replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? at DVinfo.net

Harry Pallenberg · December 29th, 2013, 01:20 AM

My B-team shotgun for years has been an old AT835 shotgun for years that was recently destroyed. Since my A-team is a Senn 416 - I was thinking of getting the MKE 600 as the new back up.

The AT 835 was hissy and had much lower levels (the lower levels actually helped at times) but I'd like something a bit quieter and closer to the 416.

Other ideas? ME 66? Rode? Ideas?

Jay Massengill · December 29th, 2013, 08:31 AM

Does this mic need the ability to run on internal battery as well as phantom power?

Paul R Johnson · December 29th, 2013, 09:26 AM

How about a second hand 416? ebay often have them and a few scratches won't really matter - plus it will sound exactly the same as your other mic, and behave the same too!

Rick Reineke · December 29th, 2013, 11:03 AM

Beware of the 416 counterfeits that have been discovered in the last year or so on eBay.

Harry Pallenberg · December 29th, 2013, 12:20 PM

don't want to spend more than $400 and a used 416 is usually almost double and I am fearful of the fakes.

I do like the idea of battery option even though I can't remember the last time I did not have phantom... but no it does not HAVE to have it if there is a good option.

Harry Pallenberg · December 29th, 2013, 12:25 PM

Would a ME 66 be better than the old AT835? I have a friend who will sell it for like 300 with the K6 power.

Rick Reineke · December 29th, 2013, 03:33 PM

Probably about the same in terms of self noise and sensitivity with the K6 system. The 'hiss' maybe from your preamp when cranked due to low output mics. AT states sensitivity of the 835b as: 12.5 mV (Phantom) and 11.2 mV (Battery) Both of which ain't 'that' bad. The MKE 600 has a hotter output @ 21 mV and would be a better choice if using with noisy budget preamps IMO.
The Sennheiser K6 is modular could be more versatile with additional caps and/or a lav,
I've seen used AT4073a short shotguns for around $400, which has very high output level, (70.8 mV). Internal battery power is not an option though.

John Willett · January 2nd, 2014, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Pallenberg

My B-team shotgun for years has been an old AT835 shotgun for years that was recently destroyed. Since my A-team is a Senn 416 - I was thinking of getting the MKE 600 as the new back up.

The AT 835 was hissy and had much lower levels (the lower levels actually helped at times) but I'd like something a bit quieter and closer to the 416.

Other ideas? ME 66? Rode? Ideas?

The MKE 600 should be perfect - although it's cheaper than the K6+ME66, it is said to sound better.

I would say - go for it.

Harry Pallenberg · January 2nd, 2014, 03:25 PM

Rode NTG-3 also seems like a really good deal. Some say as good as Senn 416 just a bit wider and better than the 600 or me 66... searching for more info now.

Tom Morrow · January 3rd, 2014, 12:59 AM

You might talk about what you use your mic(s) for.

John Willett · January 3rd, 2014, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Pallenberg

Rode NTG-3 also seems like a really good deal. Some say as good as Senn 416 just a bit wider and better than the 600 or me 66... searching for more info now.

But a lot more expensive than the MKE 600 - about double I think.

And wider does not necessarily mean better.

Harry Pallenberg · January 3rd, 2014, 05:46 PM

Mostly using it for on camera in wild settings (street fairs, red carpets) usually 4 - 10 feet from subject.

Yes it is more but sounds (from reviews not my own ears yet) like it is almost as good as the 416... and since what I already have is very narrow I am ok with a bit wider. The only thing I don't like is loss of battery option as every now and again I go wireless boom.. but that is pretty rare.

Steven Digges · January 3rd, 2014, 06:37 PM

Harry,

Just the other day I recorded a CD to my camera with my ME 66 on one track and the Sony stock shotgun on my EA50 on the other track for comparison sake. Of course there is a huge difference. I have used the ME 66 for many years and have been very happy with it for an inexpensive mic. I can't post a sample here because the CD is copyrighted material. It is a CD by a great guy who wrote a great book that has been discussed on this forum many times. I recorded it because it has a variety of tones and audio samples on it. Nothing scientific but it will give you a chance to listen to a 66 if you like. I just crushed it to a 40 meg .mp3 I can Send Space to you if you want to hear it.

Drop me a e-mail if you want to give it a listen. E-mail is in my profile. Goes for whoever is interested. I don't think the author will mind me sharing with a couple of guys just to hear a mic (I hope).

Steve

Harry Pallenberg · January 4th, 2014, 03:46 PM

me66 is off my list... gonna keep my eye open for the rode NTG3.

thanks though.

Rick Reineke · January 5th, 2014, 09:43 AM

"using it for on camera in wild settings (street fairs, red carpets) usually 4 - 10 feet from subject."
> At that distance, don't expect much.. no matter how much you spend.
OK for ambient sound though.

December 29th, 2013, 01:20 AM	#1
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? My B-team shotgun for years has been an old AT835 shotgun for years that was recently destroyed. Since my A-team is a Senn 416 - I was thinking of getting the MKE 600 as the new back up. The AT 835 was hissy and had much lower levels (the lower levels actually helped at times) but I'd like something a bit quieter and closer to the 416. Other ideas? ME 66? Rode? Ideas?

December 29th, 2013, 08:31 AM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? Does this mic need the ability to run on internal battery as well as phantom power?

December 29th, 2013, 09:26 AM	#3
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,016	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? How about a second hand 416? ebay often have them and a few scratches won't really matter - plus it will sound exactly the same as your other mic, and behave the same too!

December 29th, 2013, 11:03 AM	#4
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? Beware of the 416 counterfeits that have been discovered in the last year or so on eBay.

December 29th, 2013, 12:20 PM	#5
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? don't want to spend more than $400 and a used 416 is usually almost double and I am fearful of the fakes. I do like the idea of battery option even though I can't remember the last time I did not have phantom... but no it does not HAVE to have it if there is a good option.

December 29th, 2013, 12:25 PM	#6
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? Would a ME 66 be better than the old AT835? I have a friend who will sell it for like 300 with the K6 power.

December 29th, 2013, 03:33 PM	#7
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? Probably about the same in terms of self noise and sensitivity with the K6 system. The 'hiss' maybe from your preamp when cranked due to low output mics. AT states sensitivity of the 835b as: 12.5 mV (Phantom) and 11.2 mV (Battery) Both of which ain't 'that' bad. The MKE 600 has a hotter output @ 21 mV and would be a better choice if using with noisy budget preamps IMO. The Sennheiser K6 is modular could be more versatile with additional caps and/or a lav, I've seen used AT4073a short shotguns for around $400, which has very high output level, (70.8 mV). Internal battery power is not an option though.

January 2nd, 2014, 03:25 PM	#9
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? Rode NTG-3 also seems like a really good deal. Some say as good as Senn 416 just a bit wider and better than the 600 or me 66... searching for more info now.

January 3rd, 2014, 12:59 AM	#10
Tom Morrow Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 416	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? You might talk about what you use your mic(s) for.

January 3rd, 2014, 05:46 PM	#12
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? Mostly using it for on camera in wild settings (street fairs, red carpets) usually 4 - 10 feet from subject. Yes it is more but sounds (from reviews not my own ears yet) like it is almost as good as the 416... and since what I already have is very narrow I am ok with a bit wider. The only thing I don't like is loss of battery option as every now and again I go wireless boom.. but that is pretty rare.

January 3rd, 2014, 06:37 PM	#13
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? Harry, Just the other day I recorded a CD to my camera with my ME 66 on one track and the Sony stock shotgun on my EA50 on the other track for comparison sake. Of course there is a huge difference. I have used the ME 66 for many years and have been very happy with it for an inexpensive mic. I can't post a sample here because the CD is copyrighted material. It is a CD by a great guy who wrote a great book that has been discussed on this forum many times. I recorded it because it has a variety of tones and audio samples on it. Nothing scientific but it will give you a chance to listen to a 66 if you like. I just crushed it to a 40 meg .mp3 I can Send Space to you if you want to hear it. Drop me a e-mail if you want to give it a listen. E-mail is in my profile. Goes for whoever is interested. I don't think the author will mind me sharing with a couple of guys just to hear a mic (I hope). Steve __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!

January 4th, 2014, 03:46 PM	#14
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? me66 is off my list... gonna keep my eye open for the rode NTG3. thanks though.

January 5th, 2014, 09:43 AM	#15
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: replace AT835b with Senn MKE 600 or? "using it for on camera in wild settings (street fairs, red carpets) usually 4 - 10 feet from subject." > At that distance, don't expect much.. no matter how much you spend. OK for ambient sound though.