OT: Miking a wedding

Randy Brown wrote on 11/5/2002, 1:42 PM
I've never shot a wedding believe it or not(at least with external miking). I was considering buying this (WR22-LL) dual lapel system for $350 at http://www.videoguys.com/azden.htm#wmspro
when I asked myself "where would the bride put the transmitter?!" It might kinda stand out against a white dress huh? Maybe just one omni lav on the groom would suffice?
TIA,
Randy

Comments

FuTz wrote on 11/5/2002, 2:04 PM
hee hee heee... good one.
In pro world, what we do is concealing both the mic and the transmitter underneath the garment.

You can use a elastic fabric band as a belt and hike the transmitter to it UNDER the robe (ask the mom, it's better to avoid conflict with the soon-to-be husband...). The mic wire goes up to the collar underneath the robe too (mom is still usefull here). You then stick the mic inside the collar region, + or - 5 inches below the chin (too much close to the chin and you lose sound if she talks while looking down at her nice new shoes and too much lower then you lose bass...). We use, hum, duct tape on fabric OR medical tape on the skin (this tape is all pierced with little holes that let pass the sweat so it sticks for a while, you can find it maybe in drugstores or specialised medical stores where they sell wheelchairs, artificial limbs, etc... made by 3M of course...)Your concern: if you stick the mic on the skin, it should go right at the upper beginning of the bride's cleavage (this is usually where the dressers place it on pro sets, no kidding. And it's the best place since no fabric will rub there, i.e. against the mic...). Place a piece of tape somewhere along the mic's wire and don't tension it; let some loose so the mic will stay where it shall despite the bride's movements.

Then YOU guess how they concealed those wireless mics on a TV series which story happened to be set in the Fashion World and where there were PLENTY of models to be mic'ed while most of them were just wearing mini-skirts and tops...
jetdv wrote on 11/5/2002, 2:57 PM
DON'T wire the bride - she will be standing close enough to the groom to hear very well. DO mic the groom on his coat lapel. Actually, this ONE mic is usually enough to hear the bride, groom, AND minister since they usually stand huddled around each other.
kkolbo wrote on 11/5/2002, 3:27 PM
If you have the hardware and time, I believe in Micing the Bride, groom and pastor as well as take a feed off of the churches system if there is one and someelse might talk or sing. Here are some less ambisious ways.

An omni condenser on a short stand at the alter for all three and a feed from the church system. So-so

A wireless on the groom, The bride tends to talk to him, and one on the pastor. Still have to find a way to get other folks if there are any. Fair

craftech wrote on 11/5/2002, 5:15 PM
I usually put a minidisc recorder in the groom's pocket and clip an inexpensive Radio Shack lapel mike to his collar which is plugged into the minidisc recorder.
The problem is that you have to synch the voice in POST.
swarrine wrote on 11/5/2002, 5:57 PM
Hi Craftech-

I have found synching sound to be fairly easy. I did a live music video where the mixing board output was bad. We took audio from 3 cams and the mixingboard, synched them all up in about 10 min. No phasing either. Then of course I spent hours EQ'ing the whole thing...

I like your minidisk idea. Which one do you use? How long does it record for?
Randy Brown wrote on 11/5/2002, 5:57 PM
Hmmm...lots of opinions. Well I'm thinking I'll go ahead and get the dual lav system for now and see how they pick up. I have a great studio large diaphram condenser mic (or 2 if need be)that would do a great job but I was afraid that would be a little obtrusive.
Thanks everyone,
Randy
stepfour wrote on 11/5/2002, 9:04 PM
You won't regret purchasing a two-mic system. Definately mic the groom. That will pick up the bride, too. During a traditional ceremony, it's rare that the bride says anything that is not said while facing or in the immediate vicinity of the groom.

Best to also have a directional mic on your camera with phones to monitor so you can capture other sounds or speakers. If there is a speaker or singer that you are uncertain how well their voice will come through, mic that person. Once you see the church and check out the rehearsal, you'll know exactly what to do with that second lav. It might even be hidden somewhere up near the action to sort of pick up sound from several people.

To those who mic the bride, I have mixed thoughts on that and have never attempted it.
DGates wrote on 11/6/2002, 12:31 AM
Yeah, miking the brides overkill.

TorS wrote on 11/6/2002, 1:16 AM
>Yeah, miking the brides overkill.

Great fun though, don't you think? Or you could invite her over for a post-sync.

Did someone mention rehearsal? Are American weddings rehearsed as a rule? (You should do that to your elections instead.)

Tor
Randy Brown wrote on 11/6/2002, 7:18 AM
To those of you who say "don't mic the bride": It seems like there would be a noticable difference in the volume between the bride and the groom. Do you compensate for that in post (ie volume envelopes) or is the difference just not notceable?
Thanks to everyone,
Randy
craftech wrote on 11/6/2002, 7:25 AM
I use the Sony MZ-R37. 74 Minute minidiscs record 74 minutes in Stereo....Twice that in Mono. There are also 80 minute minidiscs available.

John
craftech wrote on 11/6/2002, 7:27 AM
The bride's clothing is "noisier" when miked.
jetdv wrote on 11/6/2002, 8:44 AM
We place the mic LOW on the groom (i.e. about half way down the lapel and frequently below the flower) so there is not that much distance difference between the bride and the groom. However, you will often find the bride is LOUDER because she is facing the mic while the groom is talking away from the mic.

Bottom line, the mic on the groom is sufficient for both and you WILL have to do some compensating with the volume envelope to get similar volume levels. Frequently, because the minister is much louder than the bride and groom, the vow section will look like a ping-pong match (up, down, up, down).
Randy Brown wrote on 11/6/2002, 9:02 AM
So it's a matter of mic *placement*. I'm guessing an omni mic would be the choice?
Thanks again jetdv.
Randy
craftech wrote on 11/6/2002, 10:26 PM
Yes, omni