I hate to do this, but... (newbie audio questions)
 

I'm currently planning on buying a GL2 for a feature I'm filming over the summer, and I'm thinking it might be a good idea to buy a mic. While I'm pretty comfortable with video, I know next to nothing about audio, and after lurking around this board I'm so confused my head is spinning. So I'm sucking it up and asking you guys some very stupid newbie questions.

1) Could someone perhaps give me a website with basic microphone information on it? (ie, differences between shotgun, boom, etc, and when they're used.) I just want to set the record straight.

2) Now the annoying specifics: For this movie I'll be doing part on a set, part in an auditorium, and part outdoors. For the most part, I only really need to record dialogue and background in all settings (save for auditorium, where I'll have crowd shots). What kind (type, not brand, I'm nowhere near that stage yet) of equipment do you suggest? Is there any way I could do all this with just one mic? Is there anyway I can get everything I need for under $600?

Thanks in advance, and I hope you can forgive my ignorence.

http://www.shure.com/booklets/techpubs.html

Douglass, why don't you sticky this URL to the top of the forum as this is a constant question?

Thanks Mike
 

Heh, in fact I even originally wrote "So I'm sucking it up and asking you guys some very stupid newbie questions (the kind that annoy experienced posters as they're asked again and again)."


..."Its real goal is to provide helpful tips, practical advice, and a general knowledge of audio tools – all with the express purpose of making video productions as clear, understandable, and impressive as possible."

Sweet. Perfect. Thanks again!

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/location_sound.html

http://www.equipmentemporium.com/

http://www.cybercollege.org/tvp038.htm

and a link to an excellent book, buy it most people do.

http://www.dplay.com/book/pgs/index.html

http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/help/kb will get you to several tutorials.

You can also check out the Audio-Technica website: www.audio-technica.com

There are several sections on using and selecting microphones and wireless systems.

:-) Steve, I was afraid to say the AT word again. I've now gotten 2 mails offline asking if I work for AT or something because we've invested so much $$ in their microphones. At the risk of a brag, we've received a LOT of brass for our projects, and almost every project I've done in the past 10 years has an AT on it somewhere.
3 projects we recorded portions of are up for 3 different Grammy's this week. All our portions were done w/AT.

Wow, thanks guys! Lots of information...