Sennheiser K6 -> GL2 Question

[Frank Ladner]

Hi guys!

If I were using a Beachtek DXA-6 and were to purchase a Sennheiser ME-66, would I still need to get the K6 powering module, or could I just hook straight to the DXA-6?

Thanks!

[Graham Bernard]

Frank, the K6, as you know, is the power module, but it not just that. On the "tube" of the Sennheiser ME-66 is a a scew thread ready to take the K6 module. On the rear of the K6 is an XLR connection. Forgetting about the "power" sorce needed, can't see how one could "physically" connect the ME-66 to anything without the K6 . . . yeah?

Grazie

[Ken Tanaka]

Yes, indeed, you will still need a K6 power module for your ME-66. The K6 also hosts some of the mic's preamp and bass roll-off circuitry. The good news is that the K6 is part of Sennheiser's modular system and is used to power the ME-65, ME-66 and ME-67 dynamic mic modules. So if you plan to add, say, a long lobar shotgun such as the ME-67 in the future your K6 will power that, too.

[Graham Bernard]

Here's some tech-spec for you:

http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/pdf/me66.pdf

Hope this helps too.

Grazie

[Frank Ladner]

That cleared things up for me! Thanks, guys!

[Frank Ladner]

So it looks like if I went with the Sennheiser K6P/ME66 combo, I couldn't use the Beachtek DXA-6, since it supplies 48v phantom, which the K6P does, and I can't see how that'd work together. Correct?

The K6/K6P output is balanced XLR, which would have to be converted to 1/8" miniplug to use with the GL2.
Does anyone know if the DXA-6's phantom power can be switched off, allowing a 'passive' connection? (It doesn't appear so in the description.) Or would I just have to go ahead and get the DXA-4P, which has 2 balanced XLR inputs, but no phantom supply, thus:

GL2 -> DXA-4P -> K6P -> ME66 -> Foam Windscreen (heh)

Will that work?

Again, thanks for the help!


,Frank

[Aaron Koolen]

Hi Frank. The K6P doesn't *supply* the phantom power, it will *accept* phantom power. The standard K6 will *accept* phantom and also take a battery.

So your Beachtek DXA-6 will work as it will supply the phantom power to the K6P.

The DXA-6 should work fine with the Gl2 - their brochure even mentions the Gl1/Gl2 when talking about using the device.

If I were you I'd get the K6 module then you can battery power it or phantom power it - your choice.

The phantom power can be turned off - there is a "PH PWR ON" switch on the adapter.

Cheers
Aaron

[Ken Tanaka]

The K6P is specifically designed to accommodate phantom power sources to mics. (The K6 supplies battery power to the mic.) So it will be compatible with the DXA-6.

The Beachtek connects to the miniplug on the GL2. The connections between the mic and Beachtek are the balanced portion.

Although foam windscreens offer good bump protection they are not very effective in attenuating wind noise in anything more than a 0.00567mph breeze. If you want a windscreen for outdoor use get a Rycote Softie for your ME-66. If you plan to use the mic on the camera get the short-hair version. If you plan to boom your mic get the long-hair.

[Frank Ladner]

Aaron: Thanks! So in your opinion, I should get the K6 to keep options open as far having the capability of using phantom and battery. That sounds good.

Ken: I am looking into the Rycotes, which are a bit more expensive than I thought, but from how much I've recently read about them, I'm sure they're worth it. I will probably go with the short-haired version.

However, if I were to boom with this mic, would I need a shock absorber?

[Neil Slade]

I've looked at all the wind socks out there, and I am SHOCKED at what is being charged for a relatively ridiculously simple bit of foam and fur.

Do what I did--

Get a fake lambs wool car seat cover. Fake fur. Cut a piece of it and sew it into a tube and pull it over your regular $25 foam wind sock.

The seat fur is EXACTLY the same material as used by the expensive wind sock suppliers and works exactly the same.

Okay, so it will take you 10 minutes to make.

Save $190 or more.

Neil

[Ken Tanaka]

Frank,
Yes, if you use a mic with a boom you will need a shock mount to prevent handling noise from being transmitted to the mic.

Regarding furry windscreens, yes the best are expensive. But they are not just overpriced swatches of fuzz. In fact, there's quite a bit of engineering behind the Rycote Softies and Windjammers. The filaments of "fur" are patented and designed specifically to attenuate wind noise without coloring most of the key audible sound frequencies. The internal suspension is also patented to dampen the effects of the physical shocks that wind can present to a mic. Rycote actually won a technical Academy Award for its design.

If you're a hobbyist on a tight budget and not doing critical work you may be best served sticking with a foam windscreen. It's better than no windscreen at all. But, contrary to Neil's assertion, there is no comparison between a Rycote product and, say, a wool fleece seat cover. If you spend $400 on a good shotgun mic I can absolutely gaurantee that you will be able to hear the difference in performance between wool fleece and a Rycote product.

[Aaron Koolen]

Frank, yeah that's what I would do (Well, *did* actually). I don't need phantom yet but who knows and I'd like to keep the option open. I think they're pretty close in price anyway, no?

Cheers
Aaron

[Neil Slade]

Ken,

With all do respect- and I have a keen eye and ear being a professional musician and audio engineer with about 20 discs under my belt and 25 years experience in audio.

I would suggest as a research project people take a bit of their fake fur seat cover to their local professional film supply house- as I did-
and compare. Granted, there are many types of fake fur- however, I noted that the one I had from my car had an UNCANNY resemblance to the Rycote fur. My car seat material looked EXACTLY the same.

I'll eat my windsock if it was different stuff.

If the Rycote stuff is scientifically prepared, so is my poop.

(ha! just a little joke).

But seriously, I've looked at the insides of the fancy socks and zeppelins, and yes, it's a bit more than just fur and foam-- but not much.

This reminds me of the ongoing battle between 24 bit and 16 bit recording in the audio industry. Yes, there is a difference- but it is only discernable when you listen with a magnifying glass, and for the most part the difference is more academic than practical.

I find this analogous to the many VERY expensive pieces of photo equipment out there- and have observed that the differences are so slight when you start paying the big bucks for much special equipment- differences that will never be noticed by anyone in the end. Especially if you are using a camera that costs less than $50,000.

I think it is reasonable and NATURAL to expect a little wind noise on a soundtrack where you are filming in a place that is WINDY.

Where its only a little windy- I don't think you will notice any difference between good car seat fur and scientifically patented Rycote fur.

Thanks
Cheers
Neil



Neil

[Graham Bernard]

1 - " . . but it is only discernable when you listen with a magnifying glass, " Love it love it love it . .. Can I use the same optical device instead of my very expensive Senni? Does it Zoom through? Does it link to the XM2 Optics - neat! A direct link from audio to optics . . . <wink>

2 - I'm all for DIY to keep costs down. Just rigged up a "Y" splitter formy Senni66 - I was going to be charged £60GBps for this - I did it with a soldering iron for >£10GBps!

3 - How much DOES a car seat cover cost?

Let the "Fur 'n Feathers Fly" - ooohhh FFF - is this a new email shorthand?

I'm going away now . . .I've really enjoyed reading this thread . . <wink>


Grazie

[Graham Bernard]

Neil, just been reading this over at Rycote:

http://rycote.com/website/homepage/home.html

Just thought I'd offer this up as some form of tech-spec info. Jury still out? - I can't copmplain, I got my foamie and Dead Rat for free - a vidpro friend gave it to me .. . don't get cheaper than that.


Grazie