can i use my studio condenser for film work?

[tufness]

hey, i'm a total newbie to post work and i have a dork question:

i'm going to make a micro budget DV film just for fun and i was wondering if i can use my studio condenser to capture the audio. i have an AKG 414 TLII. i'm thinking i'll record to an ADAT in the field and sync it in post, etc. will this work, or am i dreaming and i should just get a "proper" shotgun mic...?

any tips on this or audio for low budget film in general are greatly appreciated!

ryan

[Strider]

Personally, I think you're gonna hate what you pick up, cause even with a tight cardioid pattern, you will hear way more than you want to with a sensitive mic like that. Shotgun mics are great cause they have better patterns for the field and more rejection, so less light hums, set chatter, traffic, you name it. No mic is perfect for ALL uses, and I'm sure you'll get guys trying to tell you they've used studio condensors in the field with good results, and they might have, but I'm just saying I wouldn't do it unless I had no other alternative.

On the other hand, if you're gonna ADR the whole show (not the cheapest way or best way to make a budget movie), then use whatever you want for a good audio guide track.

I'm in post, so I can't remember the #'s, but Sennheiser makes some good, somewhat affordable mid-range shotguns worth checking out.

Good luck.

PS: Don't forget to capture room tone (about 30 sec) from each setup, and pay attention to things like ventilation systems, trucks, airplanes, and other more subtle things that may not seem like a big deal until you start editing dialogue. Make sure to slate (clap and verbal if possible) every take.

[tufness]

thanks mark. great advice...

what's the idea behind capturing the tone of the room for 30 sec. or so?

[tufness]

mark -

i think i figured it out. it's so if i'm doing ADR later, i can add in the sound of the room so it sounds real. ( right? ) but how would i fake the reflections of the actor's voices resonating IN the room...?

ryan