Wanted: Inexpensive, low-profile shotgun for wedding audio; help!!!

[catalyst]

Hello,

I've scoured this site for shotgun mic recommendations for use in other situations, but now I need some help on selecting (and buying soon) a shotgun mike for my DVX100B for wedding videography.

Bottom line is that I want to get away from the built-in mic (don't worry, I've been putting lavs on the groom and officient since the get go) for the audio I'm recording into the camera (the lavs go to individual Sony minidiscs). The audio on the camera is for ambient primarily, not for vows, though if a shotgun were to do a decent job at that from a particular distance, I wouldn't mind. I'd prefer phantom power (I've got enough batteries to deal with), and something not too obtrusive (eg, relatively short).

How would Panny's own AG-MC200G do? Better mics for this purpose in the same price range?

Thanks!

Catalyst

 

[David W. Richardson]

I'm confused. What ambient sound is there at a wedding? Do you mean the music?

My understanding is that a shotgun is best for targeting a small area to pickup sound, while rejecting off-axis sound. This wouldn't seem to be the best choice for recording ambient sound. And where would you place the shotgun? On the camera? Is the camera's placement optimal for recording the ambient sound you're looking for?

If I were truly looking for ambient sound, I might consider a stand-alone recorder like the Zoom H2 or H4.

The H2 can do surround sound (picking up sound both in front of and behind the recorder) or something a bit more directional (from the front only) via its built-in mics. A lot of musicians seem to like it for recording music, especially in a concert environment. It would be small, easy to place in the best location, and inconspicuous. It also has the versatility of letting you connect an external mic (including perhaps your lavs) when the need arises, via a 1/8" mini jack. However, it does not provide phantom power. Cost is around $200.

The H4 has some advantages and some disadvantages over the H2. The main advantage is a pair of combo inputs (XLR and 1/4") which have switchable phantom power. The main disadvantages are the lack of 'surround' recording (though it does record in stereo) and controls that are less user-friendly than the H2's. It sells for around $300.

If it's truly an external mic you want to connect to the DVX, you might do better with an omni than a shotgun.

All of this is just based on my admittedly limited knowledge, mostly gleaned from reading the posts in this forum over the last year or so. So take it with a grain of salt. Hopefully the true audio experts will chime in.

Good luck!

 

[BRH]

Panasonic makes good cameras, but they do not make good microphone!

Try this: Audio Technica 875. It's short so it will fit on cam better.
$199 street price.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/cae8c23cfe000574/index.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ica_AT875R_AT875_Short_Condenser_Shotgun.html


Sound people don't like to hear about cameraman using mic on the camera.
It'll pick up camera noise, your fumbling around, it'll pick up what you are aiming the camera at and everything behind that you don't want to hear.

 

[gco]

Hello,..............
How would Panny's own AG-MC200G do? Better mics for this purpose in the same price range?Thanks!
Catalyst

Don't throw away your money. Search AT875r and sound samples on Ken Stones website.