What do I need to use a AKG C391B on the FX1?

[Rafael Lopes]

Hi,

I might have an AKG C391B at my disposal to shoot a documentary and I'd like to know what to I need to use it with my FX1? The FX1 doesn't have XLR so I'll need an adapter. Would this be enough

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

Or do I absolutely need an adapter with phantom power? In this case, which would be the least expensive adapter with phantom power? I will use the mic I mentioned now, but in the future I plan on buying a Rode NTG-2 (which I think can bypass the phantom power with batteries).

[Gareth Watkins]

Hi Raf

Depends if your mic definitely needs phantom power, in which case the FX1 won't provide it... however if it contains a battrery like many mid range shotgun mics.. you'll be ok with your simple cable...

Otherwise you'll require a beachtek or mix pre-amp providing phantom power... there are a number on the market...

the NTG2 however will work fine with your camera as it does have a battery...

I think in the long run you won't regret having a beachtek, as you'll find it useful... I had one on my FX1 until it got stolen...I've now got a Z1 which does have phantom power...

regards
Gareth

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Rafael Lopes

Hi,

I might have an AKG C391B at my disposal to shoot a documentary and I'd like to know what to I need to use it with my FX1? The FX1 doesn't have XLR so I'll need an adapter. Would this be enough

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

Or do I absolutely need an adapter with phantom power? In this case, which would be the least expensive adapter with phantom power? I will use the mic I mentioned now, but in the future I plan on buying a Rode NTG-2 (which I think can bypass the phantom power with batteries).

You absolutely need phantom with that mic and that adapter will not work. Beachtek makes an XLR adapter - the DXA-FX - specifically for the FX1 that supplies phantom and that would be a good choice. Or get something like the Sound Devices MixPre.

http://beachtek.com/dxafx.html

[David Tamés]

Steve House suggests, "get something like the Sound Devices MixPre," very good advice, and not only does a good mixer come in handy for powering mics that require phantom power, it's also gives you more freedom to monitor and control levels away from the camera. And when you're working with a separate camera and sound person, a mixer is critical as it allows one person to focus on sound and the other to focus on camera. I own a Sound Devices 302 that I use for both documentary shooting and podcast interviews and I'm very pleased with it. And when it comes to buying mics, better to get one that is "all mic for the money" rather than one that is "power supply and mic" because designers have to make trade-offs, so why pay for all those power supplies when a mixer or Beachtek adapter can provide the phantom power?

[Rafael Lopes]

Originally Posted by Steve House

You absolutely need phantom with that mic and that adapter will not work. Beachtek makes an XLR adapter - the DXA-FX - specifically for the FX1 that supplies phantom and that would be a good choice. Or get something like the Sound Devices MixPre.

http://beachtek.com/dxafx.html

The adapter you just spoke about does not provide phantom power (at least according to the website). I think the least expensive option I've seen so far is the dxa-6 and the dxa-10.

[Rafael Lopes]

What do you guys think about the NTG2 though?

[Gareth Watkins]

Check out the Mic shoot out at the bottom of this page...
http://dvestore.com/theatre/index.html#
very useful..

cheers
G

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Rafael Lopes

The adapter you just spoke about does not provide phantom power (at least according to the website). I think the least expensive option I've seen so far is the dxa-6 and the dxa-10.

I could have sworn it did but you're right, on double checking it doesn't. Sorry, my bad.

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Rafael Lopes

What do you guys think about the NTG2 though?

The NTG-1 and -2 are both well regarded. They're the same mic with the -1 requiring phantom and the -2 operating off of your choice of phantom or internal battery.

I'm not sure I'd go with a shotgun as my first external mic however. Shotguns are really fairly specialized tools and limited in their application. A good hypercardioid like an AT4053a or the AKG C393 along with a boom, shock mount, and windscreen has wider application and would be my choice for your first additional mic

[Rafael Lopes]

Thanks for the tips, guys!

[Rafael Lopes]

BTW, I found a fairly priced Audio-Technica AT835B. I read somewhere these were the mics that were used in the olimpics in australia. Do you guys know if it's any good?

[Philip Williams]

Here you go, I use this with the same microphone you've got:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Works like a charm, just add the XLR-->Mini cable and you're good to go.

www.philipwilliams.com

[Rafael Lopes]

Originally Posted by Gareth Watkins

Check out the Mic shoot out at the bottom of this page...
http://dvestore.com/theatre/index.html#
very useful..

cheers
G

I checked the shoot out and found out that the RODE NT3-HYPER CARDIOID seems to have way less noise than the 2 other mics I was planning to buy (AUDIO TECHNICA AT897 and RODE NTG-2). I know zero about sound and mics (only what I hear), so I'd like to know if this would be a good option for run-and-gun documentaries where I don't have much time to prepare? Also, I look at this mic and it looks more like a studio mic than a on-camera mic. Can it be mounted on a camera?? I'm sorry if my questions are too basic, but that is exactly the reason why I'm here looking for help.

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Rafael Lopes

I checked the shoot out and found out that the RODE NT3-HYPER CARDIOID seems to have way less noise than the 2 other mics I was planning to buy (AUDIO TECHNICA AT897 and RODE NTG-2). I know zero about sound and mics (only what I hear), so I'd like to know if this would be a good option for run-and-gun documentaries where I don't have much time to prepare? Also, I look at this mic and it looks more like a studio mic than a on-camera mic. Can it be mounted on a camera?? I'm sorry if my questions are too basic, but that is exactly the reason why I'm here looking for help.

It's a bit too heavy and bulky to easily mount on the camera IMHO. What's important about the Rode is that it's a hypercardioid being compared to shotguns and the difference when recording indoors between those two mic types is what I think you're noticing. There are other hypers that are perhaps more suited to field use - the AT4053a and AKG C393K come immediately to mind and they are both sized to easily fit on the end of a boom or into a shockmount on the camera.

Keep in mind that no mic at any price is going to sound good for anything other than general ambient sound when mounted on the camera except in very rare circumstances. Mics - ALL mics - need to be quite close to the subject to pick up high quality dialog - 12 to 24 inches is common. Almost never will the place you put the camera to get good pictures be the right place to put the microphone to get good quality sound if you're recording speech.

[Rafael Lopes]

Originally Posted by Steve House

It's a bit too heavy and bulky to easily mount on the camera IMHO. What's important about the Rode is that it's a hypercardioid being compared to shotguns and the difference when recording indoors between those two mic types is what I think you're noticing. There are other hypers that are perhaps more suited to field use - the AT4053a and AKG C393K come immediately to mind and they are both sized to easily fit on the end of a boom or into a shockmount on the camera.

Keep in mind that no mic at any price is going to sound good for anything other than general ambient sound when mounted on the camera except in very rare circumstances. Mics - ALL mics - need to be quite close to the subject to pick up high quality dialog - 12 to 24 inches is common. Almost never will the place you put the camera to get good pictures be the right place to put the microphone to get good quality sound if you're recording speech.

I totaly understand what you are saying. The best mic in the world will be worthless in the wrong hand, in the wrong conditions. But let me paint you the following scenario: Imagine you are in the desert with a Sony FX1, the conditions are far from ideal, you do not have a mixer, a pre-amp or phantom power. All you have is a mic that you can plug into the FX1 (any mic will be better than the FX1s' original mic). Which mic should I go for in this exagerated situation without having to spend more than 300US$? Have it in mind that it'll be used to capture speach.