Rode Blimp. Do you REALLY need to open up to switch off Mic? at DVinfo.net

Graham Bernard · March 30th, 2009, 10:53 PM

OK, got the Rode Blimp. Great characteristics. However, and using ,my SenniM66 with K6 capsule I need to peel-back the fur, untwist the rear-end to get at the OFF switch. Is this what others have to do - with a switch mic? Wouldn't it be wiser if I had a mic that did NOT need a battery? Do such shotties like the Senni66 have this option?

So to recap:

A] Do you peel back fur and untwist rear?

or . ..

B] Have a different mic altogether?

I should image this is the case for all Col. Blimps?

Yours wonderingly,

Col. Grazie (Mrs)

Jordan Block · March 31st, 2009, 12:42 AM

How often are you switching this mic off? The battery in a K6 should easily last you through the day of shooting (and the rest of that week if left on 24/7). Most shotguns don't give the option of battery power, they use phantom power provided by the mixer / recorder / camera that they're hooked up to. The K6 power unit can run off either battery or phantom power.

Graham Bernard · March 31st, 2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Block

How often are you switching this mic off?

Only at the finish of a job. Leave on all day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Block

The battery in a K6 should easily last you through the day of shooting (and the rest of that week if left on 24/7).

Sure. So I DO need to turn off by semi dismantling? Yes? As long as I know that that is the way it is done - and I am not missing out on a tip?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Block

Most shotguns don't give the option of battery power, they use phantom power provided by the mixer / recorder / camera that they're hooked up to. The K6 power unit can run off either battery or phantom power.

Oh really? How is that?

Jordan thanks for the reassurance that what I was expecting IS the truth of it.

BTW, my Senni loves the Blimp. I am hearing far better characteristics than "just" the foam and a furry. It must be a result of the "tube" being naked the way Senni intended it to be!?

Grazie

Allan Black · March 31st, 2009, 01:13 AM

Grazie, switch any battery mic on before closing the Blimp up to start, and off after you retrieve it and finish for the shoot. You just have to get used to doing it and the fact the mic is 'on' when you plug it in, and it saves valuable time.

Also replacing a battery is way cheaper than maybe eventually replacing the mics on/off switch.

Cheers.

Graham Bernard · March 31st, 2009, 01:54 AM

Thanks Allan. I've been kinda spoilt having just the furry and being able to see the switch.

Grazie

Ivan Snoeckx · March 31st, 2009, 03:44 AM

Is it not possible to solve this hassle by using the K6P module instead of the K6?

Guy Cochran · March 31st, 2009, 06:23 PM

If the camera / mixer supplies phantom power, just take the battery out and apply the phantom power. No more switching.

Graham Bernard · April 1st, 2009, 01:48 AM

Thanks! - PP-out not an option on my camera. Added to which I don't posses a K6P capsule.

Hmmm.....

Grazie

John Willett · April 2nd, 2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Bernard

OK, got the Rode Blimp. Great characteristics. However, and using ,my SenniM66 with K6 capsule I need to peel-back the fur, untwist the rear-end to get at the OFF switch. Is this what others have to do - with a switch mic? Wouldn't it be wiser if I had a mic that did NOT need a battery? Do such shotties like the Senni66 have this option?

So to recap:

A] Do you peel back fur and untwist rear?

or . ..

B] Have a different mic altogether?

I should image this is the case for all Col. Blimps?

Yours wonderingly,

Col. Grazie (Mrs)

You *can* leave the battery out and run the K6 on phantom power.

Graham Bernard · April 2nd, 2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Willett

You *can* leave the battery out and run the K6 on phantom power.

How? No battery no Power? Surely? Where is it getting its power from? ( Hi John!!)

Grazie

David W. Jones · April 2nd, 2009, 06:19 AM

I'm sorry, but if spending 12 seconds to open and close a blimp to power up/down you mic is too inconvenient for you, you might consider changing fields.

John Willett · April 2nd, 2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Bernard

How? No battery no Power? Surely? Where is it getting its power from? ( Hi John!!)

Grazie

The K6 can be powered from internal AA battery or by external 12-48V phantom power.

So you can leave out the battery and use external phantom power if you wish.

Mike Beckett · April 2nd, 2009, 07:57 AM

Graham's already said that there's no phantom power on his camera, folks.

I can sort of see the problem with undoing the blimp. Unless I'm just clumsy - a possibility I have considered on many occasions - the dead wombat furry cover can be a bit fiddly to take on and off. Perhaps the cover on Rycotes and other more expensive models is easier to remove?

If it's just the basket itself, it's easy peasy, unscrew and reach inside.

I don't have a problem, as I can use phantom power with my NTG-2, but I can see where Graham's coming from.

John Willett · April 2nd, 2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Beckett

Perhaps the cover on Rycotes and other more expensive models is easier to remove?

The Rycote S-series is ideal for the K6 series and about the same price as the Røde Blimp - the back removes with a simple twist - it's a twist-lock removal.

See HERE.

Vasco Dones · April 2nd, 2009, 12:17 PM

Guy, I got my blimp @ your heavily discounted price,
and all I have to say is: I love it! Thanks again.

Graham, considering what you saved buying Rode's blimp
instead of more costly stuff, you can always shell out a few extra bucks
and get yourself a Rode NTG-2: excellent value for the money,
battery operated, and no on-off switch. How about that?
BTW: the SennM66 used to be my favorite mic; I switched to the Rode NTG-2
because... of the switch (working in solo mode, one switch less
to worry about makes a great difference...)

All the best

Vasco

March 30th, 2009, 10:53 PM	#1
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Rode Blimp. Do you REALLY need to open up to switch off Mic? OK, got the Rode Blimp. Great characteristics. However, and using ,my SenniM66 with K6 capsule I need to peel-back the fur, untwist the rear-end to get at the OFF switch. Is this what others have to do - with a switch mic? Wouldn't it be wiser if I had a mic that did NOT need a battery? Do such shotties like the Senni66 have this option? So to recap: A] Do you peel back fur and untwist rear? or . .. B] Have a different mic altogether? I should image this is the case for all Col. Blimps? Yours wonderingly, Col. Grazie (Mrs) Last edited by Graham Bernard; March 30th, 2009 at 10:58 PM. Reason: spilling mistake - again! AND the indefinite article!

March 31st, 2009, 06:23 PM	#7
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	If the camera / mixer supplies phantom power, just take the battery out and apply the phantom power. No more switching. __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

April 2nd, 2009, 07:57 AM	#13
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Graham's already said that there's no phantom power on his camera, folks. I can sort of see the problem with undoing the blimp. Unless I'm just clumsy - a possibility I have considered on many occasions - the dead wombat furry cover can be a bit fiddly to take on and off. Perhaps the cover on Rycotes and other more expensive models is easier to remove? If it's just the basket itself, it's easy peasy, unscrew and reach inside. I don't have a problem, as I can use phantom power with my NTG-2, but I can see where Graham's coming from. __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

April 2nd, 2009, 12:17 PM	#15
Vasco Dones Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: El Cerrito, CA Posts: 266	Guy, I got my blimp @ your heavily discounted price, and all I have to say is: I love it! Thanks again. Graham, considering what you saved buying Rode's blimp instead of more costly stuff, you can always shell out a few extra bucks and get yourself a Rode NTG-2: excellent value for the money, battery operated, and no on-off switch. How about that? BTW: the SennM66 used to be my favorite mic; I switched to the Rode NTG-2 because... of the switch (working in solo mode, one switch less to worry about makes a great difference...) All the best Vasco __________________ www.donesmedia.net bricioledamerica.blogspot.com (in Italian)

March 31st, 2009, 12:42 AM	#2
Jordan Block Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 67	How often are you switching this mic off? The battery in a K6 should easily last you through the day of shooting (and the rest of that week if left on 24/7). Most shotguns don't give the option of battery power, they use phantom power provided by the mixer / recorder / camera that they're hooked up to. The K6 power unit can run off either battery or phantom power.

March 31st, 2009, 01:13 AM	#4
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,930	Grazie, switch any battery mic on before closing the Blimp up to start, and off after you retrieve it and finish for the shoot. You just have to get used to doing it and the fact the mic is 'on' when you plug it in, and it saves valuable time. Also replacing a battery is way cheaper than maybe eventually replacing the mics on/off switch. Cheers.

March 31st, 2009, 01:54 AM	#5
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Thanks Allan. I've been kinda spoilt having *just* the furry and being able to see the switch. Grazie

March 31st, 2009, 03:44 AM	#6
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	Is it not possible to solve this hassle by using the K6P module instead of the K6?

April 1st, 2009, 01:48 AM	#8
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Thanks! - PP-out not an option on my camera. Added to which I don't posses a K6P capsule. Hmmm..... Grazie

April 2nd, 2009, 06:19 AM	#11
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	I'm sorry, but if spending 12 seconds to open and close a blimp to power up/down you mic is too inconvenient for you, you might consider changing fields.