K-Tek showed a new mount at the DV Show today, very impressive for the price. This is sub 100.00, I think it's only 60.00, shock mount that will hold most shotgun/small diaphragm mics.Engineered a little differently, but very universal. In fact, it's called the Universal Mic suspension.
K-Tek also showed a new boom that fits into any suitcase or carry on. Impressive little bit of aluminum with internal cable or not.

I don't know if it's on their website or not, but for me, it was one of a very few impressive tools/new toys at the DV Expo show.

They didn't introduce a longer boom in the Avalon series did they?

Longer than 21'? No. You need a handheld boom longer than 21 feet??? (actually, it's 20' 7") That's pretty damn long.
They did introduce a shorter one though. Aluminum, not graphite. According to Mannfred, it would be too expensive to produce in graphite.

They have a 20 foot Avalon series pole? The longest I've seen is about 9 feet.

They have a 20 foot Avalon series pole? The longest I've seen is about 9 feet.


http://www.mklemme.com/pole/k251.html

Actually, that's graphite. The Avalons are the budget aluminum poles. Can't afford their top of the line stuff at the moment unfortunately. :(

I'm sorry, I think I misunderstood your post. I don't know what the K-202 is made of. I just meant that the K-202 is part of their professional line. I wish they made an Avalon pole that was 12 feet or 14 feet.

Hi Douglas:

Thanks for the news. I just bit the bullet and picked up a CMC641. What shocked me (pardon the pun) about this microphone is how sensitive it is to handling noise. I was wondering if you might be able to recommend a shock mount for it (I dread having to buy a cut1).

I have an AT8514 (not good for this mic), and a K-Tek SM (it's OK if you're very careful). Can you tell me how the new K-Tek might compare to the SM? Or maybe I might be better off with the Scheops mount?

Thank you for any insights and recommendations.

Merry Merry!

Ben

We just use the AT8415 and roll off the bass at the mixer. It works fine. We have two, one with K-Tek bands and one with the regular bands. I haven't noticed much difference in handling noise to tell you the truth.

It's somewhat similar to the 8415, but a little more spread, but the way they've configured the rubber and arms, I'd think it would be slightly better than the 8415 for just a tad less cost. Be sure to order extra rubbers, and you can put a couple extra on the mic. They act as deadeners, and that way you've always got spares, too.

We just use the AT8415 and roll off the bass at the mixer. It works fine. We have two, one with K-Tek bands and one with the regular bands. I haven't noticed much difference in handling noise to tell you the truth.

Hi Marco:

Thanks for the insights. Unfortunately, my mixer (mixpre) doesn't have bass roll off capability. I wondered about those bands too. Now I know.

Thanks again!

Ben

It's somewhat similar to the 8415, but a little more spread, but the way they've configured the rubber and arms, I'd think it would be slightly better than the 8415 for just a tad less cost. Be sure to order extra rubbers, and you can put a couple extra on the mic. They act as deadeners, and that way you've always got spares, too.

Hi Douglas:

Better and cheaper is the right combination! :)

Good advice as always. Thank you!

Ben

"Unfortunately, my mixer (mixpre) doesn't have bass roll off capability."

I'm pretty sure you do. This is from the features page for the Mixpre at B&H:
"Low-cut filter switches eliminate noise caused by rumble, wind and proximity effect at 80Hz or 160Hz (user switchable).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=292988&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

"Unfortunately, my mixer (mixpre) doesn't have bass roll off capability."

I'm pretty sure you do. ...


Yep - page 6 of the user's manual, in the input panel, labeled "High Pass Filter switch" and discussed in detail on page 9.

>CMC641. What shocked me (pardon the pun) about this microphone
>is how sensitive it is to handling noise....I dread having to buy a cut1.

The Cut1 is the way to go. But your MixPre can help a bit. The high-pass filters are on the side panel next to the Mic inputs and below the tape out. If you don't have it handy, you can download the MixPre manual here:

<http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm>

>Boom Poles:

The K-Tek low-cost Avalon line is still settling down. Right now, the Aluminum Avalon poles max out at 9 feet. The Avalon Graphite poles go to 12 feet. And K-Tek's full line goes to 20 feet (or so).

But what I liked at the K-Tek DV Expo booth (in addition to the new mount Douglas mentioned) was the new Avalon Traveler pole. This little guy is 20-inches collapsed and 6.5-feet (or so) extended. Not a long pole, but small enough to fit in carry-on luggage and in common Pelican cases (uh, the 1600 I think?). So it's cool for travelling (hence the name, I guess) and as a compact back-up on doc/ENG stuff.

Also note that PSC has their own new line of boom poles. PSC distributed VdB for years and these new poles, which I first saw at DV Expo, look decent. They vary from quite small (like the traveller) to 17 feet.

Hope this helps,

Jim

I'm pretty sure you do. This is from the features page for the Mixpre at B&H:
"Low-cut filter switches eliminate noise caused by rumble, wind and proximity effect at 80Hz or 160Hz (user switchable).
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Yep, you're right! I forgot about those little switches on the side. Mea Culpa.
(I would have seen them if I took it out of the case.)

Thank you, Marco!

The Cut1 is the way to go. But your MixPre can help a bit. The high-pass filters are on the side panel next to the Mic inputs and below the tape out. If you don't have it handy, you can download the MixPre manual here:

<http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm>

Hope this helps,

Jim

Thank you, Jim. That's what I was afraid of (the cut1 costs more than most of my old mics!). I'll play with the high-pass a bit (and probably add the cut1 to my wish list).

Best!
Ben