question bout blimps
 

just finished my first film, when i was outside used the foam mic cover and the fuzzy over that. whats the concept behind using a blimp and what situations do you use it with or over the other options

Re: question bout blimps
 

A blimp creates a space of still air around the mic. Moving air (wind basically) that blows over the mic tip is what causes the low rumble and noise. creating this area of dead air lowers or eliminates the noise and rumble caused by wind. For additional protection placing a furry over the blimp will further reduce the wind noise in extreme situations.

For most outdoor shoots I have blimp with furry. There is very little difference or loss in sound quality due to the wind protection and you can't control when the wind will come up in the middle of a take. The major disadvantage is that it is larger than just the mic with a foam over it so you're a little further from your subject.

Re: question bout blimps
 

So u don't use them indoors

Re: question bout blimps
 

Not usually, unless there is a fan or some other device creating a breeze. I usually do use some kind of smaller wind screen even in doors. Something like a foam screen or a softie like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207238-REG/Rycote_033052_Standard_Hole_Softie_Windscreen.html

It's more for extra protection in case the mic has to moved quickly or a something creates some wind. It's better to take a bit of precaution than to have to do ADR. I don't usually use a blimp indoors because of the size as well as the extra weight. with lower ceilings and cramped spaces that most interior shots require, the possibility of hitting the blimp against something increases. That would ruin the sound on that take. Also, your boom operator will appreciate not having the extra weight.

Re: question bout blimps
 

Also when the weather is windy and you're planning to use your your Blimp outdoors, it's a good idea to pull the Wombat on before you go out.

http://www.rodemic.com/accessories/blimp

To lose shots and stop to install it because the gusts get worse is a pain. The Wombat is included when you buy the Blimp.

If you get caught without the Blimp when the wind gets up, try and work with your shotgun at right angles to the direction the wind is coming from.

btw It was a stroke of marketing genius when Rode named their Blimp the 'Blimp', that name has gone into general usage and audio folklore, see above :)

Cheers.

Re: question bout blimps
 

If this was the tripod forum, there'd be a disclaimer like "* other wind shield brands are available"! <grin>

I use a Rycote S Series now, performance-wise I find it the same as my previous Rode Blimp. It's also more compact, and I find it it a bit more elegant. Plus, I find the Lyre mountings for the mic are much better than the rubber bands in other brands. (i.e. quicker, easier to use, hold the mic more securely... I can also adjust the location of the clips for different lengths of mic without a screwdriver).

No wrestling with medium-sized deceased marsupials needed either!

It's even roughly the same price as the Rode offering, at around £200 in the UK.

Re: question bout blimps
 

Also... :-)
60cm Blimp Windscreen Windjammer Windshield Fur Cover for microphone mic | eBay

Re: question bout blimps
 

I regularly use old and new Rycote covers, rod'e covers, and bought one of those on ebay and my opinion is it is a very poor excuse for a windshield, a VERY daggy 20y.o Rycote is still better than one of those.

Re: question bout blimps
 

I use foam almost all the time even indoors, as mic protection mainly, although it also helps with occasional drafts such as a surprisingly strong draft I once found over a birthday cake with candles.

Blimp only outdoors when I start to hear wind in the mic.

Those Rode Softie thingies are halfway-solutions that give you protection between a foam and a blimp. Personally not my thing, although many people like them if they can't afford a blimp.

Re: question bout blimps
 

The Softies work OK on a 'breezy' day, but when the wind kicks up, a Zepplin type screen is needed. I prefer using the smaller and lighter Softie, but ...

Re: question bout blimps
 

Any solution has to be better than my historical use of Rio walk socks freshly removed from my feet, one shoved inside the other, rolled up in a bunch with a loose floppy end for the sound to get in through.

Worked well but my shoes were very smelly for a while thereafter from sweaty feet.

Re: question bout blimps
 

I trialed mine in front of a 600mm fan going full bore and it cut all wind sound...

Re: question bout blimps
 

But have you compared to to a Rode or Rycote? I do large sporting TV Outside Broadcasts on a weekly basis and the ebay windscreens are "chalk and cheese" compared to others. For a few $$ more you can get MUCH better.

Re: question bout blimps
 

I would absolutely suggest the Rode Blimp. $299 will go a long way and certainly worth it when you're in need. And with the wombat fur over it, you're not going to get any trouble from a strong wind.

Re: question bout blimps
 

I've got a Rode Blimp setup and it has absolutely saved my butt many times. Always bring it with me to a shoot. Yes, even indoor shoots. Another good choice would be the Rycote S-Series Kit.

Re: question bout blimps
 

Rode blimp in NZ is about $NZ500. Rycote (depends which blimp set you get) would land in NZ for around $NZ850. I landed my Indian blimp to my door for around $NZ150 as I recall. I call that "chalk and cheese"...especially when it cuts all the wind off the mic and is not used that much. :-)

Re: question bout blimps
 

The Rycote S-series has a much better suspension than the Røde.

Rycote have also heavily researched the Windjammer (it *is* a Rycote invention, after all) to give the required wind protection with minimum high frequency loss. I do know lot more than I am saying, but cannot pass on proprietary information told to me in confidence.

Re: question bout blimps
 

And that's one thing that a lot of people don't understand. There's just a little bit more science to successful wind and handling noise reduction than any old bit of fur and some elastic bands. How many posts do you see on these forums where someone just wants fur to cover a microphone? All it does is "look a little bit like a wind protector".

Not to mention durability - Rycote gear is really well built, built to last in a broadcast application. I'm not sure the Indian knock-offs would be so robust.

I mentioned before my direct comparison with Rode's blimp and my Rycote S-Series wind shield. The Rode Blimp worked fine, but it was bigger, bulkier and less elegant (i.e. elastic bands, using screwdrivers to adjust the mounts on the rails, clumsy wee-bit-of-rubber cable connection). In the UK at least, it's the same price as the Rycote S-Series.

If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, Rycote must be very flattered indeed.

Re: question bout blimps
 

It seemeth to me regarding durability, that blimps of whatever make are pretty fragile things and need to be treated with care. Standing on any blimp will crush it no matter who makes it. My Indian blimp seems to me to be pretty well made, and treated with care - as all blimps need to be treated - I don't see why it shouldn't last a good long time.

Re: question bout blimps
 

Have you guys checked out the Rycote mini screen Miniscreen™ » Rycote
I have used one for about 18 months, amazing wind cut, even on the north Cornwall cliffs, with a gail blowing.

Re: question bout blimps
 

Colin,

I use that on-camera, with my Sony mic. I added the furry cover too (I forget the name of it). Excellent piece of kit.

Re: question bout blimps
 

That's not all of it - do they understand the science of plastics and glues?

Not fully understanding this can mean a blimp just falling apart after a couple of years due to UV damage or heat/cold, etc.

There is a *lot* more to making these than people think.

A lot more than I used to think, before I talked to the designers of such things.

Re: question bout blimps
 

A Rycote MiniScreen with it's Windjammer is actually about 5dB better than a Rycote Softie - and it's cheaper. ;-)