Prioritizing the DVX audio package equipment list

B

briones1

Active member
I've got a decent shotgun mic (audio technica 4073) which I often use with a boom and overall I have been pretty happy with audio capture but I recognize how critical good audio is and am wondering about people's perspectives on what the most important priorities are in terms of adding to the audio tool-kit. I suppose that the priority is ultimately driven by recording requirements, but I seem to have a mix of requirements:

- Outdoors, I'm in in often windy conditions so the zep seems like a must.
- Indoors the shotgun seems a bit tinny so an alternative mic seems to be an important addition to the tool-kit
- The xlr straight into the camera seems to lack the control of a pre, so that seems like a must have
- For narrative, wireless lavs

I've read Ken Stone's excellent article on the topic but thought I'd solicit other thoughts in terms of how to sequence the purchases, as I am constrained to pick up things one piece at a time...
 
I would say
k-tek k-zepp $325
akg blueline with ck93 hyper cardioid capsule $350
Sound Devices 302 Mixer $1200
Add wireless later (or rent if you really need it).
 
Thanks - good advice.
I probably will get the zepp first because I've had to deal with some rough wind issues to date.
So you would put the hyper cardiod ahead of the mixer. Is that a solid indoor mic?
I've heard great things about the Sound Devices mixer as well.
 
Thats a great indoor mic. All of Sane's list is fantastic actually. I'd go for the hyper before the mixer if you have to choose. Like Mike said, just get wireless when you need it. I'd take a boom first any day, but thats not always doable.
 
the at4073a is a great shotgun for the money, but it isn't well known as a "do it all" mic. It can give you trouble in interiors with lots of hard surfaces. The only shotgun with a reputation of working well in interiors is the Sanken CS3e and that is $1300. As is often said here it is good to have a number of mics for different situations.

I would find a way to get the SD302 ASAP, it makes a HUGE difference in the quality of sound as well as the control. I honestly don't see how you can work without one...sorry.

Jeff:
Thanks for backing me up! You rock!
 
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great advice - now I've just got to decide between the 302 and the zep in terms of what comes first... hmmm. I have the boom pole and use it all the time.
This has been super helpful - thx
 
But if you HAVE to choose - I'd go for the zep. Having the levels on the camera is just a huge pain, but getting rid of wind gusts will ruin your audio. But yeah get both if you can make it happen.
 
Cool - one last q: what's the true sweet spot for the ck93? In other words, under what conditions is that mic really right? It sounds like this is the mic that will resolve my indoor "tinny" sound on the AT mic but where else do you find yourself using it?

I'm looking forward to hearing the dif and thanks again.
 
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