Microphone reccomendation

[Edward Troxel]

In a tight pinch, I’ve use the one that came “with the computer”.

Edward Troxel

[Randall Raymond]

You can always record to your DV camera and capture audio only.

[Edward Troxel]

To capture audio only, you can’t use VidCap. Scenalyzer Live will do audio only via firewire. (And, yes, I’ve done that method before as well!)

Edward Troxel

[Ron Shook]

Dave,

[dpetto] “I don’t want to spend big $$$”

It would be very helpful to know what you consider “big $$$,” and whether you might have a need for a mic that could do double duty for VO and production. There are perfectly acceptable $50-100 mics that can do this reasonably well. Is that “big $$$?”

Ron Shook

[Ted Snow]

Just a story from past experience…I not only do video now but also have been in the audio business for 25 years and have a 24 track studio so I have the means to do quality recordings in the studio. I’ve also been a musician/entertainer on a country music show here where I live for 30 years. A couple of years ago our comedian wanted to record his Harley as he drove by so we could use the audio in one of his skits on the show. Instead of going to the trouble of setting up an expensive mic, I figured I’d try the Labtec computer mic I got at Walmart for $8.00 first. I recorded several takes directly to the computer of him riding by, reving up the engine, etc. When we listened back to it in the studio we were amazed. We used the track on the show for a year and it sounded great through the sound system as well…as if you were standing right beside the bike. I’ve never tried the cheap mic for voice over but if it sounded half as good as what I got of the Harley I’m sure you’d be quite happy with the results.

[Dave Petteruto]

Thanks to you all for all the great info! As far as big $$$ goes, I would like to stay under $100 for the mic. Anything you can reccomend in that range would be helpfull.

Dave P.

[Randall Raymond]

Radio Shack carries some nice dynamic mics for less than that. You can get a decent dynamic mic and xlr cable for less than 60 bucks.

[Ron Shook]

Dave,

[dpetto] “I would like to stay under $100 for the mic. Anything you can reccomend in that range would be helpfull.”

For just a touch more than that you can get an Electrovoice 635A, perhaps the best known and most used microphone in the A/V universe. It’s a dynamic (no batteries or phantom power), black or gray, omnidirection hand held interview mic that is virtually indestructable. It’s nicknamed “the hammer” because you could literally drive nails with it or drive over it and count on it’s continuing to work. I’ve never heard of one not performing and it’ll do good VOs as well. B&H seems to have the best price of anyone at $110:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=76669&is=REG

Contrary to the other suggestion I’d suggest that you avoid RatShack and stick to B&H for Mics designed for rugged ENG/EFP use. RatShack’s mics are more for musicians. There are Shure and Electrovoice dymamic, omni, ENG models at B&H for a few $ over 75.

Ron Shook

[Randall Raymond]

RatShacks mics are made by Shure.

[Allen Zagel]

You can do it with a $3 computer mic plugged into your sound card. Alternatively you can get the mic that was made for VO work, an AT2020 for $100 or less on the internet.

I’ve used both.
Allen

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