<p>You should definitely get a mixer!</p>

<p>The "complete" setup for audio would include:</p>

<ul>
<li>a field mixer (like the PSC ProMix just for example) - needs XLR in/out</li>
<li>lavolier microphones</li>
<li>shotgun mic (or other very directional mic) with boom or pistol grip - this way you aren't stuck with the lavoliers all the time!</li>
<li>cables connecting the microphones to the mixer</li>
<li>your recording device</li>
<li>cables connecting the recording device to the mixer</li>
<li>headphones to monitor the sound coming in, and going out, of the mixer</li>
</ul>

<p>Note I say your recording device, because theoretically you could record to the camera (not recommended).</p>

<p>The monitoring part is pretty crucial, because you don't want to be surprised in postproduction.</p>

<p>I prefer more directional microphones, because lavoliers can pick up some kinds of ambient noise.  Note however: a shotgun requires skill and endurance to use correctly!  Not to mention, an extra person on your crew.</p>

<p>I would also avoid wireless if you can.  It seems cool, but there's always some unexpected source of interference, and it can potentially add a lot of time to your set-up.</p>

<p>I hope this helps!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-01T01:51:23.487Z
A mixer is really overkill if he only needs two inputs.  Lavolier mics or shotgun mics is a good option and XLR based inputs are a neccessity to use good quality mics, but any multi-line capture device (such as a Zoom h4n) can capture more channels at a cheaper price with less work needed in the field.  Unless you need immediate feedback or need to mix on the fly, with a dedicated sound tech during your recording, a field mixer doesn't really help a whole lot.  It also doesn't really matter if you go direct in to camera as long as the camera has a decent ADC (depends on the camera).
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-01T01:52:35.807Z
Also, shotgun mics are generally more prone to ambient noise since they are used at a distance, they are, however, less prone to localized noise, such as cloth brushing near the mic.  Proper placement of a LAV is critical to getting good audio from one though (just like with a shotgun mic).
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-31T22:05:09.390Z
2014-05-31T22:05:09.390Z
MonkeyWidget
<p>I’d like to get a decent sound while recording a video interview (two people). What I have:</p>

<ul>
<li>Panasonic GH3 camera</li>
<li>Tascam DR-40 Mk II sound recorder</li>
</ul>

<p>What I’d like:</p>

<ul>
<li>Get as close as possible and keep the noise down.</li>
<li>Keep the number of devices down.</li>
<li>Battery-operated is a plus.</li>
</ul>

<p>It looks like two lapel microphones are the way to go. But the recorder I have can’t record from two sources at once, should I get a mixer? Also, I’d love the microphones to be connected wirelessly, but a bundle of a wireless lapel mic and the receiving station looks quite expensive. What are my options?</p>

<audio-recording>
How do I record decent sound during an interview?
zoul
# How do I record decent sound during an interview?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-05-31)

I’d like to get a decent sound while recording a video interview (two people). What I have:

* Panasonic GH3 camera
* Tascam DR-40 Mk II sound recorder

What I’d like:

* Get as close as possible and keep the noise down.
* Keep the number of devices down.
* Battery-operated is a plus.

It looks like two lapel microphones are the way to go. But the recorder I have can’t record from two sources at once, should I get a mixer? Also, I’d love the microphones to be connected wirelessly, but a bundle of a wireless lapel mic and the receiving station looks quite expensive. What are my options?

**Tags:** audio-recording


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-05-31. Score: 2

You should definitely get a mixer!

The "complete" setup for audio would include:

* a field mixer (like the PSC ProMix just for example) - needs XLR in/out
* lavolier microphones
* shotgun mic (or other very directional mic) with boom or pistol grip - this way you aren't stuck with the lavoliers all the time!
* cables connecting the microphones to the mixer
* your recording device
* cables connecting the recording device to the mixer
* headphones to monitor the sound coming in, and going out, of the mixer

Note I say your recording device, because theoretically you could record to the camera (not recommended).

The monitoring part is pretty crucial, because you don't want to be surprised in postproduction.

I prefer more directional microphones, because lavoliers can pick up some kinds of ambient noise. Note however: a shotgun requires skill and endurance to use correctly! Not to mention, an extra person on your crew.

I would also avoid wireless if you can. It seems cool, but there's always some unexpected source of interference, and it can potentially add a lot of time to your set-up.

I hope this helps!

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: A mixer is really overkill if he only needs two inputs.  Lavolier mics or shotgun mics is a good option and XLR based inputs are a neccessity to use good quality mics, but any multi-line capture device (such as a Zoom h4n) can capture more channels at a cheaper price with less work needed in the field.  Unless you need immediate feedback or need to mix on the fly, with a dedicated sound tech during your recording, a field mixer doesn't really help a whole lot.  It also doesn't really matter if you go direct in to camera as long as the camera has a decent ADC (depends on the camera).  
> **username_2**: Also, shotgun mics are generally more prone to ambient noise since they are used at a distance, they are, however, less prone to localized noise, such as cloth brushing near the mic.  Proper placement of a LAV is critical to getting good audio from one though (just like with a shotgun mic).  

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