How good is a shotgun mic?

[chaoticmatters]

Like those videos on youtube where there is no hiss or wind, do they use shot gun mics? And if anyone can show me an example between a video done with out the mic and one with it, that would be great.

[SpicyNachoFilms]

They could be using a shotgun mic, they could also be using a lapel mic.

[Mattageddon]

I highly doubt they use a lapel mic. I used a lapel mic for Lens (see below). It isn't the GREATEST... but it works if that's all you can afford.

A shotgun mic is very much recommended as well as getting a Tascam recorder to go with it. They're beautiful. The sound is so crisp and clear. It's really expensive though. So if you have to... just get a lapel mic uuntil you have enough for a nice shotgun mic (and a deadcat) with a Tascam. I like the HD-P2 because it's pretty easy to operate but not simple enough to mess up your recordings. You'll wanna learn how to use this though.

http://www.tascam.com/i-52-17-64-0-7686CA39.jpg

[chaoticmatters]

yea it looks pretty confusing
I wish i was rich

Can i put the lapel mic on my camera? (like would it sound good if it's 4 feet away)

[WesScog]

Tascams are actually VERY easy to use. They aren't nearly as complicated to operate as they look, all you need to know basically is the gain knob, the headphone volume, and the "Record" and "Pause" buttons.

[chaoticmatters]

i really don't want mics that you clip onto your shirt because then i have to buy more for my actors.
And how is the Azden ECZ 990 shotgun mic. It's in my price range and looks nice

[Mattageddon]

Tascams are actually VERY easy to use. They aren't nearly as complicated to operate as they look, all you need to know basically is the gain knob, the headphone volume, and the "Record" and "Pause" buttons.

I always seem to have a slightyly harder time getting it to work for me. xD

[Mattageddon]

Can i put the lapel mic on my camera? (like would it sound good if it's 4 feet away)


You COULD... but it's be a pain to use. I'd try to at least use an m-audio if nothing else. External=better most of the time.

[michaelbak]

yea it looks pretty confusing
I wish i was rich

Can i put the lapel mic on my camera? (like would it sound good if it's 4 feet away)

Lapel mic's fit on your fit on your lapel (AKA shirt collar). They don't pick up much sound but that is why they go on the subjects collar. They also come with a little clip so you would ask your talent to run the mic and short cable up there shirt where you would the clip the mic on the collar of the subject

To answer your question they would most likely pick up just camera noise if you put it on your camera. And the thing in that picture looked more like audio mixer and not a lapel mic.

[chaoticmatters]

I'm probably gonna get a $50 shotgun mic. (Sony ECM HGZ1)

[TheJoker]

Here's a video comparing onboard, lavalia and shotgun mics

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uVm9pz5bDJA


Get a shotgun mic, you won't be disapointed

[Mattageddon]

Get a shotgun mic, you won't be disapointed


Who would be? They're beautiful peices of equipment and when taken care of should last you quite some time. But if money is an issue and you need decent audio go with the lapel until you can afford a shotgun.

[Wra1th13]

i really don't want mics that you clip onto your shirt because then i have to buy more for my actors.
And how is the Azden ECZ 990 shotgun mic. It's in my price range and looks nice
My father purchased a AR-25 for me and it's REALLY good, I love its sound.

[feralucce]

do a search for the rode vidmic... cheap (about 100) and excellent quality equipped with a low end notch filter

[rick3000]

The Rode VideoMic is fantastic for the price. The cheapest place to get it is Jack's Music Factory, they're $120 w/ free shipping.

[Westcroft]

if you're shooting more so indoors then a shotgun mic is going to yield subpar results... hypercardioid mics (such as the RODE NT3) are your best bet for interior filming.

Shotguns are the best in outdoor situations though

[thtoneguy94]

hey while we're talkin about mics I just wanna ask this question.

im thinking about buying an atr-55 and a digital voice recorder since my camera doesn't have a mic input. I get how to works and everything but on set if I want to playback a shot to see if its good or not how would I play back the audio with the video if I record the two seperate? I'm going to be using a portable dvd player as a monitor and I'll be using a clapperboard.

[rick3000]

I don't think that's possible. You could check the audio and video separately, but together you will need them synced perfectly, which as far as I know can only be done in an editing program. You could try and press both 'play' buttons at the same time but it will probably be out of sync.

[thtoneguy94]

is there a way I could plug the recorder into the portable dvd player? it might work then.

[bobaandy1]

Why are we comparing shotgun mics to lav mics and saying which is better? It's like comparing a golf cart to a huge truck; both have different uses, both have different models.

To answer the original question, it depends on what you want to do. If you are making a movie, you will likely want a shotgun mic with a boom pole and shock mount. If you are making a talk show or similar, you will want a lavaliere mic.

Also, look at different models. The more expensive, the better the quality and the more durable it will be. Also don't buy something just because you have enough money right now. You could buy that $50 mic right now and wish you had that $50 to help save up for a replacement after it breaks in two months, or buy a nice $200+ rode videomic and be pleased for years. It's the same with lav mics. The difference is that with lavs, you will likely want to go with a wireless kit. Again, same thing. Save up.

[chaoticmatters]

i think i am going to save up for the Rode videomic

[darao80]

is there a way I could plug the recorder into the portable dvd player? it might work then.
Yes but they might not be synced. here's how
When your pluging your camera into the dvd player your gonna have to use RCA plugs (the yellow,white and red ones) instead of pluging in the white and red wires just plug in your audio (from the audio recorder) into the white jack and plug the yellow one in from your camera
(image here) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32091873@N04/3003833802/)http://www.flickr.com/photos/32091873@N04/3003833802/

[RAM]

Yes but they might not be synced.

They won't be synced at all. You'd need a computer to do it properly or high end recorders and cameras that will allow you to clock the systems together.

Rob

[thtoneguy94]

damn. so when using a digital recorder no on set playback? that hurts.

well i guys i could always watch the video, check for errors. listen to the audio, check for errors.

[Westcroft]

get a digital recorder with a headphone jack for monitoring, listen for errors while you record... If you're not the boom pole operator, get one of those cheapo headphone splitters... run one set of headphones to the boom pole dude and the other set to you.