Gear recommendations for student film class at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · March 17th, 2005, 10:22 AM

Would people please recommend me some mics and other gear? We're putting together a summer filmmaking program for urban youth. I'm probably going to be paying for a lot of this stuff personally, and while I want the kids to have access to decent gear, I'm by no means wealthy. When it comes to mics, they should be very rugged and not require phantom power. Looking for a shotgun and a cardiod. I want to emphasize rugged again. This stuff needs to last.

Recommendations for other gear, inexpensive boom poles, shock mounts, and so on are appreciated.

Jay Massengill · March 17th, 2005, 05:38 PM

Rugged is a relative concept, and shotguns are generally the least rugged of typically available mics. But the AT835b has a long-standing reputation as lasting for years of use at a low original cost. The AT897 costs a little more and is much quieter, cleaner and shorter. It's also built to good AT standards so it should last as well.
Rode mics are generally considered rugged. The NT3 would be a good candidate for a battery-powered hypercardioid. Their two new shotguns might be a choice too since they will sell for $230.
For cardioids, the SM58 is very rugged. But the AKG D880 sounds better especially when used at a distance and is still available in the older non-modular style 2 for $90. It is a hyper actually, but it's not super-tight like an EV N/D767a. The Sennheiser e835 and EV N/D367s are also good cardioids.
The ATM31a is a battery-powered cardioid that has greater sensitivity than a dynamic.
The AT804 is a good dynamic omni that costs less than the traditional EV and Senn interview mics. They are all very rugged.
The only other sensitive, non-phantom cardioid is the K6/ME64 and I'd say that's too expensive.

Marco Leavitt · March 17th, 2005, 08:28 PM

What a great post. Thank you. That's very helpful.

Bob Costa · March 17th, 2005, 10:57 PM

Lav mics, even cheap ones from radio shack, are sometimes just the best choice. You can't kill a good lav mic. Wired or wireless depends on your plans and budget. But I never go anywhere without a $10 lav in my camera bag. It would be worth it just for the educational value that the right cheap equipment is better than the wrong expensive equipment.

A 5-in-1 refelector can be pretty useful too, along with a couple of $2 windshield sun-shields. BUt this is an audio forum, so I will stop there.

Jay Massengill · March 18th, 2005, 07:49 AM

hehe... I've seen plenty of lavs killed in my time, but I should have mentioned them too.
The AT803b would be the choice here. The Pro70 would also be a choice but it's not as good.

March 17th, 2005, 10:22 AM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Gear recommendations for student film class Would people please recommend me some mics and other gear? We're putting together a summer filmmaking program for urban youth. I'm probably going to be paying for a lot of this stuff personally, and while I want the kids to have access to decent gear, I'm by no means wealthy. When it comes to mics, they should be very rugged and not require phantom power. Looking for a shotgun and a cardiod. I want to emphasize rugged again. This stuff needs to last. Recommendations for other gear, inexpensive boom poles, shock mounts, and so on are appreciated.

March 17th, 2005, 05:38 PM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Rugged is a relative concept, and shotguns are generally the least rugged of typically available mics. But the AT835b has a long-standing reputation as lasting for years of use at a low original cost. The AT897 costs a little more and is much quieter, cleaner and shorter. It's also built to good AT standards so it should last as well. Rode mics are generally considered rugged. The NT3 would be a good candidate for a battery-powered hypercardioid. Their two new shotguns might be a choice too since they will sell for $230. For cardioids, the SM58 is very rugged. But the AKG D880 sounds better especially when used at a distance and is still available in the older non-modular style 2 for $90. It is a hyper actually, but it's not super-tight like an EV N/D767a. The Sennheiser e835 and EV N/D367s are also good cardioids. The ATM31a is a battery-powered cardioid that has greater sensitivity than a dynamic. The AT804 is a good dynamic omni that costs less than the traditional EV and Senn interview mics. They are all very rugged. The only other sensitive, non-phantom cardioid is the K6/ME64 and I'd say that's too expensive.

March 17th, 2005, 08:28 PM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	What a great post. Thank you. That's very helpful.

March 17th, 2005, 10:57 PM	#4
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	Lav mics, even cheap ones from radio shack, are sometimes just the best choice. You can't kill a good lav mic. Wired or wireless depends on your plans and budget. But I never go anywhere without a $10 lav in my camera bag. It would be worth it just for the educational value that the right cheap equipment is better than the wrong expensive equipment. A 5-in-1 refelector can be pretty useful too, along with a couple of $2 windshield sun-shields. BUt this is an audio forum, so I will stop there.

March 18th, 2005, 07:49 AM	#5
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	hehe... I've seen plenty of lavs killed in my time, but I should have mentioned them too. The AT803b would be the choice here. The Pro70 would also be a choice but it's not as good.