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Audio Kit for “Extremely Amateur” video production
Hi,
i would like some help in order to buy an audio kit for amateur video production.
I am a high school teacher, so my resources are very limited.
We have been able to film some good enough pieces of video with amateur cameras, but the audio is another business. Audio always sounds awful with onboard mics.
I was wondering if i could afford a very simple audio kit (mic, cable, pole, digital recorder …) that could improve the audio recordings for our videos.
What are the minimum (very minimum!) that yo would get?
Any advice will be very helpful.
Thanks in advance!
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20 Replies
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Is this for picking up sound off a pa, or shooting scenes?
If its a PA, taking a feed from the pa should be easy with a 40db pad if its a line level into a mic input on the camera. Minimum cost for a couple of adapters and a pad and cable.
If its shooting, as a minimum go for a boom pole, directional rifle mic and a cable back to the camera AND HEADPHONES. This will allow closer audio pickup all round. Theres plenty of choices on ebay so it doesnt need to cost much.
Going up theres a small mixer, batteries, cans, radio mics etc but thats a whole extra cost level.
How much do you have
PeterPost Production Dubbing Mixer
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Hello Luis and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum,
A Sound Devices 302 mixer
A mixer to camera snake (cable) with headphone return
Sony MDR 7506 headphones
A Rode NTG-1 or 2 shotgun mic
An Audio Technica AT44053b hypercardioid mic
K-Tek boom with suspension mount.
Wind protection gear if you’re shooting outside
Sennheiser G3 wireless mics
Various cables
My Audio Bootcamp Field Guide bookRegards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide -
Hi Luis,
I would echo what Ty recommends. Not sure what your budget is, but even if you just get a mixer, pole and boom mic, I would be ready to spend close to if not more than $1,000. In fact, the 302 mixer, alone, is over $1,000. There are less expensive ways to go like, if you can find used items.
Dave J
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Thank you all,
very useful responses! and fast!. Never used this forum before, but definately will in the future!
OK, my goal is to shoot scenes. Something like two people walking in a park. For me, today, it is impossible to pick their conversation.
I was thinking of a 500$ budget. I believe that your recomendations are over 1000$, right?
I hope that i am not asking for impossible things, i understand i will have to sacrifice some quality, but is it possible to keep it below 500$?
Thanks again!
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One more thing!
i guess that wireless is not possible for me! too expensive. No problem, i will deal with wires.
Thanks
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What camera are you using?
Peace,
Bob
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Filmmaking is the art of the invisible;
If anyone notices your work you haven’t done your job right. -
I don’t have it here with me, i don’t remember the model name.
But it is a domestic full HD capable camera. As i said, i am happy enough with video results. The camera does not have a balanced audio input. That’s why i was thinking of recording audio out of the camera, in a digital recorder, maybe with a balanced input…
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Wow!
I was just looking at some prices out there and i was terrified!
I am new to this video production business, but i found that a pole for a microphone, that is, a long stick with a wire inside, can cost 500$ !!!! a simple pole!
I realize maybe i am asking for the impossible! sorry!
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< or = $500 is hard. but improvement over on board mike is possible. maybe. Does your camera have a miniplug in for an external mike? If it does:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367747-REG/Rode_NTG_2_NTG_2_Battery_or_Phantom.html
(uses battery in place of phantom power)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/319988-REG/K_Tek_KE_89CC_KE_89CC_Avalon_Series_Aluminum.html
(low end boom — yes you get what you pay for. weight plus how well it opens and closes etc.)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/589872-REG/Pearstone_8111240_LMT100_Low_to.html
(velcro this to camera strap to take strain off mini-plug)
(this is only 15′. get the size you think you need.)
270 + 175 + 20 + 25 = 490 + shipping, no tax if not in NY.
Now with all this you have no way of monitoring the sound or adjusting on the fly. So it will require practice to get the results you want. You could use a painters pole and some gaffers tape instead of the boom pole. If your cam has headphone out as well as mike in add a set of headphones. The one Ty rec. is industry standard and should be about $80-90 at BH. It will still require rehearsal though.
Sound is way harder than picture on a low budget. For talking heads it’s easier. A $50 handheld mike and a cord. Remember you want the mike aimed at the mouth of the speaker and within 3 feet.
You might want to record the talent walking in the park and then record the voices as a voice over with cut aways of what they are talking about. Then you can get by with hand held mikes.
We see them coming towards us talking. They pass by. We follow. Cut aways and back to park as we hear the voice overs.
Save up for the stuff Ty mentioned above. They are solid and you’ll use them long after you buy your next camera.
OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A. -
Luis,
My 16 foot carbon fiber K-tek boom cost close to $700, I think. Every time i use it and don’t break my arms due to the weight of an aluminum pole, I say, “Thank you.” to myself.
As noted, audio gear is not like video gear. Buy right once and use the gear for years with great sound. Buy below that and you’ll have to buy again to get great sound.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
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