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Advice: How to record 5 person panel discussion
I’m seeking advice on my best options for recording a 5 person panel. Suggestions re: mics and set up would be helpful.
I’ll be shooting with 2 DVX100’s which limits my audio input to 4 XLRs. I’d like to avoid using a field mixer, since this would necessitate another person in my small crew. However if that’s my only option, so be it.
Any advice re: lavaliers for each panelist or omni or shotguns placed strategically.
The room is approx 100’x 50′ with 10′ ceiling if that’s relevant. I can determine where all mics are positioned.
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5 Replies
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You can’t beat a mic-per-person.
If you don’t want to mix it “live” (the better option) then add another camcorder (any DV camcorder will do) and send the 5th mic into it’s input, then capture that cam’s audio and do the mix in post.
If you don’t want to use another camcorder, use any digital recording device and import that into your edit.
Any other kind of mic arrangement will offer you little help if one or two guests speak too softly or another guest has the “coughs” during the shoot.
A mic-per-guest (lav, or directional on the desk) offers the most options in post.
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Thanks for the advice.
I’ll take your suggestion and mic every panelist and mix it live.
I don’t want second rate audio.
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five people, speaking extemporaneously?
Either separate tracks for everyone and sort it out in post or use an eight channel automixer.
The thing is, when you get that many people, you will have soft talkers and loud talkers, people with weird peaky voices and some with big fat soft voices. If you try to take them all through an Automixer, you’ll have a hard time EQing them separately to make it all sound right.
On individual tracks, you can EQ each person correctly. Don’t think you’ll need it? I can pretty much guarantee you will.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. More at: https://home.comcast.net/~tyreeford/AudioBootcamp.html
or https://www.tyford.com -
Thanks TY.
I have a Mackie 1202 VLZ and mixture of lectrosonic and sennheiser lavs.
I’ve just learned there will be audience Q&A as well… so now I have 7 audio sources. I plan to put a mic on a stand for the audience (come to the mic to ask a question) and have a wireless shotgun on a boom with for those that won’t come to the mic.
I’ve added another camera just for audio, that gives me 6 audio inputs.. something will have to go through a mixer.
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Your experience may differ from mine, but I’ve found people usually don’t like getting up to walk to a mic. Even if they are told about using the mic for questions, they start without it and get fussy when told to please use the mic. Getting them to walk to the mic wastes a lot of time.
Having a mic and a mic runner works better.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. More at: https://home.comcast.net/~tyreeford/AudioBootcamp.html
or https://www.tyford.com
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