Which lav mic would you use in this situation? at DVinfo.net

Kent Fraser · January 21st, 2010, 12:35 PM

We're looking for a wired lav mic to use in upcoming single-person interviews in relatively quiet, but uncontrolled settings (like people's homes). The mic doesn't have to be hidden. We want one that doesn't pick up a lot of ambient sound but still is capable of good sound for sometimes quieter-speaking people.

What do you use and recommend?

Thanks

Kent

Battle Vaughan · January 21st, 2010, 12:39 PM

Have had excellent results with Tram tr50: Tram | TR50 - Omnidirectional Lavalier Condenser | TR50BPS | B&H

Depending on your price point, Audio-Technica makes some very nice, less expensive but physically larger units, Countryman is widely recommended (although I have no experience with the latter). HTH / Battle Vaughan

Don Bloom · January 21st, 2010, 02:10 PM

As Battle suggested Tram50, Country B3 or B6 or maybe the AT899 or Sanken COS11 but not sure they can be hardwired but I think they can. The Countryman EMW would be to broad a capture I think (I use them and while they are great mics they do pickup some unwanted stuff in the background). Lots of choices in varying price ranges.

Rick Reineke · January 21st, 2010, 06:25 PM

Whatever mic you choose, and usually more important for sit down type interviews, you must attempt to control the "uncontrolled settings" by turning off as many noise-emanating devises as possible, including the carbon based type, talking and shuffling about in nearby areas... usually the entire home.

David W. Jones · January 21st, 2010, 09:14 PM

Any reason why you are limiting yourself to a wired lav mic?

Kent Fraser · January 21st, 2010, 11:02 PM

It won't be the only mic, but it will be the one I'm counting on. Many of these interviews will be a one man operation. Can't count on a boom and we don't need any of the potential issues that could arise with wireless. What do you have in mind?

Kirk Candlish · January 22nd, 2010, 01:56 AM

Standard in the industry, nearly indestructible, sweat proof, good value, forgiving of placement and clothing noise, major feature quality sound... That would be the Countryman B6.

David W. Jones · January 22nd, 2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kent Fraser

It won't be the only mic, but it will be the one I'm counting on. Many of these interviews will be a one man operation. Can't count on a boom and we don't need any of the potential issues that could arise with wireless. What do you have in mind?

If it won't be the only mic, what else are you using so advisers can suggest a complementary microphone. I find in situations like this a well placed boom with a MKH50 or CMC641 as my main mic, and a hidden Countryman B3 as a backup mic work well depending on the room.

All the Best!

Mark Boyer · January 22nd, 2010, 09:44 AM

I use Trams, one Countryman and a good Sennheiser lavalier. Ambient sound pickup is controled by where the mic is placed and the gain setting of the mic and less on the brand of mic. Brand and quality of the microphone is important but not as important as technique and setup.

Dan Brockett · January 22nd, 2010, 10:38 AM

Hi Kent:

Why not take a listen for yourself and buy what sounds best to you? There some good recommendations already in this thread but I would listen and read up
Audio In Close Up - Which Lavalier Should I Use?"

Dan

Kent Fraser · January 22nd, 2010, 04:17 PM

Hi Dan-

I did spend quite a bit of time yesterday going over your research. What a valuable resource. I can not say enough how helpful that was. I listened to the male voice samples in particular. It did help me narrow down the field considerably. In particular, I was listening for not only the quality... but the quietness. There was a definite difference in the "silence" between the lavs.

Thanks for doing this.

Kent

January 21st, 2010, 12:35 PM	#1
Kent Fraser Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 75	Which lav mic would you use in this situation? We're looking for a wired lav mic to use in upcoming single-person interviews in relatively quiet, but uncontrolled settings (like people's homes). The mic doesn't have to be hidden. We want one that doesn't pick up a lot of ambient sound but still is capable of good sound for sometimes quieter-speaking people. What do you use and recommend? Thanks Kent

January 21st, 2010, 02:10 PM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	As Battle suggested Tram50, Country B3 or B6 or maybe the AT899 or Sanken COS11 but not sure they can be hardwired but I think they can. The Countryman EMW would be to broad a capture I think (I use them and while they are great mics they do pickup some unwanted stuff in the background). Lots of choices in varying price ranges. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

January 21st, 2010, 09:14 PM	#5
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	Any reason why you are limiting yourself to a wired lav mic? __________________ David W. Jones www.joneshdfilms.com

January 21st, 2010, 12:39 PM	#2
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	Have had excellent results with Tram tr50: Tram \| TR50 - Omnidirectional Lavalier Condenser \| TR50BPS \| B&H Depending on your price point, Audio-Technica makes some very nice, less expensive but physically larger units, Countryman is widely recommended (although I have no experience with the latter). HTH / Battle Vaughan

January 21st, 2010, 06:25 PM	#4
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Whatever mic you choose, and usually more important for sit down type interviews, you must attempt to control the "uncontrolled settings" by turning off as many noise-emanating devises as possible, including the carbon based type, talking and shuffling about in nearby areas... usually the entire home.

January 21st, 2010, 11:02 PM	#6
Kent Fraser Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 75	It won't be the only mic, but it will be the one I'm counting on. Many of these interviews will be a one man operation. Can't count on a boom and we don't need any of the potential issues that could arise with wireless. What do you have in mind?

January 22nd, 2010, 01:56 AM	#7
Kirk Candlish Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Southern, CA Posts: 198	Standard in the industry, nearly indestructible, sweat proof, good value, forgiving of placement and clothing noise, major feature quality sound... That would be the Countryman B6.

January 22nd, 2010, 09:44 AM	#9
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	I use Trams, one Countryman and a good Sennheiser lavalier. Ambient sound pickup is controled by where the mic is placed and the gain setting of the mic and less on the brand of mic. Brand and quality of the microphone is important but not as important as technique and setup.

January 22nd, 2010, 10:38 AM	#10
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Hi Kent: Why not take a listen for yourself and buy what sounds best to you? There some good recommendations already in this thread but I would listen and read up Audio In Close Up - Which Lavalier Should I Use?" Dan

January 22nd, 2010, 04:17 PM	#11
Kent Fraser Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 75	Hi Dan- I did spend quite a bit of time yesterday going over your research. What a valuable resource. I can not say enough how helpful that was. I listened to the male voice samples in particular. It did help me narrow down the field considerably. In particular, I was listening for not only the quality... but the quietness. There was a definite difference in the "silence" between the lavs. Thanks for doing this. Kent