mics used in candid camera shoots

[Debasish]

i'm interested to know about the mics used in candid camera shoots ,if anybody has experience in these type of shoots pls. let me know in detail.

[Eric Toline]

If by Candid Camera you're refering to reality type shows then wireless units are the main feeds with shotgun mcs on booms as the backup.

For shotgun mics you'll find both Sennheiser 60's & 416's. There might also be mics from Sanken, Neuman or Schoeps.

The wireless units can be Lectro, Sennheiser or any other top of the line units with usually Tram, Sanken, Countryman or Sonotrim lav mics.


Eric

[Debasish]

hi Eric thanx for the reply. well what i mean here is a kind of reality show where the characters involved doesn't know that they r on cam. generally i use the mics which u had mentioned in ur reply but very often i face problems in getting good sound because of hiding a lav mic at a distance & the size of shotgun mics .

now to be specific i'm looking for very small size/wirefree/ high sensitive/ directional shotgun mics. if u ve come across these type of mics pls. let me know the model no. & other details .



Debu

[Eric Toline]

Your best choice might be PZM or boundry layer mics like the Sanken CUB-1. There really is no small short shotgun besides the new Sanken CS 1 but even that is not going to put you on top of the action.

I don't know your situation but I would think the more hidden mics the better. In projects like you describe, there's all ways a compromise.

Eric

[Tom P]

Hi,
Ambient makes a kind of small shotgun, the Tiny Mike: www.ambient.de
I believe mostly lavs are used? In a prepared location, there are chances to plant several microphones, even shotguns. You can hide lavs on many objects, not only persons. Like Eric said, boundary mikes give you good quality, if properly mounted, e.g. mount them to walls.

If the producer/director accept it: you can put lavs to other persons, that are not directly involved in the talking, but could bring the mikcrophone closer to the action. Another option is to build a ceiling that is made out of fabric, so a boomperson can pickup sound from behind.

Tom P

[Jason Porter]

what about the Adaptive Array mic from Audio Technica, a couple of those in the hands of professionals may do the trick!

otherwise, planted PZM's, lavs on surrounding people and objects...?

what about the Quantum5X Tx, could you plant it on a person without them knowing?, sewn into a jacket?

-Jason