Good Audio on the XL-2 at DVinfo.net

Jamie Baughman · November 21st, 2005, 12:41 PM

Hello all. I've got a gig shooting a series of 3-5 minute video profile's for a "interesting faces" section of a website. In many cases, I'll be shooting people behind a desk or across a table, etc. I'll be a one man show so I'll be doing sound as well as camera op. My questions are: Is a $500 investment in a Senheisser or Audio Technica shotgun mic a big enough upgrade over the shotgun that came with the XL-2? and Is getting the shotgun a better idea than a wireless? and I'd love a good suggestion on a good lav and shotgun for a TOTAL of $1000.

Thanks in advance.

Guy Cochran · November 21st, 2005, 01:06 PM

If the talent isn't moving around and is stationary behind the desk, I'd go with a Countryman B6 hardwired lav or Audio Technica AT-899 for a bit less $$$.

If the talent is mobile, moving around, or for just plain convenience, I would also consider the option of the Sennheiser Evolution G2 Wireless $499, but I'd upgrade the lav that ships with it to a Sennheiser MKE2 ew gold(pronounced mickey two).

Shotguns aren't really what you want for interior dialogue. Especially in echoey or live rooms.

Though if you want a shotgun recommendation, depending on the budget, I would go with the

$249-$300: RODE NTG1
$300-$500: Sennheiser ME66/K6
$500-$700: Audio Technica AT4073A

There is a lot of helpful people on this site, maybe someone else will chime in with a few other options, but this should give you something to chew on while you surf through some of the older posts that may have the information you're looking for.

Jay Massengill · November 21st, 2005, 04:35 PM

I agree with Guy, and would add the AT4053 hypercardioid and an appropriate boom stand to the recommendation as a backup to the lav in a typical interview location where a shotgun might not perform well.

November 21st, 2005, 12:41 PM	#1
Jamie Baughman Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 180	Good Audio on the XL-2 Hello all. I've got a gig shooting a series of 3-5 minute video profile's for a "interesting faces" section of a website. In many cases, I'll be shooting people behind a desk or across a table, etc. I'll be a one man show so I'll be doing sound as well as camera op. My questions are: Is a $500 investment in a Senheisser or Audio Technica shotgun mic a big enough upgrade over the shotgun that came with the XL-2? and Is getting the shotgun a better idea than a wireless? and I'd love a good suggestion on a good lav and shotgun for a TOTAL of $1000. Thanks in advance. __________________ Jamie Baughman

November 21st, 2005, 01:06 PM	#2
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	If the talent isn't moving around and is stationary behind the desk, I'd go with a Countryman B6 hardwired lav or Audio Technica AT-899 for a bit less $$$. If the talent is mobile, moving around, or for just plain convenience, I would also consider the option of the Sennheiser Evolution G2 Wireless $499, but I'd upgrade the lav that ships with it to a Sennheiser MKE2 ew gold(pronounced mickey two). Shotguns aren't really what you want for interior dialogue. Especially in echoey or live rooms. Though if you want a shotgun recommendation, depending on the budget, I would go with the $249-$300: RODE NTG1 $300-$500: Sennheiser ME66/K6 $500-$700: Audio Technica AT4073A There is a lot of helpful people on this site, maybe someone else will chime in with a few other options, but this should give you something to chew on while you surf through some of the older posts that may have the information you're looking for. __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore! Last edited by Guy Cochran; November 21st, 2005 at 01:59 PM.

November 21st, 2005, 04:35 PM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	I agree with Guy, and would add the AT4053 hypercardioid and an appropriate boom stand to the recommendation as a backup to the lav in a typical interview location where a shotgun might not perform well.