what kind of mic should i buy??

[bigwignjhxc]

hey im looking to find a really nice mic for field recording, any one have any recommendations? i been looking into the rode ntg-3.

[Uncle Bob]

Define "Field Recording".

Are you recording dialog? Sound FX? Ambiences?

The NTG-3 has a very nice rep (I haven't used on yet), but there are lots of other options and many different mics depending upon the specific situation.

[bigwignjhxc]

sfx, ambience, dialogue.... the whole 9... but right now mainy for sfx and ambience

[charles maynes]

you will need more than one-

If you want to go with the bare minimum, buy a pair of Schoeps CMC pre's and MK4 capsules- you wont regret the purchase.

[Smallbudgetguru]

The poor man's alternative. Oktava pre with various polar pattern heads. But if your just starting out. Get an NTG-2 to start doing SFX cues. Stereo mic later on. Build ambiences from layered recordings you make with your shot.

[Enos]

Hi Charles!
Have you tested the CMD digital amplifier modules from Schoeps? I am looking to buy a pair of CMC6 + MK4's but noticed the digital amplifier modules and was wondering if any of you guys had tested them yet?

For ambience and fx recording would you say I am really a lot better off with a pair of CMC6+MK4's as opposed to a Neumann 184 pair? The Neumanns are slightly cheaper but are the Schoeps really that much better? Especially concerned about noise level and output gain.

[charles maynes]

I have not tried the Digital Schoeps mics but I love the CMC/MK4 combo- it is not perfect, but if you add a Sennheiser MKH416, you have the classic sound of Hollywood film sound in your hands-

The Schoeps (I think) are better with transients than the KM's, but they are a little bit more noisy. I do think they sound richer though, but that is totally subjective....

[Enos]

Funny you mentioned the 416 as I just bought myself a second hand one. However, it is one of the older T powered models. It was so cheap (about $200 with the T-P48 adaptor and a Rycote softie) that I just had to get it :P

Would you say there is a large difference with the T powered model compared to the newer P48 version? I am hoping to get a MKH 60 soon which would become my main boom. But for now do you think the 416T will be fine for some smaller productions?

Regarding the Schoeps, do you mean they are slightly noisier than the 184's? I've been using the 184's and they are EXTREMELy quiet and my main use for the stereo pair would be ambience recording and fx as well as foley recording of quieter sources at times. So considering the 184's are significantly cheaper would you say a pair of them would be a good buy and would you justify spending about 3 times the price on the Schoeps CMC6+ MK4's?

Also, if I do get something of the 180 series. Would you recommend 184s (cardioid) or would it be better to get a 183(omni) or 185 (hyper). I never liked the idea of using hypers for ambience as I guessed it would colour the sound more. Omni's I guess would be fine for ambience but then not so good as individual mono mics on fx. Is my thinking right here?

[charles maynes]

I rent those mics so I dont really know- the T power 416 is great, and if you ever want to sell it I will gladly pay you what you have in it....


As the KM's vs the Schoeps- you really need to hear them side by side.... they are both good- and have quite different qualities- I would not buy the Schoeps new either as they are quite dear....

[Enos]

Thanks for all that advice Charles! With the 416 and the 744T acquired, I am hoping to get a nice stereo pair over the next month or so as well as a Barcus Berry Planar Wave contact mic+preamp. That should be a nice starting rig for ambience and fx recording as well as the odd production sound recording on smaller projects.

Regarding the stereo mic pair I think I might be going for a pair of 184s as I can get a pair of "B-stock" ones for quite cheap (over 3 times cheaper than a Schoeps CMC6+41) pair. The recordings I have done with borrowed 184's so far have been fantastic so I do believe it will be a good purchase! Maybe adding a MD421 as a dynamic too.


Thanks once again guys!