Shotgun mic for camera
- Thread starter junkyj
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MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
Re: Shotgun mic for camera
The absolute best on-cam shotgun is going to be either a CS1, AT4073a, or Mkh416... all are very small compared to other shotguns and are of professional quality and sound.
As I've listed them they are in order of size from smallest to longest. The CS1 is a GREAT on-cam mic with incredible side and rear rejection and it's TINY.
The 4073a sounds great and is the most sensitive of the lot.
The 416 is perhaps the best sounding of these 3, but it's also the longest and heaviest... and the most expensive.
If you're looking at a very low budget and you can afford the support gear... as in mount and Rycote BBG... then I'd recommend an Oktava Mk012/Mc012 with a hyper-cardioid cap. Available from www.sound-room.com for $195. But without proper wind/shock protection... forget it.
The absolute best on-cam shotgun is going to be either a CS1, AT4073a, or Mkh416... all are very small compared to other shotguns and are of professional quality and sound.
As I've listed them they are in order of size from smallest to longest. The CS1 is a GREAT on-cam mic with incredible side and rear rejection and it's TINY.
The 4073a sounds great and is the most sensitive of the lot.
The 416 is perhaps the best sounding of these 3, but it's also the longest and heaviest... and the most expensive.
If you're looking at a very low budget and you can afford the support gear... as in mount and Rycote BBG... then I'd recommend an Oktava Mk012/Mc012 with a hyper-cardioid cap. Available from www.sound-room.com for $195. But without proper wind/shock protection... forget it.
Re: Shotgun mic for camera
Have any of you folks used the 418? I'm thinking about it because of the stereo, but I also wondered about using M/S stereo with the 100a. How would you handle that?
Thanks - I screwed up earlier and posted a similar question in the wrong forum. Sorry about that.
Milt Lee
http://realrez.com
Have any of you folks used the 418? I'm thinking about it because of the stereo, but I also wondered about using M/S stereo with the 100a. How would you handle that?
Thanks - I screwed up earlier and posted a similar question in the wrong forum. Sorry about that.
Milt Lee
http://realrez.com
Re: Shotgun mic for camera
Well, for news (ENG) the standard is the sennheiser me66 that with the power capsule will cost you around 400 bucks, I have recently purchased the sanken cs1 and it is smaller and has a beautifull warm sound. also, I would stay away from azden stuff, it's great for the hobbyist but they are plastic and just don't cut it in my opinion. The same can be said for thier wireless stuff, if you need wireless I would go for lectrosonics all the way, it's not cheap but you can get them used (be sure to check the lectro site for frequency block info for your area, this will insure local tv stations won't interfere with the signal). The next step down in wireless would be the sennheiser ENG kits. the come with a cube transmitter a cam mount reciever and a lav pack with a low end lav. (you can purchase a better lav for a couple hundred bucks like a sony ecm77) also the sennheiser stuff is made of metal like the lectro stuff, and comes in 3 frequency ranges for the US and two for Europe. I have been working with sound in tv news for five years and this is just my humble opinion based on my own experience. I hope this info was helpful to you and good luck!
Well, for news (ENG) the standard is the sennheiser me66 that with the power capsule will cost you around 400 bucks, I have recently purchased the sanken cs1 and it is smaller and has a beautifull warm sound. also, I would stay away from azden stuff, it's great for the hobbyist but they are plastic and just don't cut it in my opinion. The same can be said for thier wireless stuff, if you need wireless I would go for lectrosonics all the way, it's not cheap but you can get them used (be sure to check the lectro site for frequency block info for your area, this will insure local tv stations won't interfere with the signal). The next step down in wireless would be the sennheiser ENG kits. the come with a cube transmitter a cam mount reciever and a lav pack with a low end lav. (you can purchase a better lav for a couple hundred bucks like a sony ecm77) also the sennheiser stuff is made of metal like the lectro stuff, and comes in 3 frequency ranges for the US and two for Europe. I have been working with sound in tv news for five years and this is just my humble opinion based on my own experience. I hope this info was helpful to you and good luck!
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
Re: Shotgun mic for camera
I notice that a lot of people ask "what's the best" when what they mean is "what's the best for _____ dollars"...
The 897 is definitely the best shotgun mic at the price... and it's WELL worth the little extra cost over the Azdens.
If it's a shotgun you want then you'd have a hard time doing better in this price-range.
Maybe you should consider if it's really a shotgun that you want?
Unless you can spend at least $530 for a shotgun (At4073a), then you've got a lot of compromises to consider...
Cheaper shotguns have a significant tail and marginal off-axis rejection. What that means is that while they do attenuate sound to the side... they hear sound directly to the rear much better then the side... so if any unwanted sound comes from directly behind the mic... as in YOU or other sounds... traffic, etc... you'll probably hear it clearly on the tape. Cheaper shotguns do have a narrowed sweet spot out front... so in a difficult situation you may still want a shotgun, even with the "tail"... so that you can hear one or two voices more then others.
But if you simply want to dramatically improve the internal mic's sound and you're mostly able to control the shoots... another mic choice may be better.
What you get with some of the decent cardioids/hyper-cardioids is natural sound, excellent bass, and really good REAR rejection even though the side rejection isn't what a shotgun's will be.
For example, if you A/B a Sennheiser me66 and an Oktava... one sounds like a cell-phone call and the other sounds real... so you really need to decide if you NEED a shotgun pickup pattern... At the least you'll start to realize why people use many different mics.
I notice that a lot of people ask "what's the best" when what they mean is "what's the best for _____ dollars"...
The 897 is definitely the best shotgun mic at the price... and it's WELL worth the little extra cost over the Azdens.
If it's a shotgun you want then you'd have a hard time doing better in this price-range.
Maybe you should consider if it's really a shotgun that you want?
Unless you can spend at least $530 for a shotgun (At4073a), then you've got a lot of compromises to consider...
Cheaper shotguns have a significant tail and marginal off-axis rejection. What that means is that while they do attenuate sound to the side... they hear sound directly to the rear much better then the side... so if any unwanted sound comes from directly behind the mic... as in YOU or other sounds... traffic, etc... you'll probably hear it clearly on the tape. Cheaper shotguns do have a narrowed sweet spot out front... so in a difficult situation you may still want a shotgun, even with the "tail"... so that you can hear one or two voices more then others.
But if you simply want to dramatically improve the internal mic's sound and you're mostly able to control the shoots... another mic choice may be better.
What you get with some of the decent cardioids/hyper-cardioids is natural sound, excellent bass, and really good REAR rejection even though the side rejection isn't what a shotgun's will be.
For example, if you A/B a Sennheiser me66 and an Oktava... one sounds like a cell-phone call and the other sounds real... so you really need to decide if you NEED a shotgun pickup pattern... At the least you'll start to realize why people use many different mics.
Dave_Fisk
Well-known member
Re: Shotgun mic for camera
In my opinion the ME66 is not outclassed by the AT897. I did an A/B test with them both. The ME66 is better, but I don't know if it's enough to justify the cost difference. It's really up to you if you think it's worth the extra cost or not. I like both, and I think the 897 is a steal.
Azden mics are good, but they have a lower output than most mics. Coffey Sound actually has a used one that is in new condition. Check there for the price.
You may also want to check out the Sanken CS-1 while your at it. It is more than the ME66 and 897, but it has really good sound quality. But, for under $500, I think you'd be happy with either the ME66 or 897.
-Dave
In my opinion the ME66 is not outclassed by the AT897. I did an A/B test with them both. The ME66 is better, but I don't know if it's enough to justify the cost difference. It's really up to you if you think it's worth the extra cost or not. I like both, and I think the 897 is a steal.
Azden mics are good, but they have a lower output than most mics. Coffey Sound actually has a used one that is in new condition. Check there for the price.
You may also want to check out the Sanken CS-1 while your at it. It is more than the ME66 and 897, but it has really good sound quality. But, for under $500, I think you'd be happy with either the ME66 or 897.
-Dave