Best choice for boom mic

[subsonic87]

I'm about to shoot a short instructional video for my company. I'd rather not have to re-record the audio in post, so I figured I'd use a boom mic. I have a variety of mics available to use, and wanted to ask advice for which would be the best. I have:
Shure SM58
Shure Beta 58
Audix I5
CAD GXL1200
and a couple large-diaphragm studio mics (which are obviously not boom mics). Any input on which would work the best as a boom mic? Thanks.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Ive been using a Zoom H2 for a boom mic lately...it does have an output you can plug directly into your mic in on your camcorder.

http://www.vimeo.com/1129593

Heres a nice project for you too...be sure and watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83d3qLHaAN4&NR=1

 

[subsonic87]

Thanks for the reply, Darrin. I'm not entirely convinced that the Zoom H2 will be as good as a standalone mic. I guess I should also have mentioned that I'll be running the mic through a mixer (either Soundcraft compact 4, or Behringer Xenyx 802) to a 1/8" cable into the camera input.

Thanks for the cheap boom pole video. That sounds like a great idea to get a boom on a budget. Continuing the DIY route, what do you think of something like this homemade blimp? http://www.instructables.com/id/Microphone-Blimp/

 

[darrin_h2000]

I do my editing with Avid Liquid7...it has the ability to add all 4 tracks so surround sound can be manipulated and you can use multiband compression to boost the voices while still having a nice surround track of the enviromental noises...sorry I got geeky here but Ive allways loved the movies...so I get involved with productions when I can.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1976095/

 

[witzendoz]

Look around for a second hand Sennhesier ME80 with a K3U Power Supply. The ME80 is the capsule type (semi shotgun) and the K3U is the actual body of the mic.

These mics are fantastic for spoken word and almost anything else, a lot of TV stations use them. Should be under US$200 for a second hand one. I have used one every year when I record a week long lecture that is put out on CD for attendees, the pattern lets you position the mic far enough away so that it does not get into a film shot but picks up as clear as, I also run the audio through a PA without feedback problems.

They also come with a ME40 Cardioid and a ME20 Omni capsule. ME80 is the long capsule in the picture attached. Semi Shotgun is similar to shotgun with a slightly closer pattern.

Cheers

Alan.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Look around for a second hand Sennhesier ME80 with a K3U Power Supply. The ME80 is the capsule type (semi shotgun) and the K3U is the actual body of the mic.

These mics are fantastic for spoken word and almost anything else, a lot of TV stations use them. Should be under US$200 for a second hand one. I have used one every year when I record a week long lecture that is put out on CD for attendees, the pattern lets you position the mic far enough away so that it does not get into a film shot but picks up as clear as, I also run the audio through a PA without feedback problems.

They also come with a ME40 Cardioid and a ME20 Omni capsule. ME80 is the long capsule in the picture attached. Semi Shotgun is similar to shotgun with a slightly closer pattern.

Cheers

Alan.

The H2 is really better for filming where you want the feel of the environment...but it wouldnt be the best for a lecture...Ive used it at a few concerts though and it a nice choice for that stuff.

 

[Shadow_7]

It depends on what you're trying to capture. (or not capture). Just one person as close as possible to keep the A/C, road traffic, audience, and other things out of the mix? Center of a round table type conference, instead of being off to the side via camcorder. If it's just one speaker, you might get by with a lavalier mic. Wireless or otherwise. Of those listed, they seem to be a lot of dynamic mics to be almost eaten by the speaker to get a good level to start with, on a boom I don't see those doing that great.

I'd probably go with one of the LDCs if it also has a good shock mount with it. A boom can add a lot of noise to a non-shock mounted mic. Just be sure that the cable(s) aren't also knocking the mic around. A lavalier would probably work better if the speaker roams a lot. Especially if you're trying to do both audio and video simultaneously by yourself. Or if you can't trust the boom guy to show / know his job.

 

[witzendoz]

The H2 is really better for filming where you want the feel of the environment...but it wouldnt be the best for a lecture...Ive used it at a few concerts though and it a nice choice for that stuff.

The ME80 would be better in this instance, however one of my gigs was recorded with the H2 recently and the sound was very impressive.

I also bought a H2 for a local Buddhist group I know so they could record talks in their meditation room, it works a treat as the self contained nature is easy to set up and easy to use.

I also recommended a H2 to a friend that likes to record acoustic folk groups at live gigs for his radio show, he is very impressed.

So even though I think a mic like the ME80 would be better for this application the H2 gets a big thumbs up from me.

Cheers

Alan.