How is the NT3 for a beater? at DVinfo.net

Matt Buys · October 21st, 2007, 08:24 AM

I'm dragging some stuff overseas to film the family vacation but chances of getting stuff ripped off is high (Rome). I have an HV20 and Beachtek and sm57 but hissy, hissy. My NT3 does much better recording kids voices indoors with the beachtek and I want to interview them via handheld but I'm thinking the NT3 is heavy and they'll probably drop it. The SM57 has taken some heavy drops but it still works great if it's hooked up to a mixer that can handle dynamics. What about the NT3? Can it take a beating or no? I'm guessing no, no, no but it never hurts to ask.

Guy Cochran · October 23rd, 2007, 11:29 AM

A dynamic mic is something to pound nails with, but a condenser mic such as the NT3 should be treated like the delicate piece of gear it is. I even go so far as to keep mine in the original plastic with a silica gel pack. Just because it doesn't cost an arm and a leg doesn't mean that it isn't a sensitive piece of equipment. Shotgun mics can take more abuse than the NT3 if you want something to toss in your bag and not worry about. A short shotgun that doesn't require phantom power is something I'm still looking for. Most "short shotguns" that are self powered look monstrous on the tiny HV20. Although you could get a BeachTek DXA-6 with phantom and use the RODE NTG-1, which is a nice fit. The RODE SM3 shockmount doesn't seem to fit easily though on an HV20. A Sennheiser MZSCAM shockmount fits nicely and it a good price.

Matt Buys · October 23rd, 2007, 02:19 PM

Thanks Guy. I figured this was the case but I'm always looking for more gear that can be abused. You have answered other questions of mine and I appreciate it. I buy stuff from you when I can. You suggested a Merlin to me not so long ago over the phone for the HV20 and it has worked like a dream. I have a ME 66 and have been eyeing the blimp for it at your DVEstore. After christmas I hope to buy one from you.

Guy Cochran · October 23rd, 2007, 02:37 PM

Cool! Nice to hear.
As much as I like and respect the Sennheiser pistol grip set-up, I have found something new from K-TEK for a bit less.
Take a look http://www.dvcreators.net/k-tek-zeppelin-windscreen/
It does not set-up as fast as the Sennheiser, nor does it have a pistol grip, but it is less than half the price!

Matt Buys · October 23rd, 2007, 10:21 PM

Thus far I've been very happy with the gear you've suggested. It's always good bang for the buck. How good is the Ktek blimp compared to the Sennheiser? 70% at half the price or more like 90%. What do you honestly think?

Guy McLoughlin · October 24th, 2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Buys

I have an HV20 and Beachtek and sm57 but hissy, hissy.

Because dynamic mics put out such a weak signal, they are totally dependant on the quality of the pre-amp they are connected to.

The hiss you are hearing when using your SM57 mic is the HV20's pre-amp struggling to provide enough gain to the SM57's weak signal.

The signal from your NT3 mic is 6x stronger than the SM57 mic, so your HV20's pre-amp doesn't have to use as much gain, resulting in a much quieter recording.

To use the SM57 mic with your HV20 you're going to have to add a high-quality pre-amp to boost the SM57's signal without adding much noise.

If you don't mind the extra bulk, the Sound Devices MM-1 or MixPre units do a great at boosting weak signals with very little noise.

Guy Cochran · October 24th, 2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Buys

Thus far I've been very happy with the gear you've suggested. It's always good bang for the buck. How good is the Ktek blimp compared to the Sennheiser? 70% at half the price or more like 90%. What do you honestly think?

I'd say 85% at half the cost.
The Sennheiser "hairy" has fine thin long hair and a netted blimp. The K-TEK has no net around the blimp cage but does have foam at both ends.
The foam will take off some of the high frequencies. So the Sennheiser will sound a bit better, but at twice the cost, it's all relative.

October 21st, 2007, 08:24 AM	#1
Matt Buys Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 426	How is the NT3 for a beater? I'm dragging some stuff overseas to film the family vacation but chances of getting stuff ripped off is high (Rome). I have an HV20 and Beachtek and sm57 but hissy, hissy. My NT3 does much better recording kids voices indoors with the beachtek and I want to interview them via handheld but I'm thinking the NT3 is heavy and they'll probably drop it. The SM57 has taken some heavy drops but it still works great if it's hooked up to a mixer that can handle dynamics. What about the NT3? Can it take a beating or no? I'm guessing no, no, no but it never hurts to ask. Last edited by Matt Buys; October 21st, 2007 at 08:25 AM. Reason: No coffee before proofing.

October 23rd, 2007, 11:29 AM	#2
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	A dynamic mic is something to pound nails with, but a condenser mic such as the NT3 should be treated like the delicate piece of gear it is. I even go so far as to keep mine in the original plastic with a silica gel pack. Just because it doesn't cost an arm and a leg doesn't mean that it isn't a sensitive piece of equipment. Shotgun mics can take more abuse than the NT3 if you want something to toss in your bag and not worry about. A short shotgun that doesn't require phantom power is something I'm still looking for. Most "short shotguns" that are self powered look monstrous on the tiny HV20. Although you could get a BeachTek DXA-6 with phantom and use the RODE NTG-1, which is a nice fit. The RODE SM3 shockmount doesn't seem to fit easily though on an HV20. A Sennheiser MZSCAM shockmount fits nicely and it a good price. __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

October 23rd, 2007, 02:37 PM	#4
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Cool! Nice to hear. As much as I like and respect the Sennheiser pistol grip set-up, I have found something new from K-TEK for a bit less. Take a look http://www.dvcreators.net/k-tek-zeppelin-windscreen/ It does not set-up as fast as the Sennheiser, nor does it have a pistol grip, but it is less than half the price! __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

October 23rd, 2007, 02:19 PM	#3
Matt Buys Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 426	Thanks Guy. I figured this was the case but I'm always looking for more gear that can be abused. You have answered other questions of mine and I appreciate it. I buy stuff from you when I can. You suggested a Merlin to me not so long ago over the phone for the HV20 and it has worked like a dream. I have a ME 66 and have been eyeing the blimp for it at your DVEstore. After christmas I hope to buy one from you.

October 23rd, 2007, 10:21 PM	#5
Matt Buys Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 426	Thus far I've been very happy with the gear you've suggested. It's always good bang for the buck. How good is the Ktek blimp compared to the Sennheiser? 70% at half the price or more like 90%. What do you honestly think?