Azden shotgun vs Oktava

This is kind of apples to oranges, to be honest. A shotgun set up next to a hypercardioid isn't a fair match. Not because one is beter than the other, per se, but because they are two different mics for two different purposes.

Hypercardioids are the choice for interior dialog. Short shotguns can work in some interiors, occasionally. Short shotguns are great for outdoor dialog, until wide shots are needed. Long shotguns allow the mic to be farther away, though after a point the shot can get wide enough that wireless lavs are your only shot.

There's a great article link posted here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=120866

This will give you a bit more insight into patterns, uses, and comparisons of different makes in the same mic groups.
 
Let me make a fairly blanket comparison. Anything made by Azden is a piece of crap. Sorry to say since you already own it, but it is true. For a shotgun to shotgun comparison, look at the Rodes or even the Audio Technica 897 or better, the 4073a.

Phil
 
Yeah, there's that. I've never been a big fan of Azden's mics. That having been said, it's still important to understand that shotgun mics and hypercardioid condensers aren't a fair comparison, no matter how well either is made.
 
ptalsky said:
Let me make a fairly blanket comparison. Anything made by Azden is a piece of crap. Sorry to say since you already own it, but it is true. For a shotgun to shotgun comparison, look at the Rodes or even the Audio Technica 897 or better, the 4073a.

Phil
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Wow Phil, brutally honest, but needed to be said.
 
C2V, I absolutely agree - that is why I recommended shotgun replacements for the Azden. You had already covered the basic differences so I didn't feel the need to repeat it. Just to express my subtle opinion about the lack of quality in Azden products.

:-)

Sane/Mike, I just hate to see someone make the same mistake I did when I first got started - my first portable mixer was an Azden and it was a total piece of caca. So, when I see that brand mentioned in a thread, I just want to make sure that anyone reading it in the future doesn't think that a lack of opinion represents an endorsement. :-)

Phil
 
Fair enough!

Though I should also point out that Rode does make one - the Videomic - that's worth passing over... it can only be used as a cam-mounted mic, and has only 1/8" connection. Avoid it.
 
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ptalsky said:
Sane/Mike, I just hate to see someone make the same mistake I did when I first got started - my first portable mixer was an Azden and it was a total piece of caca. So, when I see that brand mentioned in a thread, I just want to make sure that anyone reading it in the future doesn't think that a lack of opinion represents an endorsement. :-)

Phil
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I agree Phil! You should see me knocking down an ME-66...

I responded because you made me smile!
 
I agree with C2V on the apples to oranges thing (can't compare these two mikes their for different applications.) not so sure i agree on the alienating an entire brand thing. Maybe i just have absolutely no bearing on what a good shotgun sounds like, but I have the azden sgm-1x myself and for less than 200 bucks its a damn decent sounding mic. plus it came with a shockmount. I think its pretty good value. I prefer to judge things on a model by model basis, because even though some brands appear be consistently trash, i think almost every brand has at least ONE decent model.
I hear people say stuff like "got a pair of sony headphones and never ever gonna buy sony again." Just cause you didn't like one model? that sounds crazy to me.
 
C2V said:
Fair enough!

Though I should also point out that Rode does make one - the Videomic - that's worth passing over... it can only be used as a cam-mounted mic, and has only 1/8" connection. Avoid it.
Click to expand...
That´s actually the hole purpose of the mic... :huh:
 
Spartacus said:
That´s actually the hole purpose of the mic... :huh:
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While that may be the WHOLE purpose of the Videomic, it limits flexibility. And it is wired for lower-end consumer cameras with the 1/8". Again, not one to consider if you have the advantage of XLR.

In all, having the option of detaching the shotgun and mounting it on a stand or fishpole is far more desirable. I stand behind my previous assessment.
 
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