Rode Blimp. Do you REALLY need to open up to switch off Mic?
 

OK, got the Rode Blimp. Great characteristics. However, and using ,my SenniM66 with K6 capsule I need to peel-back the fur, untwist the rear-end to get at the OFF switch. Is this what others have to do - with a switch mic? Wouldn't it be wiser if I had a mic that did NOT need a battery? Do such shotties like the Senni66 have this option?

So to recap:

A] Do you peel back fur and untwist rear?

or . ..

B] Have a different mic altogether?

I should image this is the case for all Col. Blimps?

Yours wonderingly,

Col. Grazie (Mrs)

How often are you switching this mic off? The battery in a K6 should easily last you through the day of shooting (and the rest of that week if left on 24/7). Most shotguns don't give the option of battery power, they use phantom power provided by the mixer / recorder / camera that they're hooked up to. The K6 power unit can run off either battery or phantom power.

Only at the finish of a job. Leave on all day.

Sure. So I DO need to turn off by semi dismantling? Yes? As long as I know that that is the way it is done - and I am not missing out on a tip?

Oh really? How is that?

Jordan thanks for the reassurance that what I was expecting IS the truth of it.

BTW, my Senni loves the Blimp. I am hearing far better characteristics than "just" the foam and a furry. It must be a result of the "tube" being naked the way Senni intended it to be!?

Grazie

Grazie, switch any battery mic on before closing the Blimp up to start, and off after you retrieve it and finish for the shoot. You just have to get used to doing it and the fact the mic is 'on' when you plug it in, and it saves valuable time.

Also replacing a battery is way cheaper than maybe eventually replacing the mics on/off switch.

Cheers.

Thanks Allan. I've been kinda spoilt having just the furry and being able to see the switch.

Grazie

Is it not possible to solve this hassle by using the K6P module instead of the K6?

If the camera / mixer supplies phantom power, just take the battery out and apply the phantom power. No more switching.

Thanks! - PP-out not an option on my camera. Added to which I don't posses a K6P capsule.

Hmmm.....

Grazie

You *can* leave the battery out and run the K6 on phantom power.

How? No battery no Power? Surely? Where is it getting its power from? ( Hi John!!)

Grazie

I'm sorry, but if spending 12 seconds to open and close a blimp to power up/down you mic is too inconvenient for you, you might consider changing fields.

The K6 can be powered from internal AA battery or by external 12-48V phantom power.

So you can leave out the battery and use external phantom power if you wish.

Graham's already said that there's no phantom power on his camera, folks.

I can sort of see the problem with undoing the blimp. Unless I'm just clumsy - a possibility I have considered on many occasions - the dead wombat furry cover can be a bit fiddly to take on and off. Perhaps the cover on Rycotes and other more expensive models is easier to remove?

If it's just the basket itself, it's easy peasy, unscrew and reach inside.

I don't have a problem, as I can use phantom power with my NTG-2, but I can see where Graham's coming from.

The Rycote S-series is ideal for the K6 series and about the same price as the Røde Blimp - the back removes with a simple twist - it's a twist-lock removal.

See HERE.

Guy, I got my blimp @ your heavily discounted price,
and all I have to say is: I love it! Thanks again.

Graham, considering what you saved buying Rode's blimp
instead of more costly stuff, you can always shell out a few extra bucks
and get yourself a Rode NTG-2: excellent value for the money,
battery operated, and no on-off switch. How about that?
BTW: the SennM66 used to be my favorite mic; I switched to the Rode NTG-2
because... of the switch (working in solo mode, one switch less
to worry about makes a great difference...)

All the best

Vasco