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Home: Video University Forums: Audio For Video:
need shotgun mic

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ryin
User

May 27, 2007, 9:01 PM

Post #1 of 41 (2811 views)
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need shotgun mic	Can't Post

I would like to purchase a decent shotgun mic to use with my vx2000 probably something in the $100-$200 range. right now all i have is a cheap sony mic. Any recommendations?

Sydney_Dave
Novice

May 31, 2007, 10:25 AM

Post #2 of 41 (2746 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi ryin,

If you can stretch your budget a little further, I don't think you can go past the Rode NTG-1 for value for money.

I'm pretty sure that the VX2000 would do phantom power ... but if it doesn't, you'll need the NTG-2 with a AA battery.

Dave
.
www.dnmvideo.com.au

MLiebergot
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 12:49 PM

Post #3 of 41 (2732 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would definitely recommend the Rode mic, but you will need the Rode NTG2 mic, as the VX2100 does not supply phantom power.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Brackish
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 1:48 PM

Post #4 of 41 (2723 views)
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ryin
User

May 31, 2007, 2:32 PM

Post #5 of 41 (2718 views)
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Re: [Brackish] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

I could probably swing a little more money. The mic would be used for weddingsand personal projects. I want something better than the standard built in mic and the cheap sony shotgun I already have. What is phantom power?

RT Steele
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 2:49 PM

Post #6 of 41 (2712 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Like Brack said... what will you be using it for?

Personally, I've never found a use for a shotgun at weddings other than to make my VX look really bad-ass. Sly

And I wouldn't recommend the RODE on that VX of yours. The shock mount sucks a$$ and will pick up the vibrations from a flatulent priest at 20 yards. Even touching the pan handle results in an audible "thump" on tape. Plus it uses a pricey 9 volt battery.

Totally worthless. I use mine as a paint roller now. Laugh

Best thing you can do is get all of your audio off the freaking camera IMHO.

- RT

mjeppsen
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 3:11 PM

Post #7 of 41 (2699 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Consider the $150 Rode Videomic.
Simple setup for your 1/8" audio jack, integrated highpass filter, decent off-axis noise rejection, and stellar 100-hr battery life.

Matt Jeppsen
www.FreshDV.com

RustyB
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 3:11 PM

Post #8 of 41 (2699 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

...it uses a pricey 9 volt battery. ....

Are you talking about the Rode VideoMic?

I just picked up an NTG-1 to use with cameras with XLR inputs (PD170, Z1U, A1, etc), which requires phantom power. Like the other's said, you'd need the NTG-2, which has it's own power, BUT has an XLR connection which won't readily plug into your VX2000.

I agree 100% with RT. For weddings, I prefer the wide stereo pickup of the VX's built-in mic. BUT, having "been there, done that", and bought every single thing in the B&H catalog, and knowing you won't be happy until you've strapped a shotgun mic to your camera and got it out of your system, might I suggest the following....

Azden SGM-X

It was made for consumer cameras like the VX2000, which have no XLR inputs or phantom power. It has a miniplug, which will plug straight into your VX, and an internal battery for power.

It's only $110, so you decide you don't need one anymore, you're not out quite as much money.

It works "as good" as a more expensive Rode NTG-1.

It comes with a shoe-mount to fit consumer cams without mic mounts, BUT you will need some additional goofy bracketry to attach a shotgun mic to your camera, if you still want to be able to use a light.

I had the Azden, used it at one wedding, and put it up on the VU for-sale forum. It worked great, but was simply no use at weddings. Shotgun mics are better suited to being on the end of a boom-pole, being carried by the sound guy.

Use wireless for any kind of important audio, like vows and toasts and readings. You won't really gain any more usable audio with a shotgun, you'll just get less off-axis noise. The VX2000's stereo mic does a great job recording background sound/music, when mixed with audio from the wireless.

SGM-X without the included windscreen...

faith poison wedding films
anger is an energy

(This post was edited by RustyB on May 31, 2007, 3:13 PM)

RT Steele
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 3:51 PM

Post #9 of 41 (2681 views)
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Re: [RustyB] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Are you talking about the Rode VideoMic?

Yeah, I read Michael's post too quickly.

The videomic is about $150:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._Camera_Mounted.html

Piece o' crap.

And that Azden you mention requires one of those funky batteries... a complete turnoff to me. I've got my entire kit down to cheap AA's which is nice because I chuck 'em after every gig. If it won't run on these I won't buy it.

There are only 2 instances I can think of where a shotgun might be used at a wedding, one being while shooting the formals should anybody say something stupid you'd like to keep for posterity. The other being the cake cutting (which is what Brack does I think). But the only natural audio in my edits these days are the vows and minister.

Like you say, the built in stereo mic on the VX works very well, especially in small rooms.

But again, I would put the money into an off-camera Zoom H2/H4 and not depend on my tape for audio if possible instead of buying a shotgun with limited use. Especially on the VX because you need a separate XLR adapter (or splitter contraption) to use both channels independently.

- RT

Brackish
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 4:02 PM

Post #10 of 41 (2676 views)
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RT Steele
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 4:09 PM

Post #11 of 41 (2673 views)
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Re: [Brackish] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quite the memory you have, RT.

Right now my underwear are on backwards and my socks don't match but I do have a mind like a steel trap when I'm sober. Laugh

- RT

ryin
User

May 31, 2007, 6:05 PM

Post #12 of 41 (2647 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

so the you guys just use audio from the built in mic? what about the toasts?

Chuck_e7
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 6:38 PM

Post #13 of 41 (2644 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Aaugh! don't drop the soap! Shocked

"600 yards out, I can still see you!"

RT Steele
Veteran

Jun 1, 2007, 8:30 AM

Post #14 of 41 (2620 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

so the you guys just use audio from the built in mic? what about the toasts?

I only use the built in mic for ambient sounds - never for critical audio.

To pick up dialog:

Method 1.) tap into the DJ's sound board (or house PA system).
Method 2.) place a mic in front of a speaker.

I've done both but prefer #2. Search the forums for Sennheiser "e604" which is a drum mic. There's a ton of stuff here about recording speeches.

- RT

MLiebergot
Veteran

Jun 1, 2007, 10:09 AM

Post #15 of 41 (2613 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is what I do for my audio.
Rode NTG2 on either my PD170 (Ch1) or inputted into my VX2100 via Beachtek box (ch1). Then I take a wireless handheld mic and place that on a mic stand in front of the PA stack and send that to my camera via wireless (I already have the wireless reciver hooked up into channel 2 anyway from the reception). I then monitor my audio by headphones and adjust my inputs accordingly throughout the night. I am normally right up front anyway for toasts (I'm either sitting in a chair down front of kneeling down out of the way), so I get decent audio from my shotgun anyway. But it's nice having a separate wireless feed into my camera if needed.
Also, the wireless feed into my camera ensures that I get a nice constant audio for all of my in camera audio (speeches/toasts, blessings and most important music). This way I can move around freely and get constant music feed to channel 2, as well as ambiant audio (crowd noise, scearming, laughter, oohing and ahhing) on channel 1 to mixdown in post.

Now keep in mind that this setup would work great for a one camera setup. It also works great for 2-3 camera setups as well. I would also highly recommend this setup to anyone who wants a simple audio setup for good clean audio without worrying about it.

But I would recommend that you always have a backup solution for your audio as well. For that I would recommend the use of an extranal recorder, which myslef and other use for their audio. I use 2 recorders (Edirol R09 and Zoom H4) for my main audio and my in camera audio for backup/syncable audio. Others use the opposite. But that is for another discussion.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

(This post was edited by MLiebergot on Jun 1, 2007, 10:16 AM)

Brackish
Veteran

Jun 1, 2007, 2:29 PM

Post #16 of 41 (2587 views)
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Mark Foley
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Jun 1, 2007, 2:49 PM

Post #17 of 41 (2584 views)
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Re: [Brackish] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Looking like August now....delay in shipping as they did a last-minute microphone design change

_________________________
Mark

Brackish
Veteran

Jun 1, 2007, 3:46 PM

Post #18 of 41 (2571 views)
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Mark Foley
Veteran

Jun 1, 2007, 4:19 PM

Post #19 of 41 (2567 views)
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Re: [Brackish] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes...pre-ordered one through Sweetwater.

_________________________
Mark

MLiebergot
Veteran

Jun 1, 2007, 4:19 PM

Post #20 of 41 (2567 views)
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Re: [Brackish] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

I did from sweetwater.com. And my rep there called me last week and told me the same thing that Mark just said.

I'm glad I wasn't in desperate need for it. Crazy

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

ryin
User

Jun 13, 2007, 11:38 PM

Post #21 of 41 (2370 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

currently i use irivers to capure vows and people speaking. i have a sony ecm-hs1 on the camera via hotshoe, i use the audio from the tape for toasts. what would you guys recommend getting for audio equip. that would better my setup/sound quality with a $250 budget.

Ron Priest
Veteran

Jun 16, 2007, 2:30 AM

Post #22 of 41 (2318 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, you could add another $50 bucks to that and get a Zoom H4, then save up your money to get couple mics for it. What area are you wanting to inprove in, the cermoony or recepton?
___________________
Ron

Mark Foley
Veteran

Jun 16, 2007, 3:54 AM

Post #23 of 41 (2313 views)
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Re: [ryin] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

ryin,
As other have pointed out...save the money you would blow on a shotgun and use it to purchase a quality recorder....
A common misconception is that a shotgun microphone has a longer "reach" than other microphones, as if it can "magically" record sounds that originate a considerable distance from the microphone element. This is a wrong way to think about how this type of microphone and sound behaves. Longer microphones DON'T have any "reach"; they have a narrower angle of acceptance than other micorphones. Even the longest shotgun will pick up lots of extraneous ambient sound in the right situation. Remember that sound is "messy"...this means that the undesirable sound is reflecting and bouncing into the area where you are trying to record clean sound mixed with just a slight amount of ambient (and out of phase) sound...producing basically crap audio.

Above all other factors, the distance between the mic and the sound source will have the largest influence on the overall sound in your recordings. Regardless of the pickup pattern, cost or quality of your mic, if it is placed too far away or aimed improperly, then your sound quality will be diminished. As DSE pointed out on here sometime ago, a $5 mic at 5 feet will sound exponentially better than a $500 mic at 50 feet....

_________________________
Mark

(This post was edited by Mark Foley on Jun 16, 2007, 3:56 AM)

scotthayes
Veteran

Jun 16, 2007, 9:57 AM

Post #24 of 41 (1988 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

a shotgun is great for doing on cam interviews, but I find my
Azden is too damnlong, and find the windscreen in some of my shots.
the built mic on the sony cams sounds great for ambient sound, or
mixed with an iRiver. It sounds impeccably better than a shotgun.

If your gear is paid for, KEEP IT!

ryin
User

Jun 16, 2007, 11:52 AM

Post #25 of 41 (1975 views)
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Re: [scotthayes] need shotgun mic [In reply to]	Can't Post

the irivers with lapels do a great job at the ceremony, so im looking for something that will get me better audio for the reception, typically the toasts.

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