Hey guys check out my $200 budget sound kit using the Rode Videomic Go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhKDllbKrL8, Thank you Mike! In fact, I did not own a shotgun microphone at the time, so I did not have one to test. Shotgun Microphones. Wireless Transmitters and Receivers Keep in mind that longer shotgun … Not wanting to mess with swapping out a lapel microphone between three kids on a thrown together video shoot in our basement, I placed an overhead shotgun microphone just out of the video frame. The personal mics keep the speech clear, and the pole mic gives you a bit of ‘air’ so the effects of movement don’t sound so obvious. Shotgun mics, or “boom” mics, as they are called when mounted onto the end of a boom pole, are rod-shaped microphones that are great for capturing interview audio. Try to keep the mic pointed in the direction of the talent’s mouth, and keep it clear from rubbing on their clothes or hair. I wish someone would invent a way to attach a lav to a t-shirt. If you don’t mind syncing up your audio in the edit, using a “second system sound” is an easy, albeit sometimes risky, way to record your audio. I use an iPhone attached to a seinmheiser clip mic ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1136079-REG/sennheiser_clip_mic_clip_mic_digital.html ) which conmects directly to the lightning port. It also keeps the mic dryer if caught in the rain (yup, I’m a Brit!). Shotgun mics are directional, meaning they capture more sound from what they point at, and less from the sides. No matter if your interview is a seated one, or captured handheld while on the street, the most important thing to do is to get the mic as close as possible, without it entering your frame. Also, it has always been clear to me that the shotgun microphones weren’t “magic,” performing like microphones in spy movies, and that the older adages still held…the further away the microphone, noisier the result. Shotgun Interview Microphones. Understanding your mics allow you to use them more effectively. The Biggest Product Announcements at CES and Their Availability for Rental, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhKDllbKrL8, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1136079-REG/sennheiser_clip_mic_clip_mic_digital.html, The Lensrentals Podcast Episode #33 – How to Buy a Used Lens, First Impressions with the Oculus Quest 2, Understanding the Differences in Video Camera Battery Systems, The Lensrentals Podcast Episode #32 – How NASA Photographers Capture History, The Lensrentals Podcast Episode #31 – Gear Horror Stories. This basement was a tremendously noisy environment–furnace in the other room, dog, 2 other kids waiting for their turn to go on camera. Here are a few of the most popular shotgun microphones and video-friendly lavalier mics. The shotgun mic is ideal for capturing voice recordings in noisy settings. If going wired, do your sound check with everything on, so any buzz from your lights is there, etc. As soon as a 2-lapel mic solution is provided for the iPhone I will be testing it. ), a lot of live TV news, and other shows of all sorts. Whenever you can, you should try to get your mic as close to the source as possible for the punchiest, cleanest recording. I find that shotguns are too reflective and pickup echo. It’s lightweight, easy to use… Personal mics: they are almost always omnidirectional. But in this article, I’ll expose several reasons why using a Shotgun mic is the right move to get the best recordings possible. How to mic a documentary interview with a shotgun microphone: Photo credit. In most interview settings, it’s completely acceptable to see the actual microphone itself, but you should try and “dress” the mic to make it look presentable. Also, make sure you invest in a decent set of headphones. You plug your lav directly into it, set the levels, hit record, and it will follow your subject wherever they go. Don’t get confused by the “shotgun” pickup pattern, as not all shotgun mics have the shotgun pattern. That said, I did not have any video interviews lined up at the time. I like to use a Zoom H1, as it’s incredibly small and very simple to use. In a pinch, you can use earbuds, but a quality pair of studio-grade headphones are well worth the price to monitor your audio, which after all, is the most important piece of your interview shoot. The second thing is decent mic amps in the recorder or mixer. Boom Shotgun … Indoors instead of a shotgun, I use a U873R Hyper Cardioid Condenser from Audio-Technica. 1. The Rode NTG-3 did a fantastic job isolating the signal, and the kids did not look at the microphone hanging over their heads once. My setup for this thrown-together basement video shoot, shot while mommy was at the store, included: What I like about the shotgun microphone mounted above the subject (out of frame) is the freedom and consistency. Just out of frame. To learn more about me click here. This often means hiding the cable inside the subject’s shirt, and making a loop in the cable just below the capsule. Usually you’re EQing a personal mic substantially in any case, so it’s all part of the job. Any amplification comes from an electronic amplifier built into the shotgun microphone itself. + super cute happy birthday video. Shotgun mics, or “boom” mics, as they are called when mounted onto the end of a boom pole, are rod-shaped microphones that are great for capturing interview audio. To be clear, you can use mics from the “on-camera” section on a boom or mic stand, and vice-versa, but on-camera mics usually connect to a video camera with a TRS jack and boom shotgun mics use XLR connections. That way the diaphraghm is protected by the mic casing, and it tends to eliminate the problem. However we commonly still use lavalier microphones for video interviews recorded in the field. Many times I’ve rented wireless mics and was told that “Bad Things Would Happen To Me ™” if I allowed any other brand of battery into the pack. money (possibly because I recently purchased a super nice shotgun microphone). Indoors, you can use a good quality cardioid or hyper- just out of shot for general coverage. I was blown away by the result. Acknowledging that you are seeing the final project containing sweet music and gushing sentiments, here is the video we did, 40 Things We Love About Mommy. Image via Rode Microphones If you haven’t got enough hands, or an assistant, stick it on a mic stand! The best setup is actually one of each — that way you have quality backup audio recorded. For cameras with XLR inputs, shorter shotgun mics like the Rode NTG-2 or Sony MKH-60 would make a good choice. Too big, and it stretches the case, making Duracell too small for the next gal, and causing me to drive to a different supplier for my next rental…) Also, run the cord around the person’s body: in some cases, it’s the antenna, so now you get coverage if they twist & shout, and you prevent “microphonics” (the physics of the cord swaying in the moonlight translating into motion/sounds that the mic picks up). This is for several reasons: good personal mics (Countryman/Trams being an arguable exception) are EQed to sit on the chest – the resonances of the chest cavity are allowed for in the mic design.