Hi all, I have a Panasonic DVX100A, and I'm looking to add a lavalier mic and a camera mounted shotgun mic to the setup. My budget is modest by audio standards - around $700 for both. They'll be used in making documentary with interviews in all kinds of conditions. Can I get some advice on how to get the best bang for my buck with my budget? Thanks!
Need to Buy Lav and Shotgun Mics - Advice Needed
- Thread starter verb1
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JordanBlock
Well-known member
Check out the stickies at the top of the board, tons of great info in there. Don't forget all the required accessories (GOOD headphones, boom, shock mount, wind protection, cables, etc
etc.) If you're going on-cam (basically never advised) you still need pretty much all the accessories.
At your stated budget, you're not going to be able to run the Lav wireless, but you can get good hardwired lavs under $200, plus the price of cables.
etc.) If you're going on-cam (basically never advised) you still need pretty much all the accessories.
At your stated budget, you're not going to be able to run the Lav wireless, but you can get good hardwired lavs under $200, plus the price of cables.
I'll second Jordan. These same questions are asked - and discussed - daily. use the search function at the top of the page.
I will note, however, that $700 may not get everything you want if by lavaliere you mean "with a wireless system." If you are talking about a hard-wired lav, then it can be done.
I will note, however, that $700 may not get everything you want if by lavaliere you mean "with a wireless system." If you are talking about a hard-wired lav, then it can be done.
Steve House
Veteran
Think twice before going with a camera mounted shotgun for anything other than general ambient sounds. They rarely are suitable for interviews and nothing will kill a doco's acceptance faster than poor quality sound. The audience will forgive marginal pictures but never unintelligable sound.
I can't do a boom mic since I don't have a dedicated audio person. Hence the need for a mounted shotgun mic. I've heard recommendations for the Sennheiser G2 system, which runs about $550. The bottom line is, I have limitations, and I need to do the best I can within my means. So if anyone has recommendations of the best things I can get within budget, I'd appreciate it.
JordanBlock
Well-known member
It's important to remember that shotgun mics aren't 'telescopic lenses for sound', so if you are limited to going on-camera, then you've got to be in very close to your subject.
VideoMaker has an older article about this (just ignore their recommendation of Azden gear).
The G2 is the least expensive wireless system that most of us on the board would consider using in any sort of professional capacity, and even then, the stock mic tends to be discarded for something better.
So even if you do get a G2 and go with the stock lav, you're down to under $150 left in your budget. The cheapest decent shotgun I can think of is the AT 875, that runs around $200. Then you need a shockmount (say $50), good headphones (MDR7506's are $100), and some miscellaneous cables and such (budget $50).
The 'accessories' are easy to forget, but they're just as important as the mics.
VideoMaker has an older article about this (just ignore their recommendation of Azden gear).
The G2 is the least expensive wireless system that most of us on the board would consider using in any sort of professional capacity, and even then, the stock mic tends to be discarded for something better.
So even if you do get a G2 and go with the stock lav, you're down to under $150 left in your budget. The cheapest decent shotgun I can think of is the AT 875, that runs around $200. Then you need a shockmount (say $50), good headphones (MDR7506's are $100), and some miscellaneous cables and such (budget $50).
The 'accessories' are easy to forget, but they're just as important as the mics.
Are you talking about a lav? Cardioid lavs are hard to find, but they're out there... and they're not worth considering unless your interview subject is in a neck brace or has one of those medical "halo" contraptions on his/her head.
Omni lavs are the only way to go.
Steve House
Veteran
And why can't you partner up with someone who can serve as a dedicated audio person? I can't imagine there's no one in your circle of friends or associates who would be willing to work with you. There's a limit to the number of things you can attend to at once before it becomes impossible to maintain quality with any of them.
Shotguns are normally very poor performers indoors because of the way they respond to the mix of direct sound and reflections typically present in such an environment. A peculiar ringing resonance making the speech sound like it was recorded in a culvert or down in a well is the normal result of attempting to use a 'gun indoors in a normal space. Hypercardioids don't have that problem because of the different acoustic principles they employ and are the mic of choice for interiors. A popular entry level budget hyper is the Oktava M012.
Directional mics, be they shotgun or hyper, need to be aimed directly at the mouth and chest of the person speaking from no more than about 24 to 36 inches away. If you're looking to get a top quality recording this means the mic can't just be pointed in their general direction but rather has to be aimed precisely and constantly shifted as the subjects moves or the conversation flows from one speaker to the other.
As C2V alluded to, cardioid lavs are pretty much restricted to sound reinforcement applications where control of feedback is an over-riding issue. Omni's present far fewer problems with the subject going on and off mic as they move their heads normally and so are the standard for film and video work.
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I realize trying to do everything myself is crazy, but getting a group of three (a cameraman, an interviewer, and a boom operator) people who're dependable and trustworthy isn't easy in my circle. However, I'm beginning to rethink my process. Maybe I'll hold off on the group interviews until I'm done with the one-on-ones, which I'll do with a wireless lav (The G2 seems to be the best thing in my price class). Then, once I'm ready for group interviews, I'll either invest in a nice directional or I'll rent. So, can the folks here recommend a decent directional boom mic for group interviews? Something in the $400-500 range?
JordanBlock
Well-known member
mainstreetprod
Veteran
If you want a good hyper for indoors, this is probably the most for the least right now:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...er-Microphone?sku=275046&src=3WBZ4DS&ZYXSEM=0
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...er-Microphone?sku=275046&src=3WBZ4DS&ZYXSEM=0
Would this be good for mounting to an overhood boom and recording group interviews?
JordanBlock
Well-known member
That is a perfectly decent hyper, but trying to pull off a group interview on a fixed boom isn't going to go particularly well, regardless of the mic you use. Sorry it keeps getting repeated, but it doesn't get less true.
JordanBlock
Well-known member
"Best" and "Cheapest" are NOT synonyms.
You want cheapest? Just hand over a stick mic to your interviewees and have them pass it around.
I said cheapish, not cheapest, meaning the best process to do group interviews within my means. I can do a max of $500 for another mic. I know I won't get a top notch mic for that, but it shoud be enough for something decent...right? Passing a mic around isn't an option, since I want to capture the interactions between people.
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
Lavs should be omni... now if you're talking a small group indoors, a hyper-cardioid is the way to go. I picked up a Rode NT3 for a couple hundred bucks and was surprized at how nice it is for just such work.
http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=NT3
You can also get deals from DVXuser sponsors like: http://www.dvcreators.net/dvxuser-deals/
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