Julian's right, i have never seen such a good explenation on mic placement! After watching a gazillion UA-cam tutorials over the years! Great stuff! PS: Julian, your channel is amazing too!
This is an ABSOLUTE masterclass in mic placement and sound wow. And though this is meant to help find the ideal sound, I can't help but start thinking of how we can mic "wrong" on purpose for sound design applications. (Like say, capturing a muffled sound without having to do it in post.) Incredible helpful resource, very grateful you made this!
I needed this advice about 6 weeks ago. I was faced with your two scenarios combined. A person sitting at a desk next to a wall facing a wall between a mirror and a window at night... :S . And rain noise coming in from one side. This was magically revelatory. The most important thing I learned was it is important to experiment to figure out and gain experience about where you mic might sound best. This should be paid content.
I'd be interested to know how you approach 2 different situations: 1) a large source - like a choir 2) best options to mic from a distance inside, a big echoey hall etc...
1) Depends. I would probably start with two super/hypercardioid mics in a stereo array and see how that does. I may opt for XY or AB but that is where I would start. 2) Depends again. How. Much echo? How loud a source? Maybe the same setup but maybe different. Too many factors to guess.
XY in front is usually good, depending on placement. HINT: If possible try to sneak a 3rd Mic closer to the deep male voices. In large spaces they tend to get lost under the noice floor of the higher voices. With a 3rd mic you can mix them back in there in post. A good placed condenser mic in front can sometimes get it done too. Just a matter of the placement, the space etc. A forth mic close to the piano helps with the mix too. :P
Sound on my channel is my current problem. I have a large open space which echoes easily, and i usually sit quietly in my car to get the least echo for my voice overs. So I'm learning so much from you here, new sub and I think you have a great teaching style ❤😊
Excellent information, however, I was hoping for a little nugget on what you DO use in these types of situations. Thank you for all your hard work on teaching us how to be a better boom operator.
I added what I do in those situations after I explained the common thoughts. You have to keep in mind that acoustics change in every environment and with every degree of head or body turn. I often have to adjust on the fly as the situation changes
@@SoundSpeeds I found it very informative. Never considered using a shotgun in closed-in rooms or hallways. I’m always concerned about reverb/echo that’s not supposed to be there. Thanks for giving tips about avoiding them.
Yes, the mic's position is the key to get better sound. Try put the mic at several locations and 'listen' to the differences. I have KG C417 lavalier mic, and I put it on top of the table or stick it at the center of monitor display, to get the boundary effect. Actually not bad at all. :) Thank you for sharing.
@@SoundSpeeds I have a question. I want make short movie example indoor what is it best for me shotgun Microphone or wireless system like Boya wm8 kits for dialog?
There is no "best" as a standard. So many variables to consider. Try both and listen. You be the judge based on what you experience. Best advice based on the little info I have
Excellent. Thanks. But the sound booth with grill and the colour of your shirt sent my quirky sense of humour off. Was this recorded in maximum security? Great vid. Very insightful. Can't wait to see more.
Thank you. I am grateful for the viewers I have. I'll never be a big channel because I don't clickbait or play the algorithm but I'm happy with that. Thanks for watching.
Talking to a wall can be a good thing! Just like lying on a traffic island to get a better picture. "What should I do?" Just play with it, and enjoy the senses!
Thanks for this info! Learning a lot from your channel. I am looking to upgrade my audio from a Rode Lavalier GO Lapel Mic. I create talking-head UA-cam videos in a fairly well-treated room and plan to upgrade to a boom mic above my head. I would like to find the best mic that I can plug straight into camera (Fuji XT3), so I don’t have to sync audio in post. I’m considering the Rode VideoMic NTG and the Sennheiser MKE 600. Which of these mics do you think would be better for my application? I have heard the MKE 600 has better audio quality (Although I would not be powering the MKE 600 via XLR), but I wonder if the difference would justify getting that over the Rode- which has a power system that I can more easily charge, is cheaper, and seems to sound great. The Rode also has a gain knob on the mic so I could avoid using the camera’s gain. My UA-cam channel is called Hope Through Prophecy in case you would like to see my current setup. Thanks for any help!
If you don't get a self powered mic like the Rode NTG then an XLR self powered mic would work too. Staying in the Rode family, the NTG2, NTG4 and NTG4+ would all be shotgun microphone that plug directly into a camera with the right cable.
@@SoundSpeeds Thanks for the quick reply! Between the NTG4+ and the NTG, which do you think would sound the best (considering I will be connecting via 3.5mm)?
That depends on the room. The 4+ didn't sound great in my NTG5 vs NTG3 vs NTG4+ video but it's not as expensive of a mic and an unfair comparison. ua-cam.com/video/Nu8JCeJW3Qk/v-deo.html The NTG is a more modern mic and if I were to guess, I'd say it's better to use at the top of a camera and probably overhead too. It's similar in design to the NTG5 so it likely has some of the same tech and that's a fine mic. Speculation here, not actual first hand comparison.
Sometimes when a person is so much of an expert in their field they take you on a one mile walk to get to a destination that was right in front of them. This was waaaay beyond my attention span but very much worth watching. Thanks.
To me, talking inside an untreated room, if it's a big room, the bouncing waves may fade easier instead inside a small room you may have more chances to pick bad audio. I think if you have a small room, you should always find a way to treat the walls or use a blanket.
There's a lot to consider and I have zero details on your room acoustics, environment, content, vocal dynamics, etc... Any of that. I'd recommend listening to both of them in a fair comparison the way you would use them and compare the sound, listening to the playback. If you need more opinions, ask friends to watch a BLIND A/B comparison. Blind so they don't know what they are listening to.
Love your videos. Incredibly helpful information. I’m curious, have you talked about how you set up your isolation booth? I can’t place the mesh and material underneath and I’m curious.
Thanks for the very detailed explanation! Very cool and timely. I am looking to buy a new mic for my new UA-cam/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, would a shotgun mic be able to be positioned by the camera, 8 feet away, and still pick me up as a good mic should? If so...if there a particular Shotgun mic you would recommend for this room?
Short answer... No. Shotguns are used for extracting audio at a greater distance but in a live room, you'll pick up all of those reflections too. Magnified. Your better bet may be a lav if you want cleaner sound in a live room 8 feet from camera.
Hi Allen, Love your channel. I'm mostly beginning to doing Foley work but find your channel extremely informative. I had one question, you mentioned in your onscreen text that you don't use shotgun microphones, so what do you prefer to use? Oh, and by the way your mother spelled your name wrong. Thanks, Alan
Family name. I'm the 3rd so... it's spelled right. I prefer not to use shotguns mics indoors whenever possible. It's funny though because I'm working with a mixer now that uses the Schoeps CMIT 5U inside and out. It's not my preference though. I'll take a super/hyper indoors 99% of the time
Hi Allen, watching this video reminded me that I always wanted to ask you for your advice about mic placement (dynamic or condenser) when you have a big computer monitor in front of you? I remember if you have a video about this specific “issue”, thanks for all the work you do. Cheers!
THANK YOU! Very helpful and useful advice. And interesting! The table especially so. Can I ask how you would adjust (if at all) this placement and listening method to accommodate for a different pickup pattern like super or hypercardioid? Or is that a long-form question in a short-form format? 😆
What mic would you suggest for a beginning youtuber. Limited budget, preferably off camera. A lav mic is tough because I have a guitar that will hit it.
@@SoundSpeeds I have a $20 lav mic on a guitar stand just below me off camera and it's still clipping. My voice carries. I film in a typical bedroom, the atypical part is the ceiling is 10 feet. If that helps...
It's an impossible to answer question since you gave me zero details. What are you recording? Voice over? Game streaming? An interview? How loud are you? What is your budget? How are you recording it? Why are you recording in that room? How noisy is your environment? What kind of interference are you talking about - EMI, RFI, electrostatic, etc? This is like asking me who you should vote for? What country? Who are the choices? Politics or your church secretary? It could be anything and if I guess based on no info, I wouldn't want to mislead you just because I don't know key information. Knowing nothing, I'll assume you're recording a podcast so go with a dynamic cardioid microphone.
I have to tell, from a person who is totally new to this Sound World. WOW. FANTASTIC video! Just susbcribe. Thanks for putting all that info in a simple way Have a Productive and Healthy Day!
Hello thanks for the info, can you let me know how do I charge this microphone? I connected the usb cable from the microphone to the camera and it doesnt work its always with the red light on instead of being green :( please help me thanks!
Thank you for this interesting demonstration. I studied audio engineering for events/stage many years ago and this was still very useful! I'd like to add that when picking up bounced sound from a table or a wall can be an artistic choice it also causes a lot of phasing when the boom mic or the sound source is moving. As you said; in a controlled environment and with knowledge it's a great way to get what you want. But in less controlled circumstances it's often better to try going for the solution with the least reflections and as much direct sound as possible :)
Yes, absolutely. Post can add reverb if it looks like the scene should have some and your microphone technique has reduced too much. The key is to have the microphone on axis while playing the pattern. That's where the skill lies.
@@SoundSpeeds It's a skill I'll get to try next week! I've owned two shotgun mics for recording audiences at DJ performances but now I've been asked to help a friend with recording audio for an amateur zombie movie. I got myself a røde boom, a deadcat and a Zoom H5 handheld recorder. Now I found myself watching your videos to pick up some knowledge. If you will, which one of your video's would you recommend to those with some professional experience with microphones but who are new to boom operating?
Sure thing. Also there are many videos, if you go thru my video list, that have boom op skills in it. Things like how to boom walk and talks (ua-cam.com/video/gL1aq4j5L7Q/v-deo.html) and pro plant mic techniques (ua-cam.com/video/PkCNcXIfysA/v-deo.html) amongst many more if you look at the titles. I don't clickbait you so the title will tell you what I cover
Hey Allen, Two questions: How often do you get to experiment on set prior to the first take with someone talking as a stand-in? And how often do you switch up your mic position from take to take to experiment with surface reflections (as long as it's not a problem with lighting & camera)?
With a stand in? I don't do that because they are never like the actor. I often change up my position on the first take (if not prior during a line up) if I'm not happy with what I am hearing. Or as needed if there's a change.
I didn't understand why I felt like I was hitting the sweet spot when I wasn't pointing the NTG3 directly at the actor. You just explained IN-DEPTH exactly why that occurs. Thanks!
I’m fairly new to sound and not as experienced in mic placement so what type of microphone would you recommend indoors and why? Also, what brands/models?
@@SoundSpeeds let’s say a medium sized room in a house (maybe 20x25x10 feet) that is completely untreated with very little furniture being used, something one would use on amateur film set. Going for a more natural sound in the voice, maybe something close to what a popular Sennheiser shotgun would give, under $1000.
I'm sorry, but I used an NTG3 in a house once. It sounded awful and I know how to use microphones, I quickly switched over to an indoor hyper cardioid (There was a reason I started with a Shotgun) I wouldn't recommend using a shot gun in a small space. Not ever. Shot guns are good at rejecting sound from a distance such as out doors and that's what they should be used for.
I agree with you completely. Unfortunately sound mixers sometimes insist on us using a particular microphone that we normally wouldn't. I would also reach for a pencil condenser over a shotgun indoors though. Anytime.
Your missing environmental location. Your voice is also a little muddy. Definitely good pickup and levels, but the voice is feels disassociated due to lack of location, my brain does not feel like you are sitting in a room, or outdoors or in a hall or church, or anywhere. Throw a few reflection surfaces in a few places on your walls. Move your pop filter back from your microphone if that is muddying your reproduction. I have learnt from your presentation, I always wonder if I could use shotguns for better cancellation. It works for you because you do not have voice reflection from your studio, so it is not being cancelled, but you lose the location awareness, which makes the voice disassociated.
In this video I'm moved out into my very untreated room and only behind me to the right is treated. What you say is good too note though. Hearing the room for what it is is very important. That's part of natural sound even though taming aggressive reflections is preferred.
@@SoundSpeeds your experiments were very good, I liked the wall reflection samples, I find in your proofed room the distribution grid on the walls interesting too. I do understand when mixing you need clean stripped vokals, only in solo would you want dimension. I am still going through what you presented, allot of good experiments. Thanks again
I know this sounds crazy, I went with a birectional mic in a smaller room, which actually cleared up some of my muddiness, 3 feet from the wall and 2 feet from the mic, it cleared up the proximity, plosives, the mild reflection from the wall gave contrast increasing clarity, I was able to drop the plosives filter, which also made it crisper. I went with the Aston Spirit, I was expecting the cardiod, to deliver better, but less cancellation gave me a better sound, I only had to manage the 3000hz range mildly, the rest I left alone.
Bruh you spend so much time for perfect microphone recording setup, but your voice is so flat. I'd recommend working on your voice to make it fuller (add more chest voice to it?), you know. Your deal in the end of the day.
I've tried different things over time and grown. It's amazing what turns people on and off to your content. If I'm calm, I put people too sleep. If I'm too excited and animated, I'm too hard to focus on. Just depends.
@@SoundSpeeds I understand, it must've been a journey. Your pace is pretty much perfect if you ask me, it's just the way you position your voice for me. It feels like it's a little pushed into the nasal zone/nose. I'm sure most of your viewers like how you sound or don't mind it at all. You can't please everyone, you know?
Thanks. My tripod when I hold it and touch it. The mic is picking that up. It’s a comics vm10 pro actually is a really good mic but to have it in place is perfect. When i move it it records the sounds from touching the tripod and I’m trying to be gentle and still records the sound
Are you using a shockmount? If so, have you tested it to make sure it doesn't transfer noise when you interact directly with it? If it does, you may need a battery shockmount and that could fix everything.
@@SoundSpeeds im not using a shockmount im using a tripod that bends and easy to place or hang thats the only reason why im using it i wanted to see if i can attach something to it to remove sensitivity and will not pick the sound when i hold it
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](/img/n.gif)
Amazing demonstration!!! The effect of changing the mic angle over the table is HUGE! Really interesting stuff :)
This is all part of what I do all day on set. I'm very happy the results are so clearly noticable.
Julian's right, i have never seen such a good explenation on mic placement! After watching a gazillion UA-cam tutorials over the years! Great stuff! PS: Julian, your channel is amazing too!
I'm glad this was helpful. I do this all day long in real time so it comes natural at this point. I'm glad it translated well on video.
Why this only has 20k views is beyond me. This is the best instructional video about shotgun mics indoors. Thank you!!!!
Thank you. :-)
This is an ABSOLUTE masterclass in mic placement and sound wow. And though this is meant to help find the ideal sound, I can't help but start thinking of how we can mic "wrong" on purpose for sound design applications. (Like say, capturing a muffled sound without having to do it in post.)
Incredible helpful resource, very grateful you made this!
Sure thing. That's what is all about. Thanks for watching.
I needed this advice about 6 weeks ago. I was faced with your two scenarios combined. A person sitting at a desk next to a wall facing a wall between a mirror and a window at night... :S . And rain noise coming in from one side. This was magically revelatory. The most important thing I learned was it is important to experiment to figure out and gain experience about where you mic might sound best. This should be paid content.
Acoustics is a science and we need to constantly test and run experiments to get the best results.
I'd be interested to know how you approach 2 different situations:
1) a large source - like a choir
2) best options to mic from a distance inside, a big echoey hall etc...
1) Depends. I would probably start with two super/hypercardioid mics in a stereo array and see how that does. I may opt for XY or AB but that is where I would start.
2) Depends again. How. Much echo? How loud a source? Maybe the same setup but maybe different. Too many factors to guess.
XY in front is usually good, depending on placement. HINT: If possible try to sneak a 3rd Mic closer to the deep male voices. In large spaces they tend to get lost under the noice floor of the higher voices. With a 3rd mic you can mix them back in there in post. A good placed condenser mic in front can sometimes get it done too. Just a matter of the placement, the space etc. A forth mic close to the piano helps with the mix too. :P
As long as post knows to phase align everything, yeah.
This is incredibly helpful and really helped point out a bunch of things I was doing that were hurting my audio. 👍
I made it just for you Tom. Thanks for watching.
Switching from SM7B to VM NTG has me scratching my head… the room echo is gross currently. I need to learn what to do asap… ended up here.
Well, I hope you picked up on a few things.
This was incredibly informative thank you! I really do respect what my sound teacher has thought me but this goes above and beyond!
Text book vs practical application experience. One is good for theory, the other for the real world.
Sound on my channel is my current problem. I have a large open space which echoes easily, and i usually sit quietly in my car to get the least echo for my voice overs. So I'm learning so much from you here, new sub and I think you have a great teaching style ❤😊
Thank you so much. I hope your sound is improving
@@SoundSpeeds thank you, I'm working on it 🥰
Feel free to roast or scrutinise my videos, it's a skill I've never needed to learn until recently
👍
For voice overs you can put yourself under a thick blanket and record from under there, no echo :)
If you want to sound like you're in a closet, yeah. You can hear space around you.
a true maestro of microphones ... and that is rare
Thank you. I've worked hard for this knowledge.
Excellent information, however, I was hoping for a little nugget on what you DO use in these types of situations. Thank you for all your hard work on teaching us how to be a better boom operator.
I added what I do in those situations after I explained the common thoughts. You have to keep in mind that acoustics change in every environment and with every degree of head or body turn. I often have to adjust on the fly as the situation changes
Danke! This was a nice one 👍
Wow. Thank you so much!
@@SoundSpeeds You're welcome!
😎
I enjoy your authentic self. Again, I'd pay money to watch you operate on set.
If only we could have shadows on set again. I miss on set training.
Crazy underrated channel. Thank you for this.
Thank you Benj. :-)
my friend, this is the best video I've seen, a man talking to a wall, wow!
Walls listen better than many people. ;-)
Mind blown... Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sure thing! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this video.
Sure thing. After you watch it, tell me what you think.
@@SoundSpeeds I found it very informative. Never considered using a shotgun in closed-in rooms or hallways.
I’m always concerned about reverb/echo that’s not supposed to be there. Thanks for giving tips about avoiding them.
Doesn't always work to perfection but it can really help. Just requires experimentation.
Yes, the mic's position is the key to get better sound. Try put the mic at several locations and 'listen' to the differences. I have KG C417 lavalier mic, and I put it on top of the table or stick it at the center of monitor display, to get the boundary effect. Actually not bad at all. :)
Thank you for sharing.
Sure thing. Thanks for watching
Science! Fantastic. Thank you.
Sure thing. Thanks for watching.
Thank a lot. It helped me very much. Greetings from Turkey
Greetings! Thanks for watching.
@@SoundSpeeds I have a question. I want make short movie example indoor what is it best for me shotgun Microphone or wireless system like Boya wm8 kits for dialog?
There is no "best" as a standard. So many variables to consider. Try both and listen. You be the judge based on what you experience. Best advice based on the little info I have
@@SoundSpeeds Thanks again for your advice. Take care
👍
Great video. You are a good teacher.
Thank you. :-)
Dope tutorial! Bravo! Thank you!
Sure thing. Thanks for watching.
very practical tips. Thanks!
Sure thing. Thanks for watching
i love this, im getting an ntg3 for indoor use and this helps a ton with finding the best angle for me
Excellent. I'm glad this will help you
I generally use an AT4053b indoors. I find it gives me better sound than my NTG3.
The AT 4053B has a pleasant sound overall.
@@SoundSpeeds yes, for the price, too.
👍
This was great!
Thank you. :-) Thanks for watching.
Excellent. Thanks. But the sound booth with grill and the colour of your shirt sent my quirky sense of humour off. Was this recorded in maximum security? Great vid. Very insightful. Can't wait to see more.
LOL, no. It was designed to look like the walls of a sound stage. ua-cam.com/video/ObFcpsrP_AM/v-deo.html
interesting aproach. Thank You.
Sure thing. :-)
Thanks!
Sure thing. Thank you for watching.
Superb explanation!
Thank you. :-)
Wow thank you for this education, you deserve more audience,
Keep enlighten us!
Thank you. I am grateful for the viewers I have. I'll never be a big channel because I don't clickbait or play the algorithm but I'm happy with that. Thanks for watching.
Allen, big thanks for your hands on knowledge!
Sure thing. Thanks for watching!
Superb video. You really obviously know your stuff.
Sharing the knowledge. Now you know too. :-)
Great advices!! You're the best! Thank you.
Sure thing. Thanks for watching.
Excellent video man. Thanks!
Sure thing. Thanks for watching.
Talking to a wall can be a good thing!
Just like lying on a traffic island to get a better picture.
"What should I do?" Just play with it, and enjoy the senses!
That's it. Trust your ears not what you've heard. Does it sound good? Yes? Win! No? Try something else.
Thanks for this info! Learning a lot from your channel. I am looking to upgrade my audio from a Rode Lavalier GO Lapel Mic. I create talking-head UA-cam videos in a fairly well-treated room and plan to upgrade to a boom mic above my head. I would like to find the best mic that I can plug straight into camera (Fuji XT3), so I don’t have to sync audio in post.
I’m considering the Rode VideoMic NTG and the Sennheiser MKE 600. Which of these mics do you think would be better for my application? I have heard the MKE 600 has better audio quality (Although I would not be powering the MKE 600 via XLR), but I wonder if the difference would justify getting that over the Rode- which has a power system that I can more easily charge, is cheaper, and seems to sound great. The Rode also has a gain knob on the mic so I could avoid using the camera’s gain. My UA-cam channel is called Hope Through Prophecy in case you would like to see my current setup. Thanks for any help!
If you don't get a self powered mic like the Rode NTG then an XLR self powered mic would work too. Staying in the Rode family, the NTG2, NTG4 and NTG4+ would all be shotgun microphone that plug directly into a camera with the right cable.
@@SoundSpeeds Thanks for the quick reply! Between the NTG4+ and the NTG, which do you think would sound the best (considering I will be connecting via 3.5mm)?
That depends on the room. The 4+ didn't sound great in my NTG5 vs NTG3 vs NTG4+ video but it's not as expensive of a mic and an unfair comparison.
ua-cam.com/video/Nu8JCeJW3Qk/v-deo.html
The NTG is a more modern mic and if I were to guess, I'd say it's better to use at the top of a camera and probably overhead too. It's similar in design to the NTG5 so it likely has some of the same tech and that's a fine mic. Speculation here, not actual first hand comparison.
Sometimes when a person is so much of an expert in their field they take you on a one mile walk to get to a destination that was right in front of them. This was waaaay beyond my attention span but very much worth watching. Thanks.
Sure thing. Thank you for watching.
Super thanks!!!!!
Sure thing. Happy to help.
To me, talking inside an untreated room, if it's a big room, the bouncing waves may fade easier instead inside a small room you may have more chances to pick bad audio.
I think if you have a small room, you should always find a way to treat the walls or use a blanket.
That's correct unless the smaller room is dead and the large room isn't. Small rooms can sound claustrophobic though if not done properly.
Nice work, man!
Thank you and thanks for watching
Very educational ~! Thank you, learned alot
Excellent. My work here is done then. :-)
You're amazing.
Awwww Shucks. :-)
@@SoundSpeeds Thanks for noticing. I'm torn between using my Rode Videomic Go or Audi Technica AT2020 for my podcast. Which do you recommend?
There's a lot to consider and I have zero details on your room acoustics, environment, content, vocal dynamics, etc... Any of that. I'd recommend listening to both of them in a fair comparison the way you would use them and compare the sound, listening to the playback. If you need more opinions, ask friends to watch a BLIND A/B comparison. Blind so they don't know what they are listening to.
Thanks man. This is better than EQ. What do u use in the DAW?
Little to nothing unless you need it
Awesome video super informative
Thanks and thanks for watching
Do you have a video on how to travel with your sound kit mixer , boom pole and miscellaneous items on a plane?
Thanks
No, sorry. There are check lists for that in pro sound forums.
Thanks
Sure thing. :-)
Love your videos. Incredibly helpful information.
I’m curious, have you talked about how you set up your isolation booth? I can’t place the mesh and material underneath and I’m curious.
ua-cam.com/video/ObFcpsrP_AM/v-deo.html
@@SoundSpeeds Perfect, thanks!
Sure thing
Great video, Allen. Nice to watch some great content - despite my disappointment with the ASA vote.
Yeah, I'm bummed about that too. Thanks for watching.
in what device did you plugged in the mic? in C70 canon sounds bad, and has huge noise., Thx, Subscribed, very good video.
Sound Devices MixPre-6. Thanks for watching and welcome aboard.
@@SoundSpeeds Thx again, lifesaver :)
Sure thing. Glad to help
Thanks for the very detailed explanation! Very cool and timely. I am looking to buy a new mic for my new UA-cam/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, would a shotgun mic be able to be positioned by the camera, 8 feet away, and still pick me up as a good mic should?
If so...if there a particular Shotgun mic you would recommend for this room?
Short answer... No. Shotguns are used for extracting audio at a greater distance but in a live room, you'll pick up all of those reflections too. Magnified. Your better bet may be a lav if you want cleaner sound in a live room 8 feet from camera.
Hi Allen,
Love your channel. I'm mostly beginning to doing Foley work but find your channel extremely informative. I had one question, you mentioned in your onscreen text that you don't use shotgun microphones, so what do you prefer to use? Oh, and by the way your mother spelled your name wrong. Thanks, Alan
Family name. I'm the 3rd so... it's spelled right. I prefer not to use shotguns mics indoors whenever possible. It's funny though because I'm working with a mixer now that uses the Schoeps CMIT 5U inside and out. It's not my preference though. I'll take a super/hyper indoors 99% of the time
The wall loves the boom pole.
Truth.
Hi Allen, watching this video reminded me that I always wanted to ask you for your advice about mic placement (dynamic or condenser) when you have a big computer monitor in front of you? I remember if you have a video about this specific “issue”, thanks for all the work you do. Cheers!
This is what I have on this topic: ua-cam.com/video/vyO5jkHt6hQ/v-deo.html
@@SoundSpeeds 🤨 I thought I have watched this video before, I’ll watch it today again and pay more attention to it, thanks Allen.
Sure thing. If you have any questions, let me know.
This is the kind of expert “sound advice” only to be found here. Great work!
#Accurate
@@SoundSpeeds Bet you could guess my favorite part. (12:42)
Me getting triggered at myself? LOL.
@@SoundSpeeds Yes!!
You know I can be a hothead when I can get mad at myself.
THANK YOU! Very helpful and useful advice. And interesting! The table especially so. Can I ask how you would adjust (if at all) this placement and listening method to accommodate for a different pickup pattern like super or hypercardioid? Or is that a long-form question in a short-form format? 😆
I would listen. ;-) The basic rules are the same though.
@@SoundSpeeds Thanks!
Sure thing. Thanks for watching.
What mic would you suggest for a beginning youtuber. Limited budget, preferably off camera. A lav mic is tough because I have a guitar that will hit it.
That's a tough question without a right answer. There are many options depending on you acoustics, size of the shot, how loud you are, etc
@@SoundSpeeds I have a $20 lav mic on a guitar stand just below me off camera and it's still clipping. My voice carries. I film in a typical bedroom, the atypical part is the ceiling is 10 feet. If that helps...
Partially
Hm, should i uses cardiod or shotgun in reverb rooms? What about interferenz?
Depends.
@@SoundSpeeds thats a Hard answer :(
It's an impossible to answer question since you gave me zero details. What are you recording? Voice over? Game streaming? An interview? How loud are you? What is your budget? How are you recording it? Why are you recording in that room? How noisy is your environment? What kind of interference are you talking about - EMI, RFI, electrostatic, etc? This is like asking me who you should vote for? What country? Who are the choices? Politics or your church secretary? It could be anything and if I guess based on no info, I wouldn't want to mislead you just because I don't know key information. Knowing nothing, I'll assume you're recording a podcast so go with a dynamic cardioid microphone.
I have to tell, from a person who is totally new to this Sound World. WOW. FANTASTIC video!
Just susbcribe. Thanks for putting all that info in a simple way
Have a Productive and Healthy Day!
Likewise. Welcome to the rabbit hole that is sound!
@@SoundSpeeds Thanks!
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Polish movies often sound as if the dialogue was picked off the wall lol
LOL
Great video Allen, glad I'm able to give you ideas for videos from my horrible audio :)
LOL. You're constantly stepping up your audio game. This was more for boom ops although the rules also apply to everyone else using shotgun mics too.
What brands of pole and holder are those you’ve got the mic on?
Rycote pistol grip shockmount and K-Tek Mighty Boom segment.
Hello thanks for the info, can you let me know how do I charge this microphone? I connected the usb cable from the microphone to the camera and it doesnt work its always with the red light on instead of being green :( please help me thanks!
What microphone?
Thank you for this interesting demonstration. I studied audio engineering for events/stage many years ago and this was still very useful!
I'd like to add that when picking up bounced sound from a table or a wall can be an artistic choice it also causes a lot of phasing when the boom mic or the sound source is moving. As you said; in a controlled environment and with knowledge it's a great way to get what you want. But in less controlled circumstances it's often better to try going for the solution with the least reflections and as much direct sound as possible :)
Yes, absolutely. Post can add reverb if it looks like the scene should have some and your microphone technique has reduced too much. The key is to have the microphone on axis while playing the pattern. That's where the skill lies.
@@SoundSpeeds It's a skill I'll get to try next week! I've owned two shotgun mics for recording audiences at DJ performances but now I've been asked to help a friend with recording audio for an amateur zombie movie. I got myself a røde boom, a deadcat and a Zoom H5 handheld recorder. Now I found myself watching your videos to pick up some knowledge.
If you will, which one of your video's would you recommend to those with some professional experience with microphones but who are new to boom operating?
How about an entire playlist?
ua-cam.com/play/PLpPR2HcQu7YIYoynp0ULZ8BY53Pgj0HbJ.html
@@SoundSpeeds holy- that's a list I won't get to finish before the job! But I'll pick from it what I think I'll need most. Thank you!
Sure thing. Also there are many videos, if you go thru my video list, that have boom op skills in it. Things like how to boom walk and talks (ua-cam.com/video/gL1aq4j5L7Q/v-deo.html) and pro plant mic techniques (ua-cam.com/video/PkCNcXIfysA/v-deo.html) amongst many more if you look at the titles. I don't clickbait you so the title will tell you what I cover
Hey Allen, Two questions: How often do you get to experiment on set prior to the first take with someone talking as a stand-in? And how often do you switch up your mic position from take to take to experiment with surface reflections (as long as it's not a problem with lighting & camera)?
With a stand in? I don't do that because they are never like the actor. I often change up my position on the first take (if not prior during a line up) if I'm not happy with what I am hearing. Or as needed if there's a change.
I didn't understand why I felt like I was hitting the sweet spot when I wasn't pointing the NTG3 directly at the actor. You just explained IN-DEPTH exactly why that occurs. Thanks!
Sure thing Taurai. Thanks for watching!
I’m fairly new to sound and not as experienced in mic placement so what type of microphone would you recommend indoors and why? Also, what brands/models?
Depends on the budget, use, sound you're going for, treatment, etc. This is very open ended.
@@SoundSpeeds let’s say a medium sized room in a house (maybe 20x25x10 feet) that is completely untreated with very little furniture being used, something one would use on amateur film set. Going for a more natural sound in the voice, maybe something close to what a popular Sennheiser shotgun would give, under $1000.
A Supercardioid microphone without an Interference tube would do you well. Probably an AT 4053b would serve you well.
I'm sorry, but I used an NTG3 in a house once. It sounded awful and I know how to use microphones, I quickly switched over to an indoor hyper cardioid (There was a reason I started with a Shotgun) I wouldn't recommend using a shot gun in a small space. Not ever. Shot guns are good at rejecting sound from a distance such as out doors and that's what they should be used for.
I agree with you completely. Unfortunately sound mixers sometimes insist on us using a particular microphone that we normally wouldn't. I would also reach for a pencil condenser over a shotgun indoors though. Anytime.
I only ever come here just to check the Rottweiler sound cage
Ok... Well, welcome.
Your missing environmental location. Your voice is also a little muddy. Definitely good pickup and levels, but the voice is feels disassociated due to lack of location, my brain does not feel like you are sitting in a room, or outdoors or in a hall or church, or anywhere. Throw a few reflection surfaces in a few places on your walls. Move your pop filter back from your microphone if that is muddying your reproduction. I have learnt from your presentation, I always wonder if I could use shotguns for better cancellation. It works for you because you do not have voice reflection from your studio, so it is not being cancelled, but you lose the location awareness, which makes the voice disassociated.
In this video I'm moved out into my very untreated room and only behind me to the right is treated. What you say is good too note though. Hearing the room for what it is is very important. That's part of natural sound even though taming aggressive reflections is preferred.
@@SoundSpeeds your experiments were very good, I liked the wall reflection samples, I find in your proofed room the distribution grid on the walls interesting too. I do understand when mixing you need clean stripped vokals, only in solo would you want dimension. I am still going through what you presented, allot of good experiments. Thanks again
Thank you and thank you for watching.
I know this sounds crazy, I went with a birectional mic in a smaller room, which actually cleared up some of my muddiness, 3 feet from the wall and 2 feet from the mic, it cleared up the proximity, plosives, the mild reflection from the wall gave contrast increasing clarity, I was able to drop the plosives filter, which also made it crisper. I went with the Aston Spirit, I was expecting the cardiod, to deliver better, but less cancellation gave me a better sound, I only had to manage the 3000hz range mildly, the rest I left alone.
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Bruh you spend so much time for perfect microphone recording setup, but your voice is so flat. I'd recommend working on your voice to make it fuller (add more chest voice to it?), you know.
Your deal in the end of the day.
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@@SoundSpeeds sorry, I didn't want to be negative mate, just something to consider.
If you like how you sound, then great!
I've tried different things over time and grown. It's amazing what turns people on and off to your content. If I'm calm, I put people too sleep. If I'm too excited and animated, I'm too hard to focus on. Just depends.
@@SoundSpeeds I understand, it must've been a journey. Your pace is pretty much perfect if you ask me, it's just the way you position your voice for me. It feels like it's a little pushed into the nasal zone/nose.
I'm sure most of your viewers like how you sound or don't mind it at all. You can't please everyone, you know?
Thanks. My tripod when I hold it and touch it. The mic is picking that up. It’s a comics vm10 pro actually is a really good mic but to have it in place is perfect. When i move it it records the sounds from touching the tripod and I’m trying to be gentle and still records the sound
Are you using a shockmount? If so, have you tested it to make sure it doesn't transfer noise when you interact directly with it? If it does, you may need a battery shockmount and that could fix everything.
@@SoundSpeeds im not using a shockmount im using a tripod that bends and easy to place or hang thats the only reason why im using it i wanted to see if i can attach something to it to remove sensitivity and will not pick the sound when i hold it
Yes, a shockmount. It prevents direct transfer of vibration into the microphone capsule.
Thanks. Will get one.