AES Recording Forum

Hi Everyone!

I run a weekly professional podcast in LA.  Every month or so we have listeners supply questions for an interactive Q & A that I stream through Periscope.  I also record the Q & A for a podcast episode.  

The first time I mic'd my performers up with AKG 414's on boom stands, which offered great audio quality—but the aesthetic was shot down by the creative director.

Next I tried Sennheiser lav's (ew 112-p G3 with ME-2’s).  This kept the Director happy with the aesthetic but the audio quality doesn't even compare. 

1.  Has anyone ever used the Sennheiser ew 112-p G3 lavalier microphones with great success? If so, any ideas of why i am not getting my desired high level of audio quality?

2.  Suggestions for an alternative microphone scheme to accommodate both aesthetics and audio quality?

3. Should i be using Shotgun microphones instead? (Rhodes NLG2’s)

I would use a cardioid microphone on a boom stand but out of camera. If indoor, the use of a shotgun could be worse because of the reflections from the ceiling or the walls. Of course it depends from the positining and the size of the room. You should try both and see what works best. You should be able to keep the microphone at a distance such that the interviewee is able to reach with their hand and still be out of shot. I hope this helps.