Which shotgun mic?

Dan Ostroff · May 3rd, 2011, 10:16 AM

BTW - sorry for veering this post OT.

To offer input on Brian's initial question, I'd recommend the CS3e as well, great mic. I've had mine for over a year now and been really happy with it, aside from the self noise (not such an issue on most exteriors). I have noticed the self noise come up a bit after being out in humid conditions but that could also be tired ears at the end of the day. Best thing about the CS3e above all of the other options you mentioned is that it would probably behave much better indoors.

For wind protection, I'd always opt for better wind protection rather than marginal. When you are in a spot where the situation gets bad unexpectedly it's really the difference between good and totally unusable. A softie can work at times but other times just more worthwhile to throw the zep/fuzzy on and be done with it...the full Rycote windshield kit is wonderful.

Michael Kinney · May 3rd, 2011, 06:01 PM

I've been shooting with the Sennheiser ME66/K6 for over twenty years and I love it. It's never let me down, and quite often amazed me.

John Willett · May 4th, 2011, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Ostroff

Yes - sorry - the B5D. It's a bit more than a foam windscreen with the internal plastic structure, gives some more air than a traditional foam windscreen does.

The windshield supplied with the MKH 8000 series is also not a normal foam windshield.

It has the normal fine foam on the outside and coarser more open foam on the inside (you can feel it with your finger).

Wind protection is purely down to the volume of still air you can trap round the microphone - the larger the volume, the better the protection.

Philip Fass · May 4th, 2011, 07:41 AM

What about the Neumann 81i/82i?

Brian P. Reynolds · May 4th, 2011, 05:48 PM

I've always found the Neumann shotgun mics sound dull and flat compared to the 416.

Anyway decision has been made [why I stared the thread] phone calls from 3 different local / interstate clients ALL specifying the 416 for their shoots.

Philip Fass · May 5th, 2011, 08:25 AM

I'm curious, is this a general impression or have you literally compared the 416 and Neumanns with other variables controlled?

Brian P. Reynolds · May 5th, 2011, 02:00 PM

I was for 20+ years employed by a broadcast TV station the OB and location crews had access to a vast array of microphones from Sennheiser 416/ 816, MKH 60 / 70, Neumann 82's, Audio Technica, Sony with Rycote or Sennheiser blimps and they were able to use whatever they wanted. I was often surprised that from approx 10 sound guys the Neumanns were consistently the last to be used. Even the long Audio Technica shot gun mics were used before the Neumanns on OB'S [mainly for the directional pattern and extra reach]
I've now been working totally freelance for several years now and haven't seen a single Neumann of any type from any of the production companies and networks I work for.

John Willett · May 6th, 2011, 08:42 AM

The Neumann 81i and 82i are, in fact, extremely nice mics. I actually have an 81i (almost 30 years old now).

They are not used so much because people forget about them and only think of Neumann as a company that produce studio mics.

They do sound different from the Sennheisers though, and if you are used to a 416 you might find the transition difficult. Also they are not RF condensers like the Sennheiser MKH series are and therefore not so good in damp conditions.

Robert McGowan · May 8th, 2011, 12:52 AM

I purchased the Sanken CS3e about a year ago after a lot of research and comparisons. I primarily use it indoors in a controlled interview setting. Matter of act I used it today in just such a situation. As has been mentioned it's expensive but I'm very happy with my investment. I'll have the opportunity to use it outdoors later this year and I'm anxious to hear the results.

May 3rd, 2011, 10:16 AM	#16
Dan Ostroff Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 42	Re: Which shotgun mic? BTW - sorry for veering this post OT. To offer input on Brian's initial question, I'd recommend the CS3e as well, great mic. I've had mine for over a year now and been really happy with it, aside from the self noise (not such an issue on most exteriors). I have noticed the self noise come up a bit after being out in humid conditions but that could also be tired ears at the end of the day. Best thing about the CS3e above all of the other options you mentioned is that it would probably behave much better indoors. For wind protection, I'd always opt for better wind protection rather than marginal. When you are in a spot where the situation gets bad unexpectedly it's really the difference between good and totally unusable. A softie can work at times but other times just more worthwhile to throw the zep/fuzzy on and be done with it...the full Rycote windshield kit is wonderful.

May 3rd, 2011, 06:01 PM	#17
Michael Kinney Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 34	Re: Which shotgun mic? I've been shooting with the Sennheiser ME66/K6 for over twenty years and I love it. It's never let me down, and quite often amazed me.

May 4th, 2011, 07:41 AM	#19
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Re: Which shotgun mic? What about the Neumann 81i/82i?

May 4th, 2011, 05:48 PM	#20
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Which shotgun mic? I've always found the Neumann shotgun mics sound dull and flat compared to the 416. Anyway decision has been made [why I stared the thread] phone calls from 3 different local / interstate clients ALL specifying the 416 for their shoots.

May 5th, 2011, 08:25 AM	#21
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Re: Which shotgun mic? I'm curious, is this a general impression or have you literally compared the 416 and Neumanns with other variables controlled?

May 5th, 2011, 02:00 PM	#22
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Which shotgun mic? I was for 20+ years employed by a broadcast TV station the OB and location crews had access to a vast array of microphones from Sennheiser 416/ 816, MKH 60 / 70, Neumann 82's, Audio Technica, Sony with Rycote or Sennheiser blimps and they were able to use whatever they wanted. I was often surprised that from approx 10 sound guys the Neumanns were consistently the last to be used. Even the long Audio Technica shot gun mics were used before the Neumanns on OB'S [mainly for the directional pattern and extra reach] I've now been working totally freelance for several years now and haven't seen a single Neumann of any type from any of the production companies and networks I work for. Last edited by Brian P. Reynolds; May 5th, 2011 at 03:43 PM.

May 6th, 2011, 08:42 AM	#23
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	Re: Which shotgun mic? The Neumann 81i and 82i are, in fact, extremely nice mics. I actually have an 81i (almost 30 years old now). They are not used so much because people forget about them and only think of Neumann as a company that produce studio mics. They do sound different from the Sennheisers though, and if you are used to a 416 you might find the transition difficult. Also they are not RF condensers like the Sennheiser MKH series are and therefore not so good in damp conditions. __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

May 8th, 2011, 12:52 AM	#24
Robert McGowan Regular Crew Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York Posts: 39	Re: Which shotgun mic? I purchased the Sanken CS3e about a year ago after a lot of research and comparisons. I primarily use it indoors in a controlled interview setting. Matter of act I used it today in just such a situation. As has been mentioned it's expensive but I'm very happy with my investment. I'll have the opportunity to use it outdoors later this year and I'm anxious to hear the results.