Hyper/Super Cardioid Mics - When to Upgrade

saneproductions

saneproductions

Veteran
I have not found a list on this forum that shows all the mics that are in "general use" for interior dialogue recording in film and TV. I have the Oktava and I love it. I am hoping to upgrade someday and when I do I would like to keep using my kssm and BBG. How do I know when it is time? What mics are in use by members of this forum? Should you "step up" the line, or just go straight to Schoeps? Is there any (really noticable) benefit from the middle tier mics? I really noticed a big improvement going from the ME-66 to the Oktava, are all the upgrades that dramitic? I am doing documentary style A/B roll for corporate, education and cities.

Oktava MK012 - $200

Rode NT3 - $250

AKG C1000s - $220

AKG Blue Line (SE300B Power Module and CK93 Capsule) - $475

Audio-Technica AT4053a - $500

Neumann KM185NI - $850

AKG C480BCK63 - Ultra Linear Series Microphone - Includes: C 480 Power Module and CK63 Hyper-Cardioid Capsule - $1050

Sennheiser MKH-50 - $1330

Schoeps Colette Series Microphone Set - Includes: CMC6 Microphone Amplifier, MK41 Super-Cardioid Capsule, SG20 Microphone Mount, B5 Pop-Filter and Case - $1475
 
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My experience with the AKG C1000s is that it lacks clarity. I didn't like it at all, plus it is much heavier than the other mics you have listed. For my purposes the Blue Line mic series has worked fine, though.
 
My eyes are on that c 480 b. I'm itching to upgrade from the oktava too, but only to compare the mics...I'm happy with the oktava! Seems to me this akg can go with many capsules including a long shotgun ck69...another must have
 
LOL, Mike, only a week or two on the Oktava and your ready to piss off the wife again? :)

Personally, I wouldn't be too quick to upgrade a good working hyper until you have the rest of a complete kit (wireless, etc). If you do, I would say the AKG is pretty nice and from there go to either the Schoeps or Senn. Both are good, comes down to personal taste more then "better."

This was just posted on RAMPS: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330087520587

With a CUT1 and older CMC4 (a bit more prone to RF) if you could get it at $750 it would be a steal. $950 is a good price but not as solid a "steal."

A 702T at $2,000 was also posted if anyone is interested: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330087516977

(FYI: not my auctions, just relaying some info)

cheers
 
check full compass b- stock or german e bay
you can find the akg , mkh 50 and others for really nice prices
before you upgrade , make sure you have other mics to work normaly .
different pattrn ability is better then only 1 good microphone .
by the way the akg 480-63 could be forund for less then 600 shipped from europian gray market .
you forgot the mbho microphones
604+hyper 500 capsule - is about 850 for a new mic , exelent sound
 
I wouldn't say that I'm itching to upgrade (or upset my wife). I really love the sound of the Oktava, but it was such a HUGE improvement over my ME-66 for nat sound (and even my MKE2 for interviews) that I am wondering what I am missing, or how much "better" I could get with other mics. I don't have the cash to get something right at the moment, but I like to think about/research things for a while before I need them.

Wabbit, didn't you say that once I heard a Schoeps, I wouldn't like anything else?

Oleg, I have never heard of mbho microphones, but they sound cool and I will check them out.

The AKG C480B sounds really fun and I don't have a good shotgun right now, so the modular appeals to me (I bought an ME-66 right?) Will that fit in the KSSM and 20mm BBG (just the hyper)? The blueline seems like a nice step up with the ck98 shotgun and the ck93 hyper. Is it close to the ULS (I could have the power supply and both capsules for $900 vs. almost $2000 for the ULS hyper Ck-63 and shotgun CK 69)? it seems lke you could just get a 416 for the same price as the CK69 capsule.

My system started with getting an MKE104/K6 cardioid lav to record in a sub station with lots of ambient noise. Later I added the ME-66 capsule for $250 and seemed like a good deal to me as I never needed at shotgun and a lav at the same time. Then I had some handling noise and t-shirt micing issues (with the mke104), so I got the MKE2 to use with my k-6 (another $250). I got involved reading stuff here and decided I wanted to boom my nat sound so I got the Oktava, BBG, KSSM, Jammer, Gitzo 12.5' CF, SD302 and more cables. I picked up a lightly used ew100 and replaced the ME2 with an AT899. I am feeling pretty good right now about what I have, but I always want more. No one warned me this is a sickness!!!

Seriously though, what I am trying to do right now is bring up my production value (and budgets) to the larger local client range so I can get the $$$$ 5-7 minute videos. So I work and work and shoot and shoot some more to make everything I do into a sample.
 
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i think that abetter shotgun and another set of wierless is more important then better hyper
i dont own baby ball , but i think it would feet
 
Thanks Oleg! Have you heard the Blue Line with the CK98 shotgun? I wonder if it would be a step up from the ME-66 (anything would be I bet). I bet it would not be as nice as a 416. hmmm

A vice, that is what this is.

You are right about another wireless.
 
i heard - since i have better tools , i di not give to much thinking about .
probably it would be step up from 66 but i was more thinking do this with used mkh 416 or neumann 81
for much less you can do ntg-1 step and save for something else .
 
wabbit said:
A 702T at $2,000 was also posted if anyone is interested: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330087516977

(FYI: not my auctions, just relaying some info)
Click to expand...


Can anyone explain to me this eBay logic?

Paying $2,000 on eBay, no warranty, no nothing, not knowing how the unit is, all that when you can get it new from B&H for $2,495.00?!?!

Now if you told me you can get it for $1,500, now that would be a deal.

I don't think anything you can't buy from eBay for less than 2/3 the price new is worth buying.

But of course, that's me. ;)


Carlos
 
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20% less then retail??? You won't find that kind of deal anywhere. Even if you don't know him, his ebay feedback is perfect. Plus he has included about $200 in extras.

I certainly understand having reservations on ebay purchases so you make the call but that 702t is a ridiculous good deal for someone looking for a recorder.

Truth is I think he should have sold it on consignment at Trew/Coffey/Gotham so he didn't have to pay ebay's ridiculous fees.

Cheers
 
On most of the other hypers you mentioned, you won't need the BBG. The one downside to the Octava is it is more sensitive to handling noise and wind noise on fast moves - I haven't really heard of anyone using a BBG on any of the other hypers (but that's just me, I'm sure someone out there is using one...)

Phil
 
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