Docu Sound on $2000
by Daniel Vockins
on
Jul 10, 2008 at 2:10:55 am
Hi all,
I've posted this in Audio Professionals but wanted to compare notes with documentary makers.
I'm about to start shooting a new doc on education and would really appreciate some advice from anyone who can help. I've currently got a KE66 with fluffy and pistol grip as well as a SENNHEISER EVOLUTION eW112P G2 wireless system. Because of the heavy use, the KE66 has a loud intermittent buzz when plugged in (cable not at fault) and the cheap standard lav mic on the Sennheiser has a dodgy connection.
I've always been relatively happy with the KE66 and pretty underwhelmed by the G2. Thinking about it, with a long enough lead, I'm relatively ok with having a wired lav solution but would like to hear any options on alternate G2 compatible mics people know of. On the boom mic, people have recommended a 416 for it's warmer more complete sound but I don't know much about this mic.
I'm going to assume that keeping the lav/boom mic set-up is best but working from the premise that I've got £1000 and a bit more at a PUSH what would you reccomend I do with the equivalent of $2000?
I film documentaries on my Z1 with sound being one of the last things on my mind although I always have someone on a boom pole for the shotgun. The setup has to be high quality and is used in both quiet interview setting and in slightly louder outdoor settings.
As I say, any help would be much appreciated and thanks in advance :-)
Re: Docu Sound on $2000 by Todd Terry on Jul 10, 2008 at 4:31:06 am
[Daniel Vockins]"On the boom mic, people have recommended a 416"
Oh yeah... I love the MKH416. Since we started using them quite a while back I have virtually abandoned lavaliers (either hardwired or radio) unless I absolutely have to use them. The 416 has a wonderfully natural sound, very open and clean... and highly directional. Most lavs will sound awfully sterile compared to it.
I haven't priced them in quite a while, but the MKH416 used to be in the $1000 neighborhood. Keep in mind that the 416 requires 48v phantom, so it must be used with a camera (or recorder) that outputs phantom power (or use a separate phantom power source).
For the radio mics, I would highly recommend Lectrosonics. You won't be able to get the newest and highest-end Lectros within your budget (I think their top-end 400 series are about $2800 for a transmitter and receiver, not including the mic itself), but there's a fairly decent used market for the slightly older models and sometimes you can find real bargains... I got a couple from a Hollywood sound guy who was retiring and liquidating all his equipment.
T2
__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
