OT: Shotgun mic

jazzmaster wrote on 10/7/2009, 1:55 PM

I have a Sony HVR-V1U which I really like, but I would like to get a shotgun mic that can pic up voice from 10-15 ft. away, yet is short enough to not appear in my picture. Any suggestions? Of course, I'm on a budget. I figure a tight pattern at a distance and also for a conversation with another person about 5-7 ft. away.

Thanks in advance.

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Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 10/8/2009, 10:37 AM

BTW, here is an excellent source for threaded metal 1/8" TRS connectors. They are a direct replacement for the locking Sennheiser mic plugs.
I keep a handful of these in my kit at all times.
Calrad 30-296-BK Plug

rs170a wrote on 10/8/2009, 10:50 AM

My second worst recurring nightmares are of actors coiling or removing the antennas, stretching the mic cords, sweating out the mic elements, falling on their bodypacks, or taking them home . .

How about having some water thrown at them? :-(

Mike

musicvid10 wrote on 10/8/2009, 11:07 AM

Plain water isn't as dangerous as one might think.
An MKE-2 Red Dot will survive a water splash better than it will survive a sweaty actor.

When we did Hello, Dolly!, our Dolly's bodypack (a Sennheiser) went right in the toity during intermission on a Saturday night. We got her in a spare right away, but after dismantling and a flush with tuner spray and lots of compressed air, the original bodypack was back in commission for the the Sunday matinee.
EDIT: Our most embarrassing moment came when the tech missed a sound cue and left the lead actress' mic open while she went to ladies' room, relieved herself, flushed, all while letting loose with a stream of profanities intended for another actress . . .
(That particular sound tech never worked with us again.)

Laurence wrote on 10/8/2009, 1:10 PM

Trojan large unlubricated condoms are pretty much the best thing for protecting wireless transmitter bodypacks. The rubber is so thick that I doubt they'd be much good for their intended use, but for keeping transmitters dry and safe from actor and actress sweat they rock!

musicvid10 wrote on 10/8/2009, 2:47 PM

There are Spandex waistbands with built-in pouches -- work great and one size fits all.

Laurence wrote on 10/8/2009, 2:56 PM

I put the condom covered mic in the spandex pouch. Keep in mind that I was doing this in a stunt show at Disney World a few years back. The sweat and banging around was probably a little worse than usual.

musicvid10 wrote on 10/8/2009, 3:01 PM

Well, now we know what to do with any leftover Large size Trojans.