Are parabolic microphones actually useable and worthwhile on a DVX-100? at DVinfo.net

Joep Bannenberg · January 13th, 2004, 09:40 AM

Hi,

I need to shoot lively conversations in a crowd on a regular basis for a daily program. Wireless and booms are no options in this location. Would a parabolic microphone be useful? And which brand is best?

Cheers,

Joep, from Amsterdam.

Law Tyler · January 13th, 2004, 01:07 PM

YEAH, where the hack do you buy one of these GIGANTIC babies any way? Love to tot one around just to scare people.

John Hartney · January 13th, 2004, 02:47 PM

You won't be able to isolate your talent from the surrounding noise. Also, Parbolic dishes are subject to thier own set of audio problems and are seldom used for dialog. I used them once on a documentary in a classroom with the teacher mic'd wireless and an audio operator following students interactoins with the parabolic dish and a tuned mic. The shift in quality was unacceptable.

Parabolic dishes are mostly used to pickup grunts at sports events as background.

could you give us more details of the setting and source?

Joep Bannenberg · January 14th, 2004, 10:15 AM

Hi John and Law,

Thanks for the feedback.
I am planning a daily program where people in a diner passionately discuss the morning newspapers. Like a crowd standing around a couple of people sitting at a table, discussing the daily ethnic news concerning them selves.
Doing it on 2 camera's, I don't have the space to fit to boom people in as well. And wiring does not work since the people walk in and out.
So how bad is this sound on parabolics? I mean a rough edge could fit the scene.

Cheers

Joep

Martin Garrison · January 14th, 2004, 01:48 PM

What about hanging a couple of cardioids, or one omni, over their heads?

January 13th, 2004, 09:40 AM	#1
Joep Bannenberg New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5	Are parabolic microphones actually useable and worthwhile on a DVX-100? Hi, I need to shoot lively conversations in a crowd on a regular basis for a daily program. Wireless and booms are no options in this location. Would a parabolic microphone be useful? And which brand is best? Cheers, Joep, from Amsterdam.

January 13th, 2004, 02:47 PM	#3
John Hartney Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Elgin, Illinois Posts: 206	You won't be able to isolate your talent from the surrounding noise. Also, Parbolic dishes are subject to thier own set of audio problems and are seldom used for dialog. I used them once on a documentary in a classroom with the teacher mic'd wireless and an audio operator following students interactoins with the parabolic dish and a tuned mic. The shift in quality was unacceptable. Parabolic dishes are mostly used to pickup grunts at sports events as background. could you give us more details of the setting and source? __________________ John Hartney Elgin, Illinois USA 847.742.9321

January 14th, 2004, 01:48 PM	#5
Martin Garrison Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 173	Hanging Mics What about hanging a couple of cardioids, or one omni, over their heads?

January 13th, 2004, 01:07 PM	#2
Law Tyler Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 204	YEAH, where the hack do you buy one of these GIGANTIC babies any way? Love to tot one around just to scare people.

January 14th, 2004, 10:15 AM	#4
Joep Bannenberg New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5	Hi John and Law, Thanks for the feedback. I am planning a daily program where people in a diner passionately discuss the morning newspapers. Like a crowd standing around a couple of people sitting at a table, discussing the daily ethnic news concerning them selves. Doing it on 2 camera's, I don't have the space to fit to boom people in as well. And wiring does not work since the people walk in and out. So how bad is this sound on parabolics? I mean a rough edge could fit the scene. Cheers Joep