Best Shotgun Mic?

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budget ? what are you using to record ? Indoors ? outdoors ?

Alcove, I bet I could get great sound from 25 feet away plugging it into a T2i on a windy day w/ a mic like that !
 
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Your 14 right? Correct me if im wrong! :)

It really depends on your budget. I bet Alcove's suggestion is a QUALITY mic. I can just see judging from its price. But if I doubt that you're gonna wanna spend 3 grand on a microphone.

Small budget, go with the Rode Videomic
http://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMic-Directional-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0007U9SOC

If you're willing to spend a couple more hundred, go with an XLR, Rode NTG-2/NTG-3
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/481528-REG/Rode_NTG_2_Condenser_Shotgun_Microphone.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563798-REG/Rode_NTG_3_NTG_3_Precision_RF_Biased_Shotgun.html

I would also suggest buying an external recorder such as the Zoom H2 or the Zoom H4n.
http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...8zMJxZosk9NcrFngQ&sig2=xVMyu83vSIUtDk4Ax7adMA

Good luck!!
 
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justinisfilming said:
I bet Alcove's suggestion is a QUALITY mic.
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He didn't mention price or application, nor did he mention if he was connecting to a camera or external audio recorder. He asked for the BEST shotgun. If I was doing production sound and had the budget the Schoeps would be my choice.

If you're going to ask vague questions you're going to get vague - or smart-assed - answers.
 
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Whoops, forgot all about this thread but I’m wondering this again today, so...

I have a budget of $1500 (I won a teen video contest’s grand prize :D ) so anything above or below that is fine. The 7D has excellent quality, so I need excellent audio.

Which is better, Alcove? Schoeps or Sennheiser...in terms of cost efficiency.

And Justin, yup. :lol:
 
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As always I recommend that you retain someone who knows what they're doing, either a professional production sound mixer & boom-op team or an ambitious up-and-comer.

Okay, now that I've given the advice you're sure to ignore....

If you have the full $1,500 to spend on your audio...

Recorder

Tascam DR-100mkII - $300

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

Battery Pack x 2 = $80

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/826148-REG/Tascam_BP_6AA_BP_6AA_External_Battery_Pack.html

Shotgun Mics (Pick One)

Rode NTG-1 Kit ($600)

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

Audio Technica AT897 Kit ($600)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...chnica_AT897BK_AT_897_Shotgun_Microphone.html

Cardioid Mic (Hypercardioids are much preferred, but one of these will do for now...)

sE Electronics SE1A ($160)

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

Rode NT5 ($220)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392840-REG/Rode_NT5_S_NT5_Cardioid_Studio.html

(My preferred "budget" hypercardioid mic is the Audio Technica AT4053b - $600)

Headphones

Sennheiser HD380 ($200)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650058-REG/Sennheiser_HD_380PRO_HD_380_Pro_Circumaural.html

Sennheiser HD 25-1 II ($200)

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

Sony MDR-7506 ($130)

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



You'll need XLR cables - get two 30 footers and a 20'. Don't forget cases and other miscellaneous items.
 
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Alcove Audio said:
Okay, now that I've given the advice you're sure to ignore....
Click to expand...

tumblr_ljs5lknQ3b1qfbzyko1_500.gif



:lol: Just joking. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know what I finally decide on.
 
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SkepticalMetal said:
Thought I'd necro this thread to ask Alcove a nooby question - do you use the recorder to connect to the shotgun mic in place of connecting the shotgun mic to the camera?
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DSLR audio is quite substandard, that's why you use a separate recorder. You use PluralEyes or something similar to automate the sync process. Production sound has been recorded separately and manually synced to film since the late 1920s, so there's no mystery or anything new here. Modern technology can make it a lot less painful. You still should visually and verbally slate and keep detailed audio and video logs.

It's much preferable to use a mixer as well. However, get something GOOD like the PSC ProMix 3 (around $500). Of course, there are the pro units like the Sound Devices mixers like the MixPre-D (about $900) or 302 ($1,600) and the MM-1 ($500) is a terrific addition to any sound kit.
 
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If you're using a camera with an XLR input it's probably an ok option. Since using external audio (had to coz of SLR) I actually like it better. Like I can film on one side of a creek and I can put the sound guy 20 metres from me hidden near the actors. Helps a lot if you do any handheld or steadicam work too
 
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The Sony HDR FX1000 does not have XLR low impedance inputs, only a pitiful 3.5mm minipin, which is disappointing in a $3k+ camera.

Yes, you should definitely use an external recorder.
 
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Alcove Audio said:
As always I recommend that you retain someone who knows what they're doing, either a professional production sound mixer & boom-op team or an ambitious up-and-comer.

Okay, now that I've given the advice you're sure to ignore....
Click to expand...

Believe me, since I found this site all I've been doing is reading about audio, and I quickly realized that as soon as I have the means to outsource it to a pro that's what I'm going to do. Until then, I'm going to try to follow all of your other tips. I'm due a bonus from work soon, and instead of upgrading my camera I'm going to upgrade my mic!
 
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Before you upgrade your mic take two deep breaths and then procrastinate for a week. Then start another thread or send me a PM. Then consult with a couple of other sources.

"Opinions are like a$$holes; everybody has one and they all stink."


Remember that you are building a sound kit that will be applicable for most of your potential situations. Your mic may not be the problem, it may be the recorder or your lack of technique or your lack of knowledge or...
 
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Alcove Audio said:
Before you upgrade your mic take two deep breaths and then procrastinate for a week. Then start another thread or send me a PM. Then consult with a couple of other sources.

"Opinions are like a$$holes; everybody has one and they all stink."


Remember that you are building a sound kit that will be applicable for most of your potential situations. Your mic may not be the problem, it may be the recorder or your lack of technique or your lack of knowledge or...
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good plan. I'm not getting the bonus for another couple weeks, so I'll check in when I'm closer to buying. In the mean time I'll be filming a short or two and we'll see how good/bad those come out with my current equipment.
 
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NavyLady said:
@Alcove... I'm trying to decide between the Audio-Technica AT875R and the Rode NG2. Which one would be better for filming with a Canon DSLR camera?
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I'm making the assumption that you will not be using an external recorder/mixer.

I believe that you mean the NTG-2. Your other option would be the Audio Technica AT897. Both the NTG-2 and AT897 can supply their own internal phantom power via an internal battery, the AT875 and NTG-1 cannot do that. If you use the NTG-2 or AT897 you will need an impedance matcher.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/885062-REG/kopul_lmt_100_lo_to_hi_impedance.html

You may also want to consider the Rode VideoMic or VideoMic Pro; probably a better choice if you are an amateur/hobbyist.

BTW, who will be swinging the boom for you? Or will you be (shudder) mounting the mic on the camera?
 
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