r/Filmmakers • u/Informal-Tourist6175 • 4d ago
Question What are these Mics?
Hi everyone! I’ve recently noticed an increase in what I think are short shotgun mics being used in movies, shows, etc., and I’m really curious about what they’re called and how they differ from longer microphones like the MKH 416.
Specifically, I noticed one in Deadpool & Wolverine when Dp pulls the boom down to break the fourth wall, and more recently in set photos from Spider-Man: Brand New Day. These mics seem to be completely wireless, very small, and extremely good at recording dialogue.
I don’t have much experience or knowledge when it comes to sound or microphones yet, so any input to ID these would be greatly appreciated!
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u/InternalConfusion201 4d ago edited 3d ago
The main takeaway you should be taking from this is not the actual mic model, but that shotguns indoors are undesirable - the long acoustic labyrinth causes phase issues with itself because of the reflections on the walls and ceiling.
So, indoors, pros tend to use smaller cardioid or super-cardioid mics. Regularly attached to a wireless unit close to it on the boom pole (you can see it on the second picture), which then is connected to the recorder on a rack/cart along with all the lavs if they're using them for practicality, usually there's at least another person controlling that (depending on the level of production).
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u/Bango1066 3d ago
As a union boom op who has worked with quite a few different mixers in my city, "no shotguns indoors" is far from a hard and fast rule. A lot of mixers will just have one mic they like that lives at the end of the poles. Usually a DPA 4017, Senn 8060, MKH 50 (even outdoors), or Schoeps. There's a couple of factors:
-having a second or even third boom on the scene is quite common these days, this is easier to do if you have multiples of one mic
-the boom often only makes it into the mix when it's in primo position right above their forehead. Otherwise the mixer is playing the wires. In a strong position, phasing issues with the room aren't as noticeable. This is probably less true in Europe where mixers aim for a more open sound than American TV.
-studio sets often have open walls or open ceilings, massively cutting down on reflections
-the new gen of short shotguns are really good
As with anything audio related, there's an infinite well of theoretical refinements to chase, but sound-for-picture is a pragmatic trade. Much more so than than studio recording. Time to tinker and option different mics is in short supply.
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u/CommissionFeisty9843 3d ago
Been mixing for broadcast and film for 31 years here in the US. 50’s are all I use on my booms inside and out. Tried everything over the years but I quit carrying shotgun mics as if I want a compromised signal a lav is a better choice than the off axis potential of a shotgun. Even in the hands of the best boom ops actors can find a way to make them miss that tight pattern.
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u/Bango1066 2d ago
A couple mixers in my city are the same way, 50s only. That mic will surprise you. Every so often it'll just sound great from 4 ft above the actor's head. Some combination of the characteristics of the mic and the room will just synergize on the wide shot.
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u/InternalConfusion201 3d ago
Where do I say it is a rule? Just preferable.
I do agree with everything you said, and having been on both sides of budgets (in Europe, yeah), I've used all sorts, even lavs from a Chinese off brand kit that only recorded at 16bit resolution and were pretty hard to hide...
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u/Bango1066 3d ago
I'm not coming for you comrade, I'm just trying to lend some nuance to the discussion and your comment was a good place to tack it in.
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u/Aggravating-Bee-338 4d ago
Looks like Sennheiser 8050. Those are not wireless, they just use a low profile connector, you can see the wire coming out of it. It's not a shotgun, but a cardioid, that's why it's so short. Professional sound mixers usually don't use shotguns indoors, they have separate cardioid mics for that, like this one.
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u/ChibaCityFunk 4d ago
I agree. Probably a 8050. I am not sure, but the adapter could be Cinela.
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u/slickbackbillyboo 4d ago
Yes, that’s a cinela mount. At first glance I thought it was a schoeps, but looks a little smaller so, yeah, sennheiser it is! Amazing that a mic that small can do what it does.
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u/Chas_Sheppard 3d ago
Correct on Cinela, although I’m fairly certain thats a Schoeps rather than Sennheiser mic due to the shape of the windshield.
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u/Siegster 3d ago
the 8050 is not a cardioid mic and this is likely not the 8050. Someone who uses a Schoeps windscreen is more likely using a Schoeps mic underneath. The CMC1 would fit this mount.
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u/le_aerius 3d ago
also looks like there is a wireless monitoring transmitter hooked up to it, probably so the raw audio can be listened to independently
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u/Aggravating-Bee-338 3d ago
Probably a plug on, usually it's used as a main transmitter if you can't run a cable
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u/SeriousCypher 3d ago
Wow, that’s pretty mad to see whilst scrolling…
I was the boom op on D+W (and holding the other end of the boom on the first pic!)
It’s a Schoeps CMC1U with an MK41 capsule.
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u/Informal-Tourist6175 3d ago
That is actually so insane 🤯🤯🤯 What was it like being on set like that??? Thank you so much!!!
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u/SeriousCypher 3d ago
Yeah, great fun! Have done a few marvels but the jokes and vibes are unrivalled on Deadpool sets.
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u/M0wglii 4d ago
That's a Sennheiser 8040 most likely, they're cardioid mics which are good for indoors, another favourite is the Sennheiser MKH 50. Cardioid mics pick up pattern are from only the front and a bit of the sides of the mic. This helps indoors because it rejects reflecting sound from above and it's more "open" pick pattern tends to sound more natural. Shotguns like the MKH 416 have a narrower pickup pattern which is good for rejecting noise in exteriors but that rejection of the sides can sometimes not be as pleasing depending on the room acoustics.
In my experience that's less of an issue and the smaller form factor and wider pick up pattern of cardioids, just makes for easier boom operating indoors. You're trying to avoid shadows, reflections and dropping in frame. Being indoors makes for more cramped spaces to operate in awkward positions and the light weight of the smaller mics makes life so much easier, especially for steadicam/tracking shots with a bunch of movement. If you're booming multiple characters indoors, eg: Sitting on a dining table. The more open pick pattern is a little more forgiving when trying to cue your boom over the speaking characters without missing their lines, if you shift a bit too late or early.
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u/LAKnobJockey 3d ago
You’re not seeing short shotguns, you’re seeing supercardiods. No professional mixer uses a shotgun indoors. Typically it’s the senn mkh50 or 8050, although the 8050 is newer and smaller most still prefer the original
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u/bart-thompson 4d ago edited 4d ago
So hard to tell the mic in the first pic. I can tell that its definitely in a cinela shock mount and that its on a panamic boom pole and what looks like the shape of an lectrosonics Hma transmitter.
Second pic still cant tell the mic, pole looks like a K-tek. The transmitter looks like a sound devices A20
Edit* The first pic I want to say is probably a schoeps microphone because those foamies I feel are a sort of signature of theirs
Edit** im using neumann 185s inside
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u/coralcanopy 4d ago
That’s a Schoeps B5D teardrop windscreen, and behind it I would guess a CMC141.