Which mic should I pick up?

Chamber005

Chamber005

Carbonite Member
Asked this in my user film forum, but thought I should query here as well.

After some critiques on the audio in my webseries, we're upgrading from high-tops CAD mics to renting something from Zacuto here in Chicago. Everything in the webseries is shot indoors.

My choices are a Sennheiser ME66 package or the MKH416 package.

Thanks!!
 
The ME 66 is a nice mic, the MKH 416 is a much better mic, but if you are shooting indoors you should use cardioid mics, not shotguns. Shotguns will give you that "roomy" "echoey" sound unless used with great skill or the room is very "dead" sonically. Find out what cardioid mic options they have.
 
These aren't usually the mics you find for rent, but if you're going to be doing a lot of work you might consider the purchase: If you're shooting indoors you'd do better with a Hypercardioid like the AKG CK93/SE300B combo ($429 @ B&H). You might also consider a the Rode NTG-1 ($249 @ B&H) which is a SuperCardioid- but works quite well also. Either would be a better choice than the ME66 for indoor work (at least that's why I sold my ME66).

Since Zacuto only rents the ME66 or the MKH416- I'd go with the MKH416... But for 6 days of rental fees you could pick up the AKG CK93/SE300B combo & have a very nice mic!
 
Go super- or hypercardioid, and not shotgun, if you're inside...however, that's just a rule of thumb. ifyou're in a very acoustically dead/absorbent room, or it's a very large interior space, a shotgun might still be OK. As with everything, it depends. I've "shot" sound effects in very dead rooms with short shotguns and it's been fine, but that's atypical. The longer the shotgun mic, the more interior reflections could really deal you a tubby, roomy sound that most don't care for.
 
Thanks guys. Maybe I'll try a different rental shop other than Zacuto. That's weird that they wouldn't have super or hypercardioid mics. But at least now I know what I'm looking for.
 
Used properly, either the ME66 or the 416 would be fine, and in most circumstances nearly indistinguishable in the end product for dialog. If you have 48V phantom power available, I'd go with the 416. Otherwise, go with the ME66, which can be powered with a AA battery internally.

As mentioned earlier, it's true that the AKG Blue line (electret condenser) hypercardioid is a good value that is often overlooked. The Audio Technica 4071 (true condenser) is another overlooked option for a hypercardioid short mic. But if you can have only one microphone, I recommend a short shotgun, then building from there.

Glen Trew
 
How many days are you planning on renting these kits? The more days you rent, the more ideal it is for you to buy the kit. Planning on renting for 10 days? Just buy it. Even 5 days is about 1/4 the price of a new/used microphone.

If both the ME66 and 416 kit cost the same, go with any one depending on where you're filming. Some hate the ME66, I'm okay with it. It doesn't sound like crap when you're in a closeup shot. Really depending on your boom skills.

The 416 needs some good hands to operate because it has a much narrower front-pickup pattern. More proximity effect than the ME66.

EXT with lots of headroom? 416
EXT with a mixture of CU, MCU? 416/ME66
INT with lots of headroom? 416
INT with a mixture of CU, MCU? 416/ME66
 
Hey, thanks for all of your advice guys.

Last question: What about wired lav mics? I've never used them before. I could grab two Sanken wired lavs (again from Zacuto) for the same price as one of the shotgun mics.

To give you an idea of the episode, it's essentially two people at a table eating lunch and talking. All interior. I could easily run a wire up under their shirts. I'd have to do some rsearch, though about lav mics as I've never used them before. Not positive how to apply them/placement. I'm sure it's not too complex.
 
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