i've seen high recommendations for the at4073a as a good sounding mic for outdoor use. any recommendations for shooting indoors on a boom pole? thank you.

In order of price rode NT3, oktava MCO-12, AT3031, AKG CK93, AT4053a, AKG CK63, Sanken CS-1, sennheiser MKH50, Schoeps MK41. From $152 for the Rode NT3 to the $1350 Schoeps. They're mostly hypercardoid which is the dialog mic of choice in close confines. The CS-1 although advertised as a short shotgun doesn't have much of a rear lobe and acts more like a hypercardoid in it's response. i've included the 3031 as Jay M feels strongly about it value. i have yet to try that one. I own or have had some exposure to the rest.

To get a better understanding of the differences read Jay Rose's pattern recognition (http://www.dv.com/features/features_item.jhtml?LookupId=/xml/feature/2003/rose0203) and Schoeps white paper on microphone types (http://www.schoeps.de/E-2004/mics-gen-characs.html)

For a better feel of the difference in the type and quality listen to these clips. (http://www.dvfreelancer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=248)

Bryan, do you just have that answer set to copy/paste when this question comes up? Dang but you post it fast!

Actually I custom answer each question. There are some subtle differences, but you are right there aren't many. I guess it would save time since i've mentioned the mic pattern article and the Schoeps whiote paper about 16 gazillion times this week.

You do the same , all of your answers are crafted to the particular question, and they're all pretty good as well. i guess it's a labor of love.

The At4073a will make a good outdoor mic, but what drawbacks will it have for indoor? I'm looking to get one good indoor/outdoor shotgun. Is my thinking wrong? Is it worth it to have one particularly suited for indoor and another for outdoor?