Bob Kerner
November 15th, 2008, 10:54 AM
I've seen a lot of posts about on camera shotgun mics but haven't seen much about putting a hyper on camera. Is this possible and/or worthwhile?
I do a lot of shooting indoors but don't have the luxury of a boom operator or even a stationary stand. I'm currently using either a standard shotgun (but get all the nasty reflections) or a lav. I'm wondering if I can or should mount a hyper onto the camera.
Thanks
Matthias Krause
November 15th, 2008, 11:12 AM
Iīm using the AKG 93 on-camera most of the time (even outdoors) and I think it works great. You need to get as close as possible, of course, but thatīs the only way of getting decent sound with an on-camera mic anyway. I sometimes use a short boom with my left hand while I have the camera on a monopod or a tripod for the best sound possible in such situations and the AKG 93 does a very good job there too.
Michael Wisniewski
November 15th, 2008, 11:19 AM
I'm contemplating selling my AT4073 shotgun, because it seems like my AT4053 hyper never comes off the camera.
Bob Kerner
November 15th, 2008, 11:26 AM
Are you happy with the performance?
How close do you need to get the camera to the subject? I'm usually within 3-4 feet for impromptu headshot interviews.
I'm contemplating selling my AT4073 shotgun, because it seems like my AT4053 hyper never comes off the camera.
Steve House
November 15th, 2008, 11:36 AM
Are you happy with the performance?
How close do you need to get the camera to the subject? I'm usually within 3-4 feet for impromptu headshot interviews.
That far is too far IMHO. Ideally a hyper needs to be about 18 - 24 inches from the speaker if you're looking for that rich "Hollywood" sound. Closer and the proximity effect starts to come into play; farther and the level drops off requiring more gain to sustain it, letting the ambience intrude more. Of course the environment is a major factor - a quiet soundstage lets you work the mic farther away than would a busy factory floor.
If you can't work with a boom op or mic stand, how about an "organic" mic holder in the form of an interviewer standing next to the subject with a wireless handheld reporter's mic?