Can’t decide between Lavalier or shotgun mic

[Ty Ford]

Hi Dan,

You’re welcome. Try this as a list from top (best) bottom (not so much).

Schoeps cmc641
Sennheiser MKH 50
Audio Technica 4053b
Audix SCX-1 HC
Oktava MC012 or MK012 with hyper capsule

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Dan Shaw]

Thanks again Ty for those suggestions. I am looking at the Audio Technica mic you listed and see if I can find a place that rents one of those.

If you have a moment I would love to know your thoughts on the best way to capture the audio. I have a Zoom H4N and I will be shooting with a Canon 5D Mark ii. Some have mentioned the need for a Juiced Link pre amp, but do you think the audio technica going into the H4N would do justice?

[Ty Ford]

Dan,

I don’t have a lot of confidence in Juiced Link. If the H4N has a 48V Phantom supply, and takes mics, you could be OK. Try it before you need it.

I like putting a good mixer in front of a camera or recorder. In your case, something like a Sound Devices 302. It’s a quality piece of gear that’ll last a lifetime.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Craig Alan]

Renting is a good idea if each shoot demands a different mike.

That said, the AT 4053b is a great mike for the price and you would not regret owning one or more. They are not as convenient to use as cordless lavs, but unless you spend quite a bit for the lav kits, the sound is sweeter and less hollow sounding. I’m not an expert but my guess is this is because the lavs I have used are Omnis. On the other hand, I feel the AT is more exacting – can sound more like a studio recording. I like the intimacy of that kind of sound, but may not be as atmospheric – that is integrated with the room and b.g. noise.

The AT is very sensitive and will pick up b.g. noise so controlling your environment is important. Use moving blankets or whatever to absorb sound around your subject. Not a cure all but helps. Find a quiet location. Experiment with the angle of the mic. That’s where a good boom pole operator with headphone monitoring would work better than a c-stand mounted one.

I would buy a Sound Devices 302 ($1300) which will help you get better results regardless of which mike or recording device you use. If you never use more than two inputs, even consider a Sound Devices MixPre-D. Why sound devices – good metering, good headphone out, easy calibration with any recording device that has headphone or other audio out port, very good pre amps so you can turn down the crappy ones on cheap recording devices. This does not bypass the cheap audio circuits in many cams and cheap recorders, but does improve the captured sound – a lot.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Brent Dunn]

For studio use, a shotgun is best, but you’ll need to spend more than $500 if you want quality. Sure has a great mid priced shotgun in 3 sizes, short, medium, & long. Shure VP89 It’s around $900 and sounds great. You can also find a blimp system for this mic for outdoor shooting.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/818983-REG/Shure_VP89M_VP89M_Modular_Shotgun_Microphone.html

Sony makes great sounding wireless lav systems for around $550. I’m very happy with mine and I’ve used it with over 12 wireless systems going at once in a conference setting at a big hotel as well as during the St. Pete Grand Prix during a Race. It suppressed the background noise very well and gave me very good audio in an extremely noisy environment.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553681-REG/Sony_UWP_V1_3032_UWP_V1_Wireless_Lavalier_Microphone.html

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Films
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1,
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
Adobe CS-5 Production Suite

[Craig Alan]

Depends on studio. I think a Hypercardioid is better indoors. And the AT is a good mid price choice. Other than its characteristics it is used like a shotgun on a boom with a shock mount.

https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/30/862590

I like the Sony too. The Senn G3s work well too and the countryman mics are a good upgrade.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Jim Macd0nald]

I consider myself lucky to have a television network behind me. Over the years a lot of different manufactures have brought their equipment in for trial and evaluation. On the street for news or production or in the studio I have had great results with Sennheiser. Their lavs – little or no mechanical noise from the cable like other manufactures. What else can I say anout the 416. If it is a big shoot I talked to the wardrobe person. Natural fabrics. Cotton cotton cotton. No synthetics to make it sound like a forest fire. A good quiet room where the set designer hasn’t used hard surfaces and you will get good results too. My own personal gear is the 416 and older MKE 2s for lavs. The power supply for the mke 2 also works with ME 80 ME 40 and ME20s {olde older}.

[Dan Shaw]

Hi guys- I am revisiting this topic and after having chosen the Audio Technica 4053b I am curious the best way to get this into the right position. I’ve seem mention of boom poles and c-stands vs overhead mic stands, but do not know the best route to take.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/154639-REG/K_M_21411_500_55_Tripod_Microphone_Stand.html

Or the kit + c-stand and accessories…

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/764686-REG/Audio_Technica_AT4053b_Hypercardiod_Condenser_Microphone.html

Just a refresher that I will be shooting this indoors without a sound operator. The shot will be of half my body in front of a seamless white background. The solution doesn’t need to travel well or be too compact as it will be staying at home with me.

Any recommendations you might have would be much appreciated! I also do not have a big company budget so please keep that in mind also. 🙂

Thanks!

-Dan

[Dan Shaw]

Hi Ty – Do you have any thoughts about the Sennheiser MKH-416? I would love to know your opinion. Wondering if that would be a good mic for my use.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/79502-REG/Sennheiser_MKH416_P48U3_MKH_416_Short_Shotgun.html

[Ty Ford]

Hello Again Dan,

You’d need one of each of the links plus a gimmick that attaches to stand to hold the boom pole. That usually is something like a grip head and a fishing rod holder from a sporting goods store.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog