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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: FutureThought on July 06, 2010, 08:50:35 AM

Title: Recording Quiet Sounds & Foley.
Post by: FutureThought on July 06, 2010, 08:50:35 AM

Hello people,

I'd like to know which Microphones (types & brands) are best suited for recording very quiet sound sources & for Foley work. Specifically i'd like to record the sound of paint brushes on canvass. Would a Rode NT1-A be good for Foley? (My budget is about £350 / $550)

Cheers!

Title: Re: Recording Quiet Sounds & Foley.
Post by: notlance on July 06, 2010, 05:44:51 PM

From what I have read, the Rode NT1-A is indeed a quiet microphone.  I have never used this mic, but here is a review:
https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/type/www/audio-reports/Rode_NT1-A_Mics/NT1-A_index.htm (https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/type/www/audio-reports/Rode_NT1-A_Mics/NT1-A_index.htm)

The Sennheiser MKH series combines low noise with high output and are often used in nature recording.  I own several different MKH models, record classical music, and I have never heard noise in my recordings I could attribute to mic noise.  However, the Sennheiser MKH mics exceed your budget, even if you bought used.

There are special low noise measurement mics available that would be about 8 dB quieter than the Rode, but they too would exceed your budget.

Title: Re: Recording Quiet Sounds & Foley.
Post by: FutureThought on July 07, 2010, 04:28:18 PM

Thanks notlance.

Title: Re: Recording Quiet Sounds & Foley.
Post by: Shadow_7 on July 09, 2010, 12:47:32 PM

Gefell M930/M940/M950
http://www.microtechgefell.de/eng/prod/konden/m930-m940/m930_0.htm

7dB noise floor A-weighted.  Although probably beyond most budgets.


You don't really need a special microphone if the room is well treated and there's proximity to the source.  The inherent problem with most soft sources is that they often blend into the ambient noise of their surroundings.  Cricket vs. Ice Machine...  Squeaky chair vs. Air Conditioning...

Title: Re: Recording Quiet Sounds & Foley.
Post by: moooose on July 09, 2010, 05:26:13 PM

Hi

here you find a reliable list of quiet (self noise <16 dBA) mics:
https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/type/www/audio-reports/MicSpecCharts/Mics_16dBA.htm

my 0.02 cents: take a look on the AT 3031/32 (discontinued) or 4021/22 (new version) if you need something more portable than Rode NT1.

Title: Re: Recording Quiet Sounds & Foley.
Post by: guysonic on July 12, 2010, 06:38:27 AM

Many sound designers also require ambient imaging for all kinds of professional sound projects.  My company specializes in custom stereo-surround microphones for these purposes.  See my credits page: www.sonicstudios.com/cinema.htm (http://www.sonicstudios.com/cinema.htm)

While NOT the quietest mics available, they are by far the most natural uncolored sounding consistently recording an accurate virtual reality perspective of what's being heard live at the mic position.  Hundreds of recordings using these mics at: www.sonicstudios.com/mp3.htm (http://www.sonicstudios.com/mp3.htm)

The mic model recommended for your quietest mic stated interest is the DSM-1S/H usually sold with the WHB/N windscreen. 
(http://www.sonicstudios.com/whbmxlr9.jpg)
Same headworn mic is often placed on special LiteGUY baffle on stand or boom for foley work.  See mic page and linked accessories at: www.sonicstudios.com/dsm.htm (http://www.sonicstudios.com/dsm.htm)