Question for Ty Ford/Others

Mark A. Foley · January 29th, 2006, 08:10 AM

Ty/All,
I would like your recommendation for a mic choice in this recording process. As a wedding videographer, I’m faced with many times the couple hiring a live band to play at the reception. What is problematic for us is we typically have no time for setup/testing of any audio capture before we have to start shooting the events. I typically grab a feed from the sound board to a field recorder and another mic to capture the PA...plus another for ambient audio. I realize this is not the optimum setup, but does work when we have little or no setup time. If you were going select a mic to capture the PA, what would you recommend? A high input sound level mic like a drum mic?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 29th, 2006, 09:45 AM

I'd be looking at something like the Sound Professionals PSM 6, or Darren's Giant Squid package, or on a slightly higher end, the AT 825. All are good stereo mics, and will work well for recording a room with a PA going in them. Of course, the mix is entirely up to the sound guy, but you'd be in that boat anyway, were you plugging in to the board.
Set up a boom stand so the mics are fairly high up in the air, not too close to a wall, you should find this a fairly statisfactory run n' gun option.

Mark A. Foley · January 29th, 2006, 09:53 AM

Thanks DSE,
I use an AT 825....but have always wondered if a higer SPL-type mic would perform better

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 29th, 2006, 09:58 AM

I have a PSM 6, and it's very sensitive, but doesn't sound as good as the 825 does. Are you overdriving the 825? Or you're just looking for a different option?

Mark A. Foley · January 29th, 2006, 11:52 AM

...just looking for other options if available. My 825 always has performed very well in this run and gun situation. Curious what others may use....

Ty Ford · January 31st, 2006, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark A. Foley

Ty/All,
I would like your recommendation for a mic choice in this recording process. As a wedding videographer, I’m faced with many times the couple hiring a live band to play at the reception. What is problematic for us is we typically have no time for setup/testing of any audio capture before we have to start shooting the events. I typically grab a feed from the sound board to a field recorder and another mic to capture the PA...plus another for ambient audio. I realize this is not the optimum setup, but does work when we have little or no setup time. If you were going select a mic to capture the PA, what would you recommend? A high input sound level mic like a drum mic?

Hi Mark,

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking. What's coming through the board? Is it just the band? Most bands use PA for vocals and some instrumentation, but balance that with amp and ambient sound to get the total sound. As such, you can't really "get" the band with a board feed.

Do they use the PA for announcements and wedding goers testimonies and comments about and for the bride and groom?

Exactly what and how do you record on the field recorder; the board, PA and ambience with three mics to separate channels or as a mix?

When you say you mic the PA, what do you do, stick a mic somewhere near the PA and feed that to the field recorder? Does the PA sound give you anything the board feed from the PA doesn't? I would think the board feed would be lots cleaner, but maybe I'm not understanding you situation.

Regards,

Ty Ford

January 29th, 2006, 08:10 AM	#1
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	Question for Ty Ford/Others - Mic selection Ty/All, I would like your recommendation for a mic choice in this recording process. As a wedding videographer, I’m faced with many times the couple hiring a live band to play at the reception. What is problematic for us is we typically have no time for setup/testing of any audio capture before we have to start shooting the events. I typically grab a feed from the sound board to a field recorder and another mic to capture the PA...plus another for ambient audio. I realize this is not the optimum setup, but does work when we have little or no setup time. If you were going select a mic to capture the PA, what would you recommend? A high input sound level mic like a drum mic?

January 29th, 2006, 09:45 AM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I'd be looking at something like the Sound Professionals PSM 6, or Darren's Giant Squid package, or on a slightly higher end, the AT 825. All are good stereo mics, and will work well for recording a room with a PA going in them. Of course, the mix is entirely up to the sound guy, but you'd be in that boat anyway, were you plugging in to the board. Set up a boom stand so the mics are fairly high up in the air, not too close to a wall, you should find this a fairly statisfactory run n' gun option. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 29th, 2006, 09:58 AM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I have a PSM 6, and it's very sensitive, but doesn't sound as good as the 825 does. Are you overdriving the 825? Or you're just looking for a different option? __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 29th, 2006, 09:53 AM	#3
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	Thanks DSE, I use an AT 825....but have always wondered if a higer SPL-type mic would perform better

January 29th, 2006, 11:52 AM	#5
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	...just looking for other options if available. My 825 always has performed very well in this run and gun situation. Curious what others may use....