Black deadcat?
 

Hi,

Has anyone ever seen a black deadcat for sale?

I currently have a white/gray deadcat and it sticks out like a soar thumb. People are always making jokes about it. Police K-9's want to chew on it. Drunk people want to touch it. Really, it is just an all round eyesoar!

Linkage?

Thanks!
Micky

Your lucky Micky, mine's pink!

LOL! Really??? :D

Heck, I guess if you are going to stand out, you might as well do it in style! :)

Windtech (Olsen Audio) makes black muffs that go over the foam windscreens. I like them a lot. Helpful people, too.

Hi Chuck! Thanks for the quick reply, I really appreciate it. :)

Ah, nice!

Just checked out the WindTech site... Looks like B&H is a dealer:

mic-muff

How did I miss that! I guess I was only searching for "deadcat" instead of "muff".

My dreams of being totally inconspicuous may just come true with one of these black muffs!

Good price too!

Many thanks! Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Micky

Do you meet many women Peter.

Cheers.

I have one of these and it's black
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292338-REG/Lightwave_EQ105.htmlcheers
Gareth

Shooting a pre-school childrens show segments eyes, ears and a tail were sewn to a 416 wind shield fluffy cover. The children were happy to chat along to that animal.

I would recommend the new Rycote universal camera kit: Universal Camera Kit » Rycote

Or just the component parts of the mini windscreen with wind jammer if you don't need all the other goodies: Miniscreen™ » Rycote

The windjammer furry cover is black, and is quite anonymous.

"and is quite anonymous"....until you sew on some eyes and ears!

Joking aside, I thought that was a really great idea for any film work with young children.

Also check out TheWindCutter.com, Professional Microphone Windscreens

Their windmuffs come in several grades, I purchase their best, the "Stormchaser". Color of this model is black, the fur is denser and longer than their other models. Cost is a tad higher of course but since I cannot control how strong the wind is I may have to work in, I choose the best they have.

I inquired by email if they had a model for the ZoomH1 yet (I have their "Stormchaser" for the H2 and find it extremely effective in wind) and they didn't; they asked if I would send them measurements from mine. I did and they made up one for me, I tested it and offered suggestions which they implemented and sent me a "prototype" to try out.

That one did better but I still felt something could be improved (the built in mics on the ZoomH1 are incredibly sensitive to wind!) and they had their design engineer call me. We discussed the design and he had an idea for me to try, I did, and based on the results of that test I received a third "prototype" to try day before Thanksgiving. I sent them my conclusions and comments by email yesterday. (I think they have a winner).

My point to all this is that this company is incredibly eager to provide the best possible products, they have been amazingly open minded in accepting my comments and in implementing suggestions. So for any microphone or audio recorder I have, you can bet they have my business.

Hi all! Many thanks for the replies and links, I really appreciate the help!

Oh, what a great idea! :)

Ooooh, very nice. That Miniscreen looks cool and the kit looks even better!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/668031-REG/Rycote_116002_InVision_Universal_Camera_Kit.html is not a bad price for all the goodies that come with the kit.

Thanks for linkage. :)

Oooh, these look good also!

Prices look good!

I will have to figure out what Stormchaser model will fit on my mic: Rode NTG-1 Condenser Shotgun Microphone.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367746-REG/Rode_NTG_1.html
(FYI, the Wind-Tech folks said their MM-4 model will fit the NTG-1.)

Wow! That is really cool that they custom built a windscreen for you! Sounds like excellent customer service. :)

So many options to choose from!

Thanks a billion to all you folks for helping me out, I greatly appreciate the professional assistance. :)

Have an excellent day all!

Cheers,
Micky

K-TEK offers some nice slip on fuzzys that are black and fit the NTG-1
K-Tek | Boom Poles, Microphone and Camera Accessories

The NTG-1 isn't on their size chart, but it would be a small, the model is Z-FSO-S

For the Zoom H1, a topper is a must if you're going to use the on board mics.
K-TEK has new one, it the KZX1 pictured below. It's better than the foam one included in the accessory kit.


How 'bout blue or red from redheadwindscreens.com


You're right about dogs wanting to chew on 'em though. Here's my puppy at 01:48 about to chomp on that "dead cat".

That first one looks like a scene from from the Muppet Show.

Thanks for all the info guys, good to know.
(EDIT: previous attempt at humour edited as this is a family show)

I have to admit, I don't rate Rode's "deadcat" and similar devices very highly for wind protection. I used a deadcat and a dead kitten on various mics and wasn't impressed. Only the dead wombat over their blimp system was any good!

I don't want to sound too much like John Willett (I'm far less qualified than he is), but those Rycote softies, windjammers etc. have a lot of science in them, there's more to wind jamming than just making a fuzzy sock or ball.

That first one looks like a scene from from the Muppet Show.
Yeah, a new character with an Afro.

With all this cold weather we're having in Scotland Mike, I think I'll be having another use for the furry bit of my Rode Blimp, as an accessory for my kilt. The Rode DeadCat I had already is not suitable for me, needless to say.

(Dreadfully off-topic...)

Colin, with the temperateures you're having, the dead kitten would probably be a more appropriate size!!

I didn't want to pay $40 for something I needed real quick. Its actually a doll's wig and just happen to fit. When I was in India, it didn't raise an eyebrow. I will look into a replacement though for the low-key local events : )

PS. Apparently pink ties are sign of someone who fantasizes. Not sure about pink mic muffs though.

I'm not so sure about the science. I can say though that this doll's wig for 6 bucks works a treat. (Reminds me of Rod Stewart. Not saying that's a plus.)

It probably will work a treat at cutting wind noise - but it also looks very effective at cutting the high frequencies as well.

Ha! Awsome thread!

To everyone: Thanks so much for all the help (and the laughs)!

Guy, many thanks for posting those videos. Very informative! Every time I go out and shoot with my wireless system, I watch your video on how to set it up (I don't use it that often, and your vid helps kick the dust off of my brain cells!)

Thanks again all! This forum has been a life saver. :D

Cheers,
Micky

Send them an email asking that. I think you can search by mic name and model on their website, otherwise send inquiry to admin@thewindcutter.com

Well not really for me...For me to test for them. Once they have the "best working" prototype it will go into production for them to sell. I paid for the first prototype and I get to keep the one that works best. Fun doing this for them and by doing so I am helping other ZoomH1 owners who want to use their recorders outdoors.


But they will make up a windmuff to fit something they don't have a model in stock to fit. You email them the measurements and they go to work.

John, Do you think its time for a haircut? Or to use an audio term - trim?

I can't tell that any I've tried have "cut" the high frequencies.

Two things help make a windmuff effective at reducing wind noise: Length of the fur and density of the fur. According to a couple of articles and reports I've read the most effective windmuff material was animal fur, especially wolf fur. Apparently the right density and length "bleeds" off wind energy without generating friction noise.

But killing "critters" so we can use their hides to make windmuffs is abhorrent so these things are made of synthetic and artificial materials. Which explains why most are not "washing machine safe".

I had to quit referring to my "Deadcat" models by brandname in front of my daughter even after I explained it was strictly a brand name, made out of artificial materials, and in no way indicative of origin.

And then my cat arched her back and hissed when I unpacked a "Stormchaser" from thewindcutter.com.

LoL

It's not only the length of the hair, it's the design and type of the individual hairs and how they are attached.

Nobody seems to have suggested Reinhardt from Denmark. They make black softies etc and are just as good as Rycote and much better than Rodes.


. \\\ Reinhardt Microphone Windshields /// .

Pink Muffs are a fantasy of someone who ties.

LOL! Nice! :D

Thanks for linkage Robin! I will check them out also.

This forum ROCKS!

Cheers,
Micky

OK I'm off to find an 'audio hair stylist' now. When will I have time to edit?? ; )

I'm not sure I would say they are as good as Rycote. Certainly the Softies I have seen from Reinhardt don't appear as good as the Rycote ones when I have seen them at exhibitions.