Tony Koretz
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Getting a microphone off the camera is something you really want to do if at all possible. Doing some reading on the subjects of microphones, and also general things like syncing audio with video would probably benefit you. Try to understand some of the principles of these things a bit more before you spend money on buying equipment. It takes practice, experience and a good knowledge of the subject to get proficient at getting good, professional sounding audio. Since a good link has been posted already to a tutorial on microphones, I won’t get too specific there, but I have written a tutorial on the importance of getting good audio with video, which you may also find to be helpful, and you can find that tutorial here:
https://rocksuresoundz.com/2011/10/11/the-importance-of-getting-good-audio/
Rocksure Soundz
https://rocksuresoundz.com -
That’s a bummer. I take it that you have tried removing and re-installing the batteries? Every now and then (usually weeks apart) my PMD661 doesn’t power up. If I remove and re-install the batteries it always starts up following that.
I can’t really help with advice on fixing thhem since I am in NZ though sorry.Rocksure Soundz
https://rocksuresoundz.com -
Shotguns:
Prior to the sennhieser 416 there was a 415 model, which was very similar but used T-power not phantom power.
The AKG C451 has been made in a number of different models since the late 1960’s( C451E, C451C, C451 EB etc) and also a C452EB. These used interchangeabe capsules of various polar patterns, including a short shotgun (CK-8) and long shotgun ( CK-9)
Dynamics:
For voice over the Electrovoice RE20 and the Shure sm7 have been round for a fair while
Small diaphram condensors:
As well as the shotgun capsules the C451 also had CK-1 and CK-5 cadiod capsules and CK-22 omni capsules available. The Shure sm81 has been round since the late 70’s. Not usually a first choice for solo vocals, but both have been used that way. MOre commonly used on musical instruments.
Large Diaphram condensors:
The Neumann u87 ( and previous to that the U67) and AKG C12 and C414 are well known condensors from that period used for studio voice recording. Still are today.Heaps of other mics could also be mentioned, but that’s some anyway.
Rocksure Soundz
https://rocksuresoundz.com -
If you are having problems with picking up too much noise from round the room you may want to consider the Shure sm7b as a VO mic. They don’t have a lot of gain and so require a good quite preamp with plenty of usable gain, but they have the advantage of allowing you to get really close to the capsule. If proximity effect is likely to be a problem, the ElectroVoice RE20 is another possibility as it has virtually no proximity effect ( ie: it doesn’t sound bassier the closer you get to it). Both are dynamic mics and require no +48. Both of these mics have a long history as broadcast announcer mics and are well under your $1000 figure, which means you have some money left over for sound treatment in the room.
Well acoustically treated recording spaces make a world of differencre to the outcome v untreated spaces.Rocksure Soundz
https://rocksuresoundz.com -
Original poster, You mentioned you had a Marantz PMD661. That is fine as an audio recorder. However, the preamps in the recorder are reasonable but not anything to write home about. My advice would be to keep that as you recording device since you have one, but add a good field mixer with top quality preamps, such as those from Sound Devices. You would use the preamps in the field mixer and feed those to the Marantz to actually record the signals.
Rocksure Soundz
https://www.rocksuresoundz.com -
Mics for voice over works:
Because not every one’s voice suits every mic here are some I recommend:
Top Two:
1)Neumann U87: If you can afford one get it. Been the standard for years. Someone mentioned a Neumann TLM103. Personally that mic is the subject of a lot of love/hate in the industry…probably more than any other Neumann mic. I personally would suggest best to avoid it. There are better mics for less money out there.2)Shure sm7 or sm7B: A dynamic mic that will cover most voices that don’t suit a U87. Also been a broadcast standard for years.
Other good mics for this application are Electrovoice RE20: A dynamic mic, Great for some voices not for others.
AKG C414: Condensor mic:many different sub models of this mic..some better than others, but also a long time standard. Other brands like Rode K2 or some of the Audio Technica condensor mics are also good, and considerably cheaper than the NeumannRocksure Soundz
https://www.rocksuresoundz.com -
Definitely agree that a dynamic mic is the way to go for handheld rather than a condensor or shotgun mic. Not only do you take away the need for phantom power, but also the handling noise issue. Condensors, shotgun or sdc’s really need shock mounting unless in the hands of someone very quiet and used to handling them very gently.
Rocksure Soundz
https://www.rocksuresoundz.com