Mic Recommendations for PD-150? at DVinfo.net

Erik Selakoff · February 24th, 2003, 01:49 AM

I don't know too much about mic's other than I do not like the one that comes with the PD-150. It seems to me to pick up too much background/ambient sound (as well as the camera's sounds).
I think I want a shotgun mic (don't know exactly what that means but I believe the stock PD-150 mic is a "shotgun") I don't know what I should be looking for in terms of specs but am willing to spend between $300-$500. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Erik

Don Bloom · February 24th, 2003, 06:40 AM

I like the Sennheiser ME66 but many folks use the AT822B (I think thats the designation). Both are good buys

Edward Seid · February 24th, 2003, 09:52 AM

Erik, I'm in the same boat. After reviewing the relevant posts here, it sounds like the Sennheiser ME66/K6 is the preferred shotgun mic by most here. A bit pricey in the $375-400 range, but from what I've read, it's worth the investment.

Currently, I'm shopping around for a good price. Best I've found so far is $375 + shipping. If anyone has a better deal, please share :)

Erik Selakoff · February 24th, 2003, 10:20 AM

Is this correct? With the K6 the mic can run off either its own battery or off the PD-150's but with the K6P the mic can ONLY run off the PD-150's? If so why is the K6P more expensive?
Thanks again.
Erik

Mike Rehmus · February 24th, 2003, 11:24 AM

Go to this thread to read an erie mirror of this same topic.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5480&highlight=K6P

Erik Selakoff · February 24th, 2003, 01:07 PM

Thanks to everyone, especially Mike for that link.
Erik.

M. Raine Lillibridge · February 26th, 2003, 11:59 AM

I know the me-66 is very popular but I started in audio and I'm really not that impressed with it for the money. If you are willing to spend a little more and in the case of microphone that is easy to justify because they can be used, if properly cared for, for a good long time. Check out the Audio Technica AT4073a. I think probably the best 'short' shotgun on the market.

Brian Pink · February 27th, 2003, 09:00 PM

i just got an ME66 from zotz and i'll be using it this weekend at the dog show in scottsdale. i'll report back what i think. as far as price goes, $375 for a mic + power is nothing. really. a mic should last you for 20 years or so, that's like $10/year. =) anyway, i'm pretty excited to try it out.

Scott Silverman · March 1st, 2003, 02:33 AM

Erik,
What will you be using your mic for? I have been asking myself this same question regarding my GL2 for 6 months. And I am not sure a shot-gun mic (such as the ME66) is the best solution for the situations I (and maybe you, I don't know what type of shooting you do) shoot in. Take a look at this page http://www.shiningstarDV.com/mic.htm and in a shooting condition such as that would a shot gun mic do the job? Or would it only end up picking up person number two because it is directional. So my question for everyone, is: would a shotgun mic be right for a situation such as the above? I shoot as a one man crew 90% of the time so if my camera is moving (by hand, stabilizer, or tripod) then I need a camera mounted mic, so boom pole or mic stand is out. Wireless lav/handheld won't work because of the setup time. This is somewhat spontanoues shooting like covering a party or BBQ etc. Can some one help me? Thanks.

Ken Tanaka · March 1st, 2003, 02:40 AM

Scott,
A directional, super cardiod (shotgun) mic such as the ME-66 is the only solution that meets your constraints.

Scott Silverman · March 1st, 2003, 02:57 AM

Thanks for the speedy reply Ken. I have one other question, why wouldn't a camera mounted ME64 (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...ries_mke_03282) work?

Thanks, you are always of great help.

Ken Tanaka · March 1st, 2003, 11:26 AM

The ME-64 would "work". But it has a very wide sensitivity pattern, nearly 180 deg. The 66's pattern is narrower and may reduce side noise.

Mike Rehmus · March 1st, 2003, 11:31 AM

It will and may do a better job than the 66 if only because it has better rear rejection. The wider front response pattern means that the two people on the sides of the center will sound more natural.

Also, you will probably find that the 64 will not be overloaded as easily as the 66 can be in areas where noise can spike due to band, laughter, etc.

However, you will have to get a bit closer I expect with the 64 for the same record level.

You are obviously interested enough to consider visiting the pro sound Usenet group and asking about the 64 vs the 66. Some of the alternate answers might surprise you. Those people can almost tell you when you should use different brands of gaffer tape in differnt sound applications.

Scott Silverman · March 1st, 2003, 06:15 PM

Thanks guys.

Mike,
Where can I find the Pro Sound Usenet group? Thanks!

Mike Rehmus · March 1st, 2003, 07:26 PM

The Usenet group you want is:
rec.art.movies.productionsound

Usenet is an Internet service that has separate discussion groups on everything from apples to zombies.

Normally your email application will also have a News function. Once you find that at subscribe to the newsgroups in which you are interested, all you have to do is click on the group to get the latest series of messages.

There are groups on video, sound, and just about anything else you can imagine.

If you cannot find a newsreader and that group, email me off the forum and I'll try and help.

mike@byvideo.com

I should mention that once in a while I find myself visiting a mortar and bricks Pro sound shop to get advice (and buy a solution).

By pro, I DON'T mean Guitar Center although they have their place. I'm talking about one of the shops that cater to the serious sound recordist.

February 24th, 2003, 01:49 AM	#1
Erik Selakoff Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 51	Mic Recommendations for PD-150? I don't know too much about mic's other than I do not like the one that comes with the PD-150. It seems to me to pick up too much background/ambient sound (as well as the camera's sounds). I think I want a shotgun mic (don't know exactly what that means but I believe the stock PD-150 mic is a "shotgun") I don't know what I should be looking for in terms of specs but am willing to spend between $300-$500. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Erik

February 24th, 2003, 10:20 AM	#4
Erik Selakoff Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 51	Difference btw. ME66 with/K6 or K6P? Is this correct? With the K6 the mic can run off either its own battery or off the PD-150's but with the K6P the mic can ONLY run off the PD-150's? If so why is the K6P more expensive? Thanks again. Erik

February 24th, 2003, 11:24 AM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Go to this thread to read an erie mirror of this same topic. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5480&highlight=K6P __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

February 26th, 2003, 11:59 AM	#7
M. Raine Lillibridge Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: burke, sd Posts: 26	mic's for pd-150 I know the me-66 is very popular but I started in audio and I'm really not that impressed with it for the money. If you are willing to spend a little more and in the case of microphone that is easy to justify because they can be used, if properly cared for, for a good long time. Check out the Audio Technica AT4073a. I think probably the best 'short' shotgun on the market.

February 27th, 2003, 09:00 PM	#8
Brian Pink Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 94	i just got an ME66 from zotz and i'll be using it this weekend at the dog show in scottsdale. i'll report back what i think. as far as price goes, $375 for a mic + power is nothing. really. a mic should last you for 20 years or so, that's like $10/year. =) anyway, i'm pretty excited to try it out. __________________ This is the way the world ends.

February 24th, 2003, 06:40 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I like the Sennheiser ME66 but many folks use the AT822B (I think thats the designation). Both are good buys

February 24th, 2003, 09:52 AM	#3
Edward Seid Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 30	Erik, I'm in the same boat. After reviewing the relevant posts here, it sounds like the Sennheiser ME66/K6 is the preferred shotgun mic by most here. A bit pricey in the $375-400 range, but from what I've read, it's worth the investment. Currently, I'm shopping around for a good price. Best I've found so far is $375 + shipping. If anyone has a better deal, please share :)

February 24th, 2003, 01:07 PM	#6
Erik Selakoff Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 51	Thanks to everyone, especially Mike for that link. Erik.

March 1st, 2003, 02:33 AM	#9
Scott Silverman Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cupertino, California, USA Posts: 301	Erik, What will you be using your mic for? I have been asking myself this same question regarding my GL2 for 6 months. And I am not sure a shot-gun mic (such as the ME66) is the best solution for the situations I (and maybe you, I don't know what type of shooting you do) shoot in. Take a look at this page http://www.shiningstarDV.com/mic.htm and in a shooting condition such as that would a shot gun mic do the job? Or would it only end up picking up person number two because it is directional. So my question for everyone, is: would a shotgun mic be right for a situation such as the above? I shoot as a one man crew 90% of the time so if my camera is moving (by hand, stabilizer, or tripod) then I need a camera mounted mic, so boom pole or mic stand is out. Wireless lav/handheld won't work because of the setup time. This is somewhat spontanoues shooting like covering a party or BBQ etc. Can some one help me? Thanks. __________________ Scott Silverman Shining Star Digital Video Productions Bay Area, CA

March 1st, 2003, 02:40 AM	#10
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Scott, A directional, super cardiod (shotgun) mic such as the ME-66 is the only solution that meets your constraints. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 1st, 2003, 02:57 AM	#11
Scott Silverman Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cupertino, California, USA Posts: 301	Thanks for the speedy reply Ken. I have one other question, why wouldn't a camera mounted ME64 (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...ries_mke_03282) work? Thanks, you are always of great help. __________________ Scott Silverman Shining Star Digital Video Productions Bay Area, CA

March 1st, 2003, 11:26 AM	#12
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The ME-64 would "work". But it has a very wide sensitivity pattern, nearly 180 deg. The 66's pattern is narrower and may reduce side noise. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 1st, 2003, 11:31 AM	#13
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	It will and may do a better job than the 66 if only because it has better rear rejection. The wider front response pattern means that the two people on the sides of the center will sound more natural. Also, you will probably find that the 64 will not be overloaded as easily as the 66 can be in areas where noise can spike due to band, laughter, etc. However, you will have to get a bit closer I expect with the 64 for the same record level. You are obviously interested enough to consider visiting the pro sound Usenet group and asking about the 64 vs the 66. Some of the alternate answers might surprise you. Those people can almost tell you when you should use different brands of gaffer tape in differnt sound applications. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 1st, 2003, 06:15 PM	#14
Scott Silverman Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cupertino, California, USA Posts: 301	Thanks guys. Mike, Where can I find the Pro Sound Usenet group? Thanks! __________________ Scott Silverman Shining Star Digital Video Productions Bay Area, CA

March 1st, 2003, 07:26 PM	#15
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	The Usenet group you want is: rec.art.movies.productionsound Usenet is an Internet service that has separate discussion groups on everything from apples to zombies. Normally your email application will also have a News function. Once you find that at subscribe to the newsgroups in which you are interested, all you have to do is click on the group to get the latest series of messages. There are groups on video, sound, and just about anything else you can imagine. If you cannot find a newsreader and that group, email me off the forum and I'll try and help. mike@byvideo.com I should mention that once in a while I find myself visiting a mortar and bricks Pro sound shop to get advice (and buy a solution). By pro, I DON'T mean Guitar Center although they have their place. I'm talking about one of the shops that cater to the serious sound recordist. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!