Rode Videomic or Rode SVM

[William Christopher]

Hi,

I’m looking for ideas for getting the best sound in an environment where I need to keep a low profile–which means a DSLR and some form of sound capture. Project is a documentary. No booms and, in most cases, even a lav is not feasible.

Only one assistant. Cannot appear to be a professional shoot.

Indoors, there will be panels of up to twenty-five people. Outdoor filming will consist predominantly of life snapshots including spontaneous interviews and interactions.

Price is not a key consideration.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

‘Chris’

[Ty Ford]

William and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

What you seem to be describing is surreptitious recording. That is, recording people without their knowledge. That may come back to haunt you with legal problems because people who are in a scene, even if they are not not talking, have rights and you should get them to sign releases. That’s why you see people’s faces blurred out on some productions.

In addition, your audio will probably suffer.

Perhaps you could explain in more detail what you have in mind.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

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[Marcel Heemskerk]

Hello Ty,

Another question on this subject. I’m making travel documentaries and i’m filming with a DSLR and a videocamera Canon XA10 which has XLR, both without rig.

I want to have two good mic’s and i’m thinking about
(1) Rode NTG-1 or NTG-2

and

(2) Rode Videomic Pro or Rode Videomic Stereo Pro

For interviews i will be filming with both the DSLR and XA10, and i will put the NTG1 or NTG2 on a boom pole close to the head. For scenery and overview and other shots i will just use one camera with a microphone on the camera.

The NTG2 could fit on a DSLR because it has battery… which is nice, so i would chose NTG2 + Stereo Videomic, because both have different use. But the NTG2 is very big and is not really usable on a DSLR i think. So… other option is NTG1 + Videomic Pro (not stereo).. and always have Videomic on DSLR and have NTG1 on my XA10 with XLR.

I will be travelling with backpack in China, so i want to be able to put down my backpack, get gear, film a cool scene, and move on. Setting up a DSLR is harder (focus, exposure, no vibration reduction) so therefore i think i will just use the videocamera for these shots.

Should i go for NTG1 or NTG2.. and which of the VideoMic’s to accompany it?

[Josh Parten]

Please Help….. Im using a rode svm mic on my canon xa10 and recording loud live alternative music performances… seems i cant get it dialed in and all sound is blown out. i have tried lowering the volume really low and its still blown out a lot off bass at these shows and is blowing the sound out every time… any thoughts… or settings on the xa10 i can set it on to help clarify the audio.