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Anotherquestion regarding lighting and sound

What are some things that I can use that are inexpensive or around the house that will improve both lighting and audio? Also, what are some good mics that won't cost a fortune? I do have a Blu Snowball, but it does not work with my camera; only my iMac which cannot be moved around like a labtop..... Any idea what I should do?
 
what are some good mics that won't cost a fortune?

Rather vague. What's a fortune to you? I have frequently posted my $1,200 basic sound kit list. You can easily spend twice that on just one shotgun mic and a "Hollywood" sound cart can cost $250,000 or more, so "a fortune" is relative.

Here's my $1,200 basic sound kit list:


Shotgun mic kits will have the shotgun mic, boom-pole, shock-mount and simple wind protection (softie).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551607-REG/Audio_Technica_AT_875_Shotgun_Microphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/461493-REG/Rode_NTG_1_Shotgun_Condenser.html

Hypercardioid mic:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/867157-REG/Avantone_Pro_CK1_CK_1_Small_Capsule_FET_Pencil.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/359043-REG/sE_Electronics_SE1A_SE1A_Small_Diaphragm.html

Audio recorders:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/832911-REG/Tascam_DR100MKII_DR_100mkII_Portable_Linear.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821259-REG/Tascam_DR_40_DR_40_4_Track_Handheld_Digital.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821260-REG/Roland_R_26_R_26_6_Channel_Digital_Field.html

Headphones:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49510-REG/Sony_MDR_7506_MDR_7506_Headphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/507447-REG/Sennheiser_HD_25_1_II_HD_25_1_II.html

You'll also need cables, cases, battery packs and other miscellaneous items - about $200+.

This would make up a passable entry level prosumer production sound kit for narrative filmmaking.


If this is beyond your budget (and we haven't even started on audio post gear) you can consider the Rode VideoMic.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/937192-REG/rode_videomic_booming_kit_windbuster.html

Then you need to find someone who understands audio or really wants to learn it. It's not as simple as 98.76% of filmmakers think. Audio is HARD, especially when you have no experience with it and don't "speak the language."

Pick up "The Location Sound Bible" by Ric Viers and "Producing Great Sound for Film and Video" by Jay Rose. That will get you off to a good start.
 
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