senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? at DVinfo.net

Mikael Couderc · March 5th, 2011, 07:32 AM

Hi,
For my dslr gigs, I currently use a couple of systems composed of:
K6-ME66 combo > Rycote> Boom Pole > Sound Devices MM1 > MArantz PMD661

Now, I find the systems give me good results, but the pickup pattern of the mic is not as tight as I'd like. More often than not, I get too much sound coming back from behind the mic in interior shoots.
(I'm not describing that well, am I? Does that even make sense?).

I'm now considering upgrading the mics to a pair of 416s, as they seem to be better in that area, but first I'd like to know if, considering the whole chain, the results will be worth the cost.
Anyone wanna share their experience?

Thanx

Rick Reineke · March 5th, 2011, 08:36 AM

Interference tube shotgun mics are generally not a good choice for interiors. You would be better off getting a good hyper-cardioid. There's been much discussion about this subject, including mic preferences, usage, alternatives, and budget/performance issues. Search this forum and stand by for additional comments.

Chad Johnson · March 5th, 2011, 03:38 PM

I'd say save your money ang get a Rode NTG-3. It sounds virtually the same as the 416, with a more forgiving pickup pattern. And for interior, a hyper is the right tool. For 430.00 at B&H you can get the totally awesome AT4053b. If you need 2 shotguns (do you really?) you can get 2 NTG-3s and an AT4053b for less than two 416s, and have 10 yr guarantees n the Rode stuff.

Listen:

YouTube - Sennheiser MKH 416 vs. RODE NTG-3

John Willett · March 6th, 2011, 05:13 AM

The 416 is certainly much better than the K6/ME66.

Personally, though,I would not get a new one nowadays.

Sennheiser are launching the new MKH 8060 at NAB next month and this would be a much better alternative.

It's the same diameter as the 416; but is shorter and lighter; better off-axis (less side lobes) and, as part of the MKH 8000 series, fits all the accessories.

They have been showing this quietly as various shows over the past 9 months and will launch it properly next month. I know they have had pre-production samples out with broadcasters for testing since late 2009, so they have had plenty of constructive feedback from pro. users before putting the final version into production.

If you have to mount it on a small camera, you can take off the XLR adaptor and put on a modified remote cable - this will effectively shorten the mic. by about 8cm (3") (when you consider there is no XLR sticking out the back).

Mikael Couderc · March 7th, 2011, 08:18 AM

Hummm, too much choice now!
Thanx for your suggestions.
I have to admit I also considered the Sanken CS3E at one point, but the price here in Europe is a good margin above the allocated budget for the mic. Shame though, as I'm sure it'd have answered all my problems...
Anyway...
The idea of a new 8000 series sennheiser sounds good to me, and I'll wait and see what the reviews say (and the price turns out to be), but just in case, for general usage (70% studio or indoors and 30% outdoor, mostly interviews with mic on a pole), which mic would you pick between the NTG3 and the AT4053b?
Forgot to mention it, but it'd be an added bonus if I all my accessories (21mm from memory) were compatible...
Also forgot to mention I cannot find a place whithin reasonnable distance where they keep these mics in stock (let alone let me A/B them) near my remote little town in Southern France :-)
Thanx

Chad Johnson · March 7th, 2011, 01:51 PM

I'd pick both the AT4053b and the Rode NTG-3. Shotguns are for outdoors and hypers are for indoors. You need both types of mics if you want the right tool for both jobs.

Sam Mallery · March 7th, 2011, 02:33 PM

I'd get the 4053b. If you're shooting 70% studio and indoor, you've pretty much answered your own question. Keep the ME-66 for outdoor booming. Done.

Mikael Couderc · March 9th, 2011, 02:26 AM

Sam Mallery said:
'I'd get the 4053b. If you're shooting 70% studio and indoor, you've pretty much answered your own question.'

True enough! I actually ordered the AT mic...

Still, I'm not giving up on the Sanken CS3E. I'll get that mic! (Just gotta find an excuse to justify the cost...)
In the meantime, I hope the AT mic and I will get along well!

Thanx all for your help.

Garrett Low · March 9th, 2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikael Couderc

Still, I'm not giving up on the Sanken CS3E. I'll get that mic! (Just gotta find an excuse to justify the cost...)

The only excuse I needed was to get to use one and compare it to my ME66 (which I'm still hanging onto and using in battle conditions). Once my sound guy used it and we listened to how good the CS-3e did in a variety of settings I was hooked. Then it was the long process of getting one. I did find a very very gently used one and got it at a reduced price.

I use it for Indie productions and Documentary work and for when I do corporate talking head videos. So it pretty quickly got paid off .

-Garrett

March 5th, 2011, 07:32 AM	#1
Mikael Couderc Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montpellier, France Posts: 81	senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? Hi, For my dslr gigs, I currently use a couple of systems composed of: K6-ME66 combo > Rycote> Boom Pole > Sound Devices MM1 > MArantz PMD661 Now, I find the systems give me good results, but the pickup pattern of the mic is not as tight as I'd like. More often than not, I get too much sound coming back from behind the mic in interior shoots. (I'm not describing that well, am I? Does that even make sense?). I'm now considering upgrading the mics to a pair of 416s, as they seem to be better in that area, but first I'd like to know if, considering the whole chain, the results will be worth the cost. Anyone wanna share their experience? Thanx

March 5th, 2011, 08:36 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? Interference tube shotgun mics are generally not a good choice for interiors. You would be better off getting a good hyper-cardioid. There's been much discussion about this subject, including mic preferences, usage, alternatives, and budget/performance issues. Search this forum and stand by for additional comments.

March 5th, 2011, 03:38 PM	#3
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	Re: senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? I'd say save your money ang get a Rode NTG-3. It sounds virtually the same as the 416, with a more forgiving pickup pattern. And for interior, a hyper is the right tool. For 430.00 at B&H you can get the totally awesome AT4053b. If you need 2 shotguns (do you really?) you can get 2 NTG-3s and an AT4053b for less than two 416s, and have 10 yr guarantees n the Rode stuff. Listen: YouTube - Sennheiser MKH 416 vs. RODE NTG-3 __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

March 6th, 2011, 05:13 AM	#4
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	Re: senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? The 416 is certainly much better than the K6/ME66. Personally, though,I would not get a new one nowadays. Sennheiser are launching the new MKH 8060 at NAB next month and this would be a much better alternative. It's the same diameter as the 416; but is shorter and lighter; better off-axis (less side lobes) and, as part of the MKH 8000 series, fits all the accessories. They have been showing this quietly as various shows over the past 9 months and will launch it properly next month. I know they have had pre-production samples out with broadcasters for testing since late 2009, so they have had plenty of constructive feedback from pro. users before putting the final version into production. If you have to mount it on a small camera, you can take off the XLR adaptor and put on a modified remote cable - this will effectively shorten the mic. by about 8cm (3") (when you consider there is no XLR sticking out the back). __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

March 7th, 2011, 08:18 AM	#5
Mikael Couderc Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montpellier, France Posts: 81	Re: senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? Hummm, too much choice now! Thanx for your suggestions. I have to admit I also considered the Sanken CS3E at one point, but the price here in Europe is a good margin above the allocated budget for the mic. Shame though, as I'm sure it'd have answered all my problems... Anyway... The idea of a new 8000 series sennheiser sounds good to me, and I'll wait and see what the reviews say (and the price turns out to be), but just in case, for general usage (70% studio or indoors and 30% outdoor, mostly interviews with mic on a pole), which mic would you pick between the NTG3 and the AT4053b? Forgot to mention it, but it'd be an added bonus if I all my accessories (21mm from memory) were compatible... Also forgot to mention I cannot find a place whithin reasonnable distance where they keep these mics in stock (let alone let me A/B them) near my remote little town in Southern France :-) Thanx

March 7th, 2011, 01:51 PM	#6
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	Re: senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? I'd pick both the AT4053b and the Rode NTG-3. Shotguns are for outdoors and hypers are for indoors. You need both types of mics if you want the right tool for both jobs. __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

March 7th, 2011, 02:33 PM	#7
Sam Mallery New Boot Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 22	Re: senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? I'd get the 4053b. If you're shooting 70% studio and indoor, you've pretty much answered your own question. Keep the ME-66 for outdoor booming. Done. __________________ Tascam DR-40 vs. Zoom H4n

March 9th, 2011, 02:26 AM	#8
Mikael Couderc Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montpellier, France Posts: 81	Re: senn K6-ME66 to 416: worth upgrading? Sam Mallery said: 'I'd get the 4053b. If you're shooting 70% studio and indoor, you've pretty much answered your own question.' True enough! I actually ordered the AT mic... Still, I'm not giving up on the Sanken CS3E. I'll get that mic! (Just gotta find an excuse to justify the cost...) In the meantime, I hope the AT mic and I will get along well! Thanx all for your help.