Good outside 1 person interview mic?

[Greg Kiger]

Need to purchase a mic for stationary outdoor interviews. Just one subject interviewed with the camera pretty tight on their upper torso so should be always be able to get within 3-5' with the mic. Wind and handling noise resistance would seem to be important as would keying in on just their voice vs all the other real world noise that may be encountered.

PS - I have a Oktava mic for interviews indoors but despite a baby ball gag and a dead cat it does not seem very well suited for outdoors.

as always thanks for the shared wisdom :)

[Rick Reineke]

3-5 feet is a significant distance for interview audio, a lav would yield the most isolation from extraneous noise. Otherwise a good quality long-shotgun with wind protection.

[Andy Balla]

In that situation, I would use either a shotgun on a boom (1st preference), or a lav (wired or wireless, second and third preference). Another option, if you don't mind them holding a mic, would be an RE50 or other hand-held omni mic. You really need to get the mic within 18" or less of their mouth. With a fairly tight shot, this should not be a problem with a boom.

[Greg Kiger]

Right on, hoping to do it without a lav or holding a mic for more of that unscripted / documentary / invisible audio feel :)

Got a nice Ktech boom but maybe my distance estimate was off - the subject will be pretty tightly cropped as far as headroom so maybe its more like 2-3'.

fave shotguns anyone?

[David W. Jones]

I will echo what Andy said!

[Jay Massengill]

What's your budget for the mic, shockmount and wind protection?

I know the outside environment will be variable, but do you envision working more in average noise levels or louder and more crowded events?

[Renton Maclachlan]

Wind protection.

The CineCity*::*Microphone Accessories*::*Cine Blimp Shockmount system*::*BMP60 S Blimp Windshield

I have one. It is great. Get through Ebay.

[Andy Balla]

On the lower end of investment, I like the Audio-Technica AT8015 for exteriors....
Audio-Technica | AT8015 - Shotgun Microphone | AT8015 | B&H
Put this mic on a boom pole, with appropriate shock-mount and a Rycote Softie (only if there is wind, of course) and you're good. The mic is phantom powered, but can use an AA battery for power. Price is less than $300, and if you have a good boom op, the results should be totally workable, Andy

[Greg Kiger]

Hey Jay, my budget is flexible, whatever it takes to get good audio. In general the recording environment, although outdoors, will be as quite as I can find / make it. No plans for trying to record at a sporting event or near heavy traffic etc. Will make every effort to isolate the subject and shot in a fairly quiet place; a farmer in a field, a golfer on the course, a ceo in an office park, etc. Wind however is something I won't have much control over of course.

Jumping over to B&H now to check on Andys recomendation. Additional recommendations appreciated.

Thanks for the help :)

[Chris Soucy]

I swear by this for single handed interviews. A shock mount and handle and a Rycote softie and away you go.


Sennheiser | ME66/K6 - Super-Cardioid Mic | ME66/K6 COMBO | B&H

Bit more pricey than the AT tho'.


CS