Sennheiser K6 -> GL2 Question

[Neil Slade]

Yes, I've actually been to the Rycote site- but better yet-- I've had one in my hands.

What is really funny is their picture shows them on top of a secluded mountain top with a big furry sock-- and I'm just wondering--

What exactly are they recording anyway?

The scampering of mouse feet over the tundra?

The fluttering of a falcon's wings at 18,000 feet?

!

Technical awards are generally what companies do to pat themselves on the back- like the Oscars.

In all seriousness, the Rycote socks are probably quite good- but I, for one, do not try to shoot outdoor scenes when the wind is mixing up my cast members clothes with the sagebrush blowing by at 20 mph.

Neil the Practical

[Graham Bernard]

****** Neil - Yer A Star ! ******


Grazie

[Neil Slade]

The best windsocks actually come from Scotland, where the original founder of Rycote started in the back of a garage.

I got one of these Scottish Windpals (tm) a couple of years ago.

The advantage over the Rycotes is that these furry Scottish windbreakers have about 60 percent denser "fur" than the Rycotes and a very unusual snow white perpetually renewing cover. They also keep your microphone close by- so you never leave it anywhere. Its a miracle of modern engineering, something they haven't yet caught on down south in Stroud.

For a photo of my Scottish Windpal (tm) hooked up to my Seinheiser ME66 go here:
http://www.neilslade.com/gifs/ScottishWindpal.jpg

Neil

BTW What is everybody doing up so late anyway?

[Graham Bernard]

Hah HAH!!! Love it . . .you just whistle . . and there it be! - Excellent.

Grazie

[Frank Ladner]

Ha ha.

Neil: Funny stuff!

I've enjoyed this thread. Thanks a lot for the replies!

So I may try and make my own windsock - not sure yet, but the fact remains that if I want to boom, I need a shockmount.

Thanks!

[Graham Bernard]

Neil - Does the RSPCA know about this? 'cos presently I see the, . . . . well the "animal fur" and the Senni separately.

Pray tell me, where does the Senni . . .erm . . how can I put this politely - is there an aperture to insert the Senni? - Does it require any . . veternary expertise?

Just to "clear-up-the-matter" are you prepared to show how you actually "mount" the Senni with the "ScottishWindpal".

Personally, what people do in the privacy of their own home is up to them. I really couldn't care . . . but just so we are completely clear, I think you should "post" a picture - not much ask - eh?

Just asking . . . . . of course.


Grazie

[Neil Slade]

Okay folks, here's another ANTI-PHOTO EQUIPMENT suggestion you may enjoy-

full web page with PHOTOS here:
http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/pole.html


Okay folks, here's another ANTI-PHOTO EQUIPMENT
suggestion you may enjoy-


Yes, once again a visit to FVESCO here in Denver
(Professional Hollywood "Film and Video Supply
Company") alerted me to the reality of the oh so
necessary cost of a professional fiberglass or carbon
fiber microphone boom. This tool is a marvel of modern
engineering, and something no serious filmaker can
afford to be without.

"Our company has researched all the scientific
parameters so that your modern microphone boom
operates in the most efficient and safe manner, causing
a minimum in stress and the utmost ease in your sound
engineer's paws---- um, hands."

Please make out your personal check for $350 for the 8
foot model, or $859 for the DELUXE 10 foot model.


OR.............


First I ordered an Electrovoice camera shoe microphone
shock mount from B and H for $30. Of course, this is a
piece of plastic tubing with rubber bands on either end,
and if I wasn't so lazy I could have created the same
thing from the hardware store out of PVC tubing for
about 25 cents.

Anyway, I fell for THAT one , but then SWITCHED ON MY
FRONTAL LOBES (see web site) and went to Home
Depot and bought for $19.95 a fiberglass extendable
LIGHT BULB CHANGING POLE.

I drilled out the end of that, and installed the proper
double end threaded bolt from the hardware store- $1
using 1/8 tube of JB Weld super duper epoxy. I then
screwed my mike shock on the end of the tube---- (yes,
it comes apart too)---

VOILA- Mike boom.

I checked out the length and weight of my sturdy and
lightweight pole and compared with the PROFESSIONAL
poles out there:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh3.sph/FrameWork.class

My Home Depot "Professional" boom Pole is actually
LIGHTER by many ounces, and quite a bit longer
LONGER (15 feet, folks) than comparible fiberglass
poles costing ten times more dinero. Yes, it does not
flex when fully extended- unless you put a brick on the
end of it.

If 15 feet isn't long enough, you can buy a window wiper
holder aluminum pole instead-- but be prepaired to pay
big bucks for that piece of specialty equipment- it's $10
more.

It also has the added benefit of being bright and
cheerful yellow, warning gaffers and grips to get out of
the way when it comes swinging by.

Price does not include optional professional removable
vinyl electrical mike-cord attaching strips.

This Home Depot Boom Pole has been rigorously and
SCIENTIFICALLY tested under the most strenuous
filming conditions and has won numerous AWARDS from
the National Council On Custodial and Film Supplies.

[Ken Tanaka]

Neil,
Fair enough. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this topic, at least until I have a chance to try some car seat fur. The closest item I have is a window washing fleece which, by the way, has a strikingly similar design to a furry basket screen cover.

[Neil Slade]

RYCOTE VERSUS CHECKER AUTO PARTS WINDSOCKS TESTED

Actual-- I must fess up-- I had more fun than anything regarding the Rycote versus a do-it-yourself furry mitt.

I have since updated my page http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/windpal.html in fairness to Rycote, who offers a superb product, which in fact outperforms my car seat version.
I have to admit, I have seen EXACTLY the same fur on one of my dogs chew toys. But I think the wind noise depression of the Rycote has as much to do with the thicker interior foam thickness as anything, versus the thinner foam padding of a standard windscreen. See below:


(However, please take a look at my Home Depot Boom, which in fact, for $20 works exactly the same (no joke) as other boom poles- granted, the mike cord is exterior to the pole http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/pole.html )

TEST RESULTS:

I did some tests today with a few variations concerning windscreens, and simply tested indoors for frequency response and wind filtering ability-- using an indoor fan and high frequency sounds from a human voice, using a Sein ME66:

A) The typical ME66 foam windscreen does a good job in low wind, screening low frequency wind rumble. Once the air starts moving good however, it eventually fails. It is extremely transparent and does not seem to modify the frequency pickup of the mike.

B) If you fit my car seat cover fur over it, it helps a LITTLE, but also decreases the high freqency sensitivity a bit- actually about the same as a Rycote Softie.

C) A Rycote LONG FUR Softie SUBSTANTIALLY cuts wind noise, and similar to the car seat fur DIY version, also cuts a bit of the high frequencies in the process- but not enough to really be concerned with in either case.

D) A Rycote SHORT FUR Softie cuts even more high frequencies - getting noticable now- than the long fur version- but reportedly is for less wind- so go figure, why would anyone want one of these?

Hope this really sets the record straight.
Neil