Bets way to mic with this setup? at DVinfo.net

Joe Riggs · July 12th, 2012, 08:28 PM

Hello,

I will be shooting a sit down interview by myself and for audio I have a shotgun mic (ME-66) and I'm planning on using a mic stand to support it. The room is 10 x12, and I plan on framing the subject in a close up, so I can get the mic as close to them as possible without being in frame.

With this setup what is the best way to mic, from overhead or slightly off camera axis pointing directly at their mouth?

Thank you

Richard Crowley · July 12th, 2012, 08:46 PM

Without seeing/hearing the room and your camera angles, there is no way to predict this. It is easy enough to move the microphone to all the alternate positions during setup to hear the results for yourself. Of course, you are using good headphones to monitor the audio at all times (including during setup).

Oren Arieli · July 13th, 2012, 12:19 AM

I tend to favor the overhead mic position. Sometimes a low and close mic will get accidentally knocked about by the talent when they gesture. That being said, I also take into account the surfaces towards which the mic is pointing. If there is an A/C vent in the ceiling, I don't want to point the mic upwards. When you have a carpeted surface, overhead mics should pic up less echo. If I have a very 'live' sounding room, I'll toss a moving blanket on the ground and maybe another one off-camera on a boom stand to absorb some of the reflected sound.

Ty Ford · July 13th, 2012, 07:38 PM

Hello Joe,

If the 10 x 12 is mostly hard walls, ceiling and floor, you have your work cut out for yourself.

Bring some sound blankets and hand them just out of frame. Put one or two on the floor.

Shotguns are not indicated for indoor use, the above will reduce the off-axis mess and slappiness.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Tony Koretz · July 17th, 2012, 02:30 AM

A shotgun mic might not be ideal in that situation. Plenty of good advice has already been given so I won't add much to it, ecxcept to say that having a hypercardioid condenser mic, a handheld dynamic mic (RE50 or similar),and a lav in a kit to cover all secenarios would be ideal.

July 12th, 2012, 08:28 PM	#1
Joe Riggs Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 189	Bets way to mic with this setup? Hello, I will be shooting a sit down interview by myself and for audio I have a shotgun mic (ME-66) and I'm planning on using a mic stand to support it. The room is 10 x12, and I plan on framing the subject in a close up, so I can get the mic as close to them as possible without being in frame. With this setup what is the best way to mic, from overhead or slightly off camera axis pointing directly at their mouth? Thank you

July 12th, 2012, 08:46 PM	#2
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Bets way to mic with this setup? Without seeing/hearing the room and your camera angles, there is no way to predict this. It is easy enough to move the microphone to all the alternate positions during setup to hear the results for yourself. Of course, you are using good headphones to monitor the audio at all times (including during setup).

July 13th, 2012, 12:19 AM	#3
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Bets way to mic with this setup? I tend to favor the overhead mic position. Sometimes a low and close mic will get accidentally knocked about by the talent when they gesture. That being said, I also take into account the surfaces towards which the mic is pointing. If there is an A/C vent in the ceiling, I don't want to point the mic upwards. When you have a carpeted surface, overhead mics should pic up less echo. If I have a very 'live' sounding room, I'll toss a moving blanket on the ground and maybe another one off-camera on a boom stand to absorb some of the reflected sound.

July 13th, 2012, 07:38 PM	#4
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Re: Bets way to mic with this setup? Hello Joe, If the 10 x 12 is mostly hard walls, ceiling and floor, you have your work cut out for yourself. Bring some sound blankets and hand them just out of frame. Put one or two on the floor. Shotguns are not indicated for indoor use, the above will reduce the off-axis mess and slappiness. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

July 17th, 2012, 02:30 AM	#5
Tony Koretz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Posts: 44	Re: Bets way to mic with this setup? A shotgun mic might not be ideal in that situation. Plenty of good advice has already been given so I won't add much to it, ecxcept to say that having a hypercardioid condenser mic, a handheld dynamic mic (RE50 or similar),and a lav in a kit to cover all secenarios would be ideal.