Dialing in Audio for Outdoor Interviews: Lav vs Shotgun – What's Your Go-To?

Great question! I've been in the same boat. For outdoor interviews, I actually use a hybrid approach: I run a Rode Wireless GO II lav on the subject as a safety track, and I keep my shotgun (Sennheiser MKE 600) on a boom for the primary audio. The key is to set the lav to record internally (as a backup) and also send to the camera. That way, if the boom picks up wind, I can fall back on the lav. For wind, I use the Rode Lavalier GO with a furry windjammer – it's tiny and works wonders. In post, I use Adobe Audition's 'DeWind' effect (or iZotope RX's De-wind) to clean up any residual rumble. Also, always record a few seconds of room tone to help with noise reduction.

As for handling the camera and interview solo, I use a small tripod or monopod for the camera, and I hold the boom in my left hand while I'm asking questions. It takes practice, but you can also use a boom pole holder on a light stand if you're stationary. Hope this helps!

That's a solid setup! I'd add that you should also consider using a high-pass filter on your shotgun to cut low-end rumble from wind. On the MKE 600, there's a switch for that. For the lav, make sure to hide it properly – I usually route the cable under the shirt and tape the mic to the chest, about 4-5 inches below the chin. That reduces clothing rustle. If you're using the Wireless GO II, you can also enable the 'Safety Track' feature in the Rode Central app, recording at -12dB to avoid clipping. And for solo interviews, I've found that using a lightweight boom pole like the Manfrotto MVB-1 with a counterweight helps a lot – you can hold it for longer without fatigue.

I'm a big fan of the Deity Connect system for wireless lavs – it's affordable and has great range. But if you're on a budget, the Rode Wireless GO II is still my top pick because of the internal recording and 32-bit float option (when used with a compatible recorder). That feature is a lifesaver for unpredictable levels. In post, I use Descript's 'Studio Sound' to clean up noise, but for more control, iZotope RX 10's 'De-wind' and 'De-rustle' are amazing. Another tip: always monitor your audio with good headphones – I use Sony MDR-7506 – to catch issues on set. And for solo shooters, consider using a lav on yourself too, so your questions are clear. I plug a second lav into my phone and sync in post – it's a bit of work but worth it.

All good advice. Let me add a different perspective: I often skip the shotgun entirely for outdoor interviews and go straight to a high-quality lav like the DPA 6060. It's tiny, sounds amazing, and with a good wind protector (like the BubbleBeader), it handles wind beautifully. The key is to place it on the subject's collar or tie, not under clothes, to avoid rustle. I also use a Tentacle Sync E to timecode sync multiple mics – that makes post a breeze. For solo interviews, I use a small recorder like the Zoom F3 (with 32-bit float) to record my own lav, and then I sync everything in DaVinci Resolve using the 'Sync Bin' – it's fast and reliable.

Wow, thanks everyone for the detailed responses! I really appreciate the insights. I think I'll go with the hybrid approach – I'll get a Rode Wireless GO II for the subject and keep my shotgun as a backup. I'll also try the high-pass filter and the placement tips. The idea of using a lav on myself is genius – I'll definitely try that. I'm going to test this setup this weekend and see how it goes. Thanks again for all the help!