I think I've heard it all...
 

This is somewhat OT, but just can't help myself. It makes me wonder where some of this incredible logic (or lack thereof) comes from. As some of you know, I write for various magazines. Recently I did an article for Studio Monthly on how to mic in the field. It's a short, super fast reference guide. In there, I make comment on how on-camera mics should almost never be used, and if used, then at least a mic better than the built in cam mic should be used. I further commented that a $5.00 computer mic placed next to/near the subject will usually sound better than a 5,000.00 mic placed 20 feet away from the subject.
Studio Monthly received a comment following my article that went like this:
“I take exception with Studio's advice on micing. I've made four feature movies, the fourth of which just hit the airwaves. And I've used the built-in mic on the camera for all the shoots. Never ever had a problem with micing. So now, the article was full of "knee-jerk" textbook stuff on micing. It may be good for documentaries, where you show the lavalier or boom-it. ...”

Obviously I'm fairly confident in my work, but could it be that I'm not a realist, and rather an eliteist? Or are there really people out there making "professional" products that use built in mics? In honesty, my main reason for wondering is the management at the magazine doesn't know a mic from a mic stand, so they only can take the complaint as being possibly legit.

Can I get a reality check? Are there really people working this way and getting away with it?

Are you sure the feedback didn't come from a guy shooting silent films?

DSE
"I've made four feature movies, the fouth of which just hit the airwaves..."

What does this mean? What are 'the airwaves' in this guy's world? Local cable access or HBO?

Well, personally Douglas, I find tying a really taught string - I find the smooth quality ideal for this job - from an empty Corn can and knotting it to the on-board mic does it for me. Dirt cheap and has never let me down. Apart from anything else the Corn is really good for a snack. Position the open end towards the "talent" and hey presto! Voila! It's . . er .. in the can!

Huh . . I really don't know why I had bothered spending something in excess of £1k on Senni shotties, lapels and now a completely pointless reporter's mic. Can you? Teh! Yah just lives and learns . . eh . . yah just lives and learns . .

A reality check? If you are asking .. yah doesn't need it.

My on board-mic can pick up my flatulents . . ppphhhoooarrghh . . some 8 feet BEHIND the on-board mic. Preeeety sensitive I'd say. Yup! The Onboard mic . . For those er . . more "Sensitive Moments in Movie Making!"

Grazie!

Douglas, you're right - the nearer the mic to the sound it's recording the better. Most sound quality is lost between the sound producer and the sound sensor.

Nice article BTW, just read it the other day.

Graeme

You may be an eliteist in the sense that I'll bet your hearing is one hell of a lot better than the average guy's. I'm guessing that if you put me into a triangle test situation with stock on camera mics and high dollar replacements therefore that I couldn't pick the high dollar mic. I'll bet you could.

I would like to know what mic the guy uses that can replace the time,knowledge and effort that would normally be put into making sure you nail the audio.Boy, how many people will that put out of work?
Douglas it surprises me that you would put ANY credance into that statement.We all strive to achieve a higher level and most of us are able to because of people like yourself that raise the bar thru not only technique and equipment but also mindset.
Just want to say thanks.

DSE,
I cannot possibly top Grazie's post, so I'll actually be serious. Even for my first little short film for The DV Challenge last week, I used a lav and an AT897. On board mic for all those shots? No way.
Thanks for all you do here, buddy. Hope we can meet one of these days.

It would be really funny if you saw one of that guy's films and it was all ECU of different forheads and adam's apples.

Then you'd think, "hmm... I guess that guy was right."


If there's one thing I've found it's that morons are like water... the very second you stop bailing in your boat of reasoning they'll overtake it and that ship sinks. That's how I see some of the forums too... it's like you have to keep that pail (metaphor for CORRECT information) going as the morons* keep pouring in wrong information like so much water.


*If you are in fact a moron... my appologies... I meant no offense.

Can I send in a retort to that other guy's retort? If so let me know what I gotta' do.

I've always said the same thing... the closest mic wins.

Your analogy about a $5 mic over a $5K mic is obviously correct and I can't believe anybody would argue the point!

...whoops, gotta' go... more water's pouring into another part of this boat...

(Hey Douglas... thanks for doing your share of the bailing)

Douglas, I must plead guilty to using the built-in mic on my VX2000 from time to time, especially when shooting alone. I don't mind the sound and it saves me having to get a stereo bed when I'm in a hurry.

Having said that, I completely agree with you. I throw the wideangle on the front end and get 2 feet from the person speaking. Can someone make a entire feature at that distance? Sure, but who wants to watch "My Dinner With Andre" over and over again?

Talk is cheap. The guy has made an assertion in a vacuum. If it were a dialog, I'd say to him, "That is no less than astounding in the context my experience. Where can I see and hear your work?"

BTW, I think that the most remarkable thing about this thread is the humility with which it began. I could say more, but I'll just say I learned something. Thanks, DSE.

Douglas, you're doing a great job... nothing wrong with your article.
Don't listen to that dude...

I'm guessing he was shooting rockumentarys...

DSE,

I'd like to read the article because I will be doing on location audio Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Could you point me to where I can find it?