Thoughts on mics?

F

fieldreportermf

Active member
Hey,

I'm finding myself doing a lot more on camera interviews/hosting in addition to shooting segments with my HMC. I use a sennhieser G2 wireless lav(input 1) and a Rode NTG-2(input 2). Does anyone have a thought on how to best handle capturing the audio from both myself and the interviewee in a discreet way. I'd like to not have any mics in the shots as I want the interviews to appear more conversational as opposed to Q and A. I could use 2 lavs but I'm wondering if there are some options I'm not considering with the gear I currently have.

*most of the interviews and hosting shots are outside in different locations on the fly so using a boom in not really option*

Thanks for all suggestions...cheers
 
I use the AudioTechnica 1820 stereo reciever with dual lavs feeding it. It's reasonably priced, but does eat batteries (don't they all). I can then mix it to mono in the unit, mono in the camera, or stereo either way. Or you could record wild on the camera, and also with a Zoom, or something like it, and match it up in post. More work, but doable. All those are relatively discreet.
 
to be honest, i think 2 lavs is the way to go.
if you want to save a bit of money and if you will always be close to your camera, you could just get a wired lav for yourself. AT makes a decent one for around $30 i think.
 
Thanks for your thoughts 8string, DPStewart and averan... I think your right averan- 2 lavs is probably the best option. I'll check out the wired one from AT. Thanks again.
 
I've not found the AT 1820 overly complicated (no more so than managing two lav settings anyway) I did have a unit that was defective, but AT sent me a new unit. Their customer service was good.

If I had a complaint about the 1820, it's that it's a bit bulky. Also eats batteries. But don't they all?

But I wouldn't blame you if you went with two lavs. At least provides backup if your unit goes defective, without relying on cables, which frankly, are a lot less hassle!
 
I would go with two Sennheiser EW 100 G3 kits with a good 3rd party lav mic. ( my favorite general purpose lav is the TRAM 50, because it has good off axis noise rejection, so I get less background noise in my audio )

The main reason I would go with two Sennheiser kits is redundancy, so if one mic of your system goes down, you will always be able to use the other one. With a dual system, if something goes wrong, you've got nothing to fall back on.
 
I usually hard-wire my subject via XLR when the audio is critical. Any wireless can get glitches from cell phones or interference. Why take a chance, eh?

What I've done in the past is recorded my guest on both channels (with a bit of level difference, sometimes same mic, sometimes a mix of G2/lav), then used my Zoom H2's stereo mics to grab my interviewer's questions (in this case, they are never seen or heard in the final edit).

My stuff often gets sent out for transcription, it helps to have both person's audio on the file.

In any case, the camera's stereo mics or it's attached shotgun are pretty useless when it comes to recording a sit-down conversation.
 
fieldreportermf said:
. . . I'd like to not have any mics in the shots as I want the interviews to appear more conversational as opposed to Q and A . . .
Click to expand...

As long as they are placed correctly, visible lavs are never a problem except when seen on actors playing a role. The way to make an interview conversational is in preparation and how you listen and respond to the subject's answers. Reading from a sheet of pre-written questions is the classic conversation killer.

Also, I always put a wireless on less experienced interviewees in order to help them feel less tied down or self-conscious. A shotgun staring them in the face is not the best, even if it might sound better.
 
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