Critique my potential setup, please...

E

ezeitgeist

Member
Background basics:

We will be filming with the 5D Mark II, initially, audio through the juicelink.

We will be filming (to start) sketch pieces and short film concepts.



What we are planning on purchasing (in the next 2 days):

(1) Oktava MK012A with the hypercardiod capsule (http://www.sound-room.com/inc/sdetail/474)

(2) Rycote S-Series Windshield (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/629571-REG/Rycote_010305_S_Series_250_Windshield_Kit.html)
--I have been reading that it is better than the Rode blimp.
--Question: given this, do I need to also buy a shock mount & windjammer
(Was thinking about the K-Tek K-SSM Shock Mount & Rycote Baby Ball Gag if I was to buy, though the SSM-1 SABRA-SOM looks like people like it as well...still, do I need either given the S-Series?)

(3) XLR cable, at least 30 feet, maybe 50 feet (either shielded Star-Quad or Pro Co cables?)

(4) Boom Pole (this one is killing me, I was looking at the K&M Carbon-Fiber Four-Sections Boom Pole for $179, but am a little in the dark and cannot afford crazy money on a boom pole).

(5) There is the possibility (not sure if I can afford) that I will get the Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...MM1_MM_1_Single_Channel_Portable.html#reviews) for better audio quality.

Any and all critiques/advice would be very much appreciated.
 
The Sabra-Som shock mount is more flexible (fits lots of different mics, etc.), but I prefer shock mounts which have real positive clips like Rode's blimp (which looks great, but haven't had a chance to try yet) or this one from the "Oktava-Shop" in Germany..
sm-012black-102.jpg

http://oktava-shop.com/view_prod.php?id=47

If you are shooting outdoors, then all that wind protection would be advisable, but will a hyper like the Oktava 012 have the "reach" you need? And if you will be mostly shooting indoors, then all the wind protection might be overkill?

The Rode NTG-3 deal from DVeStore is an unbelievable bargain for everything you need. (Great mic, boom, shock mount, blimp, furry, even cables.) I would strongly recommend it vs. buying all your pieces separately.
 
Last edited:
A blimp system is a shock-mount and wind protection all in one, and I've heard similar things about the Rycote's shock mounting system being superior to the Rode. Although I haven't had personal experience with it. But, they're usually designed for shotgun style mics and for hypers (like the Oktava) a BBG and separate shock mount are more common. Couple reasons...
1. A blimp drastically increases the size of the mic, so indoors (where a hypers are more commonly used) you can get closer to the ceiling without a blimp.
2. The weights of a blimp is notably greater than just a BBG and shock mount.
3. I'm not 100% certain an Oktava would even fit in a blimp's shock mounting system given its smaller size than a shotgun, but I may be wrong here.

So if you're going for the Oktava, the BBG and KSSM would be my recommendation. (The BBG is needed even indoors for boom swings as the Oktava is more sensitive than most to wind) and get a BBG Windjammer if you want to use it outdoors.
 
Okay, so I will get the BBG (Windshield AND Windjammer?) and the K-SSM...if I go with the Oktava.

Here is the price comparison...NTG-3 package 3 (assuming blimps still available), w/boom pole: $899

Oktava package (piecemail: Oktava w/hypercardiod ($250), Rycote BBG Windshield & Windjammer ($135 & $70), K-tek K-SSM Shock Mount ($100), 50' Mogami XLR ($80), and K&M Carbon Fiber Four-Section Boom Pole [15'] ($180)): $815

Who knows about the shipping totals. Also, largest boom pole with the NTG-3 package is 9'2". How does the NTG-3 compare to the Oktava MK012A, and I thought you needed a boom pole over 12' for audio ease for film shoots?

We will be filming both indoors and outdoors. So really, do I have everything in each, and if so, which is the better deal/better mic to work with?
 
The two mics serve extremely different needs. You should check out a few of the other treads around because they break down the difference between the two in a lot of detail ut essentially. The NTG-3 is a shotgun and is for use outdoors. The Oktava is a hyper and is for use indoors. They are different mics made for different environments.

Also if you are shooting indooes with the oktava then you don't need the wind portection. The reccomendation that you will get from many people is to get the NTG-3 Kit & but the Oktava mic and a shockmount for the octava and you will have the beginnings of a great audio kit.

For now I don't think that you will need the SD pre and it is a better idea to get the right mics before good pres.
 
Richard Crowley said:
I prefer shock mounts which have real positive clips like Rode's blimp (which looks great, but haven't had a chance to try yet) or this one from the "Oktava-Shop" in Germany..
sm-012black-102.jpg

http://oktava-shop.com/view_prod.php?id=47
Click to expand...
I am a huge fan of the Oktava series but, I do not recommend the shock mount for boom/location applications. I own 2 of them and love them for regular 'mic stand' recording. However, for boom use they transmit noise because of constant handling due to the suspension being very thick and rigid. On the other hand if you get the Rode blimp, the shock mount system is excellent. I use it constantly with and without the full blimp kit.

Gohanto said:
I've heard similar things about the Rycote's shock mounting system being superior to the Rode. Although I haven't had personal experience with it.
Click to expand...
One advantage to the Rode is the majority of the time in outdoor situations you don't need the furry external covering. The blimp alone provides good protection under most conditions and the dead air space is superior to that particular Rycote design where you are forced to use the full sock. Full blimp vs blimp I prefer the Rycote, but not the all in one design.
 
Last edited:
Update: I bought the NTG-3 with the 9'2" boom pole deal at DVestore, and added a 30' and a 1.5' XLR cable. I also submitted and am waiting for confirmation on my $1 blimp.

This being said, I am planning on buying the Oktava MK012A (w/hyper cardiod capsule) for indoor filming (the NTG-3 for outdoor).

(1) Do I need an additional mount for the Oktava or can I use the mount inside the blimp, with or without the cover?

(2) If I do need an additional mount, and here is where I got confused, do people recommend the K-Tek K-SSM or is there a better one? Which Rycote are people talking about?

(3) and finally, there is debate over the need for a BGG with the Oktava even indoors, because of its sensitivity, do I need one and if so, can I use the blimp or is there a better one I should get for the Oktava?
 
If you can swing it, I highly recommend the AKG SE300B/CK93. If you could try the two side by side you would find that the AKG is slightly less sensitive but significantly cleaner with greater immunity to handling/wind noise. If by chance you know somebody who has either or both, try them side by side and see. Not much of a contest.
You can also get great results outdoors with the AKG. I shot dialog near a river once and my AT4073 shotgun was getting way too much boat noise even though it was boomed in tight. Switched to the AKG and man what a difference. I literally laughed out loud when I reviewed the tape. It was so flippin clean compared to what the ambient environment was.
The price has risen lately due to it's popularity. I got mine from Alto Music, NYC for significantly less than what B&H sold them for at the time. Possible that might still be the case. In any case, remember that the Octava usually needs the BBG indoors--no getting around the handling sensitivity issue so the price of the Octava and BBG gets you up to or above what the AKG is anyway. The AKG needs foam or nothing at all indoors.
 
Last edited:
I thought the Oktava was the bees' knees? Is it too sensitive to be a good indoor mic? Everyone kind of rags on it a little. I just want the one I can find for the best price that works well indoors (as I imagine I will use the NTG-3 outdoors).

I cannot afford to go too high, but if the Oktava is 250 plus 130 for the BGG, that puts me at $380. I guess, is there anything for indoors that I can get totaled for about 400 or less? I'll do the Oktava, but if the AKG SE300B is better and I can get it for cheaper...I live in NYC.
 
The Octava is a very good indoor mic. It was the "bees-knees" when it was selling for $175. Nothing in that price range compared to it. It is bright and clean. Being that the price of it has increased substantially over the last few years and you usually need a BBG to go with it, the perspective changes a bit. If you use it only in a static situation with foam in a controlled environment, i.e. boomed and locked down, you'll be ok and can get away without purchasing a BBG. If actively booming, i.e. handling motion, you'll need the BBG. Another option is to ask in the Marketplace. There may be somebody out there with one that they are not using and are willing to sell at a reasonable price.
 
Last edited:
I am looking into Alto Music in NYC for a package price for the AKG, the way you explained, it seems like if I can afford it, it is the better mic for indoor. Yes?
 
Thanks for Alto Music lead. They gave me a slight discount on the SE 300b & CK93 combo.

Can I use the blimp shock mount with the AKG or do I have to buy a separate shock mount?
 
ezeitgeist said:
Thanks for Alto Music lead. They gave me a slight discount on the SE 300b & CK93 combo.
Can I use the blimp shock mount with the AKG or do I have to buy a separate shock mount?
Click to expand...
Surprised it was only a slight discount. They used to smoke B&H.
The blimp shockmount should work since it is adjustable. Might be simpler and easier to use something like this---if you can find something like it at a reasonable price.

btw, forget about Mogami cables. Canare are fine. Save your money for something you need like a basic shockmount for the hyper.
 
Here is the setup so far:

1. Bought: NTG-3, 9' boom pole (internal cable), 1.5' XLR cable, 30' XLR cable, ATG SE 300B w/CK93 capsule, Rode blimp, Rode shotgun shock mount, the (already owned: 5D Mark2, and the Zoom H4).

2 We are probably going to get the MixPre.

We are going to record separately and then sync in post.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top