Good Audio on the XL-2
 

Hello all. I've got a gig shooting a series of 3-5 minute video profile's for a "interesting faces" section of a website. In many cases, I'll be shooting people behind a desk or across a table, etc. I'll be a one man show so I'll be doing sound as well as camera op. My questions are: Is a $500 investment in a Senheisser or Audio Technica shotgun mic a big enough upgrade over the shotgun that came with the XL-2? and Is getting the shotgun a better idea than a wireless? and I'd love a good suggestion on a good lav and shotgun for a TOTAL of $1000.

Thanks in advance.

If the talent isn't moving around and is stationary behind the desk, I'd go with a Countryman B6 hardwired lav or Audio Technica AT-899 for a bit less $$$.

If the talent is mobile, moving around, or for just plain convenience, I would also consider the option of the Sennheiser Evolution G2 Wireless $499, but I'd upgrade the lav that ships with it to a Sennheiser MKE2 ew gold(pronounced mickey two).

Shotguns aren't really what you want for interior dialogue. Especially in echoey or live rooms.

Though if you want a shotgun recommendation, depending on the budget, I would go with the

$249-$300: RODE NTG1
$300-$500: Sennheiser ME66/K6
$500-$700: Audio Technica AT4073A


There is a lot of helpful people on this site, maybe someone else will chime in with a few other options, but this should give you something to chew on while you surf through some of the older posts that may have the information you're looking for.

I agree with Guy, and would add the AT4053 hypercardioid and an appropriate boom stand to the recommendation as a backup to the lav in a typical interview location where a shotgun might not perform well.