need last minute mic rental advice

ian lucero

ian lucero

Well-known member
Here's what I got going on in 2 days:

Traditional Jewish Wedding

2 cameras - XL1s and DVX100a

Wireless Guitar system - Audio-Technica Digital Reference DR-2500 UHF
Wireless 10 channel (to be used with lavalier mics)

Digital Mixer to Powerbook(via firewire) and MD(via analog for backup) to capture audio

----

So what I need to rent are the lav mics. I'll be renting them from Bexel(Seattle). Here's what they have for choices:

LAVALIER MICROPHONES

Audio Technica AT831 Hypercardioid Microphone $15

Senn MKE-2 Mini Omni Microphone for Wireless Transmitter (red dot) $15

Senn MKE-2 Mini Omni Microphone w/XLR Power Supply $25

Sony ECM-66B Cardioid Microphone $15

Sony ECM-77B Mini Omni Microphone w/o Power Supply $15

Sony ECM-77B Mini Omni Microphone w/Power Supply $25

Tram TR-50B Mini Omni Microphone for wireless transmitter w/o Power Supply $15

Tram TR-50B Mini Omni Microphone w/TR-79 Power Supply $25

---

Also will want one short shot-gun ME66 (to be mounted onto DVX) which Bexel has too cause that's the shortest they have.

any suggestions on what to get? on this set-up(especially I'm not familiar with the DR-2500). Will this wireless system work with these mic choices?


Thanks for the suggestions.
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

If it's a wireless guitar system, then the transmitters are going to have 1/4" female phone jacks--which is a problem.  For lavs, I'd normally recommend the Senn MKE-2 or the Trams, without the powerpacks--because a wireless *mic* system will supply the correct voltage to the lavs.  However, a wireless guitar transmitter is probably not going to supply any mic power, even if you could rig up some cable adapters.  Also, the receiver is probably going to be large and may require AC power. Bottom line--you need a wireless *mic* system.
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

I talked to the guy who is letting me borrow the 'wireless' system and it turns out that you could get lav mics for this and connect it to the same transmitter via a 4 pin connection. Upon realizing this, we called Bexel to find out if they have a mic with this type of connection to use with this pack (which runs on 9volt). They said they don't.

While it is true that the wireless receiver will need to be plugged into the wall for power, I may be connecting this to a mixer --> laptop to record so I won't need it to be connected to the DVX.

Guitar Center, which is where my friend bought this unit, says they have the lavalier for $40. It might be horrible sounding. Who knows. The wedding is kinda low-budget and I don't think i have time to learn or mess with unfamiliar gear. Though i need to learn what works in what situation, this particular gig might not be the time to do it.

My options at this point is to get the $40 lav from guitar center, that my friend will buy off of me in the future, and see what results i can get with that. At the same time use a Stereo Mic between the Bride/Groom and Rabbi, mounted close to the ground on a small mic stand so the cameras don't catch it (it would be connected straight to the MD). And then rely on the onboard mics of the XL1s and DVX to catch other sound. I may still use the ME66 for going around and catching interviews also to catch other Blessings and toasts made by numerous other people.

Does anyone see anything wrong with this set-up aside from the obvious - lower-quality sound (than what i was expecting)? Do you think I'll be able to catch sound pretty decently? The one thing at this point I'm worried about is the Stereo mic being in the way.

Thanks for any help.
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

Lots of questions here.  How good is the "stereo mic"?  You're asking for bad sound by putting it close to the floor.  Put it on a nice mic stand in front of the rabbi.  You could also use your ME66 into the MD.  Definitely use the ME66 for the interviews--if you had a helper booming that would be great, but on-camera will do in a pinch.  Well, a $40 lav is not going to be fantastic, but your options are limited so you might as well go for it and mic the rabbi. You seem, ahhh, a bit unprepared. ???
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

Yeah I am a bit unprepared. Had the audio for video class that I signed-up for happened then I'd at least know what to use. But it got cancelled and here I am. I just got the DVX 2 weeks ago and have been practicing lots on it.

I figure at this point the audio I capture with the knowledge I have now will be better than what I've had in the past.

I have an audio friend that might be able to help with other types of mics. We'll see. I'll be experimenting tomorrow.

My next purchases will be better audio gear. I don't own the ME66 but will rent it from Bexel as that is the shortest shotgun they have.

Thanks for the info.
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

I've got the trams and the mke2 red and I prefer the sound of the mke2 over the trams... both sound pretty good, but the trams are more open and less warm... the mke2 has more of an "intimate" sound to it.

If you're also using an me66 it may not matter to much in the mix... but I just thought I'd let you know.
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

[quote author=Matt in STL link=board=audio;num=1092075271;start=0#5 date=08/10/04 at 06:30:05]

If you're also using an me66 it may not matter to much in the mix... but I just thought I'd let you know.[/quote]

So what your saying is I can pretty much get away with the external stereo mic on the DVX to capture voice/interview stuff in this environment? I picture this wedding being rowdy at some point or busy that sounds will be coming from everywhere, band, dancing, screaming, hooting, etc. and needed some kind of mic to cut through that. I'm aware that there are better shotguns but for some reason Bexel only carries Sennheisers and that their shortest one is the ME66. I won't have a boom operator as that might add to the mix of chaos. Having to worry about a sound person being stepped on or a pole hitting a party goer would suck. But maybe if the party was drunk enough it might not matter...
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

Ian--use the ME66 mounted on the camera for interviews. It's not ideal, but it will be much better than the built-in mics. Make sure you get an on-camera shockmount when you rent the ME66.
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

Did you ask the folks at Bexel? They should be able to hook you up with exactly what you need if you tell them what you are doing. If they blow you off, then rent from somewhere else.

I would use Trams wired for the wireless system. If you want to be able to plug a guitar into the transmitter, you will need a cable made that goes from female quarter inch to whatever the input connector is on the transmitter. We do that all the time. Pretty simple.

-Dave
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

dont miss the glass or they woudnt pay you :-)
my weading was shot by 6 different peope ( friends of mine )that were to drunk or stoned to push the record button
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

[quote author=oleg link=board=audio;num=1092075271;start=0#9 date=08/10/04 at 11:03:50]dont miss the glass or they woudnt pay you :-)
my weading was shot by 6 different peope  ( friends of mine )that were to drunk or stoned to push the record button [/quote]

Ok that just confirms how crazy this jewish wedding is going to be. I'm pretty excited. This will be my first. I've looked up what will be going on at a traditional jewish wedding and i'm digging it so far. I'll make sure to get the glass and the "Mazaltov!!" But I have one question... do i have to follow them into the Chedar Yichud? ::)

Here's what I ended up getting from this really great rental house in seattle called Victory Studios located a mile south of the Ballard Bridge. Check them out if you are in town.

ME66 w/ windscreen $25
2 Lectrosonics 190 $60 (he hooked me up 2 for 1)

i'm off to test it out with our digital mixer that'll go straight to powerbook.

wish me luck on this shoot!

thanks for all the help everybody.
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

is it hasisdic weading (ortodox ) ? cheder yehood -:)
the 190 are nice , one on the groom , one on the raby (later put it on the father of one of the familias ), there probably would be hand mike with the pa so you can record it as well,
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

Thanks for the suggestions everybody. The wedding was a blast. I was quite impressed by how the Jewish community do weddings. I was raised Catholic (now non-practicing) and their weddings pale in comparison. But anyway....

Here's what we ended up using for equipment, if anyone was curious:

rented from Victory Studios in Ballard
• 1 Lectrosonics Wireless Lav system (actually rented 2 but ended up using just 1 because the Rabi refused to use one, luckily Victory Studios rented the second Lav for FREE!) $60

• 1 Sennheiser ME66 short shot-gun $25

rented from 911media.org
• 2 4 hour DVX batteries and charger $20

borrowed from friend
• 1 15" powerbook
• 1 MINI I/O "MIO" portable digital mixer
• Audio Technica AT825 Stereo Mic
This is how the all audio was captured. Using the MIO mixer software
routed to Logic Pro to record at 24bit. Had a MD recording analog just in case.

2nd shooter
• XL1s

from me
• DVX100a
• AT822 stereo mic
• old ass Kenwood MD
• a sandwhich, 2 cans of redbull, and 2 bottles of water

now off to edit this sucka...
 
Re: need last minute mic rental advice

The celebration lasted a little longer than our stomachs could take and it seemed like food wasn't gonna come anytime soon. It is a good thing a brought a huge sandwhich for me and my buddy. And we had drinks in the cooler. But when we got back to the reception they were all sitting down to dinner and it smelled really good. Fish mmmmm....

this place was pretty amazing with a beautiful view that people in Seattle don't get to see all the time. You can see the entire Olympic mountain range and tiny Seattle. This place beautiful but tiny.

maybe i'll put some shots up soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top