Thanks - I am tempted to buy one just to try it. Their specs look good and they are more sensitive than the dynamic mics I use now...

Steve

I got a couple thrown in with the Firepod I bought awhile ago. They're ok, and depending on the situation I've used them for vocals. I believe MXL is actually Marshall.

Just OK?

I also just bought the Firepod and that's what the mics would be for. OK may be better than the $40 Dynamic mics I use today.

Steve Mann

If you are looking to use one single mike for the play it won't work well. Better off with 3-4 cheap mikes that work on battery power than one single more expensive one.

John

That's why I bought the Firepod - I plan to start with four mics and in a few months get four more.

notice that you are using a PD150 -- same as me-- I did a lot of research on mics for this camera for shows. What I finally settled on was a pair on AKG C1000S mics probably more expensive than the MXL but cheaper now than when I bought them. The quality of sound is regularly complimented by video club and DVD purchasers alike. Here is a list of the pros and cons

pros

1) high enough sensitivity for wide coverage so fewer mics needed -- important at setup time ( from memory 6.5 microV/kpa)

2) very low background noise (-104 db from memory) which makes use of the dynamic compression filter excellect. I always use this for shows.

3) built in power so work well with sennheiser radio mics sound from the C1000s matches the sennheiser radio mics well

4) I dont know if the MXL mics are xlr mics but in my view this is essential with shows (pickup from redheads, dimmers etc)

cons

the sound can be a bit brittle with voice but there are attachments that come with the mics that help this. Since you are using Vegas the opportunity to correct this in post production is exceptional. I was happy to trade this for wide coverage.



If you are doing multi camera check out the Excalibur plugin for Vegas 6. It has improved my editing rate (4 cameras) from 6-8 mins/hr editing to 10-15.

notice that you are using a PD150 -- same as me-- I did a lot of research on mics for this camera for shows. What I finally settled on was a pair on AKG C1000S mics probably more expensive than the MXL but cheaper now than when I bought them. The quality of sound is regularly complimented by video club and DVD purchasers alike. Here is a list of the pros and cons

pros

1) high enough sensitivity for wide coverage so fewer mics needed -- important at setup time ( from memory 6.5 microV/kpa)

2) very low background noise (-104 db from memory) which makes use of the dynamic compression filter excellect. I always use this for shows.

3) built in power so work well with sennheiser radio mics sound from the C1000s matches the sennheiser radio mics well

4) I dont know if the MXL mics are xlr mics but in my view this is essential with shows (pickup from redheads, dimmers etc)

cons

the sound can be a bit brittle with voice but there are attachments that come with the mics that help this. Since you are using Vegas the opportunity to correct this in post production is exceptional. I was happy to trade this for wide coverage.



If you are doing multi camera check out the Excalibur plugin for Vegas 6. It has improved my editing rate (4 cameras) from 6-8 mins/hr editing to 10-15.

That's why I bought the Firepod - I plan to start with four mics and in a few months get four more.

==============

I just looked up the Firepod. Seems pretty neat. OK, here is what I do for shooting stage productions (my primary event videography).
I use the microphone in the center that I use for other general work which is the Audio Technica AT822 stereo mike. I made a special adapter for my mixer that splits the left and right microphone elements so I can control them independently with the mixer. Thus it serves as two mikes in a Y pattern in the center.
The other three mikes are Rode NT3 mikes. Most of the time I use two of them on either side of the AT822 depending upon the size of the stage. The third one is sometimes not used or placed somewhere else. It just depends.

The Rode NT3's appear to be around $50 more now than when I first bought them. The AT822 is the same price still. The Rodes have the option of using either Phantom power or battery power from a nine volt battery. The AT822 uses only battery power.
Usually I go with the battery power, but I also made a special adapter for the AT822 so it doesn't see the phantom power if I use the mixer's built in phantom power instead. To me the batteries are quieter and easier.
The Rodes (IMO) are still worth the $200 they cost now because they sound great and are built like a rock. A tapper once kicked one of them into the orchestra pit by accident and it didn't even phase it.

John

The AKG C1000S that Hittime mentioned are also very good. They are around $350 a pair and also can use a battery if needed. I considered them before I bought the Rodes, but after doing a lot of research ended up choosing the Rodes for their sound and their durability

my c1000s cost gbp 150 each 3 years ago and have now seen them advertised at gbp 90 each recently. $350 sounds high but dont know much about US prices now . Time was when we paid in pounds what US did in $