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Small mic to be used close to speaker
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Get an Electrovoice RE-50. It’s the de facto standard for hand held interviews. Will also work well for table/desk/lectern mounting. About $160.
Eric
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Thanks Eric,
I just took a look at the frequency response table of Electrovoice RE-50. It drops off below 100Hz. Is that an issue for voice?
They also make a version with high-output neodymium called RE50N/D-B, for about $8 more. What do you think of that?
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Eric, if I wanted to get something that maybe has better audio quality than the EV RE-40 but might require more effort to set-up properly, what would that be
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Theres nothing below 100hz that you need for dialog. Everything below 100hz is “mud”. Don’t sweat it. The high out put version is a very good choice, it means you do’t have to turn up the gain as much to get a reasonable level. Run do not walk and get the RE-50. If EV offers a long handle version then get that also.
Eric
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What exactly are you going to record? Your budget is the limiting factor in your choice of mics and quite honestly the RE-50 will do everything you require.
Eric
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My concern is that if I plug the dynamic mic into a cheap recorder like the Zoom H4n, I would have to turn the gain up so high that the noise levels would be too high. Unfortunately I can’t try this before I get all of the gear.
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Tony,
I think your concern should be that unless you have the mic pushed into their faces, it ain’t gonna work.
If you want good audio, you have to use good practices. Last time I’m saying it, but In my experience, this approach is a bad idea.
Regards,
Ty Ford
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Ty,
I am really, honestly confused. When you say “this approach won’t work” which approach are you referring to, and how do you recommend I change it?
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What makes you think that it won’t work with a Zoom thingy? If you’re that nervous then get a mixer to put in front of the recorder. Look for a used Sound Devices MIX PRE, it will do the job just fine.
Eric
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Tony,
You said: “I’m looking for a small, budget friendly mic with a medium width, forgiving pickup pattern (hyper maybe?) that can be held by a speaker or placed on a table near the interviewee. I already have a Rode NTG-2, so this would be a complement to it.
To be used for informal on-location interviews, indoors in sound-forgiving locations (lots of furniture and carpeting). I’m just finding the NTG-2 to be difficult to keep pointed in the right direction all the time, so I want to try something different, even if it means the mic will show up on camera.”
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Unless you plan to have it in their faces like a radio talk show, it won’t work. Learn to use your NTG-2 better.
Ty Ford
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Watch Ty play guitar
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