Novice question about lav mic at DVinfo.net

Steven Parker · April 10th, 2009, 06:39 AM

I'm going to buy a Countryman B3 lac mic. Which color would be most useful? - tan, light beige, cocoa, or black are the choices. The B3 has 3 protective caps, Which would you recommend for general interview: +0dB (flat), +4 dB (bright) or +8 dB (very bright)? Thanks so much!

Dan Brockett · April 10th, 2009, 07:56 AM

Most audio pros buy black, just because black looks the most professional, it is what 98% of all audio gear is. Generally the tan, light beige, cocoa are to try to match skin tones when using the mic in live theater or if you are shooting interviews at the beach with the talent in swimsuits and want the cable and mic to appear less noticeable.

As far as the caps, those are highly dependent on the situation but generally the caps that boost the highs are used when the mic is located underneath wardrobe and the highs are lost because of the clothing blocking them. I generally use mine with the flat cap for just ordinary interviews, but on occasion have used the caps when the talent has a super bassy profundo voice and some highs are needed for clarity.

Good luck, you will dig the mic, it is a very nic lav.

Dan

Steven Parker · April 10th, 2009, 08:08 AM

Thanks Dan! One last question: for a little extra, I can have Countryman put a 3.5 mini-break in the line in case I want to use it later for a Senn G2 wireless system instead of plugging directly into my camera with an XLR. Any problem with that? Thanks.

Daniel Epstein · April 10th, 2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Parker

Thanks Dan! One last question: for a little extra, I can have Countryman put a 3.5 mini-break in the line in case I want to use it later for a Senn G2 wireless system instead of plugging directly into my camera with an XLR. Any problem with that? Thanks.

You are risking reliability when using it with the xlr. In my experience I have found that these kinds of options end up being a compromise I don't like to make. If I mostly use it as a wireless and the xlr is back up then I might do it but not the other way around

Mark Boyer · April 10th, 2009, 09:54 AM

Black is your color, not as good resale value in the other colors but top dollar in black (when you decide to resell it). I would get the mic in XLR and a adapter from Sennhieser to convert the wireless to a xlr plug.

Steven Parker · April 10th, 2009, 12:26 PM

Thanks! Great help - these forums are wonderful.

April 10th, 2009, 06:39 AM	#1
Steven Parker New Boot Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 8	Novice question about lav mic I'm going to buy a Countryman B3 lac mic. Which color would be most useful? - tan, light beige, cocoa, or black are the choices. The B3 has 3 protective caps, Which would you recommend for general interview: +0dB (flat), +4 dB (bright) or +8 dB (very bright)? Thanks so much!

April 10th, 2009, 07:56 AM	#2
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Most audio pros buy black, just because black looks the most professional, it is what 98% of all audio gear is. Generally the tan, light beige, cocoa are to try to match skin tones when using the mic in live theater or if you are shooting interviews at the beach with the talent in swimsuits and want the cable and mic to appear less noticeable. As far as the caps, those are highly dependent on the situation but generally the caps that boost the highs are used when the mic is located underneath wardrobe and the highs are lost because of the clothing blocking them. I generally use mine with the flat cap for just ordinary interviews, but on occasion have used the caps when the talent has a super bassy profundo voice and some highs are needed for clarity. Good luck, you will dig the mic, it is a very nic lav. Dan

April 10th, 2009, 08:08 AM	#3
Steven Parker New Boot Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 8	Thanks Dan! One last question: for a little extra, I can have Countryman put a 3.5 mini-break in the line in case I want to use it later for a Senn G2 wireless system instead of plugging directly into my camera with an XLR. Any problem with that? Thanks.

April 10th, 2009, 09:54 AM	#5
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	Black is your color, not as good resale value in the other colors but top dollar in black (when you decide to resell it). I would get the mic in XLR and a adapter from Sennhieser to convert the wireless to a xlr plug.

April 10th, 2009, 12:26 PM	#6
Steven Parker New Boot Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 8	Thanks! Great help - these forums are wonderful.