Microphones for interviewing - my questions for the Forum

[ura]

Hi, I'm wondering if I could tap the experience of the forum...

I've just bought an NHF-800 and would like to make voice recordings within my family. I've been looking and reading around and while I was initially favouring the Sound Professionals omni mikes I'm no longer sure that they're the best choice because it seems pretty intrusive to attach a clip to someone so that you can record them...so, what I'm wondering is:

- what do people think of the sound quality from a mic like the Apex 162? How would that compare to mics like the Sony ECM-MS907 or the ECM-DS70P? How would it compare to the Sound Professionals Omni stereo mics?

- is there any small omni stereo mic out there that consists of a single unit (instead of the two mic heads like the sound Professionals omni stereo mikes have)?

- which mic would people recommend for interviews that does not need to be clipped to the interviewee?

Thanks for the replies!

[ratbagradio]

I know very little about mics except that people will tell you -- and I guess I've learnt to agree -- that a good mic makes for great audio. Unfortunately the real good stuff comes at a price.

My very first imperative was that I wanted microphones that are plug in power. I didn't want to have battery up another device or carry around a preamp. I think that was the right decision as I have rigged a stand on an old digital camera tripod about 8 inches high and I can tripod that on a desk or fold it up for hand held work. The stand is also useful when I tape the mic to large stands or rostrums. With plug in power I also can run a lead of varying lengths from my HiMD to the mic. That means I can monitor the recording at some distance by listening through earphones even though I'm separate from the speaker.

I bought a Sony ECM DS30P mic initially and it is useful for close in work as it doesn't pick up much backgroud. But it has to be worked in close. I don't recommend it for your job it as it isn't very versatile. But its a good mic.

Then I bought a Visivox SCM-Broadcast-PRO on spec. This was excellent value because not only is it a very good mic -- to my ears anyway -- but it is TWO mics so that in doing an interview you can record (and later edit) each of the two speakers on separate channels. The other advantage is that when I don't want to use two leads I simply unplug one mic and use that as a single stereo mic attached to the end of my mic lead.

Now I think the Visivox setup may suit your task --remembering that while it can be free standing or lapel mounted(there is a very crude clip), it picks up a lot of ambiance. While I use the Sony sometimes my general usage tends to favour one or both of the Visivox PRO mics.

Note that where Visivox may differ from Giant Squid mics(GS is major brand for MD "plug in power"mics) is in materials used. I think you'll find better quality construction, stronger in materials used, than with GS. BUT remember IF you use separate mics -- and your recording on the Visivox will be to each channel and the play back will play that way too., unless you edit. So each speaker gets a primary channel in record AND playback. This can be a problem if one speaker speaks for a long time so that the listener (on earphones) will hear them primarily in one ear rather than two.

But if you want to edit, that option is a real plus as it separates the two speakers onto different tracks... you can also combine the two channels into stereo (or mono) if you like through an edit.

And to give you an idea of some of the usage: at a protest rally I employ one of the Visivox mics to capture speakers and to walk with the crowd among cheers and chants. But when I want to interview someone inside that din I switch to the Sony and move the mic to and from my head and their's(you don't hold it stationary like they do on TV-- that's a radio law). When I record phone calls, for interviews, I prefer to use my HiMD and I rest/point one Visivox mic on the speaker phone and pin the other to my person. In face to face interviews I'd use both Visivox mics -- one for me and the other person I interview, with the stand situated near them and pointed their way (as I find lapels can unnerve and distract interviewees. It's best to make the setup unobtrusive).

[A440]

I find lapels can unnerve and distract interviewees.

I'm surprised that you say this. When you clip a little lapel microphone to someone, you get good, consistent positioning--they're not moving closer to or further away from the mic--and it's out of their line of sight. They forget they're wearing it. Just make sure they don't start fidgeting with the wire.

Whereas when you have a mic sitting on the table pointed at someone, they are often aware of it--looking down at it instead of looking you in the eye. I'm not talking about a using a fairly big mic like a Sony DS70P as a lapel mic, but small lightweight ones.

For interviews, you can find a mono mic wired to a stereo plug--so you get the interviewee in both channels--or two mics that can be used the way ratbagradio uses his Visivox pair.

The Sound Pros BMC-2 and microphones like them are the size of pencil erasers. They're not obtrusive.

If you do get a table mic or handheld mic, it's probably a good idea to get a cardioid (directional) one so that it will isolate your subject's voice. The Sony ECM MS907 is directional.

Sound Professionals, Microphone Madness and others have quite a variety of mics. Ura, you are describing a single-point stereo mic, and there are plenty available.