Which cheap shot gun mic to get? I have no clue.

F

f/0.0

Member
I'm to make a short documentary which involves interviews after interviews.

The problem is that I have zero knowledge on mic.
I wish I could just buy Rode stuff and not worry about it, but my budget is damn tight: only $50.
What should I get?

Any suggestion would be helpful!
 
Some suggested reading:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?51526-New-To-Audio-Read-This-First-Please

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?120866-If-you-are-considering-a-shotgun-cardioid...

And this is about cameras, but the same idea pertains to audio:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?221154-BillyBob-wants-to-race-cars...

The truth is, renting (for a day) is about all you can do with your $50. Nothing that you can purchase for $50 is going to be worth the investment. You also haven't told us what camera you're using, or what other sound equipment (mixer, recorder, other mics) you may or may not have.
 
f/0.0 said:
I'm to make a short documentary which involves interviews after interviews.

The problem is that I have zero knowledge on mic.
I wish I could just buy Rode stuff and not worry about it, but my budget is damn tight: only $50.
What should I get?

Any suggestion would be helpful!
Click to expand...

Why do you think you need a shotgun at all? I'm guessing you've been thinking that using a shotgun at the camera would give good results (since you always see 'em on the newsguy's cameras) but even ignoring the fact that $50 shotguns don't exist, to go that route would invite audio disaster. If your interviews are sit-down types, instead put a hard-wired lav on the subject. If your camera gear is similarly bargain level consumer gear, you could get a Giant Squid lav and extension cable to go along with it for around that budget and probably be pleased with the result. But be aware, no matter how you cut it, $50 won't buy you anything close to professional quality results. For a minimum entry level system of mic, pole, shockmount, etc, you need to multiply that amount by AT LEAST a factor of ten.
 
f/0.0 said:
I forgot to mention it's for a school project and it doesn't need to be a professional level.
Click to expand...

To be honest, there isn't a single good excuse for why something shouldn't be the best you can make it.

f/0.0 said:
How about this one?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444022-REG/Azden_SMX_10_SMX_10_Stereo_Microphone.html
BTW, I'm using 5d mk2.
Click to expand...

Let me be more specific about price range. Nothing that you can purchase for under $150 is going to be worth the investment. The RODE NTG-1 is the lowest you can go and expect decent results, but that one requires an external phantom power source. But that doesn't cover the cost of the shockmount, pole, wind protection, etc. that you'll need. You should also consider the long-term of any prospective purchase, as buying cheap for this one "student" project won't leave you with anything useful later on.

Three other truths of which you should be aware: on-camera is a terrible prlce for a microphone, especially for interviews/dialog; recording audio straight into a DSLR is going to give you poor/noisy audio that's all but useless; and anything with the name "Azden" on it probably isn't worth considering. (I will say that Azden's wireless systems are the worst of what they have to offer, but I've never been a fan of their shotgun mics either.)

So it's a student production on a tight budget. That means it's time to start scouring any resource you can. Where are you located? Do you know any folks who have equipment you could borrow? Really, you need a separate audio recorder... even something like the Zoom H4n or TASCAM DR-100... and a good mic. Perhaps there's a rental house nearby that has these things, and for under $100 you could get a couple of days worth of decent sound gear (don't forget the headphones). Trew Audio (trewaudio.com) will rent a shotgun and boom kit for a very decent price, and they'll ship rentals anywhere. Or, if your interviews are indoors, you might want to look at a wireless kit. Find a good recorder with XLR inputs and phantom power and you'll be in a much better place.
 
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH 5D...

typical.... they won't the best of the best (well...best...relatif) camera.

But as it comes to sound...

With the 5D sound has to be recorderd seperated and you need a clapboard to sync later....

Solution is simple: ask more money...and tell them if they don't give it...you won't do it

If they're giving it to someone else, fine...let them do...

I would just forget this one...you won't get 5408680404864068 dollar projects suddenly if you do this one...

And if a project has bad sound, it's not realy a big "presentation" to show for your reel or something.
 
Let's see - about $3250 for the pictures, $50 for the sound. Yet for an interview, sound is definitely the most important element. What's wrong with this picture?
 
Last edited:
I know, I know. But the matter of fact is that I don't really care about sound.
I'm amazingly picky on image/video/print quality but not sound. I even find this amusing.

Anyways, I've made a few short presentations and documentaries using 5d mk2's internal mic and it was okay most of the time. So you know I'm not really going after very high quality.
 
well, why do you bother us then ?????

Just go.. do your thing....and be happy....

But don't be surprised if you're going to be a cab driver in a few years.....
 
Becase I want something that's better than the internal mic solution. It doesn't need to be great or anything. I once tried friend's cheap sony mic and it was so much better and I figured I could get better result out of $50 shot gun mic.

Anyways, Sorry if I offened you by asking for a $50 solution. I know certain audiophiles happen to be the most sensitive one out of all the whatever-philes and that's including pedophiles and I'm not talking about you or was I? I bet $51 I wasn't talking about you.
Hell, I even witnessed a guy arguing hydroelectric power is better for audio (nuclear power being the worst.)
Given that, Audio guy like you fortune-telling my being a cab driver in a few years doesn't suprise me.
 
Last edited:
Start with 500$, and then we can start talking..... (it's not only the mic, it's also the suspension, the windjammer, the boompole......)

But in your case, knowing that it will be a "one men's crew"... go for lavalier....
 
Its not about being an audiophile, its about seriously trying to help you achieve good results.

You asked for help, so you got a few very reasonable answers, the reality is that there is not a $50 dollar solution that will improve your audio very much.
 
recordingwhiz said:
Its not about being an audiophile, its about seriously trying to help you achieve good results.

You asked for help, so you got a few very reasonable answers, the reality is that there is not a $50 dollar solution that will improve your audio very much.
Click to expand...

Though I find you quite funny, I know where you stand. When people ask me for a camera advice, I recommand DSLRs when they're just looking for P&S.
But I know not everybody is crazy as I'm when it comes down to IQ and they may not even notice the difference, or just not care about it at all. Knowing that, I try to give my best advice based on their need/want instead of my snobbism.
Saying I may end up being a cab driver because I asked for a $50 mic? Oh man, that cracks me up. That's so low and plain stupid.

The bottom line is this: If not $50 mic, I will just end up using internal mic. I know $50 mic sucks but it should be FAR better than internal one and that's the point.


EDIT: Ooops, I thought you were dre83.
 
Last edited:
Picture quality of 5d m2 isn't anything near double of a T2i. Why not sell the 5d and buy one and get a good sound kit instead that provides 3 times better sound?
 
f/0.0 said:
I know, I know. But the matter of fact is that I don't really care about sound.
I'm amazingly picky on image/video/print quality but not sound. I even find this amusing.

Anyways, I've made a few short presentations and documentaries using 5d mk2's internal mic and it was okay most of the time. So you know I'm not really going after very high quality.
Click to expand...

You say you are a student, is that high school or college? Is this a graded project for school or something you are doing on your own? What's the purpose of doing this project? Do you want to build a reel? Are people other than you going to see this? Is it just for your own personal experience?

I ask these questions because they are important. I have to say, the fact that you are calling us audio people, people that are trying to help you, "snobbish" when you say something like this makes you look...well...like someone who has a lot to learn. It is this type of mentality that will keep you from becoming successful as a filmmaker, thus the comment someone made about being a cab driver. Many of us are speaking from real world experience, and to dismiss the advice given here is only detrimental to you. I suggest you re-think your position on this, and stop insulting people with real world experience.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top