Comparing different types of microphones

June 9, 2010 · Posted in B-Roll 


Want to know when to use a shotgun microphone and when to use an interview mic?

Guy Cochran over at http://www.dvcreators.net/ compares eight different styles of microphone in this really useful listening test.  This will give you a good sense of how different a shotgun is from an omni; how a cardioid sounds compared to a lav; and what to use in a noisy environment.

Many people just starting out in video think a shotgun mic will solve their audio issues.  It won’t.

I recommend getting an interview-style mic as your first audio purchase.  Something like the Electrovoice RE50 is a well-respected choice.  An RE50 is an omni mic that is very resistant to handling and wind noise, and it is really useful in noisy environments, like in gyms or on the street.  You just need to get it close to the subject’s mouth.

A shotgun mic is a good choice outdoors but is not such a good choice indoors.  A shotgun mic works like a telephoto lens for audio – it compresses perspective and makes things behind your subject, including echoes off the wall, louder.  When you’re using a shotgun, you have to be very careful of the noise behind the subject – it’s particularly awful in street situations where you’re pointed toward traffic.

Microphones are like your lenses for audio…  you need different mics for different situations.

Comments

Comments are closed.

  • Filthy Lucre: I don’t control what ads run here… caveat emptor