Recommand me a documentary microphone

Ironman

Active member
Budget is really not a problem as I will end up renting them.

I own a NTG-2 and plan to get H4N to record.

In a indoor interviews, what do you recommend?

I notice interviewees wear a microphone on their shirt/blazer. What kind of microphone is that?
 
The wearable mic is called a lavaliere mic, or lav. That's probably your best bet for sit down interviews where the mic doesn't need to be hidden. Otherwise the hypercardioid mentioned is your next best bet.
 
Hey Chadfish, I bought a 4053a, evidently just before the new model came out. What is the improvement in the B? Ever heard an a/b comparison?
 
Hey Chadfish, I bought a 4053a, evidently just before the new model came out. What is the improvement in the B? Ever heard an a/b comparison?

Not sure on that. Just do a google on "AT4053a vs AT4053b" and see what comes up. Post your findings too so we all know!

Sorry I couldn't help.
 
The mic. on the shirt is a tie mic. Americans call it a "Lav" or "Lavalier" mic., but it is not, strictly speaking, a Lavalier at all as a Lavalier microphone is a microphone that hangs around your neck on a cord. A true Lavalier was popular in the 1950's and '60's but fell out of favour as small tie microphones became popular.

The best mic. for interviews is a hand-held omni and you see this used quite often - though most reporters I have seen using a hand mic. on TV have no idea at all how to use a hand mic.

Another way is to use a directional mic. on a table stand or on a pole.

Either of these alternatives will normally give better sound than a tie mic.
 
Well I always prefer dual audio recording on just about anything I do.

If its unimportant that the interviewer is heard, I would use a wired lav such as the SOny ECM88 or Sanken COS11, and then use a static boom with a hypercardioid.
 
I'd go with both a lav and a boom. If you're renting, see what you local rental house in-stock and chat with them about your scenario. Your NTG-2 will do a sufficient job if positioned properly, the rental house will probably have a Shoeps CMC6U or a Sennheiser MKH-60. Those will sound a bit better.

Typically what I have in my bag of tricks for something like this is a Sanken COS11D and RODE NTG-3 or Audio Technica 4053 depending on the environment. I'd run hardwired if possible, if their is a chance that they'll be moving about Sennheiser Evolution G3 wireless. For seated, hardwired is best. Let the editor pick between the tracks in post, during the slate you might want to mention what mic is what so the editor knows that the tracks are different mics.


This video might help too:

 
I think a boom mic should be used unless impractical. Dual micing kind of defeats the purpose of hiding the lav.

Yes, you can put a lav under clothing but the quality of sound is reduced.

Just a year ago I was a big fan of lav mics. I bought one of the best ones (Sanken COS-11) and do like the sound. But when I butt it up against the sound of my SDC mic that is modified to sound like a Neumann KM 84 the SDC wins every time. Plus the SDC mic is cheaper. The make/model/where I got it modified is my little secret but if you search around I know you can find it.

I still use the Sanken though...when the boom mic is impractical. I also bring it to every interview shoot as a backup. If need be I will "boom the lav mic", LOL! I'll clip it to the mic clip of the boom arm so it's out of the shot. I will never sell it.

Look at the modern documentary on the History Channel, A&E, Discovery, 60 Minutes, Dateline, etc. Boom mics are used. Lavaliers can be distracting and they don't sound as good (small diaphragm, close to the chest) as a boom mic.
 
Adam,

The point of dual mics is if your boom op misses something, you'll have the lav track for backup in post.

Grant
 
Adam,

The point of dual mics is if your boom op misses something, you'll have the lav track for backup in post.

Grant

Gotcha. My boom mic is usually just on a mic stand...sans operator. The OP was asking about indoor interview mics. So if the mic stand misses something it'll be FIRED! </sarcasm>

But yes if you're doing handheld action with a boom op dual micing is the best option.
 
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