Mic for interview... at DVinfo.net

Kevin Randolph · February 16th, 2007, 10:35 PM

I'm going to be shooting some interviews again, and I know this question has been asked before, but here goes...

I'll be shooting a seated, staged interview and I was wondering if I have the necessary gear, or if I need to place an order. I currently have an omni lav (Sure WL50), a super cardioid lav (Sure WL51), and a shotgun (AT 897). I was thinking that I'd have the interviewee wear the omni and point the shotgun at them from overhead on a boom arm. But the interview would be indoors (as are most all of the ones I shoot), and from what I've read here, shotguns aren't good indoors. I have experienced the reverb they can generate before and would like to avoid it if possible.

Bottom line, do I need to buy another mic to mount on the boom pole? And if so what kind? And if it's not too much to ask, could you suggest a few models?

Thanks,
Kevin

Bill Davis · February 17th, 2007, 01:07 AM

You don't need any more equipment - provided everything you have is working well.

As you suggest, use the lav as your primary. Use the shotgun as a secondary. Record them to two separate channels. (do NOT mix the signals into one channel, you'll be asking for trouble.)

Mount your long mic on a boom above and in front of the subject - pointed directly at their mouth and as close as you can get and keep the mic out of frame.

Remember two things when your using a shotgun on a boom in an interior. Nearly every shotgun (actually super cardiod, or hyper cardiod, there's actually no real "shotgun pattern" it's just a colloquial term for that TYPE of mic) has a pretty strong pickup pattern directly to the rear. So LOOK AT THE PATH DIRECTLY BEHIND THE MIC and make sure the back end isn't pointing at an air conditioning duct, or a buzzing fluorescent fixture, or anything else that might make noise.

Oh, and remember to secure your stand an boom CAREFULLY. Sandbags are your friend. (Dropping a boom or mic on the talent is a really, REALLY bad idea)

Hope your interview goes well.

Kevin Randolph · February 17th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Thanks for the tips Bill. I'll take them to heart. I did finally find a use for all of the tote bags my wife brings back from conferences (sandbags) ;).

I found the thread that someone else had posted earlier that I was looking for, with a similar question. In it I found the model of mic that I was looking for as well.

Does anyone have any experience with the Audio-Technica 4053a used in a similar application to what I am talking about? Here's the B&H link...

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

If you do, I'd love to hear a sample recording, or maybe get your thoughts on the mic.

I've done a couple test with the lav-shotgun combo and they turned out acceptable. One thing I was looking for richer sound that I wouldn't have to eq as much in post.

Thanks again,
Kevin

Steve House · February 17th, 2007, 04:04 PM

Hypercardioids are the 'go-to' mic for interior booming in preference to the interference-tube design shotgun mics because they're much less subject to tone colouration in a reflective environment. Arguably the film industry standard for location work both indoors and out is the Schoeps CMC641, albeit a pretty pricey option. The AT 4053a you mention is a good mic with similar characteristics at a much lower price. There are also a couple of modular hypers from AKG - the Blueline series SE300/CK93 combo and the ULS series C480B/CK63 combo - that make very good mics for booming.

February 16th, 2007, 10:35 PM	#1
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	Mic for interview... I'm going to be shooting some interviews again, and I know this question has been asked before, but here goes... I'll be shooting a seated, staged interview and I was wondering if I have the necessary gear, or if I need to place an order. I currently have an omni lav (Sure WL50), a super cardioid lav (Sure WL51), and a shotgun (AT 897). I was thinking that I'd have the interviewee wear the omni and point the shotgun at them from overhead on a boom arm. But the interview would be indoors (as are most all of the ones I shoot), and from what I've read here, shotguns aren't good indoors. I have experienced the reverb they can generate before and would like to avoid it if possible. Bottom line, do I need to buy another mic to mount on the boom pole? And if so what kind? And if it's not too much to ask, could you suggest a few models? Thanks, Kevin __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 17th, 2007, 03:47 PM	#3
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	Thanks for the tips Bill. I'll take them to heart. I did finally find a use for all of the tote bags my wife brings back from conferences (sandbags) ;). I found the thread that someone else had posted earlier that I was looking for, with a similar question. In it I found the model of mic that I was looking for as well. Does anyone have any experience with the Audio-Technica 4053a used in a similar application to what I am talking about? Here's the B&H link... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...re_accessories If you do, I'd love to hear a sample recording, or maybe get your thoughts on the mic. I've done a couple test with the lav-shotgun combo and they turned out acceptable. One thing I was looking for richer sound that I wouldn't have to eq as much in post. Thanks again, Kevin __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 17th, 2007, 04:04 PM	#4
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Hypercardioids are the 'go-to' mic for interior booming in preference to the interference-tube design shotgun mics because they're much less subject to tone colouration in a reflective environment. Arguably the film industry standard for location work both indoors and out is the Schoeps CMC641, albeit a pretty pricey option. The AT 4053a you mention is a good mic with similar characteristics at a much lower price. There are also a couple of modular hypers from AKG - the Blueline series SE300/CK93 combo and the ULS series C480B/CK63 combo - that make very good mics for booming. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

February 17th, 2007, 01:07 AM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	You don't need any more equipment - provided everything you have is working well. As you suggest, use the lav as your primary. Use the shotgun as a secondary. Record them to two separate channels. (do NOT mix the signals into one channel, you'll be asking for trouble.) Mount your long mic on a boom above and in front of the subject - pointed directly at their mouth and as close as you can get and keep the mic out of frame. Remember two things when your using a shotgun on a boom in an interior. Nearly every shotgun (actually super cardiod, or hyper cardiod, there's actually no real "shotgun pattern" it's just a colloquial term for that TYPE of mic) has a pretty strong pickup pattern directly to the rear. So LOOK AT THE PATH DIRECTLY BEHIND THE MIC and make sure the back end isn't pointing at an air conditioning duct, or a buzzing fluorescent fixture, or anything else that might make noise. Oh, and remember to secure your stand an boom CAREFULLY. Sandbags are your friend. (Dropping a boom or mic on the talent is a really, REALLY bad idea) Hope your interview goes well.