Field interview mic (+voiceover +roomtone)

[Tom Morrow]

I'm looking to buy a field interview mic. The immediate need is for an upcoming outdoor wedding reception, to hand to people while videotaping well wishes.

I'm looking at the $175 EV RE50N/D-B, the neodynium version of their venerable microphone, because the low handling noise reputation and omni pattern seem perfectly designed for handing to people untrained in microphone use. The neodynium version is supposed to give a stronger signal. Also, a Chad youtube review seemed to indicate that this microphone has a deep full sound which I tend to like, and which might allow me to use it for voiceover work until I get a proper voiceover microphone (maybe never since I don't anticipate much voiceover work).

I'm also thinking this microphone might be something I could leave sticking out of my sound bag on my body to record room tone, with its low handling noise and omni pickup pattern that wouldn't change response as I move around.

Another mic with similar qualities on my list is the Beyer M58, but that's a bit more expensive at $250.

But I'm wondering if these mics will be too long for easy portability; I'd like something that I could stuff into my smallish sound bag, ideally with a plug-on transmitter attached. For that reason I'm also considering the $200 Sennheiser MD42 which is shorter.

Note that I understand the limitations of omni mics in noisy situations, and eventually I will probably also get a cardioid interview mic as well, but for now I think an omni is a good one to start with.

[Gary Nattrass]

Have a look at the EV 635a which is a smaller mic similar to the RE50: http://www.electrovoice.com/sitefile..._EDS_Rev_D.pdf

I have the black version as my main interview mic: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/76669-REG/Electro_Voice_6351706_635A_B_Dynamic_Mic.html Less than the RE50 and smaller so it would allow you to get a budget cardioid mic for room fx etc.

[Greg Bellotte]

The MD42 is actually about 2" longer than an RE50, but buy it because it sounds MUCH better. If you want warm and natural sounding then this is your mic. You'll find a lot of broadcast people moving off of the RE50 to either the MD42 or MD46. You'll find me leading the charge... :-)

Also shop around, I have 6 MD46 and 6 MD42 and didn't pay more than $175 for any of them...

[Tom Morrow]

Good suggestions... please keep them coming! I took another look at the data sheets for these mics:

635A: http://www.electrovoice.com/sitefile..._EDS_Rev_D.pdf
635N/D-B:http://recordinghacks.com/pdf/ev/635ND_B_EDS_Rev_B.pdf
AT8004:http://eu.audio-technica.com/en/reso...t8004_ss_e.pdf
RE50/B: http://www.electrovoice.com/sitefile...ta%20Sheet.pdf
RE50N/D-B: http://www.electrovoice.com/sitefile...s/RE50ND-B.pdf
M58:http://europe.beyerdynamic.com/shop/...58_data_en.pdf
MD42: http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...e/MD_42_GB.pdf

and Gary is right that the Sennheiser md42 is actually the heaviest and longest of the bunch. It has the widest frequency response too.
The EV RE50N/D-B freq response graph shows it dropping off below about 200Hz, which might tend to cause anamolies with deep male voices, even though it would surely reduce handling/wind noise.

But I'm actually starting to think the $100 635A or the more sensitive $130 635N/D-B neodynium version might be better for my purposes, being much smaller, lighter, and cheaper at $110. If specs are to be believed, the 635N/D-B is the most sensitive at 2.8mV/Pa. Seems like a good mic to "take anywhere". I wonder though whether it might feel unbalanced with a G3 plug-on transmitter on the bottom. The real question is whether the suspension system is up to snuff in terms of preventing handling noise.

Edit: I am also now considering the AT8004 as well, which is similar to the 635N/D-B in size, weight, and sensitivity. The only reported differences from reviews are perhaps a better internal suspension and perhaps slightly less omnidirectional.

[Bill Davis]

There is essentially NO handling noise on an EV-635. (given you don't use it immediately after using it to drive a flathead screwdriver into a paint can lid to pry that off - and then immediately trying to conduct your interview while simultaneously rubbing the recently dried paint splatter spots off with your thumb - that MAY cause you some handling noise problems.)

I own both a 635 and a Beyer M-58. I use the M-58 99% of the time simply because it's longer and looks better on camera. But I have to remember to bring the M-58. The 635 LIVES in my camera bag. Has for 15 years now. And it makes me feel secure to know that if I ever need audio in a pinch, the 635 WILL do a very nice job and nobody will EVER know that I didn't use another mic.

It's the audio equivalent of always packing a short roll of gaffers tape in your bag. You don't always need it. But if you do, you KNOW it's going to solve the problems it's designed to solve, no if's ands or buts.

FWIW

[Gary Nattrass]

There are also two 635a type mic's available from audio technica:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/565912-REG/Audio_Technica_AT8004_AT8004_Handheld_Omnidirectional_Dynamic.htmlhttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/565920-REG/Audio_Technica_AT8004L_AT8004L_Handheld_Omnidirectional_Dynamic.html
I am a big fan of AT mics and use five AT875R mics as my std short shotguns, these are very good for price and will allow you to possible get both long and short versions for the same cost as an RE50.

Most modern mics are good quality and bear in mind what they are being used for is not what I would consider critical audio applications such as recording studio vocals etc, I always prefer to have two mid range mics rather than one expensive one on location as having spares can be more useful than something that may be only slightly better quality.

Besides you can only check the quality of one against another by doing an A/B test and even in critical recording situations it is rare that you ever get the question of what mic was being used.

For location recording some EQ in post can work wonders and make most mics sound acceptable for video work.

[Jay Massengill]

I have the older version of the AT8004, the AT804 and like its sound. In addition my oldest mic dates from the late 70's and I still use it. It's the ATM-10. The current version is called the AT8010.
It's a mid-sensitivity omni condenser that can run on battery or phantom power. It's useful with a plug-on transmitter that doesn't give phantom, for the times when you need more output than a dynamic mic can generate.
AT's latest ENG mic is the BP4002, but I have no knowledge of its performance.

[Tom Morrow]

I wonder why that AT8004 isn't more popular... seems pretty good in most respects. The frequency response shows a few suspicious ripples in the 1k/2k range... I wonder if the solid metal around the sides causes comb filtering or similar.

FYI Here is B&H's interview mic FAQ page:
Audio Tips for Recording Better Sounding Interviews | B&H Photo Video Pro Audio

And here is an old thread that may be of use:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...held-mics.html

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Tom Morrow

I wonder why that AT8004 isn't more popular... seems pretty good in most respects. The frequency response shows a few suspicious ripples in the 1k/2k range... I wonder if the solid metal around the sides causes comb filtering or similar.

I agree it's a hidden treasure. I have one I picked up when I needed something in a hurry for a training demonstration. Under a hundred bucks and not bad sounding at all.

---------------------------

Just checked the mic cabinet and its's the AT804 I meant, not the 8004. But the comments still applu

[Jay Massengill]

I think its late 1960's styling (color especially) may hurt it for people doing serious hunting for a mic that will be in the shot. For those just skimming the surface; EV has such long-term name recognition for ENG and Sennheiser is the same in sports, it just doesn't get much attention.

[Tom Morrow]

I found a web picture and video of a person holding the 635A and it didn't look inappropriately small, so I'm leaning towards the black 635N/D-B. I rejected the AT8004 mostly because it isn't available in black, just silver.

I suspect that as all electronics get more miniaturized in the future, huge microphones are going to start looking very retro, so the little old 635 may actually start looking more modern.

[Gary Nattrass]

The 635a is small on it's own but once you add an XLR cable (neutrik XLR connector is the best length ) it is just about the right length, I find some of the others too long for most use and they look like you are thrusting them in the face of the person being interviewed. The RE50 is the most common here in the UK but at times I think it also looks too big in vision.

One other option I sometimes use is an AT875R with a sennheiser SKB500 mounted in a rode pistol grip and a WS/6 softie, it is more for out of vision use but is a good combo for doing interviews if the talent can hold it and use it right. I also have two sennheiser hand held radio mics and they can be quite good as they are cardioid for use in noisy locations or outside, the handling noise is acceptable and with a foam wind shield work great.

I think I will add the AT8010 to my kit as having a battery mic that is condenser will be good as it has more gain.