mic/boom/mixer/beachtec/ combo? at DVinfo.net

Jason Pechman · March 21st, 2004, 06:45 PM

The last indie project I worked on, the director used a beach tek, with mic, and a portable mixer. Since it was several months ago, new technology has come out. I am ready to start my own feature and I need advice on equip. For $1000 or less I need a mic, boom pole, some kind of beach-tek and a mixer. Now, do I need the mixer? I want a basic set-up to get good sound and durability out of the equipment. most of the work will be done in a forrest, some indoors. Can someone plot me a solution here? If you can, include costs and the products model #'s. If a good solution can be had for under a $1000, please let me in on it. Please don't feel that you have to "strech" to spend the whole grand. If you have been down this road before and purchased these items before, a sort of " if I were to do this again I would..." sort of response. Any help is appreciated and some of the sound can be altered in post.

Glenn Chan · March 21st, 2004, 07:14 PM

If you have a laptop, double system could be a viable option (but would slow you down during shooting and post). There are lots of USB and firewire sound cards that will give you excellent quality if your camera is not so good. It might be overkill though since every part in the chain has to good enough (including target audience).

2- What's your camera? dv.com has an article on how various DV cameras stack up (search for "Jay Rose"). A beachtek may not necessarily be the best route.

Mike Rehmus · March 22nd, 2004, 06:37 PM

You haven't given enough information for someone to give you specific advice.

Audio input connection on your camera . . . XLR or 1/8" socket
Type of sound you will be working on - voice or?
Forrest - rain forest or rainy forest or?
Interior - quiet, noisy?
How far does the boom pole have to reach?
Are you going to have an sound operator?

Right now I'd say you need, perhaps, a cardiod microphone so you can cover the widest possible types of sound and get better sound than with a shotgun.

You will need a wind sock outside unless there is NO wind.

Depending on the camera setup, you may not need an XLR adapter, especially if you use a portable mixer.

The boom pole and the mixer each could consume your entire budget.

You can get a really good used portable mixer, say a Shure FP32 for around $500 or so.

The least expensive pole is around $150 for a heavy aluminum rig without much extension capability.

Wind socks are around $150.

Microphone can run from $100 to way up there depending on what you want/need.

You may require a shockmount which range in cost from $70 to $200.

Don't forget a couple of cables and a spare. Not Guitar Center $10 cables either.

Jason Pechman · March 23rd, 2004, 09:00 PM

I use an xl1-s, so not 1/8, xlr cables a must. would it help if I said I wanted "middle of the road" suggestions, I want to spend a grand, I don't need the "best" of anything, just reliable equipment that will do the job. The crew is about 6 people (actors included). ex: mic- $120-200 max, (best in that range for all around). I don't care if I mix and match brands right now, I need things to get the job done. that goes for all the equip, I will use a broom handle for the boom pole if I have to. I am thinking four componets, a mic, a beach tek, xlr cables, and poss a mixer.

March 21st, 2004, 06:45 PM	#1
Jason Pechman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 38	mic/boom/mixer/beachtec/ combo? The last indie project I worked on, the director used a beach tek, with mic, and a portable mixer. Since it was several months ago, new technology has come out. I am ready to start my own feature and I need advice on equip. For $1000 or less I need a mic, boom pole, some kind of beach-tek and a mixer. Now, do I need the mixer? I want a basic set-up to get good sound and durability out of the equipment. most of the work will be done in a forrest, some indoors. Can someone plot me a solution here? If you can, include costs and the products model #'s. If a good solution can be had for under a $1000, please let me in on it. Please don't feel that you have to "strech" to spend the whole grand. If you have been down this road before and purchased these items before, a sort of " if I were to do this again I would..." sort of response. Any help is appreciated and some of the sound can be altered in post.

March 22nd, 2004, 06:37 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	You haven't given enough information for someone to give you specific advice. Audio input connection on your camera . . . XLR or 1/8" socket Type of sound you will be working on - voice or? Forrest - rain forest or rainy forest or? Interior - quiet, noisy? How far does the boom pole have to reach? Are you going to have an sound operator? Right now I'd say you need, perhaps, a cardiod microphone so you can cover the widest possible types of sound and get better sound than with a shotgun. You will need a wind sock outside unless there is NO wind. Depending on the camera setup, you may not need an XLR adapter, especially if you use a portable mixer. The boom pole and the mixer each could consume your entire budget. You can get a really good used portable mixer, say a Shure FP32 for around $500 or so. The least expensive pole is around $150 for a heavy aluminum rig without much extension capability. Wind socks are around $150. Microphone can run from $100 to way up there depending on what you want/need. You may require a shockmount which range in cost from $70 to $200. Don't forget a couple of cables and a spare. Not Guitar Center $10 cables either. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 21st, 2004, 07:14 PM	#2
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	If you have a laptop, double system could be a viable option (but would slow you down during shooting and post). There are lots of USB and firewire sound cards that will give you excellent quality if your camera is not so good. It might be overkill though since every part in the chain has to good enough (including target audience). 2- What's your camera? dv.com has an article on how various DV cameras stack up (search for "Jay Rose"). A beachtek may not necessarily be the best route.

March 23rd, 2004, 09:00 PM	#4
Jason Pechman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 38	I use an xl1-s, so not 1/8, xlr cables a must. would it help if I said I wanted "middle of the road" suggestions, I want to spend a grand, I don't need the "best" of anything, just reliable equipment that will do the job. The crew is about 6 people (actors included). ex: mic- $120-200 max, (best in that range for all around). I don't care if I mix and match brands right now, I need things to get the job done. that goes for all the equip, I will use a broom handle for the boom pole if I have to. I am thinking four componets, a mic, a beach tek, xlr cables, and poss a mixer.