Think being 6 feet away from your source is your problem...

Yeah, thanks, I realise that...

This is within the context of recording sound for a documentary film. You don't always get the chance/time/space to setup your mics as you would want them when your teammates are filming stuff on-the-fly...

I still own a Dolby CAT43, does wonders taming a room!!!
I just used it for that very purpose last week!!!

Also consider an omni lav, a Sony ECM77B can be had for around $200. It intercuts very well if you're using a Sennheiser MKH416 as the boom.
You do use 2 mics on a shoot right??? (backup)

Why are you recording dialog in stereo, that's also part of the problem.

Sony ECM77B

Man, that statement brings back memories!

I remember trying my damndest to kill the feedback behind a certain ride where one of our actors (wearing an ECM77BC in his wig) used to do a show, directly in front of two Clair Brothers R2 cabinets.

The cabinets were hung about 8 feet above, 16 feet apart, and both pointed perfectly in towards center stage.

Good mic, bad setting!
:)

What type of mic? Shotguns are notoriously "roomy".

Also, you should be booming, just putting a mic in the room is not the best way to record dialog/interviews. A professional boom-op can keep the boom out of the shot and is able to adjust the aim of the mic towards each of the speakers as needed.

TVPost is right on with using lavs. For interviews they are the best option. It only takes about two minutes per person to put on.

Less roomy

This is gonna sound crazy but is totally inespensive.

If you don't have money to buy fancy acoustic foam like auralex, you have to understand that your room's reverb can be reduced if you have some stuff in it.

Let me explain.

If you walk in an empty room an you talk or just clap your hands you will listen to the big reverd inmediatly, but after you put your tv, bed, desk or other things, it will change little by little.

What's in the room?

If it is barely full guess what. LOTS of reverb.
Bring some stuff in it. At leats for the recording session. A sofa, or maybe just hang some curtins.

Good luck

William Rivera

Yer right, that does sound crazy...

+10 on the crazy!
8-)

Re: Less roomy

lesspaul wrote: This is gonna sound crazy but is totally inespensive.

If you don't have money to buy fancy acoustic foam like auralex, you have to understand that your room's reverb can be reduced if you have some stuff in it.

Let me explain.

If you walk in an empty room an you talk or just clap your hands you will listen to the big reverd inmediatly, but after you put your tv, bed, desk or other things, it will change little by little.

What's in the room?

If it is barely full guess what. LOTS of reverb.
Bring some stuff in it. At leats for the recording session. A sofa, or maybe just hang some curtins.

Good luck

William Rivera

Yer not crazy. This is a valid technique, barring you have the extra space. A sofa can kill some bass, bookshelves and curtains can kill some high end.

For the original poster, SPL Transient Designer... or the Sonnox software version can do the trick ...mess with a compressor as well.

yeah bring the mics closer and use a cardiod condensors if you dont have them already. theyll pick up less room and more whats in front of it.

Shotguns are notoriously "roomy".

No as much as stereo micing, as he did!!!