull the blimp cover off if you don't need it to have a good shockmount for your gun. the rycote invision shockmount is great for the oktava and is like $70.
 
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