Sennheiser ME 66

Bryan Beasleigh · October 20th, 2003, 11:57 AM

I stand corrected. i have ME62 on the brain i guess, I've been thinking of getting one. The ME 64 is listed as a hand held cardoid. It sure looks like a short shotgun capsule to me. You say it's lack lustre? I gues that scratches it off my list.

I'd sure like a listen to an AT 4071/4073 and then compare them to the Senn 416. they say either one is a very positive step up.

The trouble with mics is after you listen to them a while you want better. The thing to do is revisit the crappy ones so you can regain an appreciation for what you have.

Joe Ryan · October 20th, 2003, 01:24 PM

I'll definitely look in to going with another mic, and I'll start with the ones recommended here. thanks again.

J.J.

Marty Wein · October 20th, 2003, 03:08 PM

Another good recommendation is the Sanken CS-1 which is also a phantom powered shotgun and is only 7" long. From what I hear, it has excellent off axis rejaction and great sound. Price range is between the AT4073a and MKH-416

Josh Bass · October 20th, 2003, 03:55 PM

Y'all mentioned earlier sending in the ME66 to get it tweaked, if it's still under warranty.

What is the tweak they give it, and what if it's not under warranty, how much will it cost?

Neil Slade · October 30th, 2003, 10:40 AM

The ME66 is the standard mike used by all of the Denver professional news operations in the field at this date. It is an excellent shotgun mike with very good (relative) flat acoustic properties and sensitivity. I had no problem with overload on either a GL2 or DVX100- and the output on new mikes, to my knowledge, is not a problem whatsoever-- the comments on overload regarding new ME66 and K6-- I think this is user error, I've never experience overload with a properly adjusted level. See http://www.24fps.com/Article/Alpha/53/xt/mics%20-%20shotgun.htm concerning older "red dot" mikes.

You can spend more, and less, and you get what you pay for- although for just about anybody reading these pages, there will be little or no advantage in higher priced mikes, and the Seinheiser at under $500 will give you absolutely wonderful sound for totally professional results.

Rob Wilson · October 30th, 2003, 11:22 AM

I have had situations (shooting a live concert) when my ME66 was overloading regardless of what I did with the audio on the camera. I've contacted Senn and received this response:

Dear Mr. Wilson,

This is actually performed to the K6 not the ME66.
We call it the "red dot modification," and I don't know why.

If the mic is under warranty we will do this for free, but if it is not then your looking at about $17.95 for labor.
To obtain an RA number please visit:
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/service/

Best regards,

Justin Cook
Operations Specialist
Sennheiser Electronic Corporation / Neumann USA
1 Enterprise Drive
Old Lyme, CT 06371
(860) 434-9190 / Phone
(860) 434-1759 / Fax
jcook@sennheiserusa.com

Hope this helps

Josh Bass · October 30th, 2003, 12:44 PM

Can you tell me a little bit more about what the modification is? 18 bucks is almost nothing if it improves the performance of the mic.

Do they improve dynamic range? Improve the . . uh. . .er. . .decibal range it can handle before the diaphraghm (sp?) pegs? Someone tell me.

Rob Wilson · October 30th, 2003, 02:15 PM

Josh,

I've got a call into them now, waiting for a call back. Had the same questions myself. I'll let you know what they say. I'm just guessing but it may be they just tweak down the output of the K6 a bit.

Josh Bass · October 30th, 2003, 02:39 PM

Is that good? That doesn't mean I'll get less out of the mic, does it?

Rob Wilson · October 30th, 2003, 02:40 PM

Josh,

Just got the call back. He explained that the "RD" (Red Dot) modification involves replacing a single capacitor in the K6 Module. The standard mod results in a 14db drop in max output level to avoid overdriving the mic preamp in the cam. That results in a mic that has an output similar to the previous senn K3U.

At the customers request, they can install a different value cap that will only cut the output by 8db. Since I've rarely experienced this problem, I asked that the just do the 8db mod. (HRD? Half a red dot?)

The mod does not affect sound quality or mic pattern, just output of the K6.

Great tech support that was very helpful. The guy I spoke to is the one that actually performs the mod so he assured me a quick turnaround.

Hope this helps!

Josh Bass · October 30th, 2003, 03:53 PM

Thanks. I'm still confused, as I don't know my audio technical info at all. What does the output of the K6 module, affect, exactly? How does it work?

Joe Sacher · October 30th, 2003, 05:11 PM

Josh,
The K6 module screws into the ME66 microphone and provides the XLR connection. It contains a AA battery and powers the mic. The signal coming out of the K6 is usually pretty strong. This is great, unless you need to record something loud. Then the signal coming out may be clipped. By doing the mod, the output is reduced, so you have a heigher ceiling of actual sound before the output is clipped. As a trade-off, your quieter sounds are also attenuated.

Bob Harotunian · October 30th, 2003, 05:54 PM

Neil,
"the comments on overload regarding new ME66 and K6-- I think this is user error, I've never experience overload with a properly adjusted level."

Try using the stock K6/ME66 with a live band and see if you get distortion. This mic combination will distort any loud sounds even with levels monitored on a GL2. Sennheiser recognizes that there is a technical issue with the K6.
Bob

Dave Largent · October 30th, 2003, 06:05 PM

The distortion is occurring at the mic capsule itself, isn't it? In other words, it's not an issue of the mic overdriving the camera's preamp. Correct?

Rob Wilson · October 30th, 2003, 06:25 PM

Dave,

Not according to the Senn Rep. He indicated that the capsule is not overloading but that the K6 module is providing an output that exceeds what some mic input preamps can handle. Therefore, they change a cap and lower the output to a level that works for most cam mic preamps.

At least that's they way I understood it.

Quoting another members sig: Everything I just said is probably wrong!!!

October 20th, 2003, 03:55 PM	#19
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Y'all mentioned earlier sending in the ME66 to get it tweaked, if it's still under warranty. What is the tweak they give it, and what if it's not under warranty, how much will it cost? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 30th, 2003, 10:40 AM	#20
Neil Slade Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Denver Posts: 131	Bizarre The ME66 is the standard mike used by all of the Denver professional news operations in the field at this date. It is an excellent shotgun mike with very good (relative) flat acoustic properties and sensitivity. I had no problem with overload on either a GL2 or DVX100- and the output on new mikes, to my knowledge, is not a problem whatsoever-- the comments on overload regarding new ME66 and K6-- I think this is user error, I've never experience overload with a properly adjusted level. See http://www.24fps.com/Article/Alpha/53/xt/mics%20-%20shotgun.htm concerning older "red dot" mikes. You can spend more, and less, and you get what you pay for- although for just about anybody reading these pages, there will be little or no advantage in higher priced mikes, and the Seinheiser at under $500 will give you absolutely wonderful sound for totally professional results.

October 30th, 2003, 12:44 PM	#22
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Can you tell me a little bit more about what the modification is? 18 bucks is almost nothing if it improves the performance of the mic. Do they improve dynamic range? Improve the . . uh. . .er. . .decibal range it can handle before the diaphraghm (sp?) pegs? Someone tell me. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 30th, 2003, 02:39 PM	#24
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Is that good? That doesn't mean I'll get less out of the mic, does it? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 30th, 2003, 03:53 PM	#26
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Thanks. I'm still confused, as I don't know my audio technical info at all. What does the output of the K6 module, affect, exactly? How does it work? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 20th, 2003, 11:57 AM	#16
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I stand corrected. i have ME62 on the brain i guess, I've been thinking of getting one. The ME 64 is listed as a hand held cardoid. It sure looks like a short shotgun capsule to me. You say it's lack lustre? I gues that scratches it off my list. I'd sure like a listen to an AT 4071/4073 and then compare them to the Senn 416. they say either one is a very positive step up. The trouble with mics is after you listen to them a while you want better. The thing to do is revisit the crappy ones so you can regain an appreciation for what you have.

October 20th, 2003, 01:24 PM	#17
Joe Ryan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Calgary, AB, CANADA Posts: 36	I'll definitely look in to going with another mic, and I'll start with the ones recommended here. thanks again. J.J.

October 20th, 2003, 03:08 PM	#18
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	Another good recommendation is the Sanken CS-1 which is also a phantom powered shotgun and is only 7" long. From what I hear, it has excellent off axis rejaction and great sound. Price range is between the AT4073a and MKH-416

October 30th, 2003, 11:22 AM	#21
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	I have had situations (shooting a live concert) when my ME66 was overloading regardless of what I did with the audio on the camera. I've contacted Senn and received this response: Dear Mr. Wilson, This is actually performed to the K6 not the ME66. We call it the "red dot modification," and I don't know why. If the mic is under warranty we will do this for free, but if it is not then your looking at about $17.95 for labor. To obtain an RA number please visit: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/service/ Best regards, Justin Cook Operations Specialist Sennheiser Electronic Corporation / Neumann USA 1 Enterprise Drive Old Lyme, CT 06371 (860) 434-9190 / Phone (860) 434-1759 / Fax jcook@sennheiserusa.com Hope this helps

October 30th, 2003, 02:15 PM	#23
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Josh, I've got a call into them now, waiting for a call back. Had the same questions myself. I'll let you know what they say. I'm just guessing but it may be they just tweak down the output of the K6 a bit.

October 30th, 2003, 02:40 PM	#25
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Josh, Just got the call back. He explained that the "RD" (Red Dot) modification involves replacing a single capacitor in the K6 Module. The standard mod results in a 14db drop in max output level to avoid overdriving the mic preamp in the cam. That results in a mic that has an output similar to the previous senn K3U. At the customers request, they can install a different value cap that will only cut the output by 8db. Since I've rarely experienced this problem, I asked that the just do the 8db mod. (HRD? Half a red dot?) The mod does not affect sound quality or mic pattern, just output of the K6. Great tech support that was very helpful. The guy I spoke to is the one that actually performs the mod so he assured me a quick turnaround. Hope this helps!

October 30th, 2003, 05:11 PM	#27
Joe Sacher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 177	Josh, The K6 module screws into the ME66 microphone and provides the XLR connection. It contains a AA battery and powers the mic. The signal coming out of the K6 is usually pretty strong. This is great, unless you need to record something loud. Then the signal coming out may be clipped. By doing the mod, the output is reduced, so you have a heigher ceiling of actual sound before the output is clipped. As a trade-off, your quieter sounds are also attenuated.

October 30th, 2003, 05:54 PM	#28
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	Neil, "the comments on overload regarding new ME66 and K6-- I think this is user error, I've never experience overload with a properly adjusted level." Try using the stock K6/ME66 with a live band and see if you get distortion. This mic combination will distort any loud sounds even with levels monitored on a GL2. Sennheiser recognizes that there is a technical issue with the K6. Bob

October 30th, 2003, 06:05 PM	#29
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	The distortion is occurring at the mic capsule itself, isn't it? In other words, it's not an issue of the mic overdriving the camera's preamp. Correct?

October 30th, 2003, 06:25 PM	#30
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Dave, Not according to the Senn Rep. He indicated that the capsule is not overloading but that the K6 module is providing an output that exceeds what some mic input preamps can handle. Therefore, they change a cap and lower the output to a level that works for most cam mic preamps. At least that's they way I understood it. Quoting another members sig: Everything I just said is probably wrong!!!