What's your favorite on-camera mic?

[michaeleaglehall]

Hi all,

 

Need to send some shotguns out with Sony Z7Us and EX3s for Doc-style shooting, was wondering what your favorites were. Have had decent results w/ 416s and Me-66s.

 

Anyone out there have experience with the Sennheiser MKE 600?

 

Other recommendations?

 

Thanks!

[Solid Goldberger]

MKH-60s are nice as they're very lightweight, and pretty resistant to handling noise, IIRC (been a while since I've used one).  I'd think the "reach" and weight of a CMIT5U would be great (but expensive) camera mic.

 

e.

[Derek H]

Consider something shorter so it doesn't get in the frame.

Sanken CS-1 maybe.

Or mount it off the rear hot shoe with a shock mount if you need a longer mic.

[john Quinn]

       Whatever is really crap and picks up every little noise the camera op makes.The last thing you want to hear on shoots is "don't worry we will go with the camera mic". It is hard enough to make a living without giving them the tools to shaft us with sod the camera mic and do your job properly

My two pence worth.

Best John

 

Sorry if that sounds harsh 

[ProSound]

I have (2) Rode NTG-1 I use when needed low cost and good sound for money 

[john Quinn]

OK before everyone jumps in my last statement was slightly tongue in cheek

Best John

[Jon Gilbert]

Glad you said that John, I do disagree with you

 

I try and put a decent mic on the camera(s) when shooting docs, it can give an extra ear on what's happening and I can charge extra rental. It's never 'the camera mic' though, it's 'the mic that Jon put on the camera'

 

Favoured mic is the CS1 for best compromise between size and performance. I have used MKH60s, but they have a tendancy to wander into shot. Rycote do a very good Lyre mount with a tube on it for mounting in the camera mic slot, looks good and goes someway to justifying my exorbitant hire fees

[Philip Perkins]

Glad you said that John, I do disagree with you

 

I try and put a decent mic on the camera(s) when shooting docs, it can give an extra ear on what's happening and I can charge extra rental. It's never 'the camera mic' though, it's 'the mic that Jon put on the camera'

 

Favoured mic is the CS1 for best compromise between size and performance. I have used MKH60s, but they have a tendancy to wander into shot. Rycote do a very good Lyre mount with a tube on it for mounting in the camera mic slot, looks good and goes someway to justifying my exorbitant hire fees

+100.  I have had very good luck in post w/ camera mics on verite docs--often the shooter is closer to something than I am and I can expend my resources grabbing something else.  I like CS1, lots of shooters I know have 416s.  I don't like ME66 much and they are really too long for newer tiny cameras.  The Rode and Sennheiser plastic "video mics" do ok if protected from the wind, and are about the only thing that will really work on DSLRs and burrito-cams anyhow.

 

philp

[Jim Feeley]

I agree with Jon, Phil, and the rest. Nothing inherently wrong with mics on cameras, and sometimes useful (though of course relying on only an on-camera mic isn't great, etc). Speaking of cheap mics on DSLRs- Rode has a new version of their Videomic. Integrates a sexy-red Rycote Lyre mount; cool. They describe the mic as very directional; dang...I'd prefer something a little wide. Haven't seen or heard this mic. Not expecting too much, but I'd guess we'll be seeing them around.

 

More info here:

http://www.rodemic.com/videomic

 

 

[old school]

Most of the mic's s in question are way better than the built in mics. Mounting the mics is an issue not to be over looked. A great mic in a noisy mount will ruin the plus's of a good mic. Do some tests if at all possible and you will find what will work for you.

CrewC

[Crussell]

I still need to do more testing before I settle into one that I like.  I've been using an NTG2 because it's also battery powered in case I've got to slap it on a DSLR but I'm not completely satisfied with it.  

 

Dean Miles recommends an ME64.  http://thelocationcrew.com/blog/gear-lab-3-whats-the-best-all-around-camera-mic/

 

I'll be watching this thread with interest.  

[Freeheel]

I tend to recommend Sennheiser 416's for a couple unique reasons.   Their imperviousness to environmental abuse and RF interference .    In the rain with a furry cover, they will function longer than the camera and they are one of the only microphones that will work near a video transmitter.   

Their heavy brass body tends to damp physical noise from the camera mounting as well. 

 

Cheers,

Brent Calkin

[mikewest]

My favorite mike is off the camera

 

Heard stories where post used the camera mike and said "#hit who did this aweful sound"

 

They didnt use the real sound on the other track!!!!!!

 

mike

[jpbat]

Depending on the show, a mic on the camera can be a very good idea, or a very bad one.

 

There is a show I'm doing where it's a *very* good idea.

The camera has 4 tracks, and I make use of any of them.

On the 4th track, there is *always* the camera mic, which is actually a KMR81 with a Softie, because it's in my drawer doing nothing.

In case you wonder, I talk with the editing guys everyday, and we work with each other pretty well since 5 years on this show.

Most of the time, they don't use the 4th track, but there has been a few occurrences when it helped, or even saved the shot. Which is precisely the purpose.

 

But there are shows where I would never put a mic on the camera.

[OmahaAudio]

Dean Miles recommends an ME64.  http://thelocationcrew.com/blog/gear-lab-3-whats-the-best-all-around-camera-mic/

I did a three month shoot (as videographer) on the French election back in 2007 using an ME64 as the on-camera mic and the results were excellent.

[studiomprd]

The Senn ME shotguns have a bit hotter output than most others, thus helping to make up for poor mic preamps in many camcorders they are used with...

[michaeleaglehall]

Much thanks to all who responded--will be sure to post back with results! 

[Adam White]

Do you guys like a KM184 on-camera?

 

cheers

[studiomprd]

sonny: " Do you guys like a KM184 on-camera? "

no, but then again some of us don't generally like mic's on-cameras.

and, BTW, I like it on a boom!

Edited October 4, 2014 by studiomprd

[Adam White]

I'm pretty sure we like them when they are collecting b-roll sound or sound bytes when we're not around (or eating lunch)!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OmahaAudio]

The Shure VP82 (http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/vp/vp82-end-address-shotgun-condenser-microphone) works very well as an on-camera mic.

[Constantin]

sonny: " Do you guys like a KM184 on-camera? "

no, but then again we don't generally like mic's on-cameras.

and, BTW, I like it on a boom!

Who is "we"? Speak for yourself. This thread seems to show that many here like the on-cam mic, depending on the situation.

[Olle Sjostrom]

I prefer a stereo mic on camera. I have yet to find one fav, because I've seldom have to use one. Theres a Sony one that works fine for b-roll, but I forget the name. The new videomic x from rode looks nice.

[pindrop]

I prefer a stereo mic on camera. I have yet to find one fav, because I've seldom have to use one. Theres a Sony one that works fine for b-roll, but I forget the name. The new videomic x from rode looks nice.

For stereo maybe consider the Beyer MCE 72 PV CAM, works quite nicely for what it is, not too long, not too much handling noise susceptibility, frequency response pretty neutral, output level healthy, not too expensive.

[studiomprd]

Sonny: " I'm pretty sure we like them when they are collecting b-roll sound or sound bytes when we're not around "

Oh, well then I use a Sheppy, or maybe a DiPpy...