AT897 vs Sennheiser ME67 at DVinfo.net

Andre Andreev · March 17th, 2004, 04:00 PM

Yes, another mic shootout.

I own the 67 and am unhappy with the echo I get indoors. I have read the good reviews on the new AT mic and would like to hear from someone who has actually used both.

I shoot with the dvx100A, 70% indoors and 30% outdoors and one of my upcoming projects is based on indoor interviews.

I guess my question is, should I sell the ME67 and get the AT or stretch moneywise and add the AT to my arsenal.

Would the AT be an adequate replacement for the ME67?

Would it give better results indoors and compatible results outdoors?

Where would I NEED the ME67?

Another option is to get the ME66. Should I prefer it to the AT897?

Thank you.
-- Andre

Bryan Beasleigh · March 17th, 2004, 10:11 PM

You have the Sennheiser K6 preamp already. An inexpensive way out may be to buy a ME64 capsule. It's a cardoid and apparently works well indoors for dialog. B&H sells it for $160

The ME65 supercardoid is listed as a hand mic but there's no reason it couldn't be boomed or camera mounted. it is an electret condenser and it has a 10 mv output which will do fine with your DVX100. Again that works with your K6 preamp. it 195 at B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=73089&is=REG&si=feat#goto_itemInfo

It takes second to unscrew the K6 and attache another capsule.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=73089&is=REG&si=feat#goto_itemInfo

Since you have phantom available you could buy an Oktava mc012 and really step up in the mic world. the sound would be very impressive from your camera.

go on www.dvfreelancer.com and listen to the Oktava cuts. there's one of Martin Garrison comparing a neuman with the Oktava. i have one of several mics with the oktava.

You can go for a sure thing at www.oktava.com or take a chance at a guitar center.
The sound room (www.oktava.com charges $190 for a preamp, cardoid capsule an 10 db pad and $290 for a kit with an omni, cardoid and hypercardoid.

Guitar center sells for anywhere between $50 and $150 for the single. The sound room has better QC.

Do a sercah on oktava and you'll have lots of reading. Check out the mic samples I mentioned.

Alessandro Machi · March 18th, 2004, 09:10 PM

I use the ME-66. I think all shotgun mikes produce echo in close quarters. I use furniture pads to first cover my gear when it's in my car, and then lo and behold, I have them for sound adjusting when I'm actually shooting interviews.

Drop a THICK furniture pad on a cement floor, hang one off a C-stand, it can really help reduce echo. I also own two very unique audio cables with built in resistance padding. I can "knock down" my mike sensitivity from 5-20 DB.

Basically I can shoot anywhere and prevent audio distortion by dialing down the mike's sensitivity. What an incredible tool. The more precise one makes their camera's microphone, the less the auto gain structure of the camera has to work. That can only be a good thing.

Bryan Beasleigh · March 18th, 2004, 11:25 PM

Or use a mixer and manual gain. Padding is a good idea though, I would think an adjustable barrel pad would be the ideal.

Alessandro Machi · March 19th, 2004, 12:08 AM

My tech made me two adjustable XLR barrel pads. Does anyone know if anyone is making these yet. We both agree that this could be an incredible audio tool.

Bryan Beasleigh · March 19th, 2004, 12:28 AM

Audio Technica 8202- Provides -10 dB, -20 dB or -30 dB attenuation
http://www.audiotechnica.com/guide/other/access/inline.html#AT8202

Shure A15AS- attenuation can be switch selected for 15, 20, or 25 dB

http://www.shure.com/accessories/a15as.asp?PN=Problem%20Solvers

March 17th, 2004, 04:00 PM	#1
Andre Andreev Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 98	AT897 vs Sennheiser ME67 Yes, another mic shootout. I own the 67 and am unhappy with the echo I get indoors. I have read the good reviews on the new AT mic and would like to hear from someone who has actually used both. I shoot with the dvx100A, 70% indoors and 30% outdoors and one of my upcoming projects is based on indoor interviews. I guess my question is, should I sell the ME67 and get the AT or stretch moneywise and add the AT to my arsenal. Would the AT be an adequate replacement for the ME67? Would it give better results indoors and compatible results outdoors? Where would I NEED the ME67? Another option is to get the ME66. Should I prefer it to the AT897? Thank you. -- Andre

March 18th, 2004, 09:10 PM	#3
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	I use the ME-66. I think all shotgun mikes produce echo in close quarters. I use furniture pads to first cover my gear when it's in my car, and then lo and behold, I have them for sound adjusting when I'm actually shooting interviews. Drop a THICK furniture pad on a cement floor, hang one off a C-stand, it can really help reduce echo. I also own two very unique audio cables with built in resistance padding. I can "knock down" my mike sensitivity from 5-20 DB. Basically I can shoot anywhere and prevent audio distortion by dialing down the mike's sensitivity. What an incredible tool. The more precise one makes their camera's microphone, the less the auto gain structure of the camera has to work. That can only be a good thing. __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)

March 19th, 2004, 12:08 AM	#5
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	My tech made me two adjustable XLR barrel pads. Does anyone know if anyone is making these yet. We both agree that this could be an incredible audio tool. __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)

March 17th, 2004, 10:11 PM	#2
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	You have the Sennheiser K6 preamp already. An inexpensive way out may be to buy a ME64 capsule. It's a cardoid and apparently works well indoors for dialog. B&H sells it for $160 The ME65 supercardoid is listed as a hand mic but there's no reason it couldn't be boomed or camera mounted. it is an electret condenser and it has a 10 mv output which will do fine with your DVX100. Again that works with your K6 preamp. it 195 at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=73089&is=REG&si=feat#goto_itemInfo It takes second to unscrew the K6 and attache another capsule. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=73089&is=REG&si=feat#goto_itemInfo Since you have phantom available you could buy an Oktava mc012 and really step up in the mic world. the sound would be very impressive from your camera. go on www.dvfreelancer.com and listen to the Oktava cuts. there's one of Martin Garrison comparing a neuman with the Oktava. i have one of several mics with the oktava. You can go for a sure thing at www.oktava.com or take a chance at a guitar center. The sound room (www.oktava.com charges $190 for a preamp, cardoid capsule an 10 db pad and $290 for a kit with an omni, cardoid and hypercardoid. Guitar center sells for anywhere between $50 and $150 for the single. The sound room has better QC. Do a sercah on oktava and you'll have lots of reading. Check out the mic samples I mentioned.

March 18th, 2004, 11:25 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Or use a mixer and manual gain. Padding is a good idea though, I would think an adjustable barrel pad would be the ideal.

March 19th, 2004, 12:28 AM	#6
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Audio Technica 8202- Provides -10 dB, -20 dB or -30 dB attenuation http://www.audiotechnica.com/guide/other/access/inline.html#AT8202 Shure A15AS- attenuation can be switch selected for 15, 20, or 25 dB http://www.shure.com/accessories/a15as.asp?PN=Problem%20Solvers