Two couches - 3 people on each couch

[David W. Jones]

Not knowing your budget, and without hiring a qualified A1, I would suggest renting a couple of small condensers like the Audix M1250. But do realize, any mics hung outside of your wide shot framing is going to pick up room.

 

[Richard Crowley]

We don't know what expectations you have out of this?
Is this only for internal use? A "focus-group" or something?
Is this only for review and/or transcription?
Or is this meant to be a production for an external audience?
An internal "audience" will tolerate sub-standard audio quality because only the content is important, not the production value.

I am always amazed at the shortcuts people think they can take with audio.
Why don't they ever take shortcuts with lighting or camera?
Do they ever see anything on TV where the sound was captured from a couple of little plastic consumer mics from too far away? Seems unlikely.

 

[indiawilds]

Boundary mics will not be placed close enough not to sound way too roomy and distant. They're good for live stage applications, and some studio recording applications, and occasionally as a plant mic for video/film sound, but by far are not the first (or second or third) choice for primary dialog capture.

The OP was specifically asking for boundary microphones and hence my response. In his situation one can always wire up each speaker with a microphone along with a dedicated and experienced guy to mix it well. That is not what he wants. And I am not sure if he has budget for that.

The boundary microphone works well when it is placed at an arms length away and placed on a table which is atleast 2 feet wide.

It is important to ask the producer what he/she can afford and then suggest things accordingly.

 

[Rippie]

Rippie, you mentioned 2 per couch, which would work better, but I'm wondering if 1 would be enough?

In my opinion no. Even with 2 mic's over 3 peoples heads it depends on positioning of the couches.
If the end person on the couch has to look away from the couch (to the sides) to speak to the other couch they will be
totally off axis to the mic in front of them.
Also of course, if you go with less mic's than people you need to make sure the people aren't far apart from each other as well.
Lots of things come into play deciding which way to go.
Hiring a guy with experience, he can make those decisions in moments without choosing the WRONG way to go for a particular situation.

The last time I had to put 6 mic's over people I was asked to come on the scout where I discussed lighting with the gaffer (very easy in those situations to get lit off
and not be able to get your mic's close). What the director was looking for, noise problems in the room etc.

It's great that you're asking questions before hand already but there is a fair amount of other sound considerations that need taken as well in order to make it
a successful shoot.

Ex: If I wouldn't have been on the scout and arrived that morning to a room with a blaring HVAC system 6 mic's overhead would have been a terrible solution.
Shoots like these can be a living breathing organism. Constantly changing and evolving.
Once again why it would be smart to hire someone who knows how to handle it.
Don't be penny wise pound foolish if possible.