Brian Reynolds
Forum Replies Created
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Many manufactures have cameras that would suit your needs Cannon, Sony, Panasonic, JVC etc. As a format suggestion AVCHD would be the way to go, it records to a SD card that is easily handled by edit programs in most PC’s or laptops, even the most basic edit programs that come with Windows or Mac will do a very good job on basic productions.
As a piece of advice make sure that the camera has XLR audio inputs and can run ‘phantom power’ for powering microphones……..
A basic video camera with some very simple lighting and a couple of cable lapel microphones (no need for radio microphones in what you are wanting to do) will deliver amazing results within your price range.This might be a starting point for you…
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Pro-Camcorders-Cameras/ci/16763/N/4256818817NO need for the Zoom H6 in what you are wanting to do.
Do NOT go the DSLR camera path, it creates SO much more work for you….. -
Is the mic plugged into the Tx unit and the locking ring done up? I have had a similar sound if the mic connector isn’t in correctly. Or even a broken cable near the 3.5mm plug (but you can normally see a kink in the cable if this occurs)
Rather than do an auto scan just do a manual scan, turn off the Tx unit and go through some frequencies on the Rx unit if there is any sign of an RF signal stay well away from this area of the RF spectrum.
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This may help you….
https://www.countryman.com/microphone-wiring -
Have you done a google search for ME2 v ME4 microphone?
Why have you wanted to go Cardiod and not omni?
Do you have to wear a T-shirt (one of the hardest shirts to mic up..well)?
You mention that you don’t want to look like a news reader…. are you happy to use a sick on setup? -
I have never tried the Audix, The NTG3 / 416 are a similar sound and yes very reflective indoors, the Samson is a good low cost Hyper option, as I have said I own 6 of them and have shot many a TVCommercial with them in kitchens and bathrooms.
Here are some commercials done with the Samson CO2
https://www.mybudget.com.au/watch-our-tv-commercials/I also own a NTG2 and hate it, ‘Cant polish a t**d’ comes to mind….. but are useful for a ‘disposable’ Fx mic on outside broadcasts.
‘Celebrating 40 years of Broadcasting Audio….
Started with Magnetic stripe and Sprocket holes to now Gigabytes and Touch Screen Mixing Consoles’…… -
This why I’m saying shoot and produce a Mini Doco first perhaps with some borrowed gear to get your head around various work flows.
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MICS(s) [Yes] > XLR [Yes] > RECORDER [Yes] > 3.5″ OUT [here is where the problem starts 3.5 connections are unbalanced signal and often have connection problems] > DSLR. [low grade audio quality recording] and with NO way of monitoring it at this point.
Never, Never delete ANY file until your production is TOTALLY complete, so its fresh cards each shoot.
Crew will start and stop devices at different times and perhaps often leave them rolling i.e. the talent wearing a portable recorder it would have 1 file with 10-20 takes rather than 20 files with just one take on each.
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When you think audio onto a DSLR think its equal to an old style compact cassette machine, so its far from ideal.
Some people use it but if you have gone to a lot of trouble with your production why not record good sound as well. With DSLR audio how do you monitor the audio out with headphones?If you are going to use separate cards for each scene when do you format the card for each machine? Prior to the shoot, on the day or at the time of loading the card? How much extra time does this take?
You may need to consider another person on your crew, the role of ‘Data Wrangler’ the responsibility to format cards, log cards, transfer the files to hard drive, do a backup of those files and store them in a logical way. The role is different than a Production Assistant which takes note of the usable takes.
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Mic selection, Rode NTG3 with softie on a Rycote shock mount….. minimum
Samson CO2 mics are good to use for close indoor stuff (I have 6 of them) but keep them close in, the supplied wind shields are useless, so get some replacements and always use the shield as the mics suffer from wind / air movement noise easily.
The supplied mic holders are brittle and are not good, but get a Rycote shock mount (the same will fit the NTG3). So a pole set up with a Rycote shock mount and just swap the mics is an ideal setup. -
The problem with DSLR shooting, is while they can (in the right hands) deliver stunning pictures the process of a one person doing all is a tall order.
OK lets think 20+ scenes, with 10+ takes on each scene, using a DSLR + audio recorder + 2 ‘personal’ recorders. You will end up with 4 cards with 200+ takes ON EACH CARD and thats 800+ files in total….How do you sort that lot out?
Do you batch sync, or do you only sync the good takes, then how do you handle that in an edit timeline.
And you MUST sort it out BEFORE you start editing.On the other hand a Video Camera with embedded audio you have 200+ takes to be imported (quickly) then its just a process of elimination in editing.
Im NOT dissing DSLR shooting but for short scene picture only stuff it fantastic or with a full crew where each person is responsible for their component.