Subject:What mic works best for interviews ?

Posted by: mitteg

Date:1/10/2003 12:40:13 PM

Ok, let's talk about numbers:

I want the best sound and here are the drawbacks:

I'm with a consumer camcorder (Sony DCR-TRV20). It has a mini-jack stereo mic input, and it has these specs:

*** Mic input***
minijack 0,388 mV low impedance from 2,5 to 3 V CC,
Output impedance de 6,8 ohms. Not balanced.
No manual audio control. AGC sucks.

So I will have to build an adaptor like this: XLR to mini jack

look here for a picture:

http://www.video-computer.com/micro.htm

As I said I'm considering purchasing the Sennheiser e845S:

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_mikrophones_wired_stage_vocals

What do you think of that mic ?

Pick-up pattern : super-cardioid
Frequency response 40-16.000 Hz
Sensitivity : 1,8 mV / Pa
Nominal impedance 350 ohms.

So, the point is: Sensitivity: 0,388 mV (camera) and 1,8 mV (mic), they are too much different, aren't they ? Will this cause me a problem ? I used to use a Sennheiser MKE 300 (16mV/Pa) and the signal was too high for the camera. The AGC was mad.

I have a Sony portable minidisc with manual audio control, so what would you recomend me ? What do you use for that purpouse ?

I really appreciate your help.

Thanks

Subject:RE: What mic works best for interviews ?

Reply by: rraud

Date:1/10/2003 1:02:36 PM

The 845s is a lead vocal mic and for close micing situations and would not be good for your application. If your looking to do TV reporter news type interviews look for an omni directional hand-held. Check out some broadcast supply houses to get an idea of what's available. BSW, Markertek, B&H or Full Compass for instance.
A Sony lavalier mic that is desinged to work with that type camera with a mini plug would also be good. If you need a camera mountable shotgun mic, Sennheiser and other manufacters make battery powered mini-plug models that would work fine. However without a boom person or being right in someone's face, the lav is the way to go, if your a one person crew. If you go from XLR to mini, this opens a whole other set or parameters to deal with.

Subject:RE: What mic works best for interviews ?

Reply by: mitteg

Date:1/10/2003 1:28:06 PM

rraund,

Maybe you are right. The Sennheiser 845S is a vocal mic and the specs say: "specially designed for stage use". I want the mic for TV reporters type interviews outdoors. What mic do they use ? Why omnidirectional ? I would like to atenuate all the surrounding sound (traffic, wind...) and pick up only the voice. It seems that cardioid would be better, wouldn't it ?

What mic do you recommend me instead ?

Thank you a lot !

Subject:RE: What mic works best for interviews ?

Reply by: mitteg

Date:1/11/2003 1:20:55 PM

Well, I finally could do some tests with a Sony MZ-N707 Minidisc. First of all, it has no digital line out (none of them has). Second, the ATRAC3 compression is awesome, absolutely no difference from the original source. Like someone said: "ATRAC compression : a difference which makes no difference is no difference" ;-)

First test: mic: Sennheiser MKE 300 shotgun condenser microphone with a mini-jack.
Problems: the mic outputs too much signal, the sound level is too high and it clips. This can be solved using manual audio control (manual rec level). Even though is difficult to get a perfect signal, or it is too low or too high :-(
On the other hand MKE300 is a silent mic (no hiss or hum at all, absolutely pristine sound, but it lacks bass).

I'm about to do a similar test with a lavalier microphone : Sony ECM-TS125. Well see what happens.

If someone has had a good experience with a minidisc and a mic, please let us know. Thanks everybody for your help.

Robert

Subject:RE: What mic works best for interviews ?

Reply by: rraud

Date:1/11/2003 7:20:19 PM

In most situations your close enough to someone for a decent voice/background noise ratio. Omnis exibit a more consistent sound for this type of work. With cardioids you have the proximity effect and narrow pattern to deal with, unless you stick the mic right in front of the subjects face, that doesn't please cameramen and producers.... and if the subject momontarily turns their head, you lose almost all. Omnis are also less prone to wind noise.
I'm not saying that a cardoid won't work, but my professinal opinion is to go with the omni for an on-camera street reporter. If you do decide to go the other way, pick a cardioid with a wider pattern. There are many mics avaiable for this type work, check the EV-635, RE-50 or Vhe Shure VP64. Markertek has many ENG mics available. www.markertek.com

I hope this helps you Robert, good luck.

Yes the Minidiscs are very good sounding. I carry a Sharp SR-60 with me on film shoots for a back-up for my DAT or as a secondary recorder. I wish someone would make a timecode MD.