Rycote Undercovers at DVinfo.net

Kevin Randolph · February 10th, 2007, 02:24 PM

Has anyone had any success with these?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I recently shot some footage outdoors and used these on the talent with a sure WL50 lav. There was a lot of background noise at the shoot (street corner) so it was difficult to monitor the audio. When I got back to the edit bay, there was a significant amount of rustling noise. Am I doing something wrong in the use of these?

Here's what I did:

1. Rycote double stick pad on the inside of a suit jacket just above mid-chest
2. WL50 on the pad with the little silver windscreen in place
3. Rycote felt pad over the mic and on the pad
4. I let the mic cable hang free under the suit jacket and clipped the transmitter to the talent's belt, letting the antenna hang free as well.
5. I had the receiver's antenna straight up and the distance was only about 10 to 15 feet (well within the range of these units)

Any suggestions? Did I create room for the rustle to happen by leaving the tiny windscreen on the mic?

Thanks,
Kevin

Steve House · February 10th, 2007, 05:55 PM

Sometimes it helps to secure the jacket and shirt together with a loop of gaffers tape so they don't slide over each other with the mic in between as the talent moves. Did you put put a strain-relief loop in the cable up by the mic by tieing it with a piece of thread and then securing the loop to the fabric near to the mic? Letting the cable dangle free lets it rub on the fabric and any vibrations created get transfered right to the mic otherwise.

Kevin Randolph · February 10th, 2007, 06:05 PM

No, I must admit that I forgot the loop. I'll have to do some test before my next shoot where I plan to use the Undercovers.

Any thoughts on leaving on the windscreen?

Thanks,
Kevin

Steve House · February 11th, 2007, 04:51 AM

I'd think the bulk of the windscreen would make it almost impossible for the clothing NOT to slide over its surface causing noise. Try without it and see what happens, since the jacket would screen it from any breezes and exhalations anyway.

Kevin Randolph · February 12th, 2007, 09:18 PM

Bulk of the windscreen? Just to clarify, I wasn't using the foam windscreen like these here...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...cessory_detail

I was using the one that is pictured on the mic here...(see attachment)

The little silver windscreen on the top of the mic, would you think that is too bulky? Would it be safe for the mic to be taped down without it? Just wondering. Any info or light that you could shed on the matter would be great. I do appreciate your advice.

Kevin

Steve House · February 13th, 2007, 05:17 AM

Thought you meant you'd used a foam widscreen. My mistake. The mesh cap shouldn't be too bulky.

February 10th, 2007, 02:24 PM	#1
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	Rycote Undercovers Has anyone had any success with these? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search I recently shot some footage outdoors and used these on the talent with a sure WL50 lav. There was a lot of background noise at the shoot (street corner) so it was difficult to monitor the audio. When I got back to the edit bay, there was a significant amount of rustling noise. Am I doing something wrong in the use of these? Here's what I did: 1. Rycote double stick pad on the inside of a suit jacket just above mid-chest 2. WL50 on the pad with the little silver windscreen in place 3. Rycote felt pad over the mic and on the pad 4. I let the mic cable hang free under the suit jacket and clipped the transmitter to the talent's belt, letting the antenna hang free as well. 5. I had the receiver's antenna straight up and the distance was only about 10 to 15 feet (well within the range of these units) Any suggestions? Did I create room for the rustle to happen by leaving the tiny windscreen on the mic? Thanks, Kevin __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 10th, 2007, 05:55 PM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Sometimes it helps to secure the jacket and shirt together with a loop of gaffers tape so they don't slide over each other with the mic in between as the talent moves. Did you put put a strain-relief loop in the cable up by the mic by tieing it with a piece of thread and then securing the loop to the fabric near to the mic? Letting the cable dangle free lets it rub on the fabric and any vibrations created get transfered right to the mic otherwise. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

February 10th, 2007, 06:05 PM	#3
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	No, I must admit that I forgot the loop. I'll have to do some test before my next shoot where I plan to use the Undercovers. Any thoughts on leaving on the windscreen? Thanks, Kevin __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 11th, 2007, 04:51 AM	#4
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	I'd think the bulk of the windscreen would make it almost impossible for the clothing NOT to slide over its surface causing noise. Try without it and see what happens, since the jacket would screen it from any breezes and exhalations anyway. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

February 12th, 2007, 09:18 PM	#5
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	Bulk of the windscreen? Just to clarify, I wasn't using the foam windscreen like these here... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...cessory_detail I was using the one that is pictured on the mic here...(see attachment) The little silver windscreen on the top of the mic, would you think that is too bulky? Would it be safe for the mic to be taped down without it? Just wondering. Any info or light that you could shed on the matter would be great. I do appreciate your advice. Kevin Attached Thumbnails __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 13th, 2007, 05:17 AM	#6
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Thought you meant you'd used a foam widscreen. My mistake. The mesh cap shouldn't be too bulky. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!