Small Diaphragm Condenser Outdoors at DVinfo.net

Eric Coughlin · January 20th, 2014, 05:09 AM

I just got a Schoeps CMC641 and a Sanken CS-3e. From what I've read, shotguns are generally better outdoors, but some use small diaphram condensors outdoors instead of a shotgun. Most seem to agree that the Schoeps has better sound quality when in the right conditions than the Sanken or other shotguns in the right conditions. When would be a proper time to use the Schoeps outdoors? In quiet outdoor environments when the mic can get close?

I got a Rycote S-Series 330 for wind protection which is sized for the Sanken. How suitable is this for the Schoeps? Would a Baby Ball Gag be much improvement over the over-sized 330 Rycote? If there's no wind outside is using just the B5 Pop-Filter ever sufficient for outdoor use? I don't have a Cut 1 Low-Cut Filter and am recording audio into a C100 camera, Tascam DR-40, or Zoom H6, and I'm unsure of the quality of the low cut filters in them.

On the flip side, I've gathered that the Sanken CS-3e is better indoors in noisy environments and when the mic can't get as close. The Sanken CS-3e I got didn't come with a windscreen; when indoors should I use a basic windscreen (like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/456605-REG/Sanken_CS_3FW_Foam_Windscreen_for_the.html) to protect from wind when the boom swings around and then take it off for static shots?

Steve House · January 20th, 2014, 08:00 AM

I'd suggest leaving the foam on indoors and replacing it with a full windscreen outdoors.

Richard Crowley · January 20th, 2014, 09:55 AM

Many of the answers you are seeking would be better discovered by experimenting on your own. Because they depend a lot on exactly WHAT you are recording, and HOW. Feel free to go out with both mics and experiment with both (perhaps even simultaneously with one in each channel of the recorder).

A full Rycote windscreen rig is typically superior to a simple foam gag, especially outdoors where any breeze is expected.

John Willett · January 21st, 2014, 05:57 AM

A shotgun *is* a "small diaphragm condenser".

But I have answered this question more fully in one of the other forums where you posted the same question.

Ty Ford · January 22nd, 2014, 11:37 PM

"When would be a proper time to use the Schoeps outdoors? In quiet outdoor environments when the mic can get close?"

Any time you have a lot of unwanted surround noise and reflective surfaces like pavement, hard walls, windows, or any flat hard surface off of which sound will bounce.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Marco Leavitt · January 23rd, 2014, 01:56 PM

FYI I've had a CS3e for years and have never used a windscreen on it indoors. Never had a problem.

January 20th, 2014, 05:09 AM	#1
Eric Coughlin Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 72	Small Diaphragm Condenser Outdoors I just got a Schoeps CMC641 and a Sanken CS-3e. From what I've read, shotguns are generally better outdoors, but some use small diaphram condensors outdoors instead of a shotgun. Most seem to agree that the Schoeps has better sound quality when in the right conditions than the Sanken or other shotguns in the right conditions. When would be a proper time to use the Schoeps outdoors? In quiet outdoor environments when the mic can get close? I got a Rycote S-Series 330 for wind protection which is sized for the Sanken. How suitable is this for the Schoeps? Would a Baby Ball Gag be much improvement over the over-sized 330 Rycote? If there's no wind outside is using just the B5 Pop-Filter ever sufficient for outdoor use? I don't have a Cut 1 Low-Cut Filter and am recording audio into a C100 camera, Tascam DR-40, or Zoom H6, and I'm unsure of the quality of the low cut filters in them. On the flip side, I've gathered that the Sanken CS-3e is better indoors in noisy environments and when the mic can't get as close. The Sanken CS-3e I got didn't come with a windscreen; when indoors should I use a basic windscreen (like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/456605-REG/Sanken_CS_3FW_Foam_Windscreen_for_the.html) to protect from wind when the boom swings around and then take it off for static shots? __________________ https://Vimeo.com/TwoSenseFilms http://TwoSenseFilms.com

January 20th, 2014, 08:00 AM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Re: Small Diaphragm Condenser Outdoors I'd suggest leaving the foam on indoors and replacing it with a full windscreen outdoors. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

January 20th, 2014, 09:55 AM	#3
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Small Diaphragm Condenser Outdoors Many of the answers you are seeking would be better discovered by experimenting on your own. Because they depend a lot on exactly WHAT you are recording, and HOW. Feel free to go out with both mics and experiment with both (perhaps even simultaneously with one in each channel of the recorder). A full Rycote windscreen rig is typically superior to a simple foam gag, especially outdoors where any breeze is expected.

January 21st, 2014, 05:57 AM	#4
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	Re: Small Diaphragm Condenser Outdoors A shotgun is a "small diaphragm condenser". But I have answered this question more fully in one of the other forums where you posted the same question. __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

January 22nd, 2014, 11:37 PM	#5
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Re: Small Diaphragm Condenser Outdoors "When would be a proper time to use the Schoeps outdoors? In quiet outdoor environments when the mic can get close?" Any time you have a lot of unwanted surround noise and reflective surfaces like pavement, hard walls, windows, or any flat hard surface off of which sound will bounce. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

January 23rd, 2014, 01:56 PM	#6
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Re: Small Diaphragm Condenser Outdoors FYI I've had a CS3e for years and have never used a windscreen on it indoors. Never had a problem.