Pretty much it. I record a bridal party looking at dresses for the wedding. I used onboard mic as this is all I have. Audio is not good as you all know. So I wanted to get a mic highest price tag $300. Its for a family member and free so thats why I really didn't push to get a mic before the date. but I might as well.

thanks

dew

Rode NTG 2. Amazing. It outperforms mics with triple the price.

Rode

P.S. For my HV30 I have the VideoMic.

Thanks, I looked at both and  the video mic was a better price but do you think it is just as good as the NTG in sound capture. If so I might go with that one.

I have used both. NTG2 is better and more reach in sound. With Video Mic you have to gain it up at post a little but the sound is better than the on board mic.

It depends on what you need it for. Tell me exactly what you will do with the mic and the VX2.1K.

I am looking to use it to pick up some gigs. Local commericals if possible, weddings, interviews for short docs.

The good thing is that VideoMic has integrated shockmount while for NTG2 you must buy one because VX2.1K has no place for a mic.

VideoMic will look like s..t on VX2.1K while it looks good on the HV30.

You should use the AGC in VX2.1K to have the reachest sound from those mics.

But you should control the area you shooting about the sounds.

When I am shooting I am closing everthing around (from music to mouths talking).

If I was you I would buy the NTG2 for the VX2.1K. Been there and done this.

I have had a Senheiser shockmount but I think that Rode sells a very good and cheap one.

NTG2+Shockmount+dead cat(windshield) for little money. A combination that can't be underestimated.

P.S. I have directed over 40 full shows with that combination. PD170+NTG2.

The Rode Video Mic is an awesome mic and at only $149... it is an incredible product.  Plus it looks good too o  n a VX2100.

VideoMic will look like s..t on VX2.1K while it looks good on the HV30.

• George... you are all wet!
  

You should use the AGC in VX2.1K to have the reachest sound from those mics.

• Not Necessary.  If you are within 5-6 feet of subject, they will sound almost as good as if they were wearing a lav mic
  

If I was you I would buy the NTG2 for the VX2.1K

• Just one persons opinion.  Video Mic is a great product at a great price
  

 

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I don't know George, it looks pretty good to me lol. For the price I feel like I should get the vid mic. But Andy what about the sound quality. Do you have anything on your site were you used it. 

Ok then get the video mic. It's better than NTG2.

dew:

But Andy what about the sound quality. Do you have anything on your site were you used it. 

Here is a link to last year's trip to Europe.  It was all shot using a 3 chip Panasonic GS500 and the Rode Mic.  100% of the on-screen audio/commentary was recorded with the Rode including the street performance in Koblenz. 

LINK

I bought a Sennheiser ME80 and Boom pole in 1992 and would not use anything less. The ME80 has been discontinued but the ME66 is a great (perhaps even better) replacement. If you have BIG money the MKH series sound like Silk blowing in the wind on a calm day.

 

I should add that IMO having a great wireless lav in addition to a nice Shootgun mic is critical. There have been many times when having a very short range Lav has saved the audio when trying to interview someone in a very noisey enviroment. I just purchused a SONY UWP-1 for aprox 500 that is VERY nice for the price. Most low end lavs really (IMO) Suck and are way to tinny to use but this SONY does a great job for the price.

Like everything the more and varied Kit you own the more and varied work you can get as some clients have expectations that go beyond our gear.

I have the Rode Videomic also and really like it.  However, from time to time it's necessary for me to spray the bands on the shockmount with silicone spray because they develop a squeek that has at times been audible on tape. Of course it was only in very quiet scenes when I was shooting handheld or when someone else brushed against the tripod, (or I fumbled with a control). You get it. Not a big deal. As an aside, the pickup pattern of the mike might lead a person to believe that something like a squeek from the shockmount would not show up on tape, but it has a couple of times for me. So now when I'm packing up the gear to go shoot, I intentionally jiggle the mike to see if it sounds squeeky. If it does, I give it a spray.  But be sure to use a silicone spray, not something like WD-40. WD-40 can dissolve some petroleum based material.

 

Hope this helps.

Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun I saw this for 199. Any thoughts? I found the Rode for 149.

Rode redesigned the bands,  Call them and ask for a new set.

I am not familiar with this line of Sennheiser mics, but in general Sennheiser is a superior product. (it's German just like Liquid)

Spend as much as you can afford on a microphone and do buy a boom pole. Microphones, like lenses, only get better incrementally and a very good mike now will still be a very good mike in ten years. That's not likely with any other gear. Good mikes also hold their value. You can resell them if you must and not loose your shirt.  I use a Sennheiser 416 as a shotgun and Countryman B6's for lavalieres. I'm generally cheap but have no regrets with these.

No matter what the microphone, it won't do much good if it's far away from the subject. Buy a boompole.

Right on Marc, as my mentor told me:

"Good, Better Best, never let it rest till your good is gooder and your Best is BEST!"