windy location audio recording
 

I film outdoors most of the time and it is usually windy. Can anyone suggest a good Mic/Windjammer setup for recording in these situations to eliminate the wind noise.

Many Thanks.

A good value is the K-Tek Zeppelin http://mklemme.com/zepps_screens.html
It compares very well to the Sennhesier set-up seen here http://dvcreators.net/sennheiser-mics

For a shotgun mic, there's a number out there depending on how much you want to spend. Here is a page with a few of the more popular models http://dvestore.com/theatre/mics.html

Audio Technica AT-897
RODE NTG-2
Sennheiser ME66/K6
Audio Technica 4073A
Sennheiser MKH-416

An inexpensive set-up could be as simple as a $ 149 RODE Videomic with a $40 "Deadcat"

All the way up to the

$324.99 Sennheiser MZS-20 Pistol Grip
$289.99 Sennheiser MZW60-1 Blimp Windscreen
$188.99 Sennheiser long haired wind muff
$1099 Sennheiser MKH-416

Middle of the road set-up:

$99 K-TEK Zeppelin "Slip over" Windscreen
$269 RODE NTG-2
$39-$59 RODE SM4 Shock mount or Audio Technica 8415

My experience is that the Rode "Dead Cat" is not very effective. The Rycote furry cover (can't remember the brand name) is better and the Rycote Softie (a shaped foam inner covered with short fur) is better stil, but will still give a bit of a roar in more than a light breeze. I have found that putting a second layer of furry material over a Softie, large enough to allow an inch or two of "dead" air in between, makes a real difference. It's still not as effective as a proper basket, but is small and light enough to mount on camera (yes I know, no one ever does that... except for all of us that do!) and is considerably cheaper. I paid less than a pound for a yard or so of teddy-bear material, with fur about 1 inch long, from a local craft shop. I'm using a Rode NTG-1 in a Beyer Dynamic EA86 shock mount. Not expensive and very effective. HTH.

Mark, would you have a picture of what you did? I have lotsa trouble with my NTG-2 and the dead cat which I feel does basically nothing. I wouldn't mind spending some money if it really helped but I'm all for DIY if it works... And since I'm a one man band a zepplin is not an option...
Thanks,
Matthias

Many thanks for the useful information.

The setup I use at present is a Rycote softie on a pistol grip. It is fine in light breezes, but a lot of my filming is done on hills where the wind really does blow (I live in Scotland) so I suppose I would have to go the extra mile and purchase the blimp gear.

Are some shotgun mics more susceptible to wind than others?

So the Deadcat is useless? Hmmm. Any other options for a Rode Videomic user?

There was a similar post awhile back.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=102048

You really need a full blimp system, money well spent. As for the Rode NTG-2, we've noticed that its noiser in the wind and more sensitive to handling noise than compared to our Sennheiser 418.

Thanks for that additional information Ed.

While browsing Ebay I came across this item

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pro-Blimp-wind...QQcmdZViewItem

Any Comments?

I believe this is the same exact Zeppelin that somebody here purchased (although theirs came from India). It wasn't perfect from what remember of the review, but it wasn't a total waste of money either.

Just found the review: http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=91294


Wayne

Look in this tread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=103266


I also have a NTG-2, most of the time on-camera...
On top of it is a really thick Reinhardt W22-200HW, but most of the time in a more than moderate breeze you can hear the wind rumbelling, so it isn't enough. :-(

Thanks for all the comments. It would seem that the Indian made windjammers are not really up to the task.

I need an ON CAMERA solution anyway and I think that was what the initial poster was asking too.

Those insisting the addressing the wind with an on-camera solution should probably forget the shotgun mic and use a lavalier with a generous piece of foam (or mini-windjammer), if not gaffer-taped under the clothing.

Good luck, Michael

On-camera zeppelin/windjammer combo in not possible for obvious reasons, but a one man band with camera & zeppelin mic is possible. It depends on the camera: if you have a camera which does not require your left had to operate, and you are ready to shoot on auto (camera can do it reliably), you can do the audio with your lefty. I did that once with Sony TRV900 and the results were good enough for NG adventure channel.

There really was no other way to go, Tibetan plateau IS a windy place. No softie or deadcat cuts it when there is more than a light breeze.

K-Tek makes a DV cam adapter that allows shock mounts normally mounted on a boom pole to mount directly onto the camera. This would allow the full range of dead cats and zepplins to mount as well.