HPX250: What's the best On-camera Mic for the HPX250
- Thread starter dtzfilms
- Start date
digitalgecko
Well-known member
I'm using the Rode NTG2. Verry happy with it. Sennheiser still has the name.
The Rode NTG2 is the same as the NTG1 but the NTG2 has an internal battery compartment and is a little dearer/longer and heavier. The HPX250 supports 48v phantom power so a NTG1 would be the better of the two 
Some shotguns can sound a little artificial when used indoors but the NTG1 works fine inside and out, i have one and is has very low noise and good directional pickup and rejection to side sounds. My main love is the warmth
of the recorded sound.
Some shotguns can sound a little artificial when used indoors but the NTG1 works fine inside and out, i have one and is has very low noise and good directional pickup and rejection to side sounds. My main love is the warmth
of the recorded sound.
digitalgecko
Well-known member
The NTG2 works both ways: 48v phantom (without battery) or you can put a battery in it to power it and use it with a wireless plugin.
I use an Audio Technica 835ST shotgun mike. I'm not a fan of mono shotguns, and the 835ST is a stereo shotgun with a configurable (wide vs. narrow) pickup pattern with very good isolation to limit unwanted input. I think it would be a very good choice for outdoor sports.
THoff, interesting... this producer is going for something like Hoop Dreams though. It's not just the sporting activity. So I'll be going into the kids' homes, watch them make and eat dinner. Walk to school, funerals, christening, practice, etc. I'm really concerned about using either the best indoor and the best outdoor or just one optimal shotgun mic.
You're going to hear a lot of audio people wagging their fingers and saying to get the mic off the camera and closer to the subject.
If you're doing run&gun, that would require a separate sound person with a boom pole.
For sit-down interviews, you can put the mic on a stand, just out of frame (and/or lav mics).
Then there are different mics recommended for indoors and out.
Hypercardiod for indoors and shotguns for outdoors.
If you're doing run&gun, that would require a separate sound person with a boom pole.
For sit-down interviews, you can put the mic on a stand, just out of frame (and/or lav mics).
Then there are different mics recommended for indoors and out.
Hypercardiod for indoors and shotguns for outdoors.
Danny, we're planning to have at least two lavs - dedicated lav on the coach and the featured "scene star" but I also recommended having a shot gun on the camera itself.
I've never shot with a shotgun on my camera, always lav and or boom, but in this instance I think the Producer wants to limit the crew to just me as I'll be traveling with
the team. So really, unless he provides an assistant already on staff, a sound Op would be either an intrusion or an additional expense. Dunno, I just need to get some good
sound for this guy. It's a huge project for me and for him. Good indoor sound and good outdoor.
I've never shot with a shotgun on my camera, always lav and or boom, but in this instance I think the Producer wants to limit the crew to just me as I'll be traveling with
the team. So really, unless he provides an assistant already on staff, a sound Op would be either an intrusion or an additional expense. Dunno, I just need to get some good
sound for this guy. It's a huge project for me and for him. Good indoor sound and good outdoor.
Yak
Well-known member
I my experience if you want the "best" then you may want the Sanken CMS-10 (http://www.sanken-mic.com/en/product/product.cfm/9.1001300) this is a "Switchable very sharp mono-shotgun and stereo mic" I have been using it on documentaries it since 2001 including two 6 week Tibet trips. this is the best shotgun that I am aware of, not cheep but well worth it. It comes with a dual mic cable so in when in Mono mode you can record the output at 2 different leaves one 10 to 20 db lower than the other, when shooting run and gun style this has save more than one shot that was ether too loud or quite. It also records great stereo when switched to that mode. I also use a Sanken CS-1 mono short shotgun on my B camera not as versatile as the CMS-10 but great sound as well.
Yak
Well-known member
Yes it is great indoors or outdoors and comes with a "Fur softie" wind screen. The Sanken CS-1 mono short shotgun sounds as good but is mono only I use it on my B cam or on a boom, the CS-1 also does not come with the great wind screen that the CMS-10 does http://www.sanken-mic.com/en/product/product.cfm/8.1001410.
campgardner
Member
I have been using an ME66 (Sennheiser) on camera for years. Buy a shock mount that slides into the accessory shoe or otherwise separate the mic from the camera to provide some reduction in system noise. Without tape drives, on-cam mounting is less of an issue, and remember, we are talking run + gun best workable here.
The ME64 is a bit shorter and would be a better choice in small groups because of its wider pattern. In close-up, crowded situations, a shorter mic will let you move the camera with more freedom (sticks out less), and is less likely to throw a shadow on a subject in uncontrolled lighting. Either choice adapts swiftly to a boom pole when your producer can assist with sound.
The ME64 is a bit shorter and would be a better choice in small groups because of its wider pattern. In close-up, crowded situations, a shorter mic will let you move the camera with more freedom (sticks out less), and is less likely to throw a shadow on a subject in uncontrolled lighting. Either choice adapts swiftly to a boom pole when your producer can assist with sound.