4 ms·

Or why not use a shotgun microphone? That's what we (well, audio guys) generally tend to use on film and TV sets.

hammock 10y ago
Does not eliminate room noise. If you have worked sound on a film or TV set I'm sure you are familiar with capturing room noise on a quiet set to mix in during post.
- Keyframe 10y ago
  Yeah, you're right. Sound guys always pick up room tone before or after the shoot. I was under the impression shotgun was used to eliminate/avoid sound sources that are not desirable. From my, limited sound experience, I've seen sound guys use it like that on my sets. For example, there's some noise from certain direction, but I am told not to worry about it since it won't be picked up with shotgun. Lo and behold, it wasn't there in the source material. It's probably due to many factors I'm not aware of though (sound reflecting of stuff etc.). They do turn off all the A/C's, fridges, and everything that's humming and buzzing though.
  - DINKDINK 10y ago
    The reason shotgun microphones are used is because the polar pattern[1] is highly directionally. Basically the amount of sound that a shotgun type microphone picks up is very strong in one direction and less in another. This reduces peripheral sound being recorded at the same level as your target sound. [1] http://www.proaudioland.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/polar-patterns.jpg http://www.proaudioland.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/po...
combatentropy 10y ago
Studios normally use microphones with larger diaphragms, because they sound fuller. But they're too fragile for field recording. Hence small-diaphragm condenser microphones, like your shotgun.
riprowan 10y ago
Shotgun mics have a pinched sound quality - the whole point of using U87s is the way they sound. They can switch to SM7s or RE20s and achieve much better S/N with respect to air handling systems, but they want the "U87 sound" (they can keep it, too, IMO - it's painfully neutral) and that just entails a much higher "room noise to signal" ratio.

Does not eliminate room noise. If you have worked sound on a film or TV set I'm sure you are familiar with capturing room noise on a quiet set to mix in during post.

Keyframe 10y ago
Yeah, you're right. Sound guys always pick up room tone before or after the shoot. I was under the impression shotgun was used to eliminate/avoid sound sources that are not desirable. From my, limited sound experience, I've seen sound guys use it like that on my sets. For example, there's some noise from certain direction, but I am told not to worry about it since it won't be picked up with shotgun. Lo and behold, it wasn't there in the source material. It's probably due to many factors I'm not aware of though (sound reflecting of stuff etc.). They do turn off all the A/C's, fridges, and everything that's humming and buzzing though.
- DINKDINK 10y ago
  The reason shotgun microphones are used is because the polar pattern[1] is highly directionally. Basically the amount of sound that a shotgun type microphone picks up is very strong in one direction and less in another. This reduces peripheral sound being recorded at the same level as your target sound. [1] http://www.proaudioland.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/polar-patterns.jpg http://www.proaudioland.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/po...

combatentropy 10y ago

Studios normally use microphones with larger diaphragms, because they sound fuller. But they're too fragile for field recording. Hence small-diaphragm condenser microphones, like your shotgun.

riprowan 10y ago

Shotgun mics have a pinched sound quality - the whole point of using U87s is the way they sound. They can switch to SM7s or RE20s and achieve much better S/N with respect to air handling systems, but they want the "U87 sound" (they can keep it, too, IMO - it's painfully neutral) and that just entails a much higher "room noise to signal" ratio.