I've been looking at shotgun mics and I knew they were more "focused" than others, but this was by far the best explanation that I've heard yet. Thank you for simplifying this!
Sound waves do not actually move up down, the graphic on it is often confusing people. Rather you can understand sound "waves" when you imagine a straight line, and on this straight line, you will have repeatedly zones where there is low air pressure, and zones where there is high air pressure. The distance where each of these sound repeat is what makes the frequency. Now the reason why the graph is a wave because the height of the line is showing the pressure or amplitude which is going from high to low to negative and back. As a visual representation on a 2d plane, a sound wave would look more like this, the closer lines are high pressure, the more distant lines are lower air pressure, the arrows show the direction. -> |||||| | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||| -> Another thing is, the bass increase is not mainly caused by the phase cancellation you described, yes the phase cancellation that happens from the reflections will cause sound issues, but only partly an increase in bass. Mostly you will rather get thinning of certain frequencies. This is also very dependant on the room size. The reason why shotgun mics cause a boomy voice is due to the "Proximity Effect", which basically means, the closer you get to a microphone that has any pickup pattern other than omnidirectional, the more bass you will hear. Oversimplified, this happens because lower frequency have longer wavelengths, and therefore dont have as much difference in phase. So the ups and downs will be closer to eachother and not cancel eachother out as effectively. Now this is as said rather simplified, but I just thought I'd add these things on to rid possible wrong understandings. Shure has a good readup on this: service.shure.com/s/article/why-does-proximity-effect-occur?language=en_US
This is my favorite comment ever. Yeah, as I dove into my research for this video I learned a ton and was struggling with how deep to go. As a nerd, I'm infatuated with those details, I just thought I'd end up losing people by going too deeply into the woods. Thanks for taking the time!
@@ShaunHautly Oh I'm so glad I scrolled down! Just found your channel and was about to take issue regarding this, but see it's been addressed. The wave form is just a measure of the compression/rarefaction over time (as PhenizDj points out), and the movement of soundwaves through air is better depicted by 'Newton's Cradle'. Regardless, loved your comparo, thankyou! (I'm currently shopping for an NTG3 or NTG5, so I'm getting lots of recommendeds)
Yeah, after making this video (and expecting it to get the 20 views most of my videos get), I learned a lot more about sound waves and pressure. If I could remake it, I would!
I've never had an issue using a shotgun mic indoors. The solution for me is to be closer / more on axis to the source and use the low cut filter to limit the proximity effect. Indoors, there will always be some level of phase cancellation-which is likely to cause "thinning" of certain frequencies-at wavelengths coincident with the room dimension and mic placement. But this shouldn't be so pronounced as to ruin your takes... Mic placement (finding the sweet spot) and having a good signal-to-noise ratio matters more.
Do you reckon it can reduce the empty room feel, by canceling some reverberations? I can't seem to tream my room enough. As long as diction is understandable I don't care about the exact sound. I am recording language lessons.
I concur, if sound of street goes from windows (and reflects from walls indoor) it's more important to filter it off by paying the price of worsening the voice than to catch it and ruin your work. Those jumping sounds are nightmare, such as barking dogs. You can't remove them easily with software, only manually. This is why I use Sennheiser 8070 indoors. It helps alot.
Sound waves don’t actually move up and down, they move in and out, compressing the air like a the wind. But we represent them as up and down on graphs to visualize the compression wave. Great vid!
Yeah, I’ve learned a ton more about all this since making the video and I’m excited to revisit it with all the extra things I’ve learned about pressure and stuff. Thanks for the love!
Truthfully, compressed air (sound) moves outward from the source in ALL directions forward from the source as well as behind to an extent. This is why when you move speakers closer to a boundary, the bass increases and imaging starts to suffer. Microphones differ in how they receive this compressed air and convert it to a digital signal that’s then fed to a digital audio converter and converted back into compressed air so our inner ear parts can vibrate and help our brain interpret it as “sound”. Pretty wild stuff. What really should be addressed in this video is polar patterns OF small diaphram condenser mics. If indoors, you really should be targeting a supercardioid or hypercardioid pickup pattern as they will negate much of the room noise and target the talent rather than the environment. Too many of the small diaphram condensers in the more budget oriented range are actually cardioid polar patterns, which will NOT have the same effect.
Hahahaha I was referring to interview setups for my video clients, but I didn’t pause to consider how funny it is that I keep my massive mic in frame as I say that.
@@ShaunHautly But it is different! Small lav mic = annoying, Massive studio mic = awesome! Ofc is should be in frame :D BTW Great video, I just bought a NX80 Camcorder and came across this video in my search for a mic for it. I thought a shotgun-mic was what I should have but maybe thats not the best. I will do filming both inside and outside. Any suggestions?
This is an excellent deep dive! A lot of other demos get stuck on the phase cancellation and don't even take into consideration the environment, the EQ effect of a shotgun mic, and why this may not be want somebody wants inside of a quiet room! Great explanation, great review!!!
I can't say without knowing what kind of room you're primarily filming in. My studio has hard walls and makes a shotgun sound like it's under a blanket. Yours may be fine. Buy one, try one, return it if it doesn't work for you. That's my non-specific suggestion. :-)
"you may sound deeper and beefier" just sold me on getting a shotgun mic after all. Not what you set out to do, but for my needs this is paramount. Thanks for that excellent description. I have a decent handle on physics of waves, but my working knowledge of how different types of microphones harness and use those waves is deplorable.
Haha. Well, depending on your location, a shotgun might be best. Otherwise you can get a good capture with another kind of mic and adjust your EQ in post to give you that deeper and beefier sound.
@@ShaunHautly my current plan is to get entry level shotgun and pencil mics, and see which gives me better results in my space. Then if I ever do find myself filming outside, or with a lot of background noise and need to focus the mic better, I'll have the former to play with too.
Man this is such a valuable information which I had to learn the hard way, got NTG4 Plus, it completely sucked in my room, then had it replaced with a Lav mic which worked much better until I just decided to get a large diaphragm condenser mic (which my audience voted for for better sound quality even with its visibility in frame).
You make some good points. One problem with most pencil mics is that they are designed for instruments and made very bright to cut through the music mix. They are too shrill for most people's voices. So whether shotgun or pencil mic you are probably going to have to do some Eq-ing. I use a Sennheiser mk600 in a treated room and there is little need to eq.
I always end up having to brighten up my shotguns, haha. While my pencil seems "brighter" than my shotguns mics, I've used it for an orchestra musician demonstration for kids, and the it was great for the piccolo, Tuba, and Timpani. So there's a ton of range for pitch, probably more than the frequencies of human voice. So I've found the NT5 to be pretty true to life for me. But you're right, everything needs a little EQ. Thanks for the happy comment!
In what universe are most microphones perfect out of the box with no potential for improving their performance by equalization (or whatever)? If you're serious about the results, chances are quite high you're going to apply some processing to pretty much every microphone you have. My opinion? A bias toward high frequencies is far easier to correct than a bias toward bass frequencies.
The only disadvantages of pencil condensers are: Fast transients. You can account for that with a good shield, mic placement, and mixing. Self noise. It's harder to make smaller diaphragm mics with low self noise... but they are genuinely good now. Everything else is down to taste, EQ, and mic ethics. If you know how to use it. You'll be happy with it. Otherwise. They can do anything a large diaphragm mic can do. They're just as good with low frequency sources without having too much omni-directional character in the low end. They excel at close mic'ing (be careful with fast transients) and far. But yeah. Like Chuck said. You are probably going to run EQ on your sound source anyway and not having to worry about too much low frequency ER is going to be a life saver for some folks.
You missed one thing .... You mentioned the NT5 being better for indoors.... but when it comes to outdoors , can it replace the other shotgun mics ????? When picking a mic for filmmaking, we surely need to consider outdoors use too.
"Replace" is such a tricky word. Different situations require different tools. I use my NT5 outside. It doesn't cancel off-axis noise QUITE as much, but I'd challenge any of my viewers to spot the difference. :-) Pick one, try it, and if it doesn't work, return it and try another!
Just one thing- all audio frequencies move at the same speed- 1100 meters per second, regardless of the pitch or frequency. The medium it is traveling through will affect speed. Very informative video- thanks!
Thanks for the info! I've learned SO much about all the science and physics I got wrong after making this video (I never knew it would get so many views!!!). Most of the things I've learned have been from happy commenters. Thanks for the note. I may end up making a revised version eventually and I'll make sure to credit the people who've helped clarify some things. Happy recording!
Hi thank you for the very great video I think that a good way to select a mic is to listen to it with a great mic amp through great closed headphones that isolate from the ambient noise it could be helpful to listen blindfolded It is impressive how it will be easier to pick details concentrating the senses on sound Like to see with the ears The sight can deceive in some situations shotguns are needed like when you want to capture a dialogue in a noisy envinronment But anything can be quite evident by just listening
Such a good video. I just got a Sennheiser MKE600 Shotgun Mic for a variety of scenarios and seeing this helps me understand why a Pencil mic is the best way to go indoors. Some sound absorbs and diffusers will help too 👌
There’s a human being who spent a lot of time making this video in hopes of helping someone out. A comment like this adds no value but hurts creators who are spending long hours making content just for folks to tear it down. It would do you no harm in just starting the video, realizing it’s not for you, and moving on.
@@RyanKemperinOhioNow you are hurting people who made an effort to sum it up. Just joking of course. STOP & Shotgun mic would have worked better with INDOOR & video sound in title. Otherwise one could think of it as a click bait praxis.Other than that, shotgun mic electroacoustic principle demystification might be considered a true value of this video.
Bravo man, you did an excellent job explaining everything and dispelling some of the myths and misunderstandings with shotgun microphones. Phase issues become even more complicated, super complicated, with music or live event stuff. Especially when using more than 2 mics!
Thanks! I enjoyed researching this video to make it, and it changed how I approach sound for video production. The beast that is live event capturing is several levels of complication beyond this, and it's fascinating. Maybe next year I'll try to learn enough about it to make a video about it, too. But for now, I'm just in awe. Thank you for such a nice comment!
This video is amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this simply and clearly. I've often wondered why my NTG3 sounds SO BAD in doors. Now eying up the NT5. Thank you sir!
Depends on the room the aquarium is in. A pencil contender would be a good choice, but if it's a room with carpet, drapes, and bedding, a shotgun like the NTG4 would do great. Even a lav up close would get some awesome sound. Try a few things and see what you think.
@@ShaunHautly it’s a small office space with carpet. I thought of buying a atr2500x as it can work for stream after and is plug and play. Or buying a rode podmic as it looks awesome but would need to buy the audio interface too. There are so many choices it’s overwhelming.
@@ShaunHautly nothing yet, I noticed that my main issue is with the echo I have in my room, it’s big and fairly empty. So working on that for now before buying one :)
RUclips recommended me your video to me and I have decided to return the Synco D2 shotgun microphone and I have placed an order for Audio Technica AT2021. I do not want to bother with installing acoustic panels in a temporary place. I have been doing a whole lot of research and I do not know about the disadvantage of shotgun microphones until RUclips recommended me the video. Thank you so much for producing the video. I want a microphone that is out of frame and I don't want to deal with phasing delay or whatever it's called. I wish RUclips would have recommended me your video before I bought a Synco D2, but hey, that mic that I have is going back in favor of AT2021. I just want a microphone that sounds good and that is important to me.
Well, I'm a strong believer in trying things and seeing what works. Shotgun microphones get misused CONSTANTLY, and many viewers and listeners don't notice or care. So if it's still not perfect with your 2021, remember that you can always return it, or just power through in your temporary space and focus on the content vs the technology. It's a lesson I have to remind myself to learn every time I record something.
Thanks for the very detailed explanation! Very cool and timely. I am looking to buy a new mic for my new RUclips/Green Screen Studio. In my setup the ideal place for the mic is over top of the camera which is about 8 feet away from me. I have a Samson Pencil Condenser mic which is going through my mixing board, to my computer. At this distance, the sound is not great, I have to add way too much gain to pick me up, and then the mic it too live. I did find that the ideal placement for it would be a ceiling mount just out of frame...about 3-4 feet from my standing position. So that is option 1...or I could get a shotgun mic. The question is, for the room I described, is there a particular mic you would recommend?
It's important to note that a shotgun mic does not "reach further" than a pencil condenser mic. A shotgun mic just cancels noise from the sides and behind the mic. If that noise is noise, great, if it's echos from your voice, it's going to cancel some of your voice and make you sound muddy. So it depends on how much reverb your studio has. If you've got carpet, drapes, fabric furniture, or sound absorption, a shotgun will sound great. If it's a bit more echoey with hardwood floors, bare walls, etc., a pencil condenser will sound more accurate. Neither mic will do a better job from 3-4 feet away. If possible, get that mic as close as possible to your mouth. Even if you put it on a pole, and mask it out of your green screen later, it'll be worth it for the better quality. If you can, order a few different mics, try them, and return the ones that don't sound the way you like. Most decent camera shops allow this.
So would you recommend a pencil condenser mic for use in conference calls (ordinary, untreated room with tile floors)? Thanks for this very informative video!
For a conference call, it really depends on what you're ok seeing. There are mics that you can hold up to your mouth that will sound better than a pencil condenser, but you'd see them in the video. So it really boils down to what you want the frame to look like, and then work backwards from there.
@@ShaunHautly I already use a dynamic mic (Fifine M-K036 wireless mic; base station plugs into laptop), but it has to be in the frame. If I want to get the mic out of the frame, a pencil condenser is recommended over a shotgun like the Sennheiser MKE 400 (was thinking it could do double-duty on my DSLR)? Thanks.
@@ShaunHautly I have been using a (wireless) dynamic mic (Fifine M-K036) because it doesn't pick up (or hardly picks up) background sounds, but then, as you said, it's always in the shot. My "office" is a simple untreated room & obviously there's no control over outside background noises (construction, train horn, traffic etc.). I've tested a short shotgun mic (Sennheiser MKE 400), but my voice sounds a little "hollow" (not sure how to describe it technically) & it picks up more of my mechanical keyboard's sounds.
Thank you. This video was fun to make because it was really fun to learn about all this stuff. I'm glad so many people have enjoyed it. Thanks for the happy comment!
I was looking at shotgun mics for gaming/streaming and the comparison in this video made me consider the shotgun mic even more, because it also removed the room echo. A bit of EQ to remove the bass and that's it. Very helpful this video and made me understand why and how they work
I always have my 3 Sennheiser MKH mics depending on the set : MKH416 for outdoors or big rooms or when I can't put the mic close enough, MKH50 for indoors or even for some quiet outdoors, MKH40 for some indoors
Tough question! You can always boost the bass from a cleaner mic to give you that feel, but if you’re not concerned and you like the sound of a shotgun, then go for it! It’s not about right and wrong, it’s about making the stuff sound like you want it to sound! Rent some stuff (or buy and return it) and test for yourself. I’m always more comfortable with the gear I know vs the “right” gear that I’ve never used.
Shaun, this is wonderful. However I am on a budget and I have a fifine 699 or 669 which is similar to the audio technica here. My question is, how do i remove the air sound in the back, or record without switching off my ceiling fan or pc fan. It picks up the noise and even in post proces i can only cut so much. I see your technica here had no ssss or bg noise and i want to know how it can be done from an expert on the matter such as yourself. Thanks!
Without turning off fans, there isn't much to do aside from post production. There are some new AI plugins which help to cut out bg noise. I use the built in "Voice Isolation" in Final Cut Pro, and it's practical magic. However, if there's hiss, your mic will always hear more of it than you do. And there isn't much you can do about it other than stop the hiss, cover it up, or take it out in post. Good luck!
Good video. I shoot my talking head educational vids in my office. I have thin carpet, leather chairs, a desk and file cabinets, and diploma/picture frames on the wall. I’ve use wireless lav since I’ve used my iPhone to shoot all my videos. Downside with a lav is that it can rub against my shirt and distort audio. However, I bought a Sony ZV1. Do you recommend that I stick with the wireless lav,? Or do you recommend that I buy a pencil mic with a boom stand? Or should I buy a shotgun mic with a boom stand? I don’t want to have to depend on someone listening to my audio while I shoot. In other words, I want to shoot my videos without needing anyone else in the room. Thanks!
Amazing timing. I JUST posted a video about easy mic setups. If you’ve got thin carpet, you can probably get away with a short shotgun mic and it would sound slightly better than a pencil condenser. That’s only speculation, though. Either would be a good choice. Personally, if the studio is semi permanent, I’d like the convenience and sound of an overhead mic verses a lav mic even if it is wireless. Good call on the ZV1, that’s a solid camera. Here’s the new video with some mic options. Option 3 is the one I like the most and think would work best with the ZV1 and having a simple setup. ruclips.net/video/Qfr5yIwNwVM/видео.html
colonelshaun thanks. Yes, the ZV1 has the articulating display and a red light that lets me know that it’s recording. Those two features are worth it for me to switch away from the IPhone. Yes, my office space is mainly used for recording. I assume that I should add a couple of those sound mat things on the wall, correct?
In theory, yes. In practice, no. The mics and their capsules are fine tuned. Altering the shape or length of the mic would change how the sound would hit the diaphragm and it would sound bad. I've done a test where I've covered the slits with a variety of materials and it just sounds awful. Even muddier than before.
So which works better in an untreated room? I know none will sound great in an untreated room, but I am interested in which reduces echo better, as well as the hum of the a.c./heater. I have heard that supercardioid or hypercardioid over others. Then I heard a simple cardiod rejects the rear sounds better than the hyper/super so less sound bouncing around is picked up. I am a newbie and all the conflicting advice is confusing. I have carpet, curtains on windows, furniture etc but I am in an open floorplan home (kitchen/hard surfaces across from recording area and family room with soft couches etc on the other side. I record in a living space so I have no plans to hang acoustic blankets and other eyesores. Mostly I livestream classes with students and I don't want the audio to be a distraction. Currently, recording sound with a first gen Rode MicGo directly into my camera. I am looking to upgrade, but I want to invest wisely. Is the only option to start hanging acoustic panels/blankets?
Two ways to go: 1) Sound treating. There are some really non-invasive solutions that can go a long way. I've used 2'x3' foam core sheets with six 1'x1' acoustic panels (from Amazon or wherever). I made two of them, and I can get them out, set them behind my camera, and have a noticeable difference. Recently, I bought some actual sound blankets from VocalBoothtoGo and just hung some hooks on the wall behind my desk and I can take it on and off as I need. I'll also drape a second blanket over a stand nearby and I'm astonished at the difference it makes. And a good sound blanket (~$80 USD) is noticeably different than a moving blanket (which I used to use, and realized they did almost nothing). 2) Different mic. No mic will reduce echo. Though, that'd be an amazing thing to have. In my experience, Shotgun mics tend to turn echo into "mud" in the signal. Pencil condenser mics record more crisply, but they also record all of the echo as well. I usually process my audio in post-production to remove some of the reverb and background noise, but I've never done it live. So I don't know what software I'd recommend for that. (Asking @rebeltech would get you some great answers) Ultimately, it comes down to price and preference. I used to really like the deep, muddy sound of a shotgun on my voice. Now, I appreciate the cleaner, clearer sound of a pencil condenser. However, for almost every video I make, I use a Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. A short shotgun mic that plugs right into the camera. $200 (and there's a $99 version with only a few compromises) and I think it sounds great in my mostly untreated office and in my unfinished basement (where I've recorded my last 6 or 7 videos). If you're going to get a mic, get one from Adorama or B&H and if you don't like it, return it after a few weeks. Try a few until you get one that works for you. Adorama's return policy and customer service are great.
@@ShaunHautly Thanks. I appreciate the reply. I think that I will go with the NT5, as I have seen a few videos where they are recording in less than ideal situations (like me) and still got acceptable sound. I think anything would be an improvement over my current setup. I guess I will also look into a portable sound treatment like you suggested. Thanks, again.
I think you're talking about the AT2020. The AT2020 (at my face) is a "side address" microphone, meaning that you speak into the side of it, instead of the top. So, it's "pointing up" with its form factor, but if you were to speak into the top, it would sound weird. It's designed to be spoken into from the side. I hope that answered your question! Thanks for the happy comment!
Love my AT2020USB. I have a couple AKG C3000B single switch versions...gonna try to see if works with a couple of them overhead and then see if I need to buy anything.
I am looking for an upgrade in my home office from my at2020 that does not pick up so much noise. but seems like the at2020 does better than a shotgun?
It’s hard to say without knowing what the room is like. Any shotgun Mike could end up sounding muddy if your room has any reverb. And unless all of the noise is coming from behind the microphone, the shotgun microphone is not going to cancel it. My suggestion would be trying to get the microphone closer to your mouth, while also doing your best to eliminate any sources of the noise that you can. Unplug the refrigerator, turn off the air conditioner, turn off any computers that you’re not using etc.
Wow! I love this channel! I LOVE science 🧪 I’m studying to be a provider and study physics, biology, and complex topics on the human body, and so happy I came to watch this! I have a RUclips channel and do most of my videos in my office. I am getting the Rode NGT5. I was going to get the Rode NGT3 but this video changed my mind. Thank you for this video sir! Am I making the right decision? 🙏🏼🤦🏽♀️🤯 (please reply..)
Depends on what your room is like! If it’s a room with carpeting, drapes, soft couches and chairs, you will likely get great results from the NTG5. If the room is hardwood floors, hard walls, etc., you may still get a muddy sound even from the NTG5. And I have a degree in biology, so I’m looking forward to the science content!
They can be, but it really depends on the room. If your room has any echo or reverb to it, a shotgun mic will end up canceling some of the frequencies of the drum sounds and giving you a sound that isn't as accurate as what you're hearing in the room.
Yes all correct and thank you... but there is another solution to reduce bass from VMNTG, NTG3 and NTG8... Turn low cut / high pass filter on. VMNTG has it built in. Zoom recorder has it. Sony K1M-XLR adapter has it. Sony URX Wireless transmitters have it. Sony calls it low cut. Rode calls it high pass. Same thing. NTG4+ already has less bass to begin with, even with all filters off.
Good call! That's what I ended up doing in post most of the time. However, all of those filters (zoom, Sony, RODE) are applied downstream in the signal, so there's no advantage to using the mic's HPF over applying it afterwards in post. And applying it in post gives the flexibility to adjust it to fit. The exception is for REALLY expensive mics which have a true HPF that is a physical circuit before the AD converter takes over. In most cases, I've been liking the sound of the short shotguns as a middle ground. Less tweaking, more flexible.
I use mono lav mics often when I'm doing tutorial videos for someone. If they're moving around, a Lav makes that much easier than chasing them with a boom mic. I just don't like lavs for general seated, stationary interviews. I've never used a stereo lav mic, nor have I used two lav mics to serve as a stereo pair. I use my shotgun and pencil condenser equally (depending on the room), slung overhead and as close to the mouth as I can. Did that answer the question?
Thanks, that sounds like good advice. I bought a Sennheiser MKH 416. Now I need to save up for a Sennheiser MKH 50 ha ha, or perhaps better a pair of MKH 8050s. Expensive but compact, more versatile with a matched pair ,- more speakers or stereo ambience options (110 degree axis separation is apparently optimum). But that's a top drawer approach.
The 416 is a great mic. If you get to shoot in great places, it'll last you forever. I just find my shotguns got muddy because I kept having to shoot in lame conference rooms and school rooms with block walls.
@@ShaunHautly yep we should create athe product then! There are many people that just want a better audio quality for business related meetings or conferences or just starting podcasting or streaming with a tight budget and don't want the mic on frame. I think that dialogue indoor boom mics are the best fit for this audience but I don't see thois ppl buying the mic and the audio interface
Well I was about to buy the NTG-3 and now I’m pausing. I have a very small studio/room in my house with carpet but no other sound proofing or treatment, and I was going for the NTG-3 as I don’t have a low booming voice. Watching your fantastic explanation actually now makes me wonder whether I could save £500 and get the NT5. Another video I watched in a test the NT5 was the best sounding yet the final summary put it way down the list. Mmmmm lots to consider. Thanks
There's an OLD version that I refer to in this video. In the next week, I'll be posting an updated version with my podcasting workflow, gear, and platforms. I'll update the description in this video once it's live! Thanks for the happy comment!
I'm hesitant to give a recommendation just because I haven't tried many budget microphones. I use my Deity V-Mic D3 Pro ($199 USD) for a lot of stuff, and my RODE NT5 ($219 USD) for almost everything else. I just made a video about which TYPE of microphones to use for different situations which might be helpful. It really depends on whether or not you are allowed to see your mic in the shot. Heck, an iPhone next to your mouth can get VERY good sound. Which Mic: ruclips.net/video/gUgsMMHoSNQ/видео.html Phone Audio Tips: ruclips.net/video/uT7RIRCySCM/видео.html
NT5 or S-mic 2 or MKE 600 for film dialogue shoot? I want only one allrounder mic for indoor and few outdoor. Mic placement would be 3-4 ft from actor.
Tough to say. It depends on the room and surroundings. If you can't get a mic closer than 3-4 feet, you might want to consider hiding a lav on the actors.
You can actually see this issue in microphone specifications when looking at polar pattern over frequency. In the NT5 datasheet, the 500 Hz, 1000 and 4000 Hz curves align almost perfectly (higher-end cardioid SDCs are pretty good at this), while the NTG3 ends up being much narrower at 4 kHz than it is at 500 Hz or 1 kHz. Thus when there is a lot of diffuse sound, the NTG3 will pick up substantially less of it in the high frequencies, causing the tonal balance to shift accordingly. (It will, however, also pick up less room reverb in general, which may still make using one with EQ worthwhile.) You can try a shorter, broader shotgun like the Deity S-Mic 2S indoors, which will have less of a narrowing pattern.
This is a lovely comment by the way. One of the kind of comments that I learn a lot from reading. Thanks for the information. As I think about mics in the future, I'll look into those specifications a bit more. Thanks again!
For my wifes stuff I like to use a simple pencil condenser out of shot if noise isn't a problem, if it is then either a xm8500 or sm58 in the shot which if you place them right can have a small visual footprint.
That's a great question! I'm not an expert on those, but I do like my Zoom recorder, so I might lean that way. But it really depends on what you're trying to do with it and what extra features might be useful to you. Both are great, reliable companies, so neither one would be a mistake, it's just about which feature set would empower you to create the most.
Hey man, I am in need of a microphone solution. I was hoping you could help. Here's a description of my studio. I record in a controlled room, but I am behind a sheet of plexiglass, and the camera is on the opposite side (I write on the glass for a "writing on screen" effect.) Whatever microphone I use, it has to be on the same side of the glass as me (obviously). I began with a cheap lapel mic, but the wire made me feel very claustrophobic. I now use a wireless lapel mic, but wireless just feels hit or miss. I get audio pops every once in a while like a bad signal, or something. I can remove them in Audition well enough, but it's still an extra layer of work. I also don't like it being visible, since I am sort of "in character" in my videos. Furthermore, the fact that the lapel mic is essentially between me and the glass causes some "bounce" in the audio. Nick Nimmin recommended trying a shotgun mic off to the side, I'm probably going to try that soon. I could place a microphone off to the side of me, or on the top of the glass board frame, angled down. I do want to be able to move around and not stand in one place. Do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks for your time!
With that information, I'd say your best bet would be a pencil condenser microphone or an indoor dialog microphone. They're NOT shotguns. A shotgun in your space might end up sounding a little muddy. So getting something like a Rode NT5, Deity S mic 2S, or AT 4041. Put it above you, facing away from the glass, and you'll probably have a decent, crisp sound.
Ooh! There's something interesting called a 'boundary' microphone (used to be 'pressure zone' microphone) which works by sitting *on* a flat surface so that sound reflected from the surface is in phase, giving twice the sensitivity, but no bad effects from the reflective surface (which may be a problem with your glass). (If you have a lapel mic, it is so much closer to your mouth than to the reflected image in the glass 'mirror' - so should be OK.) If you mount a boundary mic *on the plexiglass*, it could pick up squeaks from the sharpie or dry-wipe marker pen. That might be a good thing. You may find the glass picks up impact from your pen, or airborne vibrations like air-conditioning. If the glass picks up sound from the floor, you could try suspending it from elastic, but that could make writing difficult? You could glue a mm of foam between the mic and the glass to 'de-couple' it. Some shotguns have low-pick-up from the side - 'hypercardioid' - so you could aim the 'null' at your reflection in the 'glass mirror', rather than aiming the axis at your mouth. It's always going to be a question of 'try it and see'. Use cheap mics of the kinds you want to experiment with, then buy one good one of the kind that works best. Or borrow for experiments. Definitely play with angles, so your glass is not parallel to walls or (shudder) windows!
I like how you mentioned the ambient sound of the environment when talking about bass sound. It makes a lot sense but I never thought about it. Nice view and nice video.
You may ask! I avoid the noise by turning off my HVAC and I don't USUALLY type when I'm using the mic. The truth is that NO mic will ignore those sounds completely, so getting rid of them is best. If you can't, making sure the keyboard is visible in the frame will go a long way to making your viewer understand the source and ignore it better than they would if they couldn't see it, but could hear it the whole time. I think the term is "diagetic sound."
Depends on the camera. You need an XLR port with phantom power for the NT5 (and NTG, and most condenser mics that don't have built in power). Some cameras have them, most mirrorless cameras do not.
Honestly? Thank you so much!! I recently bought a Rode NTG4 (for Video-Purposes) and two Rode M5 (for Orchestra-Recording-Purposes). I was absolutely fascinated by the sound quality of the M5 (a little bit under yours NT5 i guess) and when I tested the NTG4 I was really disappointed! My voice was way more dull then with the M5 and I had the feeling that the noise reduction of the NTG4 wasn't that much better than the M5. I couldn't understand why people were so pleased with the NTG4 or generally with shotgun-mics and I was about to send the NTG4 back. But then I stumbled upon your video and it so makes sense! I was testing both mikes in my reverberant work room, and I guess that is the exact wrong room for a shotgun-mic ;) So again: Thanks! I will try it outside soon.
Glad to help! I had the NTG4 as my only real mic for two years (then I upgraded to the NTG3). It's a fantastic mic, but yeah, in the wrong room it's going to sound awful. I also need to remind myself that these mics cancel noise by hearing it (more than once), so if the noise is AWFUL (wind, HVAC, etc.) it's still going to be in the signal and it's going to overpower other things. All too often I have to remind myself: Mics aren't magic...
@@ShaunHautly I see... So based on your experience: What is the field of application of a Shotgun mic? When could I use it? Just on the outside? I've seen so many videos of people using such mics inside and it sounded pretty good...
The shotgun mic's weakness is echo. So if you're shooting in a room with carpeting, furniture, and drapes, the shotgun is going to be fantastic because your echo is going to be absorbed by all of those soft surfaces. It's only when you're in a barren room with hard floors and blank walls. I filmed all around a school this past week. In all of the classrooms (larger rooms with rugs, curtains, couches, etc) I used my shotgun and got great results. It was only when shooting in a small atrium with tile flooring that I used the NT5. Large rooms, outdoors, rooms with sound dampening, those are all going to be great situations for the shotgun. For me, that's MOST of the places I shoot. However, I I wanted to make sure I had a tool for getting good sound when those conditions weren't ideal (my office for tutorials, for example).
Such an awesome explanation! planning to improve audio quality for work calls, I want to get the SE7 sdc (~$110), what would be a good, affordable, boom arm to place it off frame, like you are doing in this video? Also, do you think the the low cut filter this mic has would help with room noise?
I can't speak to that specific microphone, but try it. If it doesn't give you the sound you want, return it and try something else. Low Cut filter CAN help with noise, if the noise is low. Some things like refrigerators and air conditioners will hit your mic no matter what you cut. If it's really important, unplug some noise makers before your work calls. And in general, the closer the mic is to your mouth, the better the sound. If you've got noise, sometimes getting a mic in frame is worth it for the better sound.
Great explanation, thank you very much! Is there a way to use a standard condenser microphone under the video frame at a distance of about 1 foot to the mouth instead of installing such a pencil condenser microphone on a boom stand above the frame? If yes then which models can you propose under 200$?
You can absolutely mount the mic above or below the frame. Whatever works! And I don't have any suggestions under $200 that I've tried and can recommend. But try something and return it if it doesn't work.
in a interview scenario with no sound treatment you would boom this mic like a shotgun? nice video btw, i may need to re evaluate my next purchace, was ready to by a Senheiser 600 for indoor interviews ....
Thanks you so much, Shaun! I've been into sound for a long time, and this is one of the clearest explanations of sound recording technic & mics. Great, man :)
What about smaller shotgun mics like the Sennheiser MKE 400, do they have the same problem with interference when used indoors (in an echoey environment)?
Yes, but the effect is usually not as bad ass the longer shotguns. They cancel less frequencies which is good if you're trying to have more natural sounding audio in an untreated room, but it does make them not as good at actually cancelling off-axis noise when you want them to... Everything's a trade off. The best thing to do would just be to buy every microphone. All of them. :-)
Try it! A shotgun, outdoors, is usually good. If you're in an alley or against an echoey building you may notice it sounds a little muddy, but in general I think you'd be fine. Try it a few times and see. If you want to switch, switch.
Thank you for such lengthy yet very detail explanation that is easy to understand. I am on the stage where comparing different mics for different situation.
Short answer, no. Long answer: if it's a room with a lot of reverb, it may change the sound of the AC or computer fans to make it less muddy. If it's in its pure frequencies, there's a chance that it won't be as mixed in with the frequencies of your voice and might therefor be easier to cancel out with audio de-noise software or even just an EQ tweak. Might be worth a shot. Easiest solution is to turn off the AC while recording if you have access to the controls. We were filming in a cold space last weekend and would CRANK the heat until we were sweating, then cut the heater off and record until we were too cold to go on.
@@ShaunHautly Thx for quick reply. AC is not installed yet ;). But probably will be in the future. I will got controlls :). But room is 3x3meters (10x10feet) and for some of the videos I have to use: - Camera (with noisy AF lens), - Light (quite noisy fan) (Godox SW60) - Laptop - it's on the desk close to camera (fan becomes a bit noisy after some time) - ATEM Mini pro (does not seem to be noisy at all) - Ninja V (recordind standing on the desk) it's a bit noisy over time. - There is also a computer under the desk which I can turn off in most cases, but I would prefer to have it on :). Atm I'm using lav mics connected to Zoom F2 to record my main audio (+ scratch track from the small mic on the camera). But all the devices generate quite annoying white noise, and when treated by basic noise removal in Davinci my voice sounds really lame (I do not use any other filters apart of "normalization"). I wonder if Zoom F6 with shotgun or pencil condenser would help in that scenario. I can boom the mic above me. The light is to my right (totally sideways), rest of the devices in front of me (or front left) and computer under the desk is to my left. My guess was shotgun mic, but after watching your video I'm not sure anymore. Do not have budget to but both (shotgun and pencil condenser) :(. Maybe I should use some other threatment of the audio track in Davinci (like compressor and low/high pass filters) too or instead of buying Zoom F6 and new mic?
The minute you started talking I knew you weren't using the Audio-Technica AT2020. The sound is no way near as rich and bassy on other mics and for a second there I was wondering if you had forgotten to plug that mic and were using the camera audio. But I kinda see your point. Also, nice explanation you did there. I appreciate it.
I'm not sure what you mean by Large Condenser, but it depending on which type of large condenser mic it could be a great solution. Some larger dialogue condenser mics need to be really close to pick up the sound well, and they'd have to be in frame (which might be fine), others don't offer the directional pickup pattern that a cardio pencil condenser does. But if you've got one, give it a shot!
A 5Diii does not have any XLR inputs nor does it have phantom power needed for most of these microphones. What most video producers (that I know) do is get an audio recorder like a zoom h4, h6, f3, etc. and plug their mics into that. You'll need a few extra things, too. I made this video which might be exactly what you're looking for: ruclips.net/video/A7DF4NSlkKA/видео.html
Yes, but Phase Delay wasn't the right term I should have used. Phase Cancellation is to what I was referring. But yes, the principle is the same, offset the signals until certain parts are amplified or attenuated.
Oh my gosh!!! Thank you!!! You're a GREAT teacher!!!! I am trying to find a good mic for singing and playing keyboard so I can record my own songs, but also not break the bank. Do you have any experience with that? I'm not q Podcaster or interviewer, only trying to record my songs so not sure if this applies to me? I record in a bedroom with a carpeted floor but I am 2 feet away from a window that has blinds or no blinds, and not yet a curtain but maybe I need to get a curtain. Anyway, do you have any suggestions?
The big question is...... is it ok to SEE your microphone in frame? And does the mic need to pickup your voice AND the keyboard (or is the keyboard plugged into something else)? If it's just your voice and you can see it, a mic like the Shure SM58 or RODE M1 would make easy work of it without being expensive. However, it wouldn't do a good job of doing voice AND keyboard. And are you trying to plug straight into a computer, or are you plugging into an audio recorder? That changes things as well. A USB mic like the Yeti can do a great job of getting voice and keyboard at the same time. A condenser mic that would pick up the room like the NT5 needs phantom power from a pro audio recorder. It can't be plugged directly into a computer. I made a video about different mics that might help: ruclips.net/video/gUgsMMHoSNQ/видео.html Let me know if I can help more!
@@ShaunHautly Thank you!! Maybe the Yeti is best? I am recording both voice and keys and the keys are already in a monitor speaker so the mic would just be picking up what I hear in the room. The keys are not plugged into anything. I don't want to produce anything high tech, but just record it simply. I'll check out that video! Thanks do much!
Me using Pencil Condensers for absolutely everything. Wondering where this is going to go. (I used to think that large diaphragms were best and then I had a period of assuming that shotgun mics were king. But not anymore) Seriously though. Small diaphragm capsules are amazing. They are good for up close, far away, room capture, etc. But yeah. Shotgun mics have their place. You just gotta be really aware of room dynamics. This is really good, simple, and informative. Nice.
Depends on the room, but an overhead mic or a lav hidden in your shirt is a good solution. I made this video which might help a little further: ruclips.net/video/gUgsMMHoSNQ/видео.html
Oh, there are TONS of differences! A shotgun mic refers to its shape: a longer microphone. These are great for cancelling noise that’s not directly in front of the microphone. They can be problematic indoors as frequencies of natural echo can cancel out parts of someone’s voice. A “boom” mic refers to any mic that’s held out on a boom. Typically this is a mic that’s overhead, but you can also boom from below to different reasons (sound, framing, or sometimes the boom can cast a shadow if held above). Many times people say “boom mic” when they mean shotgun, but you can mount non-shotgun mics on a book just as easily (and I often do!). A condenser mic is a mic that uses an electrical current to operate. The alternative is a “dynamic” microphone. Dynamic mics are usually more rugged and have a more robust diaphragm, but lack some of the sensitivity of a condenser mic. This doesn’t mean they aren’t as good. Just different. For singing and speaking (when you can put the mic right up to someone’s mouth) dynamic mics are better because they’re not sensitive enough to pick up other noises in the room, etc. Cardioid and supercardioid refer to the pickup pattern of the microphone. Different capsules can create different pickup patterns. This basically controls which space around the mic that the mic will be able to hear. It’s tough to explain with words, but if you do an image search, you’ll see exactly what I mean for the different patterns. I use wider pattern microphones when I’m trying to mic multiple people with a single mic. I use a narrow pattern when I’m only trying to get one person on a mic.
@@ShaunHautly Thanks for the explanation! Did NOT expect a response with this video being almost 2 years old! If I'm in a open living room setting and unable to really dampen the area, what kind of mic should I be going with? I currently have both a cheap $10 lav mic, as well as the takstar sgc-598. I'm guessing the takstar would be better if I'm able to put it very close to me? Do you have a recommendation on what the "next step" mic to consider would be? Maybe in the sub $300 or so category?
Thanks for all your great videos. I am a fashion film maker and just getting into some more documentary type videos where I need a good run and gun microphone (Shotgun) I imagine. Would you recommend this or what else would you recommend on a budget? I have a very old Rode Video Mic shotgun and would like to get something newer and a little better. I have a Tascam DR40 and the Sony FX3 with the Audio Handle, would you recommend this or is there something that has a regular plug that would work straight to the camera in case I do not want always use XLR? Thanks and I appreciate your opinion.. I notice most of you tubers either talk about VLogger Microphones or Studio Boom microphones, not many reviews on Documentary or shotgun Mics for the run and gunner.. I am Not a blogger... Thank you very much!!!
This is the million dollar question! One mic to rule them all is a tough ask. A shotgun will get a lot done, as will a pencil condenser microphone. With the Audio Handle, you're in good shape to use anything. For almost ALL of my RUclips videos and a lot of low-stakes client videos, I end up using the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. It IS a "vlog" microphone, but it's a short shotgun which is a lovely middle ground between shotgun and pencil. It'll connect with a long TRRS cable directly to your camera (note: a TRS cable will NOT work). These mics cost $199, or $99 for the same sound with slightly less control if you get the non-Pro version. Depending on where your videos will be posted, almost any mic might work with just a little tweaking in post-production. If you're filming fashion stuff near clothes, that's a great way to dampen echo!
@@ShaunHautly Hey, Thanks for responding!! Yes, I am just getting into audio with my videos and am NOT a vlogger, I am starting to do some "documentary" type stuff and usually run and gun so was looking for the best option for an all around mic. Later I will pick up different ones for the specific needs. Could I ask you another question. If I get an XLR style shotgun mic, can I use it with my XLR to mini jack adaptor when I do not want to use the FX3 XLR mic handle? and should it would good enough or is there a huge loss of quality going from XLR to Mini jack? I am currently eyeing the Syncho D2 hypercoil, from the test I have seen (heard) against the Sennhesiiser, I cannot here much difference and it is around 250.00 compared to 1000.00. I appreciate your opinion... Thank you!
Great explanation . Do you have a video on mic placement? I have an AT2035 and find the way you place your AT2020 is interesting. Also I didn't know you could use a pencil mic on a boom, interesting.
I don't have a video about mic placement... yet. In general, for the side address condenser mics like the AT2020, AT2035, and AT2050 get your mouth as close as possible to it (or better yet, to a wind screen on it). I was backing off mine in this video a bit just so my face wouldn't be so obscured. It loses some of the bass by being off-axis, but it sounds OK for RUclips.
I like the sound of that AT2020! I haven't used that before. Also good explenation on Shotguns. I think it's important to note that there is no perfect mic. A shotgun mic will be a better choice in some situations. For general indoor boom micing, a SDC is often the best choice. I would perfer a Hypercardiod pattern over the NT5's Cardiod pattern.
Yeah, I think there's a couple mics I'd like to try. Like so many people, I approached this as a binary: I found a mic (NT5) that works more often than my NTG3. So I started using it more. There may be other mics that are better, but I settled into an "if it isn't broken...." mindset. :-)
There are tons of brands with tons of microphones. I'm not sure what camera you have and what inputs you've got. So it's hard to recommend a single microphone. For most general purpose audio I use my Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. It's extremely versatile and has a 3.5mm cable to connect to my Sony a7Siii.
I am NOT an audio engineer but computer guy that has just gotten more into audio lately. I hadn't minded seeing the lavs in general, I feel like it's just a "hey, we're recording these people" BUT I got a Blue Yeti at the beginning of this pandemic thing and then was getting interested in keeping the mic off cam during video. Tried putting on mic arm off to the side but finally came to the realization there is something else that should be used. Long story short, discovered these shotgun mics and then your recommendation for the NT5. Thanks!
does anyone have any idea how pencil mics perform outdoors compared to shotgun mics? I will be mostly shooting outdoors but i may have to be inside from time to time.
I've used mine outside quite a bit. They're still direction mics, they just don't have the off axis noise cancellation that shotgun mics have. Rent one, or buy one from a camera store so you can use it for 30 days and see if it's the right one for you. If not, return it!
I use a pair of shotgun mics (Beyerdynamic MCE86II) for live music field recording. I've been to a lot of concerts where the sound in my ears was really boomy and muddy sounding, but listening to the recording later, sounds much better. They also cut out a lot of audience chatter. I was a little reticent when I first started using them, but I've been pleased with the results.
@@ShaunHautly Yes! Well, in small rooms I usually use cardioids, but anything holding a thousand or more I use the shotguns. Last thing I recorded was Dave Matthews Band at Blossom Music Center in Ohio, which hold about 20,000 total, in the covered amphitheater and lawn. There was a LOT of audience chatter to cut out.
Yeah. And with 1000 people, you won't gear nearly as much reverb and echo as you would in a small, relatively empty room. Most of my work is doing interviews and sound for video production. I HOPE I never have to have 20,000 people on set.
This video was Very Informative. I don't know much about audio and haven't used many microphones. I have an eco room where I want to shoot videos. So I need a recommendation on which mic should I pick I got the answer for that situation I need a pencil condenser mic but which pencil condenser mic do you recommend for an eco room and have one more question. Do I need a zoom audio recorder or any audio recorder to improve my audio or I can use the mic without any audio recorder and get the same result? Sorry for the bad English.
My favorite pencil condenser for the price is the RODE NT5, but admittedly, I've only used a few. There are other great ones out there that I just haven't tested myself yet. You will need an audio recorder (Zoom or others as long as they have Phantom Power). A good audio recorder like the zoom H6 or F6 will have really good options for audio, but you'll also get great sound out of most modern audio recorders. No troubles on the bad English! Cheers.
This makes so much sense. Just shot an interview / voice lesson indoor and had so many issues with my shotgun mic as a boom mic. Definitely investing in the NT5
NT5 is a good one, but there's also a ton more that have great reviews. I just don't have experience with them. But try something and if it doesn't work, return it and try something else!
Great video! Thanks! I've Googled the internet to death and can't find an answer to this question? Can you help? What kind of mic would be good for videoing short interviews with a group of 2 to 3 people in a noisy street protest environment with the mic mounted on the camera as a one man operation? I was thinking shotgun first of all wouldn't the super-cardioid polar pattern would mean turning the camera to face each speaker which might not be so good visually. Then maybe a cardioid polar pattern mic. But would it be able to record sources that are 1m - 1.3m away? Any advice would be great? Thanks.
If you're outside, a shotgun or short shotgun is likely best. And the super cardioid pattern of the mics isn't going to make a huge difference if people are a few meters away. I'm not sure what your budget is, but grab a shotgun from a brand you prefer and try it. Buy it from Adorama or another camera store and you'll be able to try it for a few weeks and return it if it isn't the right mic for you.
@@ShaunHautly Thanks for your quick reply, Shaun. I thunk I will follow your advice and give that ago. I actually live in Ireland and today was speaking with a German company Thomann who have a returns policy that works similar to how you describe Adorama. Thanks again 👍
I've been looking at shotgun mics and I knew they were more "focused" than others, but this was by far the best explanation that I've heard yet. Thank you for simplifying this!
No problem, it was really fun to learn, myself.
I finally learned how a shotgun Mic works. Now I can make an informed purchase.
Thanks mate. I never knew exactly how shotgun mics worked!
Crazy, right?! How did someone even think of that. Maybe that's the next video...
Sound waves do not actually move up down, the graphic on it is often confusing people. Rather you can understand sound "waves" when you imagine a straight line, and on this straight line, you will have repeatedly zones where there is low air pressure, and zones where there is high air pressure. The distance where each of these sound repeat is what makes the frequency.
Now the reason why the graph is a wave because the height of the line is showing the pressure or amplitude which is going from high to low to negative and back.
As a visual representation on a 2d plane, a sound wave would look more like this, the closer lines are high pressure, the more distant lines are lower air pressure, the arrows show the direction.
-> |||||| | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | ||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||| ->
Another thing is, the bass increase is not mainly caused by the phase cancellation you described, yes the phase cancellation that happens from the reflections will cause sound issues, but only partly an increase in bass. Mostly you will rather get thinning of certain frequencies. This is also very dependant on the room size.
The reason why shotgun mics cause a boomy voice is due to the "Proximity Effect", which basically means, the closer you get to a microphone that has any pickup pattern other than omnidirectional, the more bass you will hear. Oversimplified, this happens because lower frequency have longer wavelengths, and therefore dont have as much difference in phase. So the ups and downs will be closer to eachother and not cancel eachother out as effectively. Now this is as said rather simplified, but I just thought I'd add these things on to rid possible wrong understandings.
Shure has a good readup on this: service.shure.com/s/article/why-does-proximity-effect-occur?language=en_US
This is my favorite comment ever. Yeah, as I dove into my research for this video I learned a ton and was struggling with how deep to go. As a nerd, I'm infatuated with those details, I just thought I'd end up losing people by going too deeply into the woods. Thanks for taking the time!
@@ShaunHautly Oh I'm so glad I scrolled down! Just found your channel and was about to take issue regarding this, but see it's been addressed. The wave form is just a measure of the compression/rarefaction over time (as PhenizDj points out), and the movement of soundwaves through air is better depicted by 'Newton's Cradle'. Regardless, loved your comparo, thankyou! (I'm currently shopping for an NTG3 or NTG5, so I'm getting lots of recommendeds)
Yeah, after making this video (and expecting it to get the 20 views most of my videos get), I learned a lot more about sound waves and pressure. If I could remake it, I would!
@@ShaunHautly That's the cool part about the comment section, where everyone can learn from eachother :P
LOL. Why do "sound engineers" always assume that everyone else wants to be a sound engineer? This was the right video for the audience.
This is the only "before you" video I've seen that turned out to be extremely informative. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful! I'm always reluctant to make "clickbait" titles, but I'm glad this one lived up to the name (for you, anyway). Cheers!
I've never had an issue using a shotgun mic indoors. The solution for me is to be closer / more on axis to the source and use the low cut filter to limit the proximity effect. Indoors, there will always be some level of phase cancellation-which is likely to cause "thinning" of certain frequencies-at wavelengths coincident with the room dimension and mic placement. But this shouldn't be so pronounced as to ruin your takes... Mic placement (finding the sweet spot) and having a good signal-to-noise ratio matters more.
Do you reckon it can reduce the empty room feel, by canceling some reverberations? I can't seem to tream my room enough. As long as diction is understandable I don't care about the exact sound. I am recording language lessons.
I concur, if sound of street goes from windows (and reflects from walls indoor) it's more important to filter it off by paying the price of worsening the voice than to catch it and ruin your work. Those jumping sounds are nightmare, such as barking dogs. You can't remove them easily with software, only manually. This is why I use Sennheiser 8070 indoors. It helps alot.
you are wrong. If you can't hear the problem - it doesn't mean it doesn't exist
"All i want is the perfect camera..."
Subscribed!!!
Haha, thanks for the love. Glad to have you on board!
I found this video from Camera Conspiracy. This saved me money from spending $$$ on shotgun mic. Thanks.
Sound waves don’t actually move up and down, they move in and out, compressing the air like a the wind. But we represent them as up and down on graphs to visualize the compression wave. Great vid!
Yeah, I’ve learned a ton more about all this since making the video and I’m excited to revisit it with all the extra things I’ve learned about pressure and stuff. Thanks for the love!
@@ShaunHautly looking for that content sir...
Truthfully, compressed air (sound) moves outward from the source in ALL directions forward from the source as well as behind to an extent. This is why when you move speakers closer to a boundary, the bass increases and imaging starts to suffer. Microphones differ in how they receive this compressed air and convert it to a digital signal that’s then fed to a digital audio converter and converted back into compressed air so our inner ear parts can vibrate and help our brain interpret it as “sound”. Pretty wild stuff.
What really should be addressed in this video is polar patterns OF small diaphram condenser mics. If indoors, you really should be targeting a supercardioid or hypercardioid pickup pattern as they will negate much of the room noise and target the talent rather than the environment. Too many of the small diaphram condensers in the more budget oriented range are actually cardioid polar patterns, which will NOT have the same effect.
"I don't like seeing the lav mic most of the time"
has a microphone covering half the screen
Hahahaha
I was referring to interview setups for my video clients, but I didn’t pause to consider how funny it is that I keep my massive mic in frame as I say that.
@@ShaunHautly But it is different! Small lav mic = annoying, Massive studio mic = awesome! Ofc is should be in frame :D BTW Great video, I just bought a NX80 Camcorder and came across this video in my search for a mic for it. I thought a shotgun-mic was what I should have but maybe thats not the best. I will do filming both inside and outside. Any suggestions?
HAHAHAHAHA
And after clicking "read more" to see the other half of your comment, I get an option for "Show less." touche
This is an excellent deep dive! A lot of other demos get stuck on the phase cancellation and don't even take into consideration the environment, the EQ effect of a shotgun mic, and why this may not be want somebody wants inside of a quiet room! Great explanation, great review!!!
Incredibly informative my man. Loved it. Subscribed!
Thank you!
Smart explanation so what you suggest sir ?
I can't say without knowing what kind of room you're primarily filming in. My studio has hard walls and makes a shotgun sound like it's under a blanket. Yours may be fine. Buy one, try one, return it if it doesn't work for you. That's my non-specific suggestion. :-)
"you may sound deeper and beefier" just sold me on getting a shotgun mic after all. Not what you set out to do, but for my needs this is paramount. Thanks for that excellent description. I have a decent handle on physics of waves, but my working knowledge of how different types of microphones harness and use those waves is deplorable.
Haha. Well, depending on your location, a shotgun might be best. Otherwise you can get a good capture with another kind of mic and adjust your EQ in post to give you that deeper and beefier sound.
@@ShaunHautly my current plan is to get entry level shotgun and pencil mics, and see which gives me better results in my space. Then if I ever do find myself filming outside, or with a lot of background noise and need to focus the mic better, I'll have the former to play with too.
Man this is such a valuable information which I had to learn the hard way, got NTG4 Plus, it completely sucked in my room, then had it replaced with a Lav mic which worked much better until I just decided to get a large diaphragm condenser mic (which my audience voted for for better sound quality even with its visibility in frame).
Visible mics always make good sound easier. Glad you found something you like!
Which one did you choose finally?
You make some good points. One problem with most pencil mics is that they are designed for instruments and made very bright to cut through the music mix. They are too shrill for most people's voices. So whether shotgun or pencil mic you are probably going to have to do some Eq-ing. I use a Sennheiser mk600 in a treated room and there is little need to eq.
I always end up having to brighten up my shotguns, haha. While my pencil seems "brighter" than my shotguns mics, I've used it for an orchestra musician demonstration for kids, and the it was great for the piccolo, Tuba, and Timpani. So there's a ton of range for pitch, probably more than the frequencies of human voice. So I've found the NT5 to be pretty true to life for me. But you're right, everything needs a little EQ. Thanks for the happy comment!
In what universe are most microphones perfect out of the box with no potential for improving their performance by equalization (or whatever)? If you're serious about the results, chances are quite high you're going to apply some processing to pretty much every microphone you have. My opinion? A bias toward high frequencies is far easier to correct than a bias toward bass frequencies.
The only disadvantages of pencil condensers are:
Fast transients. You can account for that with a good shield, mic placement, and mixing.
Self noise. It's harder to make smaller diaphragm mics with low self noise... but they are genuinely good now.
Everything else is down to taste, EQ, and mic ethics. If you know how to use it. You'll be happy with it.
Otherwise. They can do anything a large diaphragm mic can do. They're just as good with low frequency sources without having too much omni-directional character in the low end. They excel at close mic'ing (be careful with fast transients) and far.
But yeah. Like Chuck said. You are probably going to run EQ on your sound source anyway and not having to worry about too much low frequency ER is going to be a life saver for some folks.
You missed one thing .... You mentioned the NT5 being better for indoors.... but when it comes to outdoors , can it replace the other shotgun mics ????? When picking a mic for filmmaking, we surely need to consider outdoors use too.
"Replace" is such a tricky word. Different situations require different tools. I use my NT5 outside. It doesn't cancel off-axis noise QUITE as much, but I'd challenge any of my viewers to spot the difference. :-) Pick one, try it, and if it doesn't work, return it and try another!
You got my vote for breakdown of the year award🥇.
Amazing! When do the winners of that award get announced?
Just one thing- all audio frequencies move at the same speed- 1100 meters per second, regardless of the pitch or frequency. The medium it is traveling through will affect speed.
Very informative video- thanks!
Thanks for the info! I've learned SO much about all the science and physics I got wrong after making this video (I never knew it would get so many views!!!). Most of the things I've learned have been from happy commenters. Thanks for the note. I may end up making a revised version eventually and I'll make sure to credit the people who've helped clarify some things. Happy recording!
@@ShaunHautly No worries! I learned a lot from your video- thanks!
You just saved me a lot of time! Thank you so much!
Glad I could help!
Hi thank you for the very great video
I think that a good way to select a mic is to listen to it with a great mic amp through great closed headphones that isolate from the ambient noise
it could be helpful to listen blindfolded It is impressive how it will be easier to pick details concentrating the senses on sound Like to see with the ears
The sight can deceive
in some situations shotguns are needed like when you want to capture a dialogue in a noisy envinronment
But anything can be quite evident by just listening
100%
My go to advice is usually, buy a mic, try it. If you like how it sounds, keep it. If you don't, try a different one.
So that's the purpose of those grills. Nice!
Such a good video. I just got a Sennheiser MKE600 Shotgun Mic for a variety of scenarios and seeing this helps me understand why a Pencil mic is the best way to go indoors. Some sound absorbs and diffusers will help too 👌
Totally! The 600 is a great mic, just not in every situation. :-)
Don’t use a shotgun inside. I saved you 13 minutes
Thanks a lot
Yeah seriously, I was like, wait a second, the title is incomplete!
Something I learned long ago... Shotgun inside is a killer but doesn't need 13 minutes to say why
There’s a human being who spent a lot of time making this video in hopes of helping someone out. A comment like this adds no value but hurts creators who are spending long hours making content just for folks to tear it down. It would do you no harm in just starting the video, realizing it’s not for you, and moving on.
@@RyanKemperinOhioNow you are hurting people who made an effort to sum it up. Just joking of course. STOP & Shotgun mic would have worked better with INDOOR & video sound in title. Otherwise one could think of it as a click bait praxis.Other than that, shotgun mic electroacoustic principle demystification might be considered a true value of this video.
Bravo man, you did an excellent job explaining everything and dispelling some of the myths and misunderstandings with shotgun microphones. Phase issues become even more complicated, super complicated, with music or live event stuff. Especially when using more than 2 mics!
Thanks! I enjoyed researching this video to make it, and it changed how I approach sound for video production. The beast that is live event capturing is several levels of complication beyond this, and it's fascinating. Maybe next year I'll try to learn enough about it to make a video about it, too. But for now, I'm just in awe.
Thank you for such a nice comment!
This video is amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this simply and clearly. I've often wondered why my NTG3 sounds SO BAD in doors. Now eying up the NT5. Thank you sir!
You're very welcome! Good luck!
What type of microphone would you use to record the sounds of water over a home aquarium?
Depends on the room the aquarium is in. A pencil contender would be a good choice, but if it's a room with carpet, drapes, and bedding, a shotgun like the NTG4 would do great. Even a lav up close would get some awesome sound. Try a few things and see what you think.
@@ShaunHautly it’s a small office space with carpet. I thought of buying a atr2500x as it can work for stream after and is plug and play. Or buying a rode podmic as it looks awesome but would need to buy the audio interface too. There are so many choices it’s overwhelming.
Was about to buy a shotgun mic, this helped me understand what I need! Thanks alot
What did you end up getting?
@@ShaunHautly nothing yet, I noticed that my main issue is with the echo I have in my room, it’s big and fairly empty. So working on that for now before buying one :)
@@ShaunHautly however I already have Rode VideoMicro
RUclips recommended me your video to me and I have decided to return the Synco D2 shotgun microphone and I have placed an order for Audio Technica AT2021. I do not want to bother with installing acoustic panels in a temporary place. I have been doing a whole lot of research and I do not know about the disadvantage of shotgun microphones until RUclips recommended me the video. Thank you so much for producing the video. I want a microphone that is out of frame and I don't want to deal with phasing delay or whatever it's called.
I wish RUclips would have recommended me your video before I bought a Synco D2, but hey, that mic that I have is going back in favor of AT2021. I just want a microphone that sounds good and that is important to me.
Well, I'm a strong believer in trying things and seeing what works. Shotgun microphones get misused CONSTANTLY, and many viewers and listeners don't notice or care. So if it's still not perfect with your 2021, remember that you can always return it, or just power through in your temporary space and focus on the content vs the technology. It's a lesson I have to remind myself to learn every time I record something.
this was a suuuper informative video man, top notch information
Thank you! This was one of those videos that was fun to learn as I did my research to write it. Glad you enjoyed it!
@@ShaunHautly hi Shaun nice video, did you require to cancel noise in post after using the NT5 ??
Thanks for the very detailed explanation! Very cool and timely. I am looking to buy a new mic for my new RUclips/Green Screen Studio. In my setup the ideal place for the mic is over top of the camera which is about 8 feet away from me. I have a Samson Pencil Condenser mic which is going through my mixing board, to my computer.
At this distance, the sound is not great, I have to add way too much gain to pick me up, and then the mic it too live.
I did find that the ideal placement for it would be a ceiling mount just out of frame...about 3-4 feet from my standing position.
So that is option 1...or I could get a shotgun mic.
The question is, for the room I described, is there a particular mic you would recommend?
It's important to note that a shotgun mic does not "reach further" than a pencil condenser mic. A shotgun mic just cancels noise from the sides and behind the mic. If that noise is noise, great, if it's echos from your voice, it's going to cancel some of your voice and make you sound muddy.
So it depends on how much reverb your studio has. If you've got carpet, drapes, fabric furniture, or sound absorption, a shotgun will sound great. If it's a bit more echoey with hardwood floors, bare walls, etc., a pencil condenser will sound more accurate.
Neither mic will do a better job from 3-4 feet away. If possible, get that mic as close as possible to your mouth. Even if you put it on a pole, and mask it out of your green screen later, it'll be worth it for the better quality.
If you can, order a few different mics, try them, and return the ones that don't sound the way you like. Most decent camera shops allow this.
awesome. I didnt know that was how shotgun's worked. awesome
So would you recommend a pencil condenser mic for use in conference calls (ordinary, untreated room with tile floors)? Thanks for this very informative video!
For a conference call, it really depends on what you're ok seeing. There are mics that you can hold up to your mouth that will sound better than a pencil condenser, but you'd see them in the video. So it really boils down to what you want the frame to look like, and then work backwards from there.
@@ShaunHautly I already use a dynamic mic (Fifine M-K036 wireless mic; base station plugs into laptop), but it has to be in the frame. If I want to get the mic out of the frame, a pencil condenser is recommended over a shotgun like the Sennheiser MKE 400 (was thinking it could do double-duty on my DSLR)? Thanks.
@@ShaunHautly I have been using a (wireless) dynamic mic (Fifine M-K036) because it doesn't pick up (or hardly picks up) background sounds, but then, as you said, it's always in the shot. My "office" is a simple untreated room & obviously there's no control over outside background noises (construction, train horn, traffic etc.). I've tested a short shotgun mic (Sennheiser MKE 400), but my voice sounds a little "hollow" (not sure how to describe it technically) & it picks up more of my mechanical keyboard's sounds.
Thumbs up camera conspirators!
I feel famous! Thanks for coming by.
Dude
..perfect explanation of the inner workings of the shotgun microphone... awesome job
Thank you. This video was fun to make because it was really fun to learn about all this stuff. I'm glad so many people have enjoyed it. Thanks for the happy comment!
@@ShaunHautly yes sir you are more than welcome. Keep up the good work
I was looking at shotgun mics for gaming/streaming and the comparison in this video made me consider the shotgun mic even more, because it also removed the room echo. A bit of EQ to remove the bass and that's it.
Very helpful this video and made me understand why and how they work
Shotgun mics do not remove echo. However, you should buy a mic and try it. If you like how it sounds, keep it!
I always have my 3 Sennheiser MKH mics depending on the set : MKH416 for outdoors or big rooms or when I can't put the mic close enough, MKH50 for indoors or even for some quiet outdoors, MKH40 for some indoors
That's the way to do it!
Thanks!
Whoa!!! Thank you!!!
I record indoor and i like that bassy sound from a shotgun mic, i think makes sound cinematic. should i buy shotgun mic ? or not?
Tough question! You can always boost the bass from a cleaner mic to give you that feel, but if you’re not concerned and you like the sound of a shotgun, then go for it! It’s not about right and wrong, it’s about making the stuff sound like you want it to sound! Rent some stuff (or buy and return it) and test for yourself.
I’m always more comfortable with the gear I know vs the “right” gear that I’ve never used.
Shaun, this is wonderful. However I am on a budget and I have a fifine 699 or 669 which is similar to the audio technica here. My question is, how do i remove the air sound in the back, or record without switching off my ceiling fan or pc fan. It picks up the noise and even in post proces i can only cut so much. I see your technica here had no ssss or bg noise and i want to know how it can be done from an expert on the matter such as yourself. Thanks!
Without turning off fans, there isn't much to do aside from post production. There are some new AI plugins which help to cut out bg noise. I use the built in "Voice Isolation" in Final Cut Pro, and it's practical magic.
However, if there's hiss, your mic will always hear more of it than you do. And there isn't much you can do about it other than stop the hiss, cover it up, or take it out in post.
Good luck!
got it. Thanks! @@ShaunHautly
what about a ceiling mic? is that interesting to have?
A ceiling mic? I'm unfamiliar.
Good video. I shoot my talking head educational vids in my office. I have thin carpet, leather chairs, a desk and file cabinets, and diploma/picture frames on the wall.
I’ve use wireless lav since I’ve used my iPhone to shoot all my videos. Downside with a lav is that it can rub against my shirt and distort audio.
However, I bought a Sony ZV1. Do you recommend that I stick with the wireless lav,? Or do you recommend that I buy a pencil mic with a boom stand? Or should I buy a shotgun mic with a boom stand?
I don’t want to have to depend on someone listening to my audio while I shoot. In other words, I want to shoot my videos without needing anyone else in the room.
Thanks!
Amazing timing. I JUST posted a video about easy mic setups.
If you’ve got thin carpet, you can probably get away with a short shotgun mic and it would sound slightly better than a pencil condenser. That’s only speculation, though. Either would be a good choice.
Personally, if the studio is semi permanent, I’d like the convenience and sound of an overhead mic verses a lav mic even if it is wireless.
Good call on the ZV1, that’s a solid camera.
Here’s the new video with some mic options. Option 3 is the one I like the most and think would work best with the ZV1 and having a simple setup.
ruclips.net/video/Qfr5yIwNwVM/видео.html
colonelshaun thanks. Yes, the ZV1 has the articulating display and a red light that lets me know that it’s recording. Those two features are worth it for me to switch away from the IPhone. Yes, my office space is mainly used for recording. I assume that I should add a couple of those sound mat things on the wall, correct?
If you’ve got the money, it wouldn’t hurt. Plus they look pretty cool.
In a pinch, a few blankets can go a very long way.
I watched your recent vid. Should I buy the deity pro mic that you used in the vid?
colonelshaun yes, fortunately, I have the $. Thanks again
8:42 Does that mean that if someone made the phase delay extension of the tube on a shotgun removable then a shotgun could double as a pencil mic?
In theory, yes. In practice, no. The mics and their capsules are fine tuned. Altering the shape or length of the mic would change how the sound would hit the diaphragm and it would sound bad. I've done a test where I've covered the slits with a variety of materials and it just sounds awful. Even muddier than before.
So which works better in an untreated room? I know none will sound great in an untreated room, but I am interested in which reduces echo better, as well as the hum of the a.c./heater. I have heard that supercardioid or hypercardioid over others. Then I heard a simple cardiod rejects the rear sounds better than the hyper/super so less sound bouncing around is picked up.
I am a newbie and all the conflicting advice is confusing. I have carpet, curtains on windows, furniture etc but I am in an open floorplan home (kitchen/hard surfaces across from recording area and family room with soft couches etc on the other side. I record in a living space so I have no plans to hang acoustic blankets and other eyesores. Mostly I livestream classes with students and I don't want the audio to be a distraction. Currently, recording sound with a first gen Rode MicGo directly into my camera. I am looking to upgrade, but I want to invest wisely. Is the only option to start hanging acoustic panels/blankets?
Two ways to go:
1) Sound treating. There are some really non-invasive solutions that can go a long way. I've used 2'x3' foam core sheets with six 1'x1' acoustic panels (from Amazon or wherever). I made two of them, and I can get them out, set them behind my camera, and have a noticeable difference. Recently, I bought some actual sound blankets from VocalBoothtoGo and just hung some hooks on the wall behind my desk and I can take it on and off as I need. I'll also drape a second blanket over a stand nearby and I'm astonished at the difference it makes. And a good sound blanket (~$80 USD) is noticeably different than a moving blanket (which I used to use, and realized they did almost nothing).
2) Different mic. No mic will reduce echo. Though, that'd be an amazing thing to have. In my experience, Shotgun mics tend to turn echo into "mud" in the signal. Pencil condenser mics record more crisply, but they also record all of the echo as well. I usually process my audio in post-production to remove some of the reverb and background noise, but I've never done it live. So I don't know what software I'd recommend for that. (Asking @rebeltech would get you some great answers) Ultimately, it comes down to price and preference. I used to really like the deep, muddy sound of a shotgun on my voice. Now, I appreciate the cleaner, clearer sound of a pencil condenser. However, for almost every video I make, I use a Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. A short shotgun mic that plugs right into the camera. $200 (and there's a $99 version with only a few compromises) and I think it sounds great in my mostly untreated office and in my unfinished basement (where I've recorded my last 6 or 7 videos).
If you're going to get a mic, get one from Adorama or B&H and if you don't like it, return it after a few weeks. Try a few until you get one that works for you. Adorama's return policy and customer service are great.
@@ShaunHautly Thanks. I appreciate the reply. I think that I will go with the NT5, as I have seen a few videos where they are recording in less than ideal situations (like me) and still got acceptable sound. I think anything would be an improvement over my current setup. I guess I will also look into a portable sound treatment like you suggested. Thanks, again.
Good luck!
Crystal clear explanation. The visual illustrations are helpful. Like to know why your mic points up
I think you're talking about the AT2020. The AT2020 (at my face) is a "side address" microphone, meaning that you speak into the side of it, instead of the top.
So, it's "pointing up" with its form factor, but if you were to speak into the top, it would sound weird. It's designed to be spoken into from the side.
I hope that answered your question!
Thanks for the happy comment!
@@ShaunHautly Thanks for the apt responses.
Love my AT2020USB. I have a couple AKG C3000B single switch versions...gonna try to see if works with a couple of them overhead and then see if I need to buy anything.
Good luck! Let me know how it turns out.
I am looking for an upgrade in my home office from my at2020 that does not pick up so much noise. but seems like the at2020 does better than a shotgun?
It’s hard to say without knowing what the room is like. Any shotgun Mike could end up sounding muddy if your room has any reverb. And unless all of the noise is coming from behind the microphone, the shotgun microphone is not going to cancel it. My suggestion would be trying to get the microphone closer to your mouth, while also doing your best to eliminate any sources of the noise that you can. Unplug the refrigerator, turn off the air conditioner, turn off any computers that you’re not using etc.
@@ShaunHautly thats a nice answer! really helped me out. I think i will try to install panels that kill the reflections behind me
Wow! I love this channel! I LOVE science 🧪 I’m studying to be a provider and study physics, biology, and complex topics on the human body, and so happy I came to watch this! I have a RUclips channel and do most of my videos in my office. I am getting the Rode NGT5. I was going to get the Rode NGT3 but this video changed my mind. Thank you for this video sir! Am I making the right decision? 🙏🏼🤦🏽♀️🤯 (please reply..)
Depends on what your room is like! If it’s a room with carpeting, drapes, soft couches and chairs, you will likely get great results from the NTG5. If the room is hardwood floors, hard walls, etc., you may still get a muddy sound even from the NTG5.
And I have a degree in biology, so I’m looking forward to the science content!
Can shotgun microphones be used as overheads recording drums or percussion? Thanks for sharing your video, very interesting stuff!
They can be, but it really depends on the room. If your room has any echo or reverb to it, a shotgun mic will end up canceling some of the frequencies of the drum sounds and giving you a sound that isn't as accurate as what you're hearing in the room.
Yes all correct and thank you...
but there is another solution to reduce bass from VMNTG, NTG3 and NTG8... Turn low cut / high pass filter on. VMNTG has it built in. Zoom recorder has it. Sony K1M-XLR adapter has it. Sony URX Wireless transmitters have it.
Sony calls it low cut. Rode calls it high pass. Same thing.
NTG4+ already has less bass to begin with, even with all filters off.
Good call! That's what I ended up doing in post most of the time. However, all of those filters (zoom, Sony, RODE) are applied downstream in the signal, so there's no advantage to using the mic's HPF over applying it afterwards in post. And applying it in post gives the flexibility to adjust it to fit. The exception is for REALLY expensive mics which have a true HPF that is a physical circuit before the AD converter takes over.
In most cases, I've been liking the sound of the short shotguns as a middle ground. Less tweaking, more flexible.
@@ShaunHautly well I certainly appreciate your assessment and presentation. Keep up the excellent vids.
How do u see a stereo vs mono lavaliere mics ...Though u don't appreciate much for personally ... So my shotgun mic where shall I use }}??
I use mono lav mics often when I'm doing tutorial videos for someone. If they're moving around, a Lav makes that much easier than chasing them with a boom mic. I just don't like lavs for general seated, stationary interviews. I've never used a stereo lav mic, nor have I used two lav mics to serve as a stereo pair. I use my shotgun and pencil condenser equally (depending on the room), slung overhead and as close to the mouth as I can.
Did that answer the question?
Thanks, that sounds like good advice. I bought a Sennheiser MKH 416. Now I need to save up for a Sennheiser MKH 50 ha ha, or perhaps better a pair of MKH 8050s. Expensive but compact, more versatile with a matched pair ,- more speakers or stereo ambience options (110 degree axis separation is apparently optimum). But that's a top drawer approach.
The 416 is a great mic. If you get to shoot in great places, it'll last you forever. I just find my shotguns got muddy because I kept having to shoot in lame conference rooms and school rooms with block walls.
Thanks for the ivideo! REally Interesting! But.... is there any chance to get a pencil usb mic?
Not that I know of. That's a great question, though! I don't even know of any USB shotgun mics. Seems like a decent idea....
@@ShaunHautly yep we should create athe product then! There are many people that just want a better audio quality for business related meetings or conferences or just starting podcasting or streaming with a tight budget and don't want the mic on frame. I think that dialogue indoor boom mics are the best fit for this audience but I don't see thois ppl buying the mic and the audio interface
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
Well I was about to buy the NTG-3 and now I’m pausing. I have a very small studio/room in my house with carpet but no other sound proofing or treatment, and I was going for the NTG-3 as I don’t have a low booming voice. Watching your fantastic explanation actually now makes me wonder whether I could save £500 and get the NT5. Another video I watched in a test the NT5 was the best sounding yet the final summary put it way down the list. Mmmmm lots to consider. Thanks
My advice: buy one. Try it. Return it if it's not right for you.
@@ShaunHautly good shout !! Thanks
Hey! Thank you for the insightful video, can you share with us the video you mentioned of how to set the mics and post editing for boadcast
There's an OLD version that I refer to in this video. In the next week, I'll be posting an updated version with my podcasting workflow, gear, and platforms. I'll update the description in this video once it's live!
Thanks for the happy comment!
What small diaphragm mic do you recommend for a spoken word scenario on a budget?
I'm hesitant to give a recommendation just because I haven't tried many budget microphones. I use my Deity V-Mic D3 Pro ($199 USD) for a lot of stuff, and my RODE NT5 ($219 USD) for almost everything else. I just made a video about which TYPE of microphones to use for different situations which might be helpful. It really depends on whether or not you are allowed to see your mic in the shot. Heck, an iPhone next to your mouth can get VERY good sound.
Which Mic: ruclips.net/video/gUgsMMHoSNQ/видео.html
Phone Audio Tips: ruclips.net/video/uT7RIRCySCM/видео.html
NT5 or S-mic 2 or MKE 600 for film dialogue shoot? I want only one allrounder mic for indoor and few outdoor.
Mic placement would be 3-4 ft from actor.
Tough to say. It depends on the room and surroundings. If you can't get a mic closer than 3-4 feet, you might want to consider hiding a lav on the actors.
You can actually see this issue in microphone specifications when looking at polar pattern over frequency. In the NT5 datasheet, the 500 Hz, 1000 and 4000 Hz curves align almost perfectly (higher-end cardioid SDCs are pretty good at this), while the NTG3 ends up being much narrower at 4 kHz than it is at 500 Hz or 1 kHz. Thus when there is a lot of diffuse sound, the NTG3 will pick up substantially less of it in the high frequencies, causing the tonal balance to shift accordingly. (It will, however, also pick up less room reverb in general, which may still make using one with EQ worthwhile.) You can try a shorter, broader shotgun like the Deity S-Mic 2S indoors, which will have less of a narrowing pattern.
I've wanted to try to 2S for years. I've had some issues with Deity Mics lately and their support, though. So I'm steering clear for now.
This is a lovely comment by the way. One of the kind of comments that I learn a lot from reading. Thanks for the information. As I think about mics in the future, I'll look into those specifications a bit more. Thanks again!
For my wifes stuff I like to use a simple pencil condenser out of shot if noise isn't a problem, if it is then either a xm8500 or sm58 in the shot which if you place them right can have a small visual footprint.
Love it! That's basically my go to setup as well!
hi Q - which is better to get and why, the 44w tascam or the Zoom PodTrak P4
That's a great question! I'm not an expert on those, but I do like my Zoom recorder, so I might lean that way. But it really depends on what you're trying to do with it and what extra features might be useful to you. Both are great, reliable companies, so neither one would be a mistake, it's just about which feature set would empower you to create the most.
Hey man, I am in need of a microphone solution. I was hoping you could help. Here's a description of my studio.
I record in a controlled room, but I am behind a sheet of plexiglass, and the camera is on the opposite side (I write on the glass for a "writing on screen" effect.) Whatever microphone I use, it has to be on the same side of the glass as me (obviously).
I began with a cheap lapel mic, but the wire made me feel very claustrophobic.
I now use a wireless lapel mic, but wireless just feels hit or miss. I get audio pops every once in a while like a bad signal, or something. I can remove them in Audition well enough, but it's still an extra layer of work. I also don't like it being visible, since I am sort of "in character" in my videos. Furthermore, the fact that the lapel mic is essentially between me and the glass causes some "bounce" in the audio.
Nick Nimmin recommended trying a shotgun mic off to the side, I'm probably going to try that soon. I could place a microphone off to the side of me, or on the top of the glass board frame, angled down. I do want to be able to move around and not stand in one place.
Do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks for your time!
With that information, I'd say your best bet would be a pencil condenser microphone or an indoor dialog microphone. They're NOT shotguns. A shotgun in your space might end up sounding a little muddy. So getting something like a Rode NT5, Deity S mic 2S, or AT 4041. Put it above you, facing away from the glass, and you'll probably have a decent, crisp sound.
@@ShaunHautly Thanks for the quick response, really appreciate the help!
After some light browsing, I placed an order for a pair of Samson co2 microphones, even included some stands. 👍
Nice! Let me know how you like them once you get to test them out.
Ooh!
There's something interesting called a 'boundary' microphone (used to be 'pressure zone' microphone) which works by sitting *on* a flat surface so that sound reflected from the surface is in phase, giving twice the sensitivity, but no bad effects from the reflective surface (which may be a problem with your glass).
(If you have a lapel mic, it is so much closer to your mouth than to the reflected image in the glass 'mirror' - so should be OK.)
If you mount a boundary mic *on the plexiglass*, it could pick up squeaks from the sharpie or dry-wipe marker pen. That might be a good thing. You may find the glass picks up impact from your pen, or airborne vibrations like air-conditioning. If the glass picks up sound from the floor, you could try suspending it from elastic, but that could make writing difficult? You could glue a mm of foam between the mic and the glass to 'de-couple' it.
Some shotguns have low-pick-up from the side - 'hypercardioid' - so you could aim the 'null' at your reflection in the 'glass mirror', rather than aiming the axis at your mouth.
It's always going to be a question of 'try it and see'. Use cheap mics of the kinds you want to experiment with, then buy one good one of the kind that works best. Or borrow for experiments.
Definitely play with angles, so your glass is not parallel to walls or (shudder) windows!
I like how you mentioned the ambient sound of the environment when talking about bass sound. It makes a lot sense but I never thought about it. Nice view and nice video.
Thanks for the happy comment!
Thank you for the video.
Do you have a pencil microphone comparison?
I need to figure out what to get.
I do not have a comparison. I’ve only used the RODE NT5, and it hasn’t let me down.
@@ShaunHautly thsnk you for the info. I will check it out
May i ask? How do you cancel the sound of the aircon and the clicks of the keyboard using a large diaphragm condenser mic? Am using at2020 also
You may ask! I avoid the noise by turning off my HVAC and I don't USUALLY type when I'm using the mic. The truth is that NO mic will ignore those sounds completely, so getting rid of them is best. If you can't, making sure the keyboard is visible in the frame will go a long way to making your viewer understand the source and ignore it better than they would if they couldn't see it, but could hear it the whole time. I think the term is "diagetic sound."
Can this be plugged directly into a camera if not how?
Depends on the camera. You need an XLR port with phantom power for the NT5 (and NTG, and most condenser mics that don't have built in power). Some cameras have them, most mirrorless cameras do not.
Honestly? Thank you so much!! I recently bought a Rode NTG4 (for Video-Purposes) and two Rode M5 (for Orchestra-Recording-Purposes). I was absolutely fascinated by the sound quality of the M5 (a little bit under yours NT5 i guess) and when I tested the NTG4 I was really disappointed! My voice was way more dull then with the M5 and I had the feeling that the noise reduction of the NTG4 wasn't that much better than the M5.
I couldn't understand why people were so pleased with the NTG4 or generally with shotgun-mics and I was about to send the NTG4 back. But then I stumbled upon your video and it so makes sense! I was testing both mikes in my reverberant work room, and I guess that is the exact wrong room for a shotgun-mic ;) So again: Thanks! I will try it outside soon.
Glad to help! I had the NTG4 as my only real mic for two years (then I upgraded to the NTG3). It's a fantastic mic, but yeah, in the wrong room it's going to sound awful. I also need to remind myself that these mics cancel noise by hearing it (more than once), so if the noise is AWFUL (wind, HVAC, etc.) it's still going to be in the signal and it's going to overpower other things. All too often I have to remind myself: Mics aren't magic...
@@ShaunHautly I see... So based on your experience: What is the field of application of a Shotgun mic? When could I use it? Just on the outside? I've seen so many videos of people using such mics inside and it sounded pretty good...
The shotgun mic's weakness is echo. So if you're shooting in a room with carpeting, furniture, and drapes, the shotgun is going to be fantastic because your echo is going to be absorbed by all of those soft surfaces. It's only when you're in a barren room with hard floors and blank walls. I filmed all around a school this past week. In all of the classrooms (larger rooms with rugs, curtains, couches, etc) I used my shotgun and got great results. It was only when shooting in a small atrium with tile flooring that I used the NT5.
Large rooms, outdoors, rooms with sound dampening, those are all going to be great situations for the shotgun. For me, that's MOST of the places I shoot. However, I I wanted to make sure I had a tool for getting good sound when those conditions weren't ideal (my office for tutorials, for example).
@@ShaunHautly Alright, thanks again for the hints, you're doing a great job :)
Such an awesome explanation! planning to improve audio quality for work calls, I want to get the SE7 sdc (~$110), what would be a good, affordable, boom arm to place it off frame, like you are doing in this video?
Also, do you think the the low cut filter this mic has would help with room noise?
I can't speak to that specific microphone, but try it. If it doesn't give you the sound you want, return it and try something else. Low Cut filter CAN help with noise, if the noise is low. Some things like refrigerators and air conditioners will hit your mic no matter what you cut. If it's really important, unplug some noise makers before your work calls.
And in general, the closer the mic is to your mouth, the better the sound. If you've got noise, sometimes getting a mic in frame is worth it for the better sound.
The shorter pencil mic, are they any good for streaming? I would like to have my mic at a distance and not right next to my mouth.
As good as a shotgun would be. it's all about the room you're in. I have used my NT5 to stream before.
Great explanation, thank you very much! Is there a way to use a standard condenser microphone under the video frame at a distance of about 1 foot to the mouth instead of installing such a pencil condenser microphone on a boom stand above the frame? If yes then which models can you propose under 200$?
You can absolutely mount the mic above or below the frame. Whatever works! And I don't have any suggestions under $200 that I've tried and can recommend. But try something and return it if it doesn't work.
Hey Shaun - if I wanted to contact you for some advice - how could I reach you personally!?
Check the description. My websites with contact forms are there (I’ll respond from there!)
in a interview scenario with no sound treatment you would boom this mic like a shotgun? nice video btw, i may need to re evaluate my next purchace, was ready to by a Senheiser 600 for indoor interviews ....
The 600 might be fine, depending on the room. But yeah, I sling that little NT5 overhead just like I would a shotgun mic.
Thanks you so much, Shaun! I've been into sound for a long time, and this is one of the clearest explanations of sound recording technic & mics. Great, man :)
Thank you for the happy comment! I appreciate that!
What about smaller shotgun mics like the Sennheiser MKE 400, do they have the same problem with interference when used indoors (in an echoey environment)?
Yes, but the effect is usually not as bad ass the longer shotguns. They cancel less frequencies which is good if you're trying to have more natural sounding audio in an untreated room, but it does make them not as good at actually cancelling off-axis noise when you want them to... Everything's a trade off.
The best thing to do would just be to buy every microphone. All of them. :-)
But if I use a shotgun for filmmaking on streets? It's ok or pencil mic is better? plss
Try it! A shotgun, outdoors, is usually good. If you're in an alley or against an echoey building you may notice it sounds a little muddy, but in general I think you'd be fine. Try it a few times and see. If you want to switch, switch.
Thank you for such lengthy yet very detail explanation that is easy to understand. I am on the stage where comparing different mics for different situation.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the happy comment!
Would pencil condenser cut all the white noise I got in my room? (like AC or running computer)?
Short answer, no.
Long answer: if it's a room with a lot of reverb, it may change the sound of the AC or computer fans to make it less muddy. If it's in its pure frequencies, there's a chance that it won't be as mixed in with the frequencies of your voice and might therefor be easier to cancel out with audio de-noise software or even just an EQ tweak. Might be worth a shot.
Easiest solution is to turn off the AC while recording if you have access to the controls. We were filming in a cold space last weekend and would CRANK the heat until we were sweating, then cut the heater off and record until we were too cold to go on.
@@ShaunHautly Thx for quick reply.
AC is not installed yet ;). But probably will be in the future. I will got controlls :).
But room is 3x3meters (10x10feet) and for some of the videos I have to use:
- Camera (with noisy AF lens),
- Light (quite noisy fan) (Godox SW60)
- Laptop - it's on the desk close to camera (fan becomes a bit noisy after some time)
- ATEM Mini pro (does not seem to be noisy at all)
- Ninja V (recordind standing on the desk) it's a bit noisy over time.
- There is also a computer under the desk which I can turn off in most cases, but I would prefer to have it on :).
Atm I'm using lav mics connected to Zoom F2 to record my main audio (+ scratch track from the small mic on the camera).
But all the devices generate quite annoying white noise, and when treated by basic noise removal in Davinci my voice sounds really lame (I do not use any other filters apart of "normalization").
I wonder if Zoom F6 with shotgun or pencil condenser would help in that scenario. I can boom the mic above me.
The light is to my right (totally sideways), rest of the devices in front of me (or front left) and computer under the desk is to my left.
My guess was shotgun mic, but after watching your video I'm not sure anymore. Do not have budget to but both (shotgun and pencil condenser) :(.
Maybe I should use some other threatment of the audio track in Davinci (like compressor and low/high pass filters) too or instead of buying Zoom F6 and new mic?
I don't remember the last time I left a comment on a RUclips video. Thanks very much Sean. Excellent work; very informative.
Thanks for saying so! I'm glad your first comment in a while was such a happy one. Cheers!
The minute you started talking I knew you weren't using the Audio-Technica AT2020. The sound is no way near as rich and bassy on other mics and for a second there I was wondering if you had forgotten to plug that mic and were using the camera audio. But I kinda see your point. Also, nice explanation you did there. I appreciate it.
Haha, I can’t fool everyone. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Nice video man! But why use a Pencil Condenser mic when you can just use a Large Condenser Mic for Indoor?
I'm not sure what you mean by Large Condenser, but it depending on which type of large condenser mic it could be a great solution. Some larger dialogue condenser mics need to be really close to pick up the sound well, and they'd have to be in frame (which might be fine), others don't offer the directional pickup pattern that a cardio pencil condenser does. But if you've got one, give it a shot!
?? will this connect to a canon 5DIII, if not what would I need to record. thanks....(new vid guy here)
A 5Diii does not have any XLR inputs nor does it have phantom power needed for most of these microphones. What most video producers (that I know) do is get an audio recorder like a zoom h4, h6, f3, etc. and plug their mics into that. You'll need a few extra things, too. I made this video which might be exactly what you're looking for: ruclips.net/video/A7DF4NSlkKA/видео.html
Is phase delay another term for comb filtering?
Yes, but Phase Delay wasn't the right term I should have used. Phase Cancellation is to what I was referring. But yes, the principle is the same, offset the signals until certain parts are amplified or attenuated.
Oh my gosh!!! Thank you!!! You're a GREAT teacher!!!! I am trying to find a good mic for singing and playing keyboard so I can record my own songs, but also not break the bank. Do you have any experience with that? I'm not q Podcaster or interviewer, only trying to record my songs so not sure if this applies to me? I record in a bedroom with a carpeted floor but I am 2 feet away from a window that has blinds or no blinds, and not yet a curtain but maybe I need to get a curtain. Anyway, do you have any suggestions?
The big question is...... is it ok to SEE your microphone in frame? And does the mic need to pickup your voice AND the keyboard (or is the keyboard plugged into something else)? If it's just your voice and you can see it, a mic like the Shure SM58 or RODE M1 would make easy work of it without being expensive. However, it wouldn't do a good job of doing voice AND keyboard.
And are you trying to plug straight into a computer, or are you plugging into an audio recorder? That changes things as well. A USB mic like the Yeti can do a great job of getting voice and keyboard at the same time. A condenser mic that would pick up the room like the NT5 needs phantom power from a pro audio recorder. It can't be plugged directly into a computer.
I made a video about different mics that might help: ruclips.net/video/gUgsMMHoSNQ/видео.html
Let me know if I can help more!
@@ShaunHautly Thank you!! Maybe the Yeti is best? I am recording both voice and keys and the keys are already in a monitor speaker so the mic would just be picking up what I hear in the room. The keys are not plugged into anything. I don't want to produce anything high tech, but just record it simply. I'll check out that video! Thanks do much!
Quick question... so do you use "Dual Mono" on audio with FCPX? I am about to get NT5 on your suggestion. Great video.
Yep. Keeps things nice and even!
Such a bloody good explanation of phase-delay (well, at least, it made sense to me)!
Thank you for such a lovely comment! I'm glad the video was helpful, I learned a lot while making it, and I've learned a lot more since making it.
Me using Pencil Condensers for absolutely everything. Wondering where this is going to go. (I used to think that large diaphragms were best and then I had a period of assuming that shotgun mics were king. But not anymore)
Seriously though. Small diaphragm capsules are amazing. They are good for up close, far away, room capture, etc.
But yeah. Shotgun mics have their place. You just gotta be really aware of room dynamics.
This is really good, simple, and informative. Nice.
Yeah. I'm pulling out my shotgun less and less. I'm habitually impressed with what my little NT5 can create.
Thank you for the lovely comment!
The plot twist when you revealed that you were not recording on the audio technica at2020 was a real shock for me
I'm glad to "hear" that! Thanks for the happy comment. This was a fun one to make.
what is your solution if i want to not show mic ? i do not like to keep near to my mouth :)
Depends on the room, but an overhead mic or a lav hidden in your shirt is a good solution. I made this video which might help a little further: ruclips.net/video/gUgsMMHoSNQ/видео.html
The drastic change to the NTG3 was so obvious! What are the differences (if any) between shotgun, boom, condenser, cardioid/supercardioid, etc?
Oh, there are TONS of differences!
A shotgun mic refers to its shape: a longer microphone. These are great for cancelling noise that’s not directly in front of the microphone. They can be problematic indoors as frequencies of natural echo can cancel out parts of someone’s voice.
A “boom” mic refers to any mic that’s held out on a boom. Typically this is a mic that’s overhead, but you can also boom from below to different reasons (sound, framing, or sometimes the boom can cast a shadow if held above). Many times people say “boom mic” when they mean shotgun, but you can mount non-shotgun mics on a book just as easily (and I often do!).
A condenser mic is a mic that uses an electrical current to operate. The alternative is a “dynamic” microphone. Dynamic mics are usually more rugged and have a more robust diaphragm, but lack some of the sensitivity of a condenser mic. This doesn’t mean they aren’t as good. Just different. For singing and speaking (when you can put the mic right up to someone’s mouth) dynamic mics are better because they’re not sensitive enough to pick up other noises in the room, etc.
Cardioid and supercardioid refer to the pickup pattern of the microphone. Different capsules can create different pickup patterns. This basically controls which space around the mic that the mic will be able to hear. It’s tough to explain with words, but if you do an image search, you’ll see exactly what I mean for the different patterns. I use wider pattern microphones when I’m trying to mic multiple people with a single mic. I use a narrow pattern when I’m only trying to get one person on a mic.
@@ShaunHautly Thanks for the explanation! Did NOT expect a response with this video being almost 2 years old!
If I'm in a open living room setting and unable to really dampen the area, what kind of mic should I be going with? I currently have both a cheap $10 lav mic, as well as the takstar sgc-598. I'm guessing the takstar would be better if I'm able to put it very close to me?
Do you have a recommendation on what the "next step" mic to consider would be? Maybe in the sub $300 or so category?
Thanks for all your great videos. I am a fashion film maker and just getting into some more documentary type videos where I need a good run and gun microphone (Shotgun) I imagine. Would you recommend this or what else would you recommend on a budget? I have a very old Rode Video Mic shotgun and would like to get something newer and a little better. I have a Tascam DR40 and the Sony FX3 with the Audio Handle, would you recommend this or is there something that has a regular plug that would work straight to the camera in case I do not want always use XLR? Thanks and I appreciate your opinion.. I notice most of you tubers either talk about VLogger Microphones or Studio Boom microphones, not many reviews on Documentary or shotgun Mics for the run and gunner.. I am Not a blogger... Thank you very much!!!
This is the million dollar question! One mic to rule them all is a tough ask. A shotgun will get a lot done, as will a pencil condenser microphone. With the Audio Handle, you're in good shape to use anything. For almost ALL of my RUclips videos and a lot of low-stakes client videos, I end up using the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. It IS a "vlog" microphone, but it's a short shotgun which is a lovely middle ground between shotgun and pencil. It'll connect with a long TRRS cable directly to your camera (note: a TRS cable will NOT work). These mics cost $199, or $99 for the same sound with slightly less control if you get the non-Pro version.
Depending on where your videos will be posted, almost any mic might work with just a little tweaking in post-production. If you're filming fashion stuff near clothes, that's a great way to dampen echo!
@@ShaunHautly Hey, Thanks for responding!! Yes, I am just getting into audio with my videos and am NOT a vlogger, I am starting to do some "documentary" type stuff and usually run and gun so was looking for the best option for an all around mic. Later I will pick up different ones for the specific needs. Could I ask you another question. If I get an XLR style shotgun mic, can I use it with my XLR to mini jack adaptor when I do not want to use the FX3 XLR mic handle? and should it would good enough or is there a huge loss of quality going from XLR to Mini jack? I am currently eyeing the Syncho D2 hypercoil, from the test I have seen (heard) against the Sennhesiiser, I cannot here much difference and it is around 250.00 compared to 1000.00. I appreciate your opinion... Thank you!
Great explanation . Do you have a video on mic placement? I have an AT2035 and find the way you place your AT2020 is interesting. Also I didn't know you could use a pencil mic on a boom, interesting.
I don't have a video about mic placement... yet. In general, for the side address condenser mics like the AT2020, AT2035, and AT2050 get your mouth as close as possible to it (or better yet, to a wind screen on it). I was backing off mine in this video a bit just so my face wouldn't be so obscured. It loses some of the bass by being off-axis, but it sounds OK for RUclips.
I like the sound of that AT2020! I haven't used that before. Also good explenation on Shotguns. I think it's important to note that there is no perfect mic. A shotgun mic will be a better choice in some situations. For general indoor boom micing, a SDC is often the best choice. I would perfer a Hypercardiod pattern over the NT5's Cardiod pattern.
Yeah, I think there's a couple mics I'd like to try. Like so many people, I approached this as a binary: I found a mic (NT5) that works more often than my NTG3. So I started using it more. There may be other mics that are better, but I settled into an "if it isn't broken...." mindset. :-)
What would you recommend for having an on-camera mic for filming videos and recording ambience e.g. travel video content?
There are tons of brands with tons of microphones. I'm not sure what camera you have and what inputs you've got. So it's hard to recommend a single microphone. For most general purpose audio I use my Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. It's extremely versatile and has a 3.5mm cable to connect to my Sony a7Siii.
I am NOT an audio engineer but computer guy that has just gotten more into audio lately. I hadn't minded seeing the lavs in general, I feel like it's just a "hey, we're recording these people" BUT I got a Blue Yeti at the beginning of this pandemic thing and then was getting interested in keeping the mic off cam during video. Tried putting on mic arm off to the side but finally came to the realization there is something else that should be used. Long story short, discovered these shotgun mics and then your recommendation for the NT5. Thanks!
I just recorded another flight by of videos with the deity D3 pro overhead and off screen. It’s just so natural looking.
Fantastic, and I’ve been around audio all my life. Wonderful presentation, good guy, and great information.
Wow, thank you! This comment made my night! Cheers!
does anyone have any idea how pencil mics perform outdoors compared to shotgun mics? I will be mostly shooting outdoors but i may have to be inside from time to time.
I've used mine outside quite a bit. They're still direction mics, they just don't have the off axis noise cancellation that shotgun mics have. Rent one, or buy one from a camera store so you can use it for 30 days and see if it's the right one for you. If not, return it!
I use a pair of shotgun mics (Beyerdynamic MCE86II) for live music field recording. I've been to a lot of concerts where the sound in my ears was really boomy and muddy sounding, but listening to the recording later, sounds much better. They also cut out a lot of audience chatter. I was a little reticent when I first started using them, but I've been pleased with the results.
Good to know! What sort of spaces are you in for these concerts? Small rooms or bigger halls or outdoor venues?
@@ShaunHautly Yes! Well, in small rooms I usually use cardioids, but anything holding a thousand or more I use the shotguns. Last thing I recorded was Dave Matthews Band at Blossom Music Center in Ohio, which hold about 20,000 total, in the covered amphitheater and lawn. There was a LOT of audience chatter to cut out.
Yeah. And with 1000 people, you won't gear nearly as much reverb and echo as you would in a small, relatively empty room. Most of my work is doing interviews and sound for video production. I HOPE I never have to have 20,000 people on set.
I always wondered why the mics on my Zoom H5 are in the XY pattern, and now I know. Thank you! P.S. found your channel through Camera Conspiracies.
Camera Conspiracies?? I'm unfamiliar, but intrigued!
@@ShaunHautly Oh my, you are in for a treat. A very strange, treat!
This video is so informative and helpful. You saved me a lot of time and money...thank you!!!
Glad it helped!
This video was Very Informative. I don't know much about audio and haven't used many microphones. I have an eco room where I want to shoot videos. So I need a recommendation on which mic should I pick I got the answer for that situation I need a pencil condenser mic but which pencil condenser mic do you recommend for an eco room and have one more question. Do I need a zoom audio recorder or any audio recorder to improve my audio or I can use the mic without any audio recorder and get the same result?
Sorry for the bad English.
My favorite pencil condenser for the price is the RODE NT5, but admittedly, I've only used a few. There are other great ones out there that I just haven't tested myself yet.
You will need an audio recorder (Zoom or others as long as they have Phantom Power). A good audio recorder like the zoom H6 or F6 will have really good options for audio, but you'll also get great sound out of most modern audio recorders.
No troubles on the bad English! Cheers.
This makes so much sense. Just shot an interview / voice lesson indoor and had so many issues with my shotgun mic as a boom mic. Definitely investing in the NT5
NT5 is a good one, but there's also a ton more that have great reviews. I just don't have experience with them. But try something and if it doesn't work, return it and try something else!
Great video! Thanks! I've Googled the internet to death and can't find an answer to this question? Can you help? What kind of mic would be good for videoing short interviews with a group of 2 to 3 people in a noisy street protest environment with the mic mounted on the camera as a one man operation? I was thinking shotgun first of all wouldn't the super-cardioid polar pattern would mean turning the camera to face each speaker which might not be so good visually. Then maybe a cardioid polar pattern mic. But would it be able to record sources that are 1m - 1.3m away? Any advice would be great? Thanks.
If you're outside, a shotgun or short shotgun is likely best. And the super cardioid pattern of the mics isn't going to make a huge difference if people are a few meters away. I'm not sure what your budget is, but grab a shotgun from a brand you prefer and try it. Buy it from Adorama or another camera store and you'll be able to try it for a few weeks and return it if it isn't the right mic for you.
@@ShaunHautly Thanks for your quick reply, Shaun. I thunk I will follow your advice and give that ago. I actually live in Ireland and today was speaking with a German company Thomann who have a returns policy that works similar to how you describe Adorama. Thanks again 👍