Your Audio Recommendations for the Follwing Interviewing Setups at DVinfo.net

Peter Moretti · July 25th, 2007, 08:31 PM

What mic and mixer configuration would you recommend for these two very typical indoor living room setups for my project:

Setup 1
One interviewee and one interviewer asking questions off camera.

Setup 2
Two interviewees and one interviewer asking questions off camera.

FWIW, I intend to edit out the off camera interviewer's questions, but there are times when this will not be possible. So in some cases, the interviewer's questions will be included in the final cut.

I anticipate using a Sound Devices 302 mixer recording to the HD camera's (HDR-FX1, XH-A1 or HV-20) two track audio. Mics have not been determined yet, so please list any combination of hyper cardioids, shotgun or lavs that you think will work best.

Thanks much as always!

Peter Wiley · July 26th, 2007, 05:13 PM

If there is any chance that you'll need to use the interviewer's questions he/she should be miked, no question.

As to the mics, there is no one best way to do it. A lot depends on the space in which the interviews will occur and also what kind of mood/tone/feeling might be right for the interviews.

My experience is there is no such thing, sonically anyway, as a "typical" living room (Wooden floors? Rugs? Lots of hard-surfaced furniture? Is the room near a busy street, a school etc.? Is it nearby the kitchen so you hear the frig running? Air conditioner? etc.). You have to go ready to adapt to the situation on the day and experiment a little if time allows. If you have hyper cardioids, shotguns, or lavs all available take them and work it out on the location.

Michael Wisniewski · July 27th, 2007, 11:45 AM

A single boundary mic for the interviewees may simplify the setup, a well placed cardioid can work similarly. Another mic for the interviewer. Do what you will with your third input :-). Preferably, I'd lav everyone up, and get a second recorder for the wide audio.

If possible, coach the interviewees to always include the question in their answer, it makes editing out the interviewer much, much easier.

e.g.
Q: What do you think of John?
A: Well this is what I think of John ....

July 25th, 2007, 08:31 PM	#1
Peter Moretti Trustee Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 1,259	Your Audio Recommendations for the Follwing Interviewing Setups What mic and mixer configuration would you recommend for these two very typical indoor living room setups for my project: Setup 1 One interviewee and one interviewer asking questions off camera. Setup 2 Two interviewees and one interviewer asking questions off camera. FWIW, I intend to edit out the off camera interviewer's questions, but there are times when this will not be possible. So in some cases, the interviewer's questions will be included in the final cut. I anticipate using a Sound Devices 302 mixer recording to the HD camera's (HDR-FX1, XH-A1 or HV-20) two track audio. Mics have not been determined yet, so please list any combination of hyper cardioids, shotgun or lavs that you think will work best. Thanks much as always!

July 27th, 2007, 11:45 AM	#3
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	A single boundary mic for the interviewees may simplify the setup, a well placed cardioid can work similarly. Another mic for the interviewer. Do what you will with your third input :-). Preferably, I'd lav everyone up, and get a second recorder for the wide audio. If possible, coach the interviewees to always include the question in their answer, it makes editing out the interviewer much, much easier. e.g. Q: What do you think of John? A: Well this is what I think of John .... __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

July 26th, 2007, 05:13 PM	#2
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	If there is any chance that you'll need to use the interviewer's questions he/she should be miked, no question. As to the mics, there is no one best way to do it. A lot depends on the space in which the interviews will occur and also what kind of mood/tone/feeling might be right for the interviews. My experience is there is no such thing, sonically anyway, as a "typical" living room (Wooden floors? Rugs? Lots of hard-surfaced furniture? Is the room near a busy street, a school etc.? Is it nearby the kitchen so you hear the frig running? Air conditioner? etc.). You have to go ready to adapt to the situation on the day and experiment a little if time allows. If you have hyper cardioids, shotguns, or lavs all available take them and work it out on the location.