Shotgun Mic for Ex1
 

Hi Everyone,

Just got my Ex1 yesterday and I'm in the market for a good Shotgun Mic. I primarily film weddings. My main audio is a few wireless Sennheisers. The Shotgun would be used as a backup or if I wasn't allowed to use the wireless for what ever reason in the church. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your response,

Al Kozak

Hi:
The Rode NTG-1 might be a good solution. I have it on my EX3 and it provides great results.

Or even the Rode NTG-2, this uses a battery which means you can use the mike with portable recorders that do not have phantom power. It will work without the battery when using cameras/equipment that supply phantom power.

Make sure you also add a high quality wind breaker to the kit. I have a Rode "Dead Cat", which is OK but not brilliant. I will probably purchase a Rycote Wind jammer, this seems to be the industry standard..

Or try the new "Rycote Miniscreen", I just got one, brilliant. And much more compact than a Softie.

The best I've ever had
 

Quality wise the best I've ever had is the Rode NTG-3.
They say it's a broadcast quality, I say only the sound quality matters.
It's not cheap ( 4 me at least it was not at all) but I got totally fed up with Azden and others.

The NTG-3 e.g. picks up clear sound even from a distance where you wouldn't think.
Noise level is really really low, but you might need Rode's own mic holder when using with EX1.
It only works on phantom but so what, I have other mic if needed.

NTG-3 comes with a kindda "bomb proof" cylinder, so you are clear to go extreme.

Finally, I had no chance testing it before buying so went with the net opinions but got it right I think :-) so naturally if you have a chance test them in a store and pick the one fits you the best.

I got lucky and scored a Sanken CS-1 for a very good price. This is a microphone designed to go on a camera and performs more than well enough for any microphone you'd put on a camera. It is short and light. Mounted in a K-Tek mount and the DM Accessories plate it is a perfect match for the EX-1/3. Quick to get off the camera for when it gets packed, short enough to never get in shot even with a Rycote and my WA adaptor. I cannot speak highly enough of this mic and why buying a mic designed to go on a camera rather than on a pole makes so much sense.
Sanken do make better on camera mics and there are better mics from others as well. For my money the CS-1 is just the right cost / performance for the EXs. I did buy this on impulse and to date it's been the best impulse buy I've made.

I use an AT-4051a since cardioid pattern mics reject noise from the rear better than a shotgun, which is generally bi-directional.

Along the way I discovered the AT-4051a sounds really good, too.

With a wind fur over it I've been able to get very good results in a wide variety of situations. Both indoors and outdoors.

Depends what you budget is. Personally I wouldn't go near a Rode NTG-2. Terrible in windy conditions even with a dead cat. The Rode NTG-3 is a better buut more expensive.

I have owned several shotguns and now have the Sennheiser MKH-60. I love it. In fact I will probably never buy another shotgun mic for the rest of my life. Mics last a lifetime unless dropped or stolen, and unlike cameras, their developement and improvements over years is miniscule in comparison to cameras.

I did own the Sennhiesser MKH-416, and again it's a brilliant shotgun mic. I chopped it in for the MKH60, but in truth there's very little between them. If you can stretch to the MKH416 P48, you will be set for life. it's a brilliant mic. They come up on Ebay quite regularly and the price of a secondhand one is comparable to the Rode NTG-3.

Interesting would love to read reviews between the Rode NTG-3 and Sennhiesser MKH-60 or 416. I am in the market also to upgrade my shotgun.

Should have researched prior to the last post sorry.

Another vote for the Sanken CS-1. Did a side-by-side with MK66, MKH60 and MKH416. In totally different class to the 66, similar to the 416 and can hold its head up in the presence of the 60.

And best of all, as anyone who uses it will attest, because it's so short and light, it doesn't get in the way as an on-camera mic and doesn't ruin what's left of the EX1 ergonomics whilst handheld (or has my right forearm adapted?).

My vote's on a Neumann KMR-81i, much prefer it to the 416 I had before. Haven't tried the Sanken yet though.

Another vote for the Senn MKH60. One of the quietest mics I own and the RF technology in it keeps it working in any kind of humidity conditions.

You migh want to take a look at a Sennheiser MKH-418. It's an MS type so you can adjust the stereo width (or change to mono) in post.
Easy to detach from the camera for use on a boom.

I don't know about the NTG2, but near the back of the NTG1 there is a little port that holds the switch to change the pick-up pattern. If you put a piece of gaffer tape over it, your wind noise goes away.

I don't know why Rode doesn't tell people about that.

I use a Sony ECM-678.
Great sound, and comes with a rubber sleeve which fits snugly into the EX1 mic holder.

I decided on the NTG-3. I got it new for less than $600, and it has a much "warmer" sound than the MK66 Sennheiser and closely matches the 416 that's more than twice the price. I don't have much experience with other mics, but I liked the way the NTG-3 matches up with the 416 for the money. You can go to the bicycle shop and get a foam hand grip to mount either the Sennheiser or Rode.

I got a used Sanken CS-1 off ebay. It's great as an interview or on camera mic. It's short enough so I can get my camera in the bag with it on.

Also take a look at the Audio Technica AT-875R. For the price, it rocks! It's also even shorter than the CS-1. I've used it a few times. I might get one for myself so I can have both an on camera and off camera shotgun in my bag.

I would second Peter, above, rah, rah, for the Sony ECM-678. I know, it doesn't have the cachet of other brands, but given price and performance, its great! And given the superb audio frequency response and other great characteristics of the EX-1 (what do they mean, dscontinued, good grief!), its a winner. In the past, the audio recording capacities of many camcorders was abysmal, and this camera is outstanding! I've run frequency response tests (record and then playback) of the EX-1, Sony ECM-678 mic, and the frequency response down to and including 30 Hz is just great! To say nothing of usable response up to and beyond 10 kHz (unfortunately beyond these old ears).

Most mics suffer from this not just the NTG2. Try this test on any mic you have. Fit the mic and headphones on your cam, then, listening through the headphones, blow very gently round the xlr connection, battery compartment thread and the tiny filter switch on the mic, it will sound like a force 10 gale. The answer is iether tape up all points where wind is going to get through, or use a piece of mic windshield foam to cover the back of the mic, and make sure your Softie or Miniscreen covers any joints and miniswitches. I do this on all my mics. No more wind problems, (even shooting out on the cliffs, here in North Cornwall). Rycote actually point out the need to do just this on there website

Hi:
If everybody "meets" a used Sanken CS-1 for sale - get in touch with me. heinavesi@gmail.com
Thanx loads in advance!
Heiner

I went for the NTG-3 with a few extras purchased off the classified. Look forwarded to improved audio on the EX1 and PMW-350 this winter.

One shotgun mic you don't hear about very much is the Beyer Dynamic MCE 86. I've been using this mic for years in all sorts of situations and it has never let me down. It's great for run and gun interviews and had excellent off axis noise rejection. I use it with a softie and have no complaints. The thing I like most about it is the quality of the audio, warm and transparent.

double post

Have you guys tried an Octava MC012 w/ hypercardioid capsule.
Very cheap and very good quality mic.

Not quite as directional as some of the others but not bad. I used to use this with my old PD100s and PD150's

You need to use a wind screen or a softie and a good idea would be to get an inline lowcut adapter or just turn on the wind filter.
Very nice sound quality though - I think much better than a 416 for a fraction of the cost.

MKH416, I've AB'd it against the Neumann, Schoeps and Sanken and it sounded better. I've also been using it for probably 10 years. The newer Sennheisers don't sound as good in my opinion. 416 is a proven and familiar sound in studios and post houses worldwide.

I guess everyone has different ears. I had a 416 and sold it right after getting my Octava. That was on the advice of 2 very experienced sound menn and on my tests with another experienced sound man.

We liked the sound quality of the Octava much more and even found in a loud restaurant that it seemed to isolate the sound in front of us even more. No doubt the 416 has great reputation though.

I own the Octava MK-012 and its a decent cheap mic. IMO it's not even close to a Sennheiser MKH416 or MKH60.

I use the Octava for interviews and bits and bobs, but I would say its a world away from the Senns. Of course its a fraction of the price, so not likely to be in the same league, and value for money wise it's an excellent buy. I would chose the Octava over the Rode NTG-2 any day.

octava sounds great but it suffers from handling noise. I only use it on a fixed boom during a sit down interview.

I would like to use the standard mic holder on the Ex-3 rather than use one of the shoes or an aftermarket mic holder. Does anyone know where I could purchase the rubber insert on the standard Sony Mic so that the new mic fits the standard sony mic attachment device?

Thanks

Ronnie Martin
Page 1

another happy cs-1 user. Bought a £5 cigar holder with an extending top which fits beautifully. Have had to boost the audio trim in the menu from the default quite considerably. Is that the case with others?

Update on 416 and CS-1
 

I remain a great fan of the Sanken CS-1, but recently was lucky enough to work with a 416 toting Sound Recordist with enough down time to chew the fat and play with kit.

Whilst the CS-1 makes a great on-camera mic, I was really impressed with the 416 on a boom stand for its ability to cut down room tone (we were filming talking heads in nasty conference rooms). So much so, I've bought one and will now keep a boom mic stand in the tripod bag.

Is it just me or do others have issues with thier Rode's not fitting in the holder? I tried to use my Rode on the weekend and have usually used it on a boom but this time i tried to put it in the onboard mic holder and it was too small. I didn't have time ot much around so gaffered it up (no movement for the camera so wobble wasn't an issue). I haven't looked at it since but am now wondering if it's missing a bot from the mic holder or if the Rode is just too skinny.

Unfortunately there is no standard thickness for a shotgun mic. With both the CS-1 and AT-875R you need to use O-rings to make them fit the holder. Often they ship with them, however you should be able to go to your hardware store and see if you can find ones that fit. Sanken specifically sells after market O-rings for the CS-1 for about $20. You could try those and see if they work.