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Activity Forums Canon Cameras Buying a Shotgun Mic

  • Buying a Shotgun Mic

    Posted by Luis Guerrero on June 13, 2005 at 6:47 am

    I am planning to buy a shotgun mic for use with the Canon XL1s. I have an MA-200 Mic adapter. The two microphones that I am considering are the Sennheiser ME66 with the K6 Power supply or the Sennheiser MKH418S – M/S Stereo Shotgun Microphone.

    I plan to do the following

    Interviews with 1 – 4 people at a time
    Dialog driven scenes with actors
    and other typical ENG stuff.

    I would like to know if I should buy a stereo mic versus a mono mic since I will be recording audio directly on to the camera tape. I would appreciate any comments on what to buy and any pros or cons on stereo versus mono microphones.

    David Jones replied 21 years ago 4 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • James Rhodimer

    June 14, 2005 at 12:49 am

    I have the Xl1s and the xlr adapter and the Senn ME66.
    The mic is amazing. Very sensitive but very directional.
    You have to aim it at your speaker. So if you have a boom
    guy and no one is talking over another person great.

  • Peter Ralph

    June 14, 2005 at 3:39 pm

    I have an me66, it’s a decent mic but doesn’t stand comparison with the mkh416. I’ve never heard the 418 – I imagine its close to the 416. But you can buy 2 or 3 me66s for the price of one mkh418.
    If you are recording more than 1 person you would often be better off with 2 cheaper mics than 1 really good one. Of course the cost of windscreens, mixers etc. can change the pricing equation dramatically.

    Micing close is the key to good sound.

  • David Jones

    June 14, 2005 at 4:25 pm

    This really depends on your budget, and the skill level of the boom operator.
    But you might find the audio lacking trying to use a single shotgun mic for a four person interview setup
    depending on the spread of the seating.
    My thought would be to use a lav mic on each person, run into a small mixer, which would feed channel 1.
    Then the shotgun mic on a boom run into channel 2.

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