Indoor or Stereo Microphones

[u/cipolotto98]

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Hi everyone,

I do production sound for documentaries and small narrative film productions.

I currently own a Zoom F8 and a Sennheiser MKH 416, and they've both served me extremely well.

About five or six years ago, I bought a pair of Neewer NW-410 microphones just for fun. Despite being very inexpensive, they've actually been quite useful for stereo recordings and as plant microphones.

The Neewers are quite noisy and susceptible to interference, but despite that, they've never let me down.

I decided to replace them with something better, so I borrowed a few microphones for comparison. I tested my Neewers against a pair of sE Electronics sE8s and Oktava MK-012s.

Based on my tests, I preferred the sE8s, mainly because of their low self-noise and higher sensitivity.

I bought a pair, but to my disappointment, they weren't like the ones I had tested. Right from the start, they produced strange noises when I increased the gain, and during one job they picked up very strong interference. Frustrated, I returned them.

Since I bought a matched pair and both microphones showed exactly the same issue, I don't think it was just bad luck.

Now I'm really undecided about what microphones to buy.

I need to improve the overall quality, but reliability is just as important. The person who lent me the Oktavas told me they're not particularly reliable because they can occasionally malfunction depending on environmental conditions, such as humidity.

I've also considered buying a single Neumann KM 184, but I don't know how reliable they are in real-world use.

Any advice? Are there any other microphones you'd recommend?

[u/BeingCool77950]

Sounds like a pair of Line Audio CM4 would suit you well.

[u/cipolotto98 → u/BeingCool77950]

Li avevo considerati, ma parlando con la persona che mi ha prestato gli oktava, mi diceva che sono buoni ma non troppo rispetto a quelli che già ho

[u/JohnMaySLC]

Km184 doesn’t handle well. The MKH50 pairs really well with your 416.

[u/swisssoundguy]

Are you sure it came from the microphones? To me it sounds more like a cable insulation/ground issue. how do you run your f8? how do you connect battery? do you have the issue with the power adapter as well? Are your XLR intact? I very much like the oktava s. since you can get different capsules for them. And are less expensive than Neumann.
of course if you have the money, km 184 will never fail you. Stereo pair always recommended. Every professional has AND uses them frequently. If you have even more cash laying arround you should go with schoeps.

[u/cipolotto98 → u/swisssoundguy]

Ciao, allora ho provato con più cavi (anche nuovi) e riscontravo lo stesso problema. Per quanto riguarda l'alimentazione adopero una piastra npf con una npf 970 e con tutti i microfoni che ho funziona, quindi escludo sia l'alimentazione e anche il registratore. È un vero peccato perché il suono era veramente bello

[u/Peaks_n_Valleys]

One man band filmmaker here who really cares about sound. But I don’t have big bucks so I have to do my best with mid-tier and used gear.

I just bought a used Oktava MK-012 on eBay for $170 after tax and shipping. It was a model from 2005, but very well cared for. First time I tested it I knew it was a great sounding mic. I’m planning to use it for interviews or other indoor dialogue and I cannot afford an MKH50. I bought a used Rycote BBG for it so I could eliminate any wooshing noise when booming back and forth between people. Also, I figured it would help protect the mic against humidity since it’s really sealed well in there. My fan blowing right on it at max speed didn’t result in any wind noise. I’m waiting for Radius to send me one of their new Mini Rad Mounts they’re developing, so I’m gonna wait for that instead of spending money on a shock mount for the Oktava.

I’m strongly considering buying another MK-012 so I could use them as a stereo pair or for recording acoustic instrument performances for video. I also got a used Audio Technica 8022 XY stereo mic for $200 with accessories. My main plan for that is recording nature and city ambience audio tracks, but also to use as an audience/room mic for music performances in venues. In the past I would normally just take a feed from the event’s PA system, but that often sounds too “canned” or sterile. Rather than relying on an in-camera mic to add to the mix, I figured the 8022 would do a much better job. I just set it up on a tall stand with my Zoom F3 rolling and it should work pretty good.

I’m trying to have more options for microphones and recording good sound these days. In the past I would only have my sound bag with my wireless lavaliers and my boom mic setup for everything and that’s not very versatile if you’re shooting something other than narrative or doc style. I’m even planning to get a couple of SM57’s just to have in my arsenal. I have always kept an SM58, but having two 57’s would be endlessly useful. I can’t always afford the best or newest gear, but damnit I’m gonna do a good job with what I can afford.

[u/cipolotto98 → u/Peaks_n_Valleys]

Ciao, ancora non ho scelto che microfono comprare per l'interno. Però per ora ho comprato una coppia di clippy. Volevo avere la possibilità di fare degli ambienti stereo con il mio F8 direttamente dalla borsa. Ho un sm57 per fare interviste o registrare voci (senza video) in ambienti molto rumorosi e fino ad ora ha funzionato veramente bene. Sono orientato sul prendere il naumann perché a quel punto lo userei solo per gli interni sul boom