microphone selection

[copper]

Hi
I'm shooting my first short film for film festival viewing.
Camera Canon Vixia HF M30 HD Stereo new
mic Apex 175 brand new cannot return
Confused: Can I use a mono mic like the Apex for films with only conversations? I want to use a boom mic. Some tell me to buy a stereo but they seem to all have a 90 degree pickup. Will mono-modified in editing sound OK in festivals?
signed
Confused Copper : (

 

[Alcove Audio]

99.9999999999% of the time dialog is recorded in mono. On the rare instances that dialog moves around the stereo or surround field it is done with automated panning during the mix.

Whoever is telling you that you need a stereo mic to capture dialog has absolutely no clue when it comes to recording production sound for film/video; run for your life!

You may want to check out my blog on production sound:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=111888913&blogId=265521269

 

[FrankLad]

Hi Copper!

I always capture dialog mono. As Alcove Audio mentioned, any special instances where panning is required, can be done in the mix.

Also wanted to emphasize this tip, taken from Alcove's blog....

Dialog wilds are recording the dialog close up off camera. The talent is still in character and still in "rhythm". Do at least four takes of each line. This could save you from having to do ADR sessions.

REALLY worth remembering!

 

[copper]

now it hummms -- hmmmmm lol

Thanks for the advice Alcove and Frank. I did my test on the camera and mic yesterday. I
Unfortunatly I'm getting a slight hum or buzz on each recording. Very annoying . Canon says to switch the sound to manual and reduce mic volume a bit. Did this and it helped a bit. Anybody have an idea? All equipment is brand new.
Canon Vixia HF M30 and Apex 175 mic
cheers
Randall

 

[gpforet001]

Remember that booming conversations means moving the mic from speaker to speaker and getting proper placement on each. 18"-20" from talent's mouth max.

Hi
I'm shooting my first short film for film festival viewing.
Camera Canon Vixia HF M30 HD Stereo new
mic Apex 175 brand new cannot return
Confused: Can I use a mono mic like the Apex for films with only conversations? I want to use a boom mic. Some tell me to buy a stereo but they seem to all have a 90 degree pickup. Will mono-modified in editing sound OK in festivals?
signed
Confused Copper : (

 

[Alcove Audio]

Unfortunately I'm getting a slight hum or buzz on each recording.

Are you using a fresh battery in the -175?

Are you using a fresh battery in the camera?

Are you using a quality impedance matching transformer?

Are you using a quality XLR cable?

Are any AC cables crossing the mic cable?

Are the lights buzzing and you're just hearing it emphasized in the recordings?

Any other noisy objects in the room?

Have you made all of the proper "adjustments" for capturing external audio in the camera?