Looking for Mic Replacement Suggestions at DVinfo.net

Jonathan Schwartz · January 3rd, 2009, 09:45 AM

I currently film mostly school age concerts of band and choir. I use an AT822 stereo mic in combination with my Sennheiser G2 wireless set up so I can put the mic pretty close to the stage.

While the reults have been pretty good, I find the audio to be very dead and flat sounding. I was wondering if anyone had a any suggestions for a moderately priced replacement for this set up. It would have to be a single stereo mic as I try to avoid running mic cables across an auditorium.

I have looked at the Rode NT4 but do not know if it is worth the money for the upgrade. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Andy Wilkinson · January 3rd, 2009, 10:36 AM

So you are using two Senny G2 transmitters and two G2 receivers to get the sound to the cameras L & R channels, correct?

If so, I would have thought this would account for "the flat & dead sound".

I would suggest you need a Digital Audio Recorder (located up close to the mic - at the base of the mic stand). Then, you would record from the AT822 directly to it's flash card, i.e. forget about the weak link in your audio chain, the radio link back to your camera (i.e. still no wires across the floor to worry about people tripping over). You then just sync it up in post to the video in your NLE. Tip - leave the internal mics on the cam on and (although you won't use the sound tracks from them) they will help you match up the sound from the digital audio recorder files exactly to the video in the timeline.

I have a (basically similar) AT825 which is really excellent, "open" in sound, definitely not flat or dead! - when connected directly to camera or (Fostex FR2-LE) digital audio recorder. I don't know but strongly suspect even a superb Rode NT4 stereo mic would sound flat if relying on a dual radio link - assuming I've understood your post correctly.

Hope this helps!

Jonathan Schwartz · January 3rd, 2009, 11:08 AM

I am only using one At822 and one G2 wireless set up. My only problem with the recorder is we film marching band competitions with up to 45 bands and indoor percussion and guard shows with up to 70 groups. Having to start and stop the recorder just adds something else that can go wrong and it also add another step in the editing process (not a big deal in a wedding, but multiply it by 70 and it becomes a headache).

Steve Oakley · January 3rd, 2009, 05:25 PM

Well the answer isn't what you wanted to hear. Either go to a high end wireless, like the digital zaxcoms or lectro 411's or go hardwire. Even a much better mic on a low end wireless will suffer from high end roll off and compander noise.

Don Miller · January 3rd, 2009, 06:51 PM

The Edirol R09HR has a wireless remote. Don't know the range of the remote.

Allen Plowman · January 4th, 2009, 12:21 AM

a single g2 is a mono unit, how are you utilizing a stereo mic with a g2?
are you asking how to set up your stereo mic, or are you looking for a mono mic rather than stereo?
if you are combining the two channels to connect to the wireless, you could definitely get flat sound through cancellation.

January 3rd, 2009, 09:45 AM	#1
Jonathan Schwartz Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 211	Looking for Mic Replacement Suggestions I currently film mostly school age concerts of band and choir. I use an AT822 stereo mic in combination with my Sennheiser G2 wireless set up so I can put the mic pretty close to the stage. While the reults have been pretty good, I find the audio to be very dead and flat sounding. I was wondering if anyone had a any suggestions for a moderately priced replacement for this set up. It would have to be a single stereo mic as I try to avoid running mic cables across an auditorium. I have looked at the Rode NT4 but do not know if it is worth the money for the upgrade. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. __________________ Jonathan Schwartz CA Video Productions

January 3rd, 2009, 10:36 AM	#2
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	So you are using two Senny G2 transmitters and two G2 receivers to get the sound to the cameras L & R channels, correct? If so, I would have thought this would account for "the flat & dead sound". I would suggest you need a Digital Audio Recorder (located up close to the mic - at the base of the mic stand). Then, you would record from the AT822 directly to it's flash card, i.e. forget about the weak link in your audio chain, the radio link back to your camera (i.e. still no wires across the floor to worry about people tripping over). You then just sync it up in post to the video in your NLE. Tip - leave the internal mics on the cam on and (although you won't use the sound tracks from them) they will help you match up the sound from the digital audio recorder files exactly to the video in the timeline. I have a (basically similar) AT825 which is really excellent, "open" in sound, definitely not flat or dead! - when connected directly to camera or (Fostex FR2-LE) digital audio recorder. I don't know but strongly suspect even a superb Rode NT4 stereo mic would sound flat if relying on a dual radio link - assuming I've understood your post correctly. Hope this helps! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

January 3rd, 2009, 11:08 AM	#3
Jonathan Schwartz Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 211	Andy I am only using one At822 and one G2 wireless set up. My only problem with the recorder is we film marching band competitions with up to 45 bands and indoor percussion and guard shows with up to 70 groups. Having to start and stop the recorder just adds something else that can go wrong and it also add another step in the editing process (not a big deal in a wedding, but multiply it by 70 and it becomes a headache). __________________ Jonathan Schwartz CA Video Productions

January 4th, 2009, 12:21 AM	#6
Allen Plowman Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Paradise, california Posts: 353	a single g2 is a mono unit, how are you utilizing a stereo mic with a g2? are you asking how to set up your stereo mic, or are you looking for a mono mic rather than stereo? if you are combining the two channels to connect to the wireless, you could definitely get flat sound through cancellation. __________________ "What I need is an exact list of specific unknown problems we might encounter."

January 3rd, 2009, 05:25 PM	#4
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	Well the answer isn't what you wanted to hear. Either go to a high end wireless, like the digital zaxcoms or lectro 411's or go hardwire. Even a much better mic on a low end wireless will suffer from high end roll off and compander noise.

January 3rd, 2009, 06:51 PM	#5
Don Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	The Edirol R09HR has a wireless remote. Don't know the range of the remote.