new to audio and need advice for ex1 at DVinfo.net

Ron Williams · November 16th, 2008, 06:04 PM

i am new to the audio part of videography and now looking into what type of external audio gear would be good. I will be doing id say 60% interviews and the rest can range from weddings/music videos ect.. and was looking at the senn wireless G system with lavalier mics and the senn system with the boom pole and shotgun. is there a need to have both? or which one would be best for now to get me thru some of these assignments for the time being? i mean is the audio better with a lav attached to interviewee or using a shotgun with a boom? right now as i said im just really starting to get assignments and trying to gear up something that can get me a good quality product until things really start picking up and i can go all out.

Steve House · November 17th, 2008, 01:11 AM

Yes, there is a need for both, plus some additional pieces of kit you didn't mention: a hypercardioid boom mic, a hand-held stick mic, hard-wired lavs, and a proper mixer. The shotgun on a boom is best in non-reflective environments such as an acoustically treated soundstage or exterior location work while switching to a hyper on the boom is a better choice for reflective locations such as typical residential and business interiors. You really need to have both available for maximum flexibility.

For some reason it seems that people always associate a lav mic with wireless - true, it's a common setup but wireless can compromise audio quality and is subject to interference, dropouts, etc. When one doesn't need the mobility that wireless allows, when shooting a sit-down interview for example, a better approach is a hard-wired lav cabled back to the mixer or camera. "Whenever you are able, always use the cable."

Ty Ford · November 17th, 2008, 08:08 AM

What he said.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Marco Leavitt · November 17th, 2008, 08:50 AM

Boomed audio usually sounds better (much better), but the reality of it is you really need a second person to do the booming and mixing. For interviews, you may be able to get away with a boom mic on a holder of some kind, but that's a fair amount of setup there if you are running the camera as well. Me, I'd probably stick with wireless unless you are able to get someone to work with you. Setting up lights and operating the camera is a handful as it is. If you do go the wireless route (or wired lav as noted), invest in the best lav you can afford. It will cost nearly as much as the G2 system you're looking at. The AudioTechnica 1800 is another good system you may want to look at.

November 16th, 2008, 06:04 PM	#1
Ron Williams Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 70	new to audio and need advice for ex1 i am new to the audio part of videography and now looking into what type of external audio gear would be good. I will be doing id say 60% interviews and the rest can range from weddings/music videos ect.. and was looking at the senn wireless G system with lavalier mics and the senn system with the boom pole and shotgun. is there a need to have both? or which one would be best for now to get me thru some of these assignments for the time being? i mean is the audio better with a lav attached to interviewee or using a shotgun with a boom? right now as i said im just really starting to get assignments and trying to gear up something that can get me a good quality product until things really start picking up and i can go all out.

November 17th, 2008, 01:11 AM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Yes, there is a need for both, plus some additional pieces of kit you didn't mention: a hypercardioid boom mic, a hand-held stick mic, hard-wired lavs, and a proper mixer. The shotgun on a boom is best in non-reflective environments such as an acoustically treated soundstage or exterior location work while switching to a hyper on the boom is a better choice for reflective locations such as typical residential and business interiors. You really need to have both available for maximum flexibility. For some reason it seems that people always associate a lav mic with wireless - true, it's a common setup but wireless can compromise audio quality and is subject to interference, dropouts, etc. When one doesn't need the mobility that wireless allows, when shooting a sit-down interview for example, a better approach is a hard-wired lav cabled back to the mixer or camera. "Whenever you are able, always use the cable." __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

November 17th, 2008, 08:08 AM	#3
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	What he said. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

November 17th, 2008, 08:50 AM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Boomed audio usually sounds better (much better), but the reality of it is you really need a second person to do the booming and mixing. For interviews, you may be able to get away with a boom mic on a holder of some kind, but that's a fair amount of setup there if you are running the camera as well. Me, I'd probably stick with wireless unless you are able to get someone to work with you. Setting up lights and operating the camera is a handful as it is. If you do go the wireless route (or wired lav as noted), invest in the best lav you can afford. It will cost nearly as much as the G2 system you're looking at. The AudioTechnica 1800 is another good system you may want to look at.