anyone use/like/dislike at897 shotgun mic?

R

robfilms

Veteran
anyone use/like/dislike at897 shotgun mic?

a buddy of mine is skinny-ing his mic collection and offered this mic to me for very little $.

i am interested because it can be battery powered and several digital audio recorders need to use a powered mic.

i know there are better mics out there.

i'm just wondering if it is "good enough" as an occasional mic for my audio kit.

thank you in advance to anyone who cares to share their thoughts.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions.
nyc
 
I've used one many times. It's a good quality mic, worth the price they ask for if on B&H, so if you're getting it for pennies on the dollar I'd do it.
 
Nothing wrong with the AT897, it is a very decent mic for the price. The 897 and other mics in this price range, including the Rode models are not known for high output, so if you are recording into a cheapo recorder with weaker pre-amps like a DR100 or Zoom, you might run short on gain when pressed. Having said that, I have used the AT897 + DR100, and with good mic placement, it has worked ok for me. Add a mixer or recorder with stronger pre-amps and things get better. Don't kid yourself, there is quite a difference between an 897 and the next tier of mics like the NTG3.

Since it has the battery powered option, one interesting way to use the 897 is as a "wireless shotgun" when used with a Sennheiser butt-plug transmitter. This is a nice combo for run and gun work.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
Nothing wrong with the AT897, it is a very decent mic for the price. The 897 and other mics in this price range, including the Rode models are not known for high output, so if you are recording into a cheapo recorder with weaker pre-amps like a DR100 or Zoom, you might run short on gain when pressed. Having said that, I have used the AT897 + DR100, and with good mic placement, it has worked ok for me. Add a mixer or recorder with stronger pre-amps and things get better. Don't kid yourself, there is quite a difference between an 897 and the next tier of mics like the NTG3.

Since it has the battery powered option, one interesting way to use the 897 is as a "wireless shotgun" when used with a Sennheiser butt-plug transmitter. This is a nice combo for run and gun work.

Grant
Click to expand...

grant-

i often work with the sd mixpre so hopefully that will offer some oomph to the 897's occasional lack of gain.

i also was hoping that it would marry well with my sennheiser g3 butt unit. good to know it has worked for you as a combo.

thanks for sharing.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
 
well, i purchased the at897.

i tested it with a sd mixpre providing the phantom power.

i was surprised by how decent the at897 sounded.

it did a good job rejecting some nearby noise while still nicely reproducing the male voice who was selling me the mic.

thanks to those who shared their insights.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
 
Last edited:
so i'm back at my shop and i wanted to test the phantom function of the at897.

i cannot for the life of me unscrew the mic.

i'm applying a fair amount of grip pressure and i'm managed to get a wee bit of back and forth but nothing more.

now the mic is perfectly straight so i don't think the bottom was mis-screwed onto the threaded top.

in fact, i don't think my friend ever even opened the mic.

any tips in opening the at897?

thanks in advance.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
 
keylight said:
Make sure you're opening in the right place! Just beneath the little band (not above). You probably are, but just in case:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cyliAOHlUHQ#t=165s
Click to expand...

yup, i watched the same you tube video and can not unscrew the two pieces.

very frustrating.

even at the reasonable price i paid, i REALLY wanted one decent mic in the kit to be battery powered.

i'm not sure what to do next.

thoughts?

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
 
robfilms said:
yup, i watched the same you tube video and can not unscrew the two pieces.

very frustrating.

even at the reasonable price i paid, i REALLY wanted one decent mic in the kit to be battery powered.

i'm not sure what to do next.

thoughts?

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions
nyc
Click to expand...

Is it possible that the previous owner used a little loctite? Would be very strange but you never know. If it has loctite on it, a hot hairdryer on it should loosen it up.

It's also possible that your friend stripped the threads.
 
Since it's about thoughts on it, anyone has experience with this one compared to a RØDE NTG-2? I'm curious. I like my NTG-2, but I've read a lot about this one and I'd like to know if there's a noticeable difference between both, as they both come well recommended.
 
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