View Full Version : Which is the better windscreen/muff


Scott Delish
June 2nd, 2008, 09:59 AM
Which would block out higher winds but keep the audio nice and not sound choppy?

http://www.dvcreators.net/k-tek-windscreen/

or

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2678...ole_Softie.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/267890-REG/Rycote_033042_14cm_Medium_Hole_Softie.html)

Chris Swanberg
June 2nd, 2008, 11:03 AM
I don't have experience with the K-Tec but would have to guess it is a tossup as between those two choices.

For $75 more you could have a blimp from India.

Shaun Roemich
June 2nd, 2008, 12:45 PM
I've used the Rycote and can vouch for it. K-Tec makes great boom poles but I know nothing of their windstoppers.

Dennis Kane
June 5th, 2008, 02:04 PM
I have the K Tek Zeppelin and it is a wonderful product. It is the larger version and it cost around $ 400. The two products you have mentioned, I think are not going to do much in high wind. I think you will be wasting your money. They will perform a little better than a foam and furry wind cover. If you want to guarantee good audio, use a Zeppelin, otherwise you will be greatly disappointed.

Martin Pauly
June 6th, 2008, 09:24 AM
Which would block out higher winds but keep the audio nice and not sound choppy?I agree with Dennis. I have both the Rycote Softie and the K-Tek blimp system, and there is a huge difference between them. The Softie (and, I would guess, the same goes for the K-Tek windscreen) cannot eliminate wind noise in anything stronger than a gentle breeze.

- Martin

Greg Bellotte
June 6th, 2008, 10:51 AM
give this a shot...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298966-REG/Windtech_BG_1_BG_1_Windscreen.html

when you find winds in which it isn't adequate, you have not wasted as much of your blimp budget.

Renton Maclachlan
June 6th, 2008, 01:56 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-Long-Blimp-windscreen-windjammer-for-AT815ST-mic_W0QQitemZ120269245360QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3319QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Peter Moretti
August 26th, 2008, 03:22 AM
Are you guys using the blimp w/ or w/o the furry cover?

Chris Swanberg
August 26th, 2008, 06:48 PM
Outdoor generally with. Indoors, usually without.

Guy Cochran
August 27th, 2008, 12:43 PM
Between the Rycote and K-Tek slip over fuzzy's you'll find very little difference in build and sound quality.

Now if you move to a blimp system which creates a dead air space between the mic and the outside environment, you'll get a vastly different result, easily defeating a 25mph wind.

I used to be in love with the Sennheiser set-up which is around $800, but now K-Tek has a blimp with harry for under $400 K-Tek Zeppelin Windscreen at DVcreators.net (http://www.dvcreators.net/k-tek-zeppelin-windscreen/)
It's a little bit more of a pain to put together, but produces very similar results. It is heavier than the Sennheiser set-up.

I took the Sennheiser setup and tried it outdoors in this test
DV Gear Talk (http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid275887224/bclid184432313/bctid187743884)

And we should be receiving a new model from RODE any day now.

Jimmy Tuffrey
August 27th, 2008, 02:10 PM
I have a Rycote zeppelin with hairy windjammer and I leave them both on indoors unless it's a drama in which case they come off and on goes the foam.

The point is if you are buzzing about then there is no problem leaving it all on. If you are spending the afternoon in doors then take them off.

Sometimes what really matters is getting the mic in right place quickly and being able to move location real quick and still hit record and get it right. A bit of high frequency attenuation is no big deal compared to getting a good mix and catching the action. In those situations the less fuss the better.

Marco Leavitt
September 1st, 2008, 12:24 PM
Man, I'm a big believer in softies. Blimps are just to darn heavy, and it takes pretty high wind to take out my Rycote softie. Jimmy, you really use a fur windscreen indoors? Dude, I don't recommend that at all.

Steve Oakley
September 1st, 2008, 12:49 PM
softies don't work well once you start to get more then a slight breeze - say 10mph +. as soon as I get some free cash I'm picking up a S series,

Marco Leavitt
September 1st, 2008, 01:14 PM
I don't know how to visualize a 10 mph wind, but the point at which I start to get wind rumble with a softie the hair of the actors is blowing all over the place and their clothing is flapping, so it's usually a problem for picture as well. I'd say the softie works well about 95 percent of the time. No doubt though, you need a full blimp for serious wind.

Martin Pauly
September 2nd, 2008, 02:52 PM
I don't know how to visualize a 10 mph windHere in the Midwest, there's really a day with less than 10 mph wind (during the day, that is - nights and early mornings are a different story). I upgraded from a softie to a full blimp because the softie was so often not sufficient. That's with a Sennheiser MKH416 mic - results with other mics may vary.

- Martin