Microphone for D500

[Simpo Two]

I've been asked to shoot some video of an actor - nothing fancy, just fixed shots in a studio while they recite a few chunks of various things.

The onboard mic isn't up to it - we tried but it sounds 'roomy' - so I'm looking for suggestions that will be compatible (3.5mm jack). The room is about 10'x12' and I'll be about 5' away from the actor. We need a mic that will just get a nice voice and not the room. My thought is a Lavalier clip mike, either wired or radio, but I'm not sure about impedances, millivolts etc and I don't want to blow up the camera. What would be a affordable wireless clip mic that will turn in good result?

[Simpo Two]

Just ordered this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CHGCQFC/

If it doesn't cut the mustard I'll return it and try something else!

[coach]

Most mics in this class with 3.5mm jacks will be fine. Don’t worry about impedance etc.

We have an £800 Sennheiser shotgun for on camera and overhead pickup. Rarely use it in the mix except as a safety/bit of ambient.

We mostly use Rode Filmmaker wireless packs (occasionally a wireless go) with rode lapels. We also go wired into a field recorder for panels filming etc with the same mics. Excellent results unless in a nasty RF environment.

What you have bought will still pick up some room ambience and won’t sounds as “close” as lapels but give it a try. Good budget camera top mic though for casual work.

[Mr Pointy]

That mic isn't really the right type for your situation, you would do better with a clip on type as you said. There are loads of different types but this one seems to get good reviews & it does mention working with cameras as well as phones & laptops:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Omni-Directional-Micropho...

It's only £15 to try but it's probably not the most robust item. You may find level control is an issue & if you need to go further then a small mixer will give you much more flexibility.

[Simpo Two]

Mr Pointy said:

That mic isn't really the right type for your situation, you would do better with a clip on type as you said. There are loads of different types but this one seems to get good reviews & it does mention working with cameras as well as phones & laptops:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Omni-Directional-Micropho...

It's only £15 to try but it's probably not the most robust item. You may find level control is an issue & if you need to go further then a small mixer will give you much more flexibility.

Thanks. I chose not to go with a clip mike because it will be visible. The task is not to get broadcast quality sound, nor get involved with mixing desks, just to get decent sound in the can in one pass with minimum aggro. I can control recording levels manually in the camera so the first test might be to compare that with auto levels. Will report back!

[Turtle Shed]

If the shot is locked off then stick a mic on a stand/lightweight tripod as close as you can get it to the speaker. Then shoot a few seconds without the mic in place. A few seconds in post production to mask the mic in whatever edit software you use.

I do this a lot.

[Simpo Two]

No video editing capability; these will be rushes straight onto the actor's own SD card to take away. They're for auditions so it's a test of the actor not the videographer - as long as the quality is roughly in the pickle barrel that will be fine

Hoping to get a guinea pig in this weekend for a test.

[Mr Pointy]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks. I chose not to go with a clip mike because it will be visible. The task is not to get broadcast quality sound, nor get involved with mixing desks, just to get decent sound in the can in one pass with minimum aggro. I can control recording levels manually in the camera so the first test might be to compare that with auto levels. Will report back!

OK, but the problem with a camera mounted mic is that you are way closer to the mic than the actor is & I suspect you will still end up with a lot of ambient room noise. It's why all in-shot presenter vocal mics are clip on types.

[Simpo Two]

Mr Pointy said:

OK, but the problem with a camera mounted mic is that you are way closer to the mic than the actor is & I suspect you will still end up with a lot of ambient room noise. It's why all in-shot presenter vocal mics are clip on types.

Agreed; it's a trial and if it's no good it can go back. But it's sure to be better than what we had, ie the camera mic.

It is directional to a certain extent, though not like a shotgun obviously. To get it closer I considered mounting it on the ceiling a la boom mike, but then you have a wiring issue.

[TheRainMaker]

If you can't use a boom and mic, the next best thing would be a lapel mic and some Rycote under covers.