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Marcello Mongardi · May 27th, 2003, 06:12 AM

I am putting together a small documentary movie that I want to shoot (on my vx2000) this summer. I have really not shot anything yet where audio is very imprtant, and am trying to gain some experience bafore i start.

The movie I am shooting will all take place in Africa.....and as a result I want to make sure that I have made the best choices (as far as mikes go) before i set sail. The movie will involve many interviews (wireless?), and a fair amount of scenery (the plains etc) shots. I am not asking for anyone to solve my problems, simply to share any information about a similar venture perhaps.

I am on a budget, therefore...

What lower end wireless set up can I get away with? about $200.

Do I need some sort of shotgun for the other shooting. I think I can get my interviews into the wireless mikes. Should I get another mike for the ambient sound, or does the VX2000's mike do an O.K. job?

Any other sound considerations that I have completely missed. Tanzania's Sony guy is notoriously hard to track down.

Thanks alot.

Marcello

Joe Gioielli · May 27th, 2003, 09:09 AM

Okay, you have decided on a pretty low budget for the audio. If you have to go cheap there are ways you can do this.

If you are going to do sit down and chat type interviews, you may want to consider a wired lav mic. Radio Shack sells one for around 25 bucks. Get an extention cord to go with it for about 15. Try it. If you like it, go buy several more. I don't know what part of Africa you are going to, but if something goes wrong, is there any place you can buy a new one?

As far as the build in mic goes, it's fine for about 6ft in a quiet place. If it gets loud, forget it.

I am a believer in the shotgun mic. I have an Azden Sgn-2x that I am happy with. It was around $200.

Now, I'm going to give you something to consider. If this is a once in a life time trip, the stakes are very high. And in the audio world, you don't get many second chances. I REALLY wouldn't want to skimp on the audio. I would get the Sennie K6 mic. The mic and capsule run about 500 or 600. That's a lot of cash, no question. But this is an expensive trip. You may not get a second chance.

Were it mine to do I would try to bring 2 of everything. One good camera, one "just OK" camera. One good shotgun mic, one "just ok"etc. Don't forget to bring an old fashioned tape recorder. Set it up when you interview. This way if all else fails, you can use the audio as a voiceover.

One last thing, if you are going into the "boonies" bring an instant camera. As Robert Pelton said, World Peace could be acheived by an instant camera and enough film.

Marcello Mongardi · May 27th, 2003, 09:26 AM

Thanks Joe,

I have run through the "once in a lifetime" scenario, and agree. What if I shoot all sorts of great stuff and can't really hear anything that anyone is saying? I might have to wait for a day that I feel rich, run over to B and H and but everything, tear up the receipts, and deal with credit cards later.

Marcello

Wayne Orr · May 29th, 2003, 10:05 AM

Why not rent? Audio rentals are fairly cheap, and all professional rental companies will cut a deal for you for an extended trip. Certainly worth investigating.

I would be certain I had a good shotgun mic mounted on the camera for those moments when you have to get it on the run. If you can rent one, go for a Sennheiser 416.

Federico Prieto · May 29th, 2003, 03:32 PM

Hello Joe: what about the quality of the cheap RadioShack lavalier?

TIA

FP

Jeff Donald · May 29th, 2003, 04:42 PM

Wayne's got the right idea, if you only have $200 bucks, it's better to rent. Nothing in the sub $400 range is going to get you much in a wireless setup. If it were me, I'd rent.

Mike Rehmus · June 1st, 2003, 12:38 PM

If you are going to do interviews at close range . . . within 20-30 feet, go for a wired lav. Get a Sony ECM-44B for about $150 new (ask B&H if they have a demo for less) and an XLR dapter cable (if you don't have an XLR adapter).

Or get a shotgun. An AT835B will be more rugged than a Senn and only cost you around $250 or a bit less. Have someone hold the shotgun in close for your interviews.

Don't forget wind protection. The best microphones will be defeated by just a little wind. The foam covers are not much use for anything over a 2 mph breeze. $150 from Light Wave Systems. $50 for the Lav from B&H.

May 27th, 2003, 06:12 AM	#1
Marcello Mongardi New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: New York, New York Posts: 24	experience I am putting together a small documentary movie that I want to shoot (on my vx2000) this summer. I have really not shot anything yet where audio is very imprtant, and am trying to gain some experience bafore i start. The movie I am shooting will all take place in Africa.....and as a result I want to make sure that I have made the best choices (as far as mikes go) before i set sail. The movie will involve many interviews (wireless?), and a fair amount of scenery (the plains etc) shots. I am not asking for anyone to solve my problems, simply to share any information about a similar venture perhaps. I am on a budget, therefore... What lower end wireless set up can I get away with? about $200. Do I need some sort of shotgun for the other shooting. I think I can get my interviews into the wireless mikes. Should I get another mike for the ambient sound, or does the VX2000's mike do an O.K. job? Any other sound considerations that I have completely missed. Tanzania's Sony guy is notoriously hard to track down. Thanks alot. Marcello __________________ Red means run, son.

May 27th, 2003, 09:09 AM	#2
Joe Gioielli Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Port Richey, Fl Posts: 142	Okay, you have decided on a pretty low budget for the audio. If you have to go cheap there are ways you can do this. If you are going to do sit down and chat type interviews, you may want to consider a wired lav mic. Radio Shack sells one for around 25 bucks. Get an extention cord to go with it for about 15. Try it. If you like it, go buy several more. I don't know what part of Africa you are going to, but if something goes wrong, is there any place you can buy a new one? As far as the build in mic goes, it's fine for about 6ft in a quiet place. If it gets loud, forget it. I am a believer in the shotgun mic. I have an Azden Sgn-2x that I am happy with. It was around $200. Now, I'm going to give you something to consider. If this is a once in a life time trip, the stakes are very high. And in the audio world, you don't get many second chances. I REALLY wouldn't want to skimp on the audio. I would get the Sennie K6 mic. The mic and capsule run about 500 or 600. That's a lot of cash, no question. But this is an expensive trip. You may not get a second chance. Were it mine to do I would try to bring 2 of everything. One good camera, one "just OK" camera. One good shotgun mic, one "just ok"etc. Don't forget to bring an old fashioned tape recorder. Set it up when you interview. This way if all else fails, you can use the audio as a voiceover. One last thing, if you are going into the "boonies" bring an instant camera. As Robert Pelton said, World Peace could be acheived by an instant camera and enough film. __________________ Why ask me? I thought you were in charge!

May 27th, 2003, 09:26 AM	#3
Marcello Mongardi New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: New York, New York Posts: 24	Thanks Joe, I have run through the "once in a lifetime" scenario, and agree. What if I shoot all sorts of great stuff and can't really hear anything that anyone is saying? I might have to wait for a day that I feel rich, run over to B and H and but everything, tear up the receipts, and deal with credit cards later. Marcello __________________ Red means run, son.

May 29th, 2003, 10:05 AM	#4
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	Why not rent? Audio rentals are fairly cheap, and all professional rental companies will cut a deal for you for an extended trip. Certainly worth investigating. I would be certain I had a good shotgun mic mounted on the camera for those moments when you have to get it on the run. If you can rent one, go for a Sennheiser 416. __________________ Wayne If it was easy, they'd get a relative to do it.

May 29th, 2003, 04:42 PM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Wayne's got the right idea, if you only have $200 bucks, it's better to rent. Nothing in the sub $400 range is going to get you much in a wireless setup. If it were me, I'd rent. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 29th, 2003, 03:32 PM	#5
Federico Prieto Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 117	Hello Joe: what about the quality of the cheap RadioShack lavalier? TIA FP

June 1st, 2003, 12:38 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	If you are going to do interviews at close range . . . within 20-30 feet, go for a wired lav. Get a Sony ECM-44B for about $150 new (ask B&H if they have a demo for less) and an XLR dapter cable (if you don't have an XLR adapter). Or get a shotgun. An AT835B will be more rugged than a Senn and only cost you around $250 or a bit less. Have someone hold the shotgun in close for your interviews. Don't forget wind protection. The best microphones will be defeated by just a little wind. The foam covers are not much use for anything over a 2 mph breeze. $150 from Light Wave Systems. $50 for the Lav from B&H. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!