What lav mic for shooting interviews? at DVinfo.net

Peter Berger · October 13th, 2011, 04:39 PM

I have Rode NTG shotgun mic. Its ok, but I cant control the camera and holt the mic at the same time. So I'm looking for a lavalier mic. I dont need a wireless mic (they are too expensive for me and I shoot mostly interviews without any movement). I'm ok with wired lavaliers. What do you recommend me?
For recording the sound, I will probably buy small Zoom handy recorder.

Bryan Cantwell · October 14th, 2011, 07:03 AM

You could just put your Rode on a mic stand like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/286137-REG/AKG_KM210_9BLACK_KM210_9_Heavy_Duty_Tripod.html

Robert Turchick · October 14th, 2011, 07:54 AM

Second a boom approach. If I am doing static interviews or anything where the actor doesn't move the shotgun is my first choice as it sounds much better than most lavs. (and I have the Sanken COS 11 and the Voice Technologies VT500 which are two of the best)

Instead of a true mic stand, I use a light stand with my boom pole with this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469811-REG/BoomMate_Boompole_Holder_and_Grip.html
It gives me much greater reach and if the subject is standing I can easily get it over their head. Can't do that with a standard mic stand.

But if you have to use a lav, Sanken, Voice Technologies and Countryman are my favs.

Brett Sherman · October 14th, 2011, 01:22 PM

I bought the Rode lavalier with MiCon Connector. I got tired of having to buy new lavaliers continually because of bad cables. This has a slick system where you can replace the cable without having to buy a whole new microphone. I take an extra cable as a backup. In addition you can get an XLR connector for the other end, or any wireless connection like 1/8", TA5F, etc. It sounds good too.

Peter Berger · October 14th, 2011, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the tips.
BTW, when I'm shooting interviews with Rode NTG2 (plus Rode Deadcat) outside I have almost everytime problem with wind or swishing sound of the trees. And when shooting interviews in interiors I have sometimes problem with bad acustics. Maybe this problems could be reduced when working with lavalier mic, because lavalier mic can be closer to the subject (and ambient sound therefore reduced)? What do you think? I used lavalier mics (SENNHEISER EW100ENG G2) only once and the sound was great (but i dont need to go wireless).

Robert Turchick · October 14th, 2011, 06:35 PM

Wind will show up even on a lav mic. If you're outdoors you need the proper wind filter which is included in the Sanken and VT500 kits.

Indoors with a static interview, I try to get the shotgun about 6" above the subjects head and about a foot in front angled down towards the subjects mouth. It reduces the ambient/voice ratio making it workable in just about any environment.

The lav is an easy solution. My pet peeve is I hate seeing mics on people. Obviously there's situations it can't be avoided but the shotgun should work in either scenario you describe.

October 13th, 2011, 04:39 PM	#1
Peter Berger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 136	What lav mic for shooting interviews? I have Rode NTG shotgun mic. Its ok, but I cant control the camera and holt the mic at the same time. So I'm looking for a lavalier mic. I dont need a wireless mic (they are too expensive for me and I shoot mostly interviews without any movement). I'm ok with wired lavaliers. What do you recommend me? For recording the sound, I will probably buy small Zoom handy recorder.

October 14th, 2011, 07:03 AM	#2
Bryan Cantwell Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 277	Re: What lav mic for shooting interviews? You could just put your Rode on a mic stand like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/286137-REG/AKG_KM210_9BLACK_KM210_9_Heavy_Duty_Tripod.html

October 14th, 2011, 07:54 AM	#3
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: What lav mic for shooting interviews? Second a boom approach. If I am doing static interviews or anything where the actor doesn't move the shotgun is my first choice as it sounds much better than most lavs. (and I have the Sanken COS 11 and the Voice Technologies VT500 which are two of the best) Instead of a true mic stand, I use a light stand with my boom pole with this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469811-REG/BoomMate_Boompole_Holder_and_Grip.html It gives me much greater reach and if the subject is standing I can easily get it over their head. Can't do that with a standard mic stand. But if you have to use a lav, Sanken, Voice Technologies and Countryman are my favs. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

October 14th, 2011, 01:22 PM	#4
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Re: What lav mic for shooting interviews? I bought the Rode lavalier with MiCon Connector. I got tired of having to buy new lavaliers continually because of bad cables. This has a slick system where you can replace the cable without having to buy a whole new microphone. I take an extra cable as a backup. In addition you can get an XLR connector for the other end, or any wireless connection like 1/8", TA5F, etc. It sounds good too.

October 14th, 2011, 01:57 PM	#5
Peter Berger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 136	Re: What lav mic for shooting interviews? Thanks for the tips. BTW, when I'm shooting interviews with Rode NTG2 (plus Rode Deadcat) outside I have almost everytime problem with wind or swishing sound of the trees. And when shooting interviews in interiors I have sometimes problem with bad acustics. Maybe this problems could be reduced when working with lavalier mic, because lavalier mic can be closer to the subject (and ambient sound therefore reduced)? What do you think? I used lavalier mics (SENNHEISER EW100ENG G2) only once and the sound was great (but i dont need to go wireless).

October 14th, 2011, 06:35 PM	#6
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: What lav mic for shooting interviews? Wind will show up even on a lav mic. If you're outdoors you need the proper wind filter which is included in the Sanken and VT500 kits. Indoors with a static interview, I try to get the shotgun about 6" above the subjects head and about a foot in front angled down towards the subjects mouth. It reduces the ambient/voice ratio making it workable in just about any environment. The lav is an easy solution. My pet peeve is I hate seeing mics on people. Obviously there's situations it can't be avoided but the shotgun should work in either scenario you describe. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!