Interview Mic at DVinfo.net

Mark Robbins · May 2nd, 2004, 06:13 AM

Hey,
I just bought an XL1s, and loving it so far. Anyway, I need to be able to interview people in/out the front of loud nightclubs. What kind of mic do you recommend? I've been recommended a Sennheiser MD 425. Is this a good choice and what connection does it have (XLR?), can I plug it in to my XL1s without buying the M100 or M200 adaptor?
Cheers,
Mark

Mark Robbins · May 26th, 2004, 07:22 PM

I recently purchased the m100 adaptor, hired a shure vp64a and shoot some great footage at a nightclub. we interviewed people and the mic worked well. we couldn't get a md425 sourced in time for our gig but the shure worked well. does anybody know of any other mics that would do a good job in this situation or have you used the md425 or vp64a and would like to comment?
Cheers

Mike Butler · June 23rd, 2004, 09:55 AM

I have had good results with a Shure SM58 in loud environments,it's a cardioid so it can be pointed away from the source of the noise (if that's possible in a club) and it sounds good in a close-up position to the talent if you don't mind getting it in the shot (which is not unnatural for an ENG-style interview). Some experts suggest the EV 935 too.

Josh Brusin · June 23rd, 2004, 09:56 AM

my buddy from "this american life" radio doc show uses at835b for interviews...

Mark Robbins · July 1st, 2004, 08:08 PM

thanks guys for your answers, has anyone else got any recommendations>?

Steve Young · December 17th, 2007, 11:10 AM

I see this thread is getting quite old now, im in the market for a handheld interview mic for very loud nightclub environments, using XLR adapter, so whats the best solution out there at the moment?

Steve House · December 17th, 2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Young

I see this thread is getting quite old now, im in the market for a handheld interview mic for very loud nightclub environments, using XLR adapter, so whats the best solution out there at the moment?

A dynamic mic such as the Electro-Voice RE635N/D or RE50N/D is a good rugged choice and not overly expensive.

Chris van der Zaan · December 17th, 2007, 08:30 PM

I am using the Shure SM58 and Rode Videomic. I have used the SM58 in very loud surroundings with excellent results. The Videomic is pretty good too, but it kinda picks up a bit of everything, so it won't be as good in loud surroundings. With the Shure the voice sounded very clear and the loud music sounded like low background music. I recommend it. It's not expensive either. I see it listed on Amazon for just 100$.

Jim Ross · December 18th, 2007, 05:07 PM

A mic that I used as a last resort ended up being a future staple of my kit. I had a Senny wireless 100 go on the blink and I dug out an old J.W. Davis DM904D mic I have had since band days some 20 years ago. This is musician's mic - Low Impedance Dynamic Microphone - something the lead singer would use.

I plugged it straight into the XLR adapter on my XL1s and I was expecting to just get by. But it was phenominal. I was running an Audia Technica shotgun on the rig on one channel, and the Davis on the other. The Davis was so quiet in comparison. The only thing is you must be very close to it. And that might not be a good thing to hold the mic 2 inches from your interviewees face.

But if you want low noise in a really loud environment, one of these musicians mics will do the trick. I keep it with me all the time now. Just in case.

Don Palomaki · December 19th, 2007, 09:02 AM

I understand that the DM904 is quite similar to the Shure SM58.

As a dynamic mic, the output will be lower for the same sound pressure level than most condenser microphones, and it will have a much lower noise floor thanks to the lack of internal electronics. Thus it will sound quieter, and work well for voice when held close to the mouth, giving separation between the speaker's voice and loud ambient sound.

May 2nd, 2004, 06:13 AM	#1
Mark Robbins New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 16	Interview Mic Hey, I just bought an XL1s, and loving it so far. Anyway, I need to be able to interview people in/out the front of loud nightclubs. What kind of mic do you recommend? I've been recommended a Sennheiser MD 425. Is this a good choice and what connection does it have (XLR?), can I plug it in to my XL1s without buying the M100 or M200 adaptor? Cheers, Mark

June 23rd, 2004, 09:55 AM	#3
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	I have had good results with a Shure SM58 in loud environments,it's a cardioid so it can be pointed away from the source of the noise (if that's possible in a club) and it sounds good in a close-up position to the talent if you don't mind getting it in the shot (which is not unnatural for an ENG-style interview). Some experts suggest the EV 935 too. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

December 19th, 2007, 09:02 AM	#10
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	I understand that the DM904 is quite similar to the Shure SM58. As a dynamic mic, the output will be lower for the same sound pressure level than most condenser microphones, and it will have a much lower noise floor thanks to the lack of internal electronics. Thus it will sound quieter, and work well for voice when held close to the mouth, giving separation between the speaker's voice and loud ambient sound. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

May 26th, 2004, 07:22 PM	#2
Mark Robbins New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 16	I recently purchased the m100 adaptor, hired a shure vp64a and shoot some great footage at a nightclub. we interviewed people and the mic worked well. we couldn't get a md425 sourced in time for our gig but the shure worked well. does anybody know of any other mics that would do a good job in this situation or have you used the md425 or vp64a and would like to comment? Cheers

June 23rd, 2004, 09:56 AM	#4
Josh Brusin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 439	my buddy from "this american life" radio doc show uses at835b for interviews...

July 1st, 2004, 08:08 PM	#5
Mark Robbins New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 16	thanks guys for your answers, has anyone else got any recommendations>?

December 17th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#6
Steve Young Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maidstone UK Posts: 37	I see this thread is getting quite old now, im in the market for a handheld interview mic for very loud nightclub environments, using XLR adapter, so whats the best solution out there at the moment?

December 17th, 2007, 08:30 PM	#8
Chris van der Zaan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 75	I am using the Shure SM58 and Rode Videomic. I have used the SM58 in very loud surroundings with excellent results. The Videomic is pretty good too, but it kinda picks up a bit of everything, so it won't be as good in loud surroundings. With the Shure the voice sounded very clear and the loud music sounded like low background music. I recommend it. It's not expensive either. I see it listed on Amazon for just 100$.

December 18th, 2007, 05:07 PM	#9
Jim Ross Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 54	A mic that I used as a last resort ended up being a future staple of my kit. I had a Senny wireless 100 go on the blink and I dug out an old J.W. Davis DM904D mic I have had since band days some 20 years ago. This is musician's mic - Low Impedance Dynamic Microphone - something the lead singer would use. I plugged it straight into the XLR adapter on my XL1s and I was expecting to just get by. But it was phenominal. I was running an Audia Technica shotgun on the rig on one channel, and the Davis on the other. The Davis was so quiet in comparison. The only thing is you must be very close to it. And that might not be a good thing to hold the mic 2 inches from your interviewees face. But if you want low noise in a really loud environment, one of these musicians mics will do the trick. I keep it with me all the time now. Just in case.