Recording stereo audio... at DVinfo.net

Bob Reed · October 17th, 2003, 04:44 PM

I am planning to buy an AT835b external shotgun mike for my GL-2 and was wondering if it would make sense to buy and use two of them to get stereo sound? Most of the stuff I want to do involves interviews, but I would like to try my hand at some nature videography.

Other than the redundancy provided by using two microphones (in case one dies) is there any qualitative advantage to using two mikes? I was thinking about having one pointed directly at the main sound source and one pointed to pick up ambient sound. I figured I could adjust the relative levels between the two in post-production.

Or in situations where two people appear on the screen having the voice of the person on the left coming out of the left speaker while the other person's voice comes from the right speaker.... I guess what I am asking is "does recording everyday conversation or ambient sound in stereo add anything to the realism of the audio?"

Mike Rehmus · October 18th, 2003, 04:07 PM

Almost all recorded sound is monophonic. Any locating of a sound in a sound field is artifically set by the sound editor.

Speech is almost always directed to the center channel in a 5.1 system unless the character speaking is way off screen.

I think stereo is a lot of hassle in most cases.

Spend your money on a wind muffler which you most certainly will need. Maybe a shock mount and a boom pole too.

Marty Wein · October 19th, 2003, 08:02 PM

Bob,
Before you buy the AT835b be advised that Audio-Technica just released a New Shotgun mic the AT897 to either compliment or replace their 835b.

The AT897 is only 11" in length compared to 14.5" of the AT835b

Bob Reed · October 19th, 2003, 08:10 PM

Thanks guys for the good advice. I will definitely check into the AT899!

Bob

Bob Reed · October 19th, 2003, 08:11 PM

Ooops. I meant AT897.

Steve Savanyu · October 29th, 2003, 08:17 AM

The new AT897 will compliment the AT835b and AT815b. This shorter battery/phantom shotgun mic was designed to work with the smaller camcorders such as the GL2, PD150, etc.

October 17th, 2003, 04:44 PM	#1
Bob Reed New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Posts: 20	Recording stereo audio... I am planning to buy an AT835b external shotgun mike for my GL-2 and was wondering if it would make sense to buy and use two of them to get stereo sound? Most of the stuff I want to do involves interviews, but I would like to try my hand at some nature videography. Other than the redundancy provided by using two microphones (in case one dies) is there any qualitative advantage to using two mikes? I was thinking about having one pointed directly at the main sound source and one pointed to pick up ambient sound. I figured I could adjust the relative levels between the two in post-production. Or in situations where two people appear on the screen having the voice of the person on the left coming out of the left speaker while the other person's voice comes from the right speaker.... I guess what I am asking is "does recording everyday conversation or ambient sound in stereo add anything to the realism of the audio?"

October 18th, 2003, 04:07 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Almost all recorded sound is monophonic. Any locating of a sound in a sound field is artifically set by the sound editor. Speech is almost always directed to the center channel in a 5.1 system unless the character speaking is way off screen. I think stereo is a lot of hassle in most cases. Spend your money on a wind muffler which you most certainly will need. Maybe a shock mount and a boom pole too. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

October 19th, 2003, 08:02 PM	#3
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	New Audio-Technica Shotgun Bob, Before you buy the AT835b be advised that Audio-Technica just released a New Shotgun mic the AT897 to either compliment or replace their 835b. The AT897 is only 11" in length compared to 14.5" of the AT835b

October 29th, 2003, 08:17 AM	#6
Steve Savanyu Boss Hog Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 51	The new AT897 will compliment the AT835b and AT815b. This shorter battery/phantom shotgun mic was designed to work with the smaller camcorders such as the GL2, PD150, etc. __________________ "Film is Art; Theatre is Life; Television is Furniture!"

October 19th, 2003, 08:10 PM	#4
Bob Reed New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Posts: 20	Thanks guys for the good advice. I will definitely check into the AT899! Bob

October 19th, 2003, 08:11 PM	#5
Bob Reed New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Posts: 20	Ooops. I meant AT897.