Advice on Audio Package. Almost There!

R

radicalkat

Member
Hey folks,

I'm nearing the end of my search for audio gear for my dslr. Here's what I'm thinking...

The Audio Technica at875r Basic Kit at B&H (Link).

However, I'm thinking of leaving out the pistol grip and the bag to save a little $$.
Along the same lines, I'm also wondering if folks have ideas for less expensive alternatives to the Rycote Softie and the K-Tech Boom Pole included in the package?

I'm going to pair this mike with a Tascam DR-100 MKII.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
That AT 875 does not run on batteries right? I just checked couldn't find anything about batteries. You might be drain that tascam pretty fast if you are running phantom power. Every tool has its purpose and you just need to know how you will use it to determine if trying to cut costs will be ok or not. If you go through all the effort of filming and spending a lot of time in post because you have some wind noise, the extra cost up front might be worth it.
 
I really rate it and use the 875R as my stock shotgun mic, I team it up with rode PG2 pistol grips and WS/6 softies.

I use a gitzo 3 section carbon fibre boom pole as it is very light.

Personally I would not buy that kit as you will be able to get the essentials for lower cost and a pistol grip will be more useful than having a boom pole with a cable inside, the mount they are providing is not as flexible as a pistol grip either.

Boom poles with cables inside are more costly and can have problems in the longer term as the cable gets worn so for the money I would get the following:

1: 875R http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ica_AT875R_AT875_Short_Condenser_Shotgun.html
2: PG2 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/577183-REG/Rode_PG_2_PG2_Pistol_Grip.html
3: WS/6 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573091-REG/Rode_WS6_WS6_Deluxe_Windshield_for.html
4: Boom pole http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/608532-REG/Gitzo_GB0330_GB0330_Weekend_Fishpole.html

Cables are easy to get these days but I would ask B&H to throw them in as part of the package, you could also add a camera mount and it will still put the whole package at under $500: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/398316-REG/Rode_SM3_SM3_On_Camera_Shockmount.html

As said you need to consider the phantom power required for the 875R and if your battery life is acceptable but I prefer it to the battery rode NTG2 and the AT 897.
 
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THanks so much for the feed back.

I've been thinking about the issue of having to go through MANY batteries in the dr100 (mkII), but, I've read that the mics that are self powered send out a weaker signal and therefore do not pair as well with the dr100. Long term I'll get a mixer. But for now, I guess the 875r + many batteries seems to be an OK compromise. I do intend to get the dr100 ac adaptor which I can use in many situations.

Gary, some questions about that equipment list.
1. The Rode WS6 windshield's specs say its max mic length is 6.25 inches. The 875r is 6.89 inches long. Is this small difference OK?
2. Is the Rode SM3 shock mount superior to the Pearstone DUSM1 suggested in the B&H package?
3. Regarding the dr100 mkII, under "suggested accessories" B&H suggests a Lexar 4 GB SDHC card. Is that a good choice for a card?
4. Finally, will the Audio Technica ATH-M2X headphones suggested by B&H do the trick?

Thanks again for the feedback. It really helps a beginner like me to hear from the pros.
 
1. The Rode WS6 windshield's specs say its max mic length is 6.25 inches. The 875r is 6.89 inches long. Is this small difference OK? Yes it is OK so long as it covers the slots that is all you need and once fitted in the PG2 it is a perfect length, I also have a cut down shorter one for use on my camera and that is also OK.

2. Is the Rode SM3 shock mount superior to the Pearstone DUSM1 suggested in the B&H package? I don;t know so take advice from B&H on that one, I put the rode down as it was the same make as the rest.

3. Regarding the dr100 mkII, under "suggested accessories" B&H suggests a Lexar 4 GB SDHC card. Is that a good choice for a card? Sounds good to me Lexar are excelent quality.

4. Finally, will the Audio Technica ATH-M2X headphones suggested by B&H do the trick? Hmmm those are cheap and I suspect not the best sounding, better to pay a bit more for such a critical piece of kit and the sony 7506 or sennheiser HD25 are the best you can get or have a listen before you buy as it is worth getting the best you can.

Here is a pic of an 875r in the PG2 with the two length WS/6 softies next to it:
JGN_0844.jpg
 
FWIW, Pearstone is B&H own product brand.
Choosing a windscreen that is much longer or larger in diameter will not necessarily work better than a smaller one designed for a specific mic, so check what is recommended.
A single 4GB card will yield a little over 4 hours of PCM 48/24 2-trk. audio record time, if that's an issue. Choose SD cards that have been tested by Tascam to avoid issues, unless you have the time and money to test em' yo'self. You must also 'format' a new card within the recorder it is to be used in prior to first use.
 
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cabled vs. non-cabled poles comes down to the type of work you are doing. I prefer a cabled pole for shorter poles, and sometimes I'll go uncabled on longer poles, such as a pole going out to 20 feet, and externally cable it, or use a straight internal cable. Wear on the internal cable depends on how well you take care of your pole. I've seen KE89CC poles (the model in that kit) that are 5 or 6 years old and have never had a problem because the owner took care of it. I've seen the same pole that may only be a few months old have a thrashed cable because the owner just didn't care about it and the cable would get tangled and stretched out because they would pull the coiled cable out through the top for one reason or another.
 
Would it be advisable to get xlr cabling with a 90 degree angled female end? This is what comes with the B&H mic/boom packages and I wasn't sure if it was preferable.

Thanks
 
Personally I dont thing it is essential to have right angled XLR's, they look nicer but can also give other problems as they can be harder to unplug especially if they are at the mixer or camera end.
 
I have found right-angle XLRs at the boom mic are more susceptible to cable noise, less of an iso loop.. especially with a zep.
 
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