Choosing Mic's for PD170
 

Hi,

I'm currently shooting a project with a PD170 for a commercial client. This is my first video job and I'm very aware that my audio is probably going to be average because of my ignorance.

I'm using the standard mic that came with the camera. As I read more I understand that I'd be better off with a better mic. Luckily I haven't done any interviews and just shot some B-roll at the moment.

However, I will be doing some interviews, in both office environments as well as outside on location. I would also like the ability to record voice-over.

Any suggestions on reasonably priced mics (i.e. under 1000 Australian dollars)?

Cheers,

Tyler

Hi Tyler

For interviews I use a Sennheiser G2 radio lav mic set up... works nicely is reasonalbly priced and robust.

Second mic is an Audio Technica 897...but others from Sennheiser or Rode may be worth looking at...

Check out this webpage for a Mic shoot out and a tutorial on the G2...

http://dvestore.com/theatre/index.html#

Just scroll down the page...

Regards
Gareth

Budget issues...
 

G2's would be very good for the interviews. Sennheiser ME66 shotgun is a good all around mic; at least it has been for me. Used it on a 170 and a Z1. Good mic for the price...About 470 US at B & H.

Thing to remember Tyler is that the mic supplied with the PD170 is designed to be used up close, and invariably this means that having it on camera is an absolute no-no.

Gareth's reasoning that a tie-clip is good is simply that it gets the mic up close to the noise, and that's what your aim must be. Remember that a cheap mic up close beats an expensive mic used far away each and every time.

Remember too that shotguns (Senheisser K6/ME66, say) are also close-up mics. The term 'shotgun' simply describes the shape of the thing, and doesn't mean that it's designed to work metres away from the noise.

So the simple answer is to get a long (4 metre, say) lead. Plug it into the PD and the other end into the Sony mic and place the mic as close to the speaker as you can. If you do this you'll be very pleasantly surprised at how good it can sound.

tom.