Hi,

I have a budget of about £130 so the most expensive mic I could get would be the RODE NTG-2, but I dont seem to like the sound of it. It sounds too light, im looking for a mic that has more bass and depth to it which I think the RODE NTG-2 doesn't have does anyone else agree?

I use a minidisc currenty with a Condenser Microphone but its a bit weak im looking something with a bit more power so I can move the mic even futher away and have even better sound

My research has shown that I need to use a boom pole or mount the mic on a stand as mounting it on a camera is going to be usless unless I am near the subject but the whole idea of having an external mic is to distant the subject from the camera, also I wondered why I could on my current setup hear the boom operators hands move around on the boom pole, I need a shock mount on the mic. Can anyone confirm this?

So what do you recomend I have little budget and I am looking for a nice bass, depth mic, as I use a minidisc I have a 3.55mm jack but I can always get a XLR convertor

Thanks

In that price range, you have three choices; the mic you have, the Azden SGM-X, and the Audio Technica AT55 (which is a bit below your level), both have nice sound but I've never heard Rode audio to compare.

As for the boom pole, yes you need a shock mount. Here's a tip: make a ring about 6" wide and a foot long out of chichen wire, and use rubber bands to shock-mount the mic. You can even make a wind break for it.

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The Azden SGM-X seems to be hard to get in the UK and I cant really find a demo on the web for Technica AT55

I have to say I disagree with you about the NTG-2 having a lack of bass. I have an NTG-2 and a Sennheiser ME66/k6, and I find the NTG-2 to be more bassy. I use the ME66 for more voice clarity and the NTG-2 for all around good sound. Stay away from Azden. Cheap stuff generally speaking.

Here are some mic comparisons, recorded well. Check out the "Shotgun Shootout" and "Indoor Microphones" http://dvestore.com/theatre/index.html#

Alsoa general rule if you are recording inside - avoid using a shotgun. Use a Hyper. Something like the Rode NT3 is good for the budget minded, and the RodeM3 for something even a little cheaper. A hypercardioyd will be better for picking up voices indoors. Ideally with any mic (indoor or outdoor) you want the mic within a foot and a half of the subject's mouth.

Here are some tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smQf...re=channel_page

A good (under 50.00) shockmount is the Rode SM3. It works well on a boom pole or on top of a camera. It will help with boom operator handling noise, but you need to teach the boom operator how to hold the pole without moving their hands around. Shock mounts help, but they're not magic.

If you are recording music inside either a nice stereo mic, or two Hypers work pretty well. I use 2 Rode NT3s and/or one NT4. I know I'm suggesting a lot of Rode mics, but I find that they offer the most bang for your buck. Of course there are much better mics.

Also remember that if you have a mic with a battery, it is still better to use PHantom power from your mixer to power the mic. You get more noise when using battery power. That being said, I use the battery power on my NT3 most of the time, especially if I have a very long shoot.

Hope this helps!

Chadfish

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[QUOTE=TheCase]Hi,

I have a budget of about £130 so the most expensive mic I could get would be the RODE NTG-2, but I dont seem to like the sound of it. It sounds too light, im looking for a mic that has more bass and depth to it which I think the RODE NTG-2 doesn't have does anyone else agree?

>>Not necessarily

I use a minidisc currenty with a Condenser Microphone but its a bit weak im looking something with a bit more power so I can move the mic even futher away and have even better sound

>>Bad idea. The further away the mic is, the worse (and thinner) the sound of the voice. Presuming you are micing a voice.

My research has shown that I need to use a boom pole or mount the mic on a stand as mounting it on a camera is going to be usless unless I am near the subject but the whole idea of having an external mic is to distant the subject from the camera, also I wondered why I could on my current setup hear the boom operators hands move around on the boom pole, I need a shock mount on the mic. Can anyone confirm this?

>>Because they don't know how to handle a boom? Because you're not using a suspension mount? The boom mic should be less than two feet from the person speaking. ideally 18" or closer.

So what do you recomend I have little budget and I am looking for a nice bass, depth mic, as I use a minidisc I have a 3.55mm jack but I can always get a XLR convertor

One limiting factor is the MD recorder. No phantom power. fragile, unbalanced input. Any mic you get has to be battery powered or you need an external, in-line phantom supply. As Chad notes, ME66, as student-edgy as it sounds, is about it. Check your MD recorder to make sure you don't have the LF filter on. That would make it sound thin,

Regards,

Ty Ford

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