AT 4073a questions: roll off and wind screens

[PaulK]

I've found that switching the integral second-order 50 Hz hi-pass filter to "roll off" really helps eliminate wind sound. I don't have the best ears though. Am I losing any quality of sound when it comes to recording speech? It doesn't sound like it, but again, my ears aren't the best.

Also, despite the roll-off feature working pretty well, I still get occasional wind rumble. Could anyone please recommend a wind screen that would fit on the 4073a with a Sennheiser MZSCAM shock mount?

Thanks!

P.S. Oleg, if you're reading this: You were right about the attenuator. I find I need -20dB otherwise the mic is too sensitive. One of my sources said he does reporting from a distance, so that's why he never needs an attenuator. But since my subjects aren't 50 feet away, I've found I definitely needed an attenuator.

[MattinSTL]

I'm a really big fan of Rycote gear... if you over-think it you'll have trouble paying $132 for a Softie (best price I found is Trew Audio... make sure you get medium hole, 12cm, with LONG HAIR) but if you just put it this way: Do you want to forget about wind issues and simply be almost guaranteed problem free audio? Then $132 doesn't sound so bad.

[PaulK]

[quote author=Matt in STL link=board=audio;num=1090785194;start=0#1 date=07/26/04 at 12:08:04]I'm a really big fan of Rycote gear... if you over-think it you'll have trouble paying $132 for a Softie (best price I found is Trew Audio... make sure you get medium hole, 12cm, with LONG HAIR) but if you just put it this way: Do you want to forget about wind issues and simply be almost guaranteed problem free audio? Then $132 doesn't sound so bad.[/quote]

That sounds really great, and definitely within my price range. I'd gladly pay that much for peace of mind. Thank you very much. ;D

If I get the medium hole, 12cm, it will fit over my mic *and* Sennheiser MZSCAM shock mount?

And regarding roll off, any idea if the quality of voice recording is impaired by using it? It seems that human voice wouldn't be in the range of being affected by it, but I'm not sure and again my hearing isn't that good, so I can't judge for myself.

[MattinSTL]

Click HERE for the Rycote link showing a Softie system.

For the $132 at Trew or $145 everywhere else you'll get JUST THE FRONT furry thing that goes onto the mic. It's got a rubber boot at the end and it's filled with totally open-celled foam... then on the outside is the fur "jacket" which does NOT come off. You just slip the whole works on and off the mic as needed. Don't forget... get the LONG haired one... you can use the standard foam indoors if you're nervous about it... but outdoors in a breeze the long hair is what saves you.

Personally I just leave mine on my shotguns 100% of the time. I don't really notice any loss or sonic character imparted from the Softie at all. About the only time I'll maybe take it off is if I'm using a shotgun for VO or something super-critical indoors.

The Softie should slide up to the mzscam just like it slides up to the mount shown on the Rycote page. I'm assuming the Sennheiser mount you bought holds the mic tightly and it won't mind a few extra ounces out front...

Watch any news channel until you see somebody getting mobbed by a bunch of cameras and mics... see anything? Yeah, about a dozen Softies everytime. You'll like how it works, how it looks, and how it sounds... no worries.

Unfortunately I never tried switching the 4073a to cut the bass! My guess is that it won't strongly affect voices, but that they sound slightly better with the mic running full frequency.

[oleg]

http://www.trewaudio.com/catalog/items/item199.htm
that can work as well over the regular windscrean
i made one like that my self for 15 bucks with zipper , but you have to invest time to find the right stuff and some one who can make for you , so 70 $ for something that was made in norway is ok (oslo is one of the most expencive borring places i was in my life )

[taubkin]

Do those softies equal a Zeppelin in windshielding performance?

[oleg]

not really, but for light wind they are doing ok

[Dave_Fisk]

[quote author=taubkin link=board=audio;num=1090785194;start=0#5 date=07/26/04 at 14:14:11]Do those softies equal a Zeppelin in windshielding performance? [/quote]


No. Not at all. If they did, no one would ever buy the zeppelins and windjammers.

I always recommend the PSC universal mount with the softie instead of the one Rycote makes. It's cheaper, and easier to deal with. If the Rycote mount breaks (which it will), you'll have to get another one, which is expensive.

-Dave

[oleg]

i use it with old lightwave shock mount , do you remeber it dave, one point holding the mike , it was made for miniscrean , i changed the robbersto massive ones ,
the original rycote holder is dying every year , its about 80$ , so the psc ic much better sugestion

[PaulK]

Thanks for all of the good advice, everyone.