This IS the Avid L2: Re: [Avid-L2] Shotgun recommendation

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Re: [Avid-L2] Shotgun recommendation

Thanks!! Really appreciate the list. I'll check a few out. Doubt I'll spring for the Schoeps, but definitely need something better than I've got now.
________________________
Greg Huson
Secret Headquarters, Inc
Greg (at) SecretHQ.com
www.SecretHQ.com
DigitalServiceStation.com

> On Jun 26, 2014, at 9:20 PM, "Jim Feeley jfeeley@gmail.com [Avid-L2]" <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> I'm just back from a long day working with my Schoeps MK41 mics. Interviews and interiors. They sounded great (of course). But here's the real advantage:
>
> Schoeps sound great even when talent's off axis. I find this feature to be something that sets the Schoeps apart from Sennheiser MKH50 (the other leading interior hypercardioid). So if you're interviewing or following fidgety non-professional talent who moves his or her head around, and your mic's on a stand, the Schoeps still sounds fantastic (assuming your initial placement was decent). Same when operated on a boompole…you can more easily get an observed or scripted two-shot, or just follow someone around (at least on interiors or quiet & mostly-windless exteriors).
>
> Downside: New Schoeps CMC641 (the latest preamp matched with the MK41 capsule) cost US$2000. Used aren't discounted all that much. Sometimes issues in humid environments (but that's usually due to dirty contacts and not a big concern in Los Angeles).
>
> The Schoeps CMIT5U short shotgun is also fantastic, good off-axis response, and expensive. Available in a bitchin blue color (also available in grey). Great exterior mic (acknowledging that the whole interior/exterior split is somewhat artificial). If I lived and worked in controlled environments, I'd probably prefer the Schoeps CMIT5U. $2200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> But you know, for doc work, I like a shotgun with better off-axis rejection, like the Sanken CS3e; that's great when working in the real-world environments I encounter: noisy exteriors, crowds, etc…the CS3e just sucks in the dialog…but it does require a bit of decent boompole aiming. Pretty good for interviews & reverberant interiors too (better than a Sennheiser 416); the CS3e would be my desert-island mic (if the desert island had a way to charge the batteries on my recorder). $1500.
>
> (BTW- I own a Sennheiser 416…still a useful mic, but it's mainly a backup for me…I prefer the Sanken for most situations)
>
> Cheaper but decent:
>
> Short Shotgun:
> Rode NTG-3. Kind of a Sennheiser 416 knockoff, but better on reverberant interiors than a 416. Not as bulletproof, but pretty strong. I've used one and it was not terrible. Probably a good value for the money. US$700 I think.
>
> Sanken CS1e. I owned the CS1 (non-e) version a few years ago. It was a pretty good all-rounder; I sold it. Short & light…if you must use an on camera mic, this is a good choice. $850
>
> Hypercardiods:
> Audio-Technica AT4053b. Under appreciated, but pretty nice. $600
> Audix SCX1-HC. I hear good things about this mic from people I trust. Haven't used one myself. $500
>
> Really cheap and I wouldn't rebel if I had to use one and a gun was pointed at my head:
> Rode NTG-1 or NTG-2. I think the difference is that one of them is only phantom powered, the other can also use an interior batter. $250 or so.
>
> Why the hell do people use this mic?
> Sennheiser ME66
>
> Oh there are a couple other good choices.
>
> Greg, see if you can get to one or two good location-audio dealers. In LA I'd suggest:
>
> Trew Audio
> (LA branch was formerly Coffey Sound. I buy lots of stuff from Trew)
> http://www.trewaudio.com/
>
> Location Sound
> (I've bought stuff online from them, but less familiar with the company overall)
> http://www.locationsound.com
>
> Tell them what you're looking for, try out a few mics, buy one or two.
>
>
> As for boom poles, I'm happy with K-Tek (a good LA-based company), both for carbon and aluminum.
> For inexpensive mic mounts, check out Rycote Lyres.
> For wind protection, the new Rycote Super-Softie demos well (and some cranky early-adopters I know like it pretty much).
> (For Schoeps on an interior, the Schoeps B5D that Jeff recommends is the first choice…$60 but fragile…the non-hollow B5 isn't as transparent, but is less fragile…I suck it up and use the B5D…and carry a spare).
>
> Well that's (part of) my opinion. This is probably more info than you need, but hopefully it'll help frame your search.
>
> HTH.
>
> jim feeley
> pov media
> word image sound
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Jun 26, 2014, at 10:35 AM, Greg Huson Greg@SecretHQ.com [Avid-L2] <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>>
>> Wow. I was thinking more modest budget, but that seems pretty awesome. Something to aspire to...
>>
>> gh
>> ----------------------------------------------------
>> Greg Huson
>> Secret Headquarters, Inc
>> Post Production / Production
>> Culver City, CA
>> 323 677 2092
>> www.DigitalServiceStation.com
>> greg (at) SecretHQ.com
>> www.SecretHQ.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Jun 26, 2014, at 10:18 AM, Jeff Kreines jeff@kinetta.com [Avid-L2] <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> My favorite dialog mic, and the standard in Hollywood, is the Schoeps with a MK41 hypercardioid capsule. Very directional but not a "shotgun." Schoeps also makes a shotgun mic, but I haven't tried that.
>>>
>>> Note that they are very sensitive to handling and wind noise — need a hollow windscreen (BD5) and a shock mount with cable isolation clip for best results — but they are by far the best mic for dialog, bar none. Not cheap but worth it.
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Jun 26, 2014, at 11:50 AM, Greg Huson Greg@SecretHQ.com [Avid-L2] <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Relax, this isn't an 'open carry' request ~
>>>>
>>>> I have an AKG that I've never really liked, and it doesn't really have enough gain for my blackmagic camera. Even with the little recorder we really have to crank up the gain. I'm figuring on re-assigning it to in-house use only, so looking for recommendations for a good pro shotgun (or kit?) that won't break the bank. Mostly for boom use - field dialog, interviews, nat sound, that kinda thing.
>>>>
>>>> What's your favorite?
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