When adding a shotgun mic, how to get both channels?

[robertwerden]

I hooked a shotgun up to my HVX and set ch1 to input 1. It only records left channel so it sounds monotone. Am I supposed to do something to get left and right audio when using a shot gun or hand held mic?

My intention was to use the shotgun as an interview mic some times, but it is only recording a single channel.

 

[tmnt]

I'm definately not a sound expert but may be able to help...

A lot of shotgun mics aren't stereo. What you want to do to is connect the mic via xlr input 2 then set they input 1 switch to input 2. This way both channels will record the mic. Also note the main point of doing this is so you can set one of the channel's volume to a safe level in case the other distorts.

If you're shooting your interviews inside you may not get the best results with a shotgun mic.

 

[robertwerden]

Got it, thanks. Ya the shotgun is not set up for hand held, as you can hear the slightest movement on the metal tube with your hands. I figure I need a good boom pole for that.

 

[tmnt]

Yeah and look into the rode SM3 shockmount, good bang for the buck - I have one.

A lot of people on this site like the Oktava MK012a for an interior mic. You'll find many articles in the sound forum about it.