Sennheiser ME64 upgrade options at DVinfo.net

Jack Colmenero · April 27th, 2008, 08:44 PM

Hello everyone,

I shot a family gathering with my Sennheiser ME64 (with K6 module) mounted on my Canon XH A1 with a shock mount. I was in a very "live" room with hard walls and a tile floor. Surprisingly I got very good vocal audio, but the room tone is clearly also there what with other voices bleeding over from random conversations off camera from the person I was recording.

Would I benefit by using the Sennheiser ME66 or even an ME67 capsule to get a more isolated vocal audio? Or would I see negligible results? In a perfect world I'd use an assistant with a boom pole, but I'm a one-man operation.

Just wondering,
Jack

Chris Soucy · April 28th, 2008, 12:04 AM

Well, think you'll get a number of different reponses to that question, but I'll give you my take on it.

I have the 64, 66 & 67, each with a capsule.

The 67 remains parked on my A1 practically permanently and is used almost always instead of the built in mics.

Because of the narrow acceptance angle of the 67, it gets what's in the frame (usually) and not everything else in a 360 degree sweep of the location.

A room with hard walls and floors, a one man band and no way to eliminate echoes doesn't really give you much room for manouvre.

I'd go with a 66 or 67 (67 preferably) and see how you go.

My 64 only comes out for "background/ atmospherics".

CS

Marco Leavitt · April 28th, 2008, 09:53 AM

Hmmm, I've had the opposite experience. I actually like the ME64 better than the ME66 as an on-camera mic for most situations. I seem to get less echo with it, plus the smaller size means I use it more because it is more convenient.

Chris Soucy · April 29th, 2008, 01:59 AM

I shoot exclusively outdoors (can't actually think of the last time I shot indoors) and the 67 out is a far better bet than anything else (that I know of).

Granted, indoors would be a bit of a different question, which I'm not in a position to answer.

However, on those very few occasions I have had to shoot indoors, the 67 has given better sound than the on boards, purely because it has such a limited acceptance angle, tho' from memory, the locations were pretty "dead".

Horses for courses.

Don't think I'm in to "Hollywood" surround sound whatever the conditions.

CS

Marco Leavitt · April 29th, 2008, 08:06 AM

Ah, that makes sense. I'd use the ME67 outdoors too.

April 27th, 2008, 08:44 PM	#1
Jack Colmenero New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14	Sennheiser ME64 upgrade options Hello everyone, I shot a family gathering with my Sennheiser ME64 (with K6 module) mounted on my Canon XH A1 with a shock mount. I was in a very "live" room with hard walls and a tile floor. Surprisingly I got very good vocal audio, but the room tone is clearly also there what with other voices bleeding over from random conversations off camera from the person I was recording. Would I benefit by using the Sennheiser ME66 or even an ME67 capsule to get a more isolated vocal audio? Or would I see negligible results? In a perfect world I'd use an assistant with a boom pole, but I'm a one-man operation. Just wondering, Jack

April 28th, 2008, 12:04 AM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Jack.......... Well, think you'll get a number of different reponses to that question, but I'll give you my take on it. I have the 64, 66 & 67, each with a capsule. The 67 remains parked on my A1 practically permanently and is used almost always instead of the built in mics. Because of the narrow acceptance angle of the 67, it gets what's in the frame (usually) and not everything else in a 360 degree sweep of the location. A room with hard walls and floors, a one man band and no way to eliminate echoes doesn't really give you much room for manouvre. I'd go with a 66 or 67 (67 preferably) and see how you go. My 64 only comes out for "background/ atmospherics". CS

April 29th, 2008, 01:59 AM	#4
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Marco.......... I shoot exclusively outdoors (can't actually think of the last time I shot indoors) and the 67 out is a far better bet than anything else (that I know of). Granted, indoors would be a bit of a different question, which I'm not in a position to answer. However, on those very few occasions I have had to shoot indoors, the 67 has given better sound than the on boards, purely because it has such a limited acceptance angle, tho' from memory, the locations were pretty "dead". Horses for courses. Don't think I'm in to "Hollywood" surround sound whatever the conditions. CS

April 28th, 2008, 09:53 AM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Hmmm, I've had the opposite experience. I actually like the ME64 better than the ME66 as an on-camera mic for most situations. I seem to get less echo with it, plus the smaller size means I use it more because it is more convenient.

April 29th, 2008, 08:06 AM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Ah, that makes sense. I'd use the ME67 outdoors too.