I don't know anything about the 'Blue' mic, but suspect MV is correct... by the THX hype, which is neither here-nor-there concerning a mic..
I also concur with MV about using a lav, after a minute or so the interviewee forgets about it,, and is more concerned about the camera staring them in the face... if your talking 'uncomfortable' and 'stage fright.'

Thanks everybody for support.
About Lavalier mic, besides discomfort to interviewee, it seems to emphasize the "video artificial characteristic" and I am trying to avoid it. Actually, the interviews are related with an academic research, not a "professional film" production (anyway, it would be great to achieve a documentary "air"). So, the idea of a mic on the desk was sounded less interference in the interview context. Anyway, I am not very sure about these stuffs...
Best,
Cadu

It sounds like you've got your mind made up.

A couple of things you said make me think you are looking for the best microphone for appearance purposes on your set.

Best "familiar" example is the Neumann that is prominent on the desk of the Letterman show. It is functional, and always minimally live, but ready to be cranked up in case either the host's or the guest's Sony 77 lav fails, for whatever reason. A great backup solution.

Moreover, the Neumann is there for visual appeal, and little else (except when Dave decides to tap with a pencil in time to Paul and the band).

The "Blue Yeti" is great eye-candy, is a great hit on amateur audio sites, and will look great on your set. At a quite modest price with lots of bells and whistles, I suggest you go ahead and get it. As a producer, I think it would make a great prop without breaking the budget (and perhaps be useful in a cabaret show sometime down the road).

I also suggest you use a couple of good lavs as your primary audio source.

Trust me, I'm a producer.
;?)

Hi Musicvid,
I wanted to buy a pro level condensor mic kit for recording voice primarly. I have two types in my mind.

1. Yeti Multi-Pattern USB Microphone
2. Mackie 4-channel 402-VLZ3 mixer with a decent studio microphone.

I always record to computer as a post production. Which one you recomand? I am researching for a week and still a tough to make my final.

"2. Mackie 4-channel 402-VLZ3 mixer with a decent studio microphone."

Reason: You will be able to use both for purposes other than recording direct to PC.

thanks musicvid.
What condensor microphone do u recomand under $250

The one everybody talks about is the Rode NT1-A (much like the original NT1).
Compare to AT4040, Sennheiser MK 4, Shure SM27, Rode NT1000 (all a bit higher).
Test drive if you can.

How about the AT2020USB ?

geoff

"How about the AT2020USB ?"

It's probably fine for a dedicated PC microphone.

usb is usb.

What if siby wants to connect to a camcorder, portable or field recorder, or small sound reinforcement system?

He will, at some point in the future. Trust me, I'm a producer.

Best investment, the Mackie mixer and NT1-A.

See third and fourth posts up.
;?)

thanks Musicvid.
I placed the order to B&H photo video for Mackie mixer and NT1-A.

If you don't have one already Siby, you're still gonna want a pro soundcard to get the sound from the mixer into your PC. If you have a desktop system, and if you only need one or two inputs, an 'Echo Mia' PCI card would do the job for a relitivly low budget

Of course rraud is correct.

Both the mic and mixer you picked are very sensitive, low noise components, and to get the very best from them, you want a sound interface with ultra quiet inputs and low distortion. Shop around.

Getting input levels right is a biggie with a large diaphragm mic that offers >=130dB dynamic range. By comparison, an SM58 will almost hit 80.

A properly soundproofed recording space is also essential. Even a computer fan, hard drive chatter, or a passing car can mess you up.

Congrats on your purchase. Although I try to stay away from making specific recommendations, I'm comfortable with this one.

You won't be disappointed in the investment. NT-1A is possibly the best quality/value-for-money combo there is ( I sell them ;-) ).


The AT 202USB was also a pretty good mic, and USB for easiness. But essentially more limiting in function.

geoff

How about blackmagic-design Intensity Pro (internal card $199). I have one in my PC. can I use this as the audio input?

Also the vocal should be one channel instead of stero?

1. Probably.
2. Record as stereo from the mixer. Gives you more versatility in editing.
You can always load on a mono track in Vegas if wanted.

1. "Probably" >> I would think so too.
2. "Record as stereo from the mixer. Gives you more versatility in editing."
>> Right.. BUT.. if it's a mono (single mic) sound source to begin with, there's no point. (x2 storage space, ect.)

The main mixer outputs will be stereo (same signal though) and the audio interface will "expect" stereo and record to only one side of a stereo track if not, so "forcing" mono becomes a bit of a hassle. The only dedicated mono outputs from his mixer would be from an effects/aux send iirc.

If I need a mono center track (for 5.1 for instance) I create it on the timeline, but if left L/R, I've got a lot of options for reverb, phase shift, and other cool effects.

Thanks Musicvid and Rraud, I placed the order for the Echo MiaMIDI -Output Sound Card yesterday thru B&H. Experienced people input is better than reading lot of reviews in the net especially lot of reviews are fake in this competitive world. Delivery is today. I will test it tonight and let you know tomorrow. May be with more dummy questions.. Haven't done any dedicated audio works like this in the past. Thanks for your help.

That should work good for your set-up. From the Mackie, run 1/4" TRS to 1/4" TRS (balanced) cables and set the Echo's input level to +4dB.
With your mic plugged in, set the Mackie's Channel and Master fader to 'U', (12:00 o'clock) then adj. the channel Gain to an optimal input meter reading.. as high as possible without ever exceeding 0dBFS on the soundcard or VP. (clip)

Only thing I would add, is don't forget to turn on phantom power to the mic (with the mic gain set to "0", before you turn it up)..
;?)

I'm sure I speak for rraud in wishing you the best of success with your new system. I'm actually a bit envious . . .

Rraud, the audio out from Mackie mixer to desktop goes from TRS balanced or from tape output?.

The mackie site is shows as from tape output. what is your experience?

how do you connected to your monitor speaker(s)?.

http://www.mackie.com/products/402vlz3/pdf/402VLZ3_Hookups.pdf

I'm pretty certain your Echo has balanced line inputs (rraud can confirm) so you would use TRS out from the Mackie. Unbalanced (tape) outputs will be noisy and may hum.