What location recording microphones to buy?

[abes]

Hi all,

I am about to embark on a big feature film project and I have a hefty budget to spend on location microphones.

I'm not too worried about cost, just as long as it can pick up on set dialogue very well, as I want to avoid as much ADR as possible. The film will be mainly shot outdoors.

Thanks :)

[abes]

Originally Posted by abes

Hi all,

I am about to embark on a big feature film project and I have a hefty budget to spend on location microphones.

I'm not too worried about cost, just as long as it can pick up on set dialogue very well, as I want to avoid as much ADR as possible. The film will be mainly shot outdoors.

Thanks :)

Forgot to mention, the microphone will be going into a Sound Devices 744T

[Jackdanny]

Well if you have a hefty budget and wish to minimise any ADR the best thing you could probably do is hire an experienced sound mixer and/or boom op

Will you be doing this yourself? Just how 'hefty' is your budget?
a Sennheiser 416 as a shotgun is quite 'the standard', esp for outdoors. Dont forget all the extras like windjammers, shock mounts, boom poles etc you'll need.

But of course there are lots of mic choices available particularly with a decent budget :) Im sure those more experienced can chip in with more suggestions.

[MIKEROPHONICS]

How about posting on the IBS (Institute of Broadcast Sound) forum - plenty of top drawer recordists there like John Rhodda, Simon Bishop etc

cheers

[JR Fountain]

Sanken CS3e, is a great mic for outdoors. Very directional and rejects quite a bit of off axis signal without being super long. But as the others suggested go with an experienced boom op first then a great mic.

JR

[abes]

Looking at around £2000 for a mic. I'll check out the other forums mentioned here.

Thanks guys

[mr.armadillo]

Originally Posted by abes

Hi all,

I am about to embark on a big feature film project and I have a hefty budget to spend on location microphones.

I'm not too worried about cost, just as long as it can pick up on set dialogue very well, as I want to avoid as much ADR as possible. The film will be mainly shot outdoors.

Thanks :)

Mainly outdoors? Get some lavs as well. Sanken COS-11, DPA or VT are a good choice. I second the advice of getting an experienced boom op.

[Stibbo]

Hire a professional production sound mixer. If you don't do production sound all the time you won't know all the tricks.

As for microphones I prefer the Schoeps CMIT 5U a majority of the time along with the CMC641 combo for hard walled interiors and live spaces. I also like the MKH 50 a lot. In a loud exterior it helps to have a combo of 416, 70's, and 816s. The point is there isn't a one mic fits all solution.

Best of luck on the project.

Steve

[mgoorevich]

Don't get an illusion that a good mic will solve your problems.
What you need is the right decision in specific situation.
Sometimes it could be a shot gun (like Sanken CS-3e) sometimes a schoeps MK41 will bring beter results and sometimes COS-11 or DPA 4060 will do the job.
Where to place them? When to work with radio mic. Should you cover it with the boom? Cloth rustle, wind, distance, slim dressed actors, kids, rain / / water, cars, loud sources next to your character.
How all this you gonna handle with even the best mic but no experience?
I am more than 14 years involved in professional sound recording for film and TV and in each next film I often deal with something outstanding requiring some imagination to deal with. And I have all the mics you can think about...
GET A PRO MAN - NOT GEAR.