CS3e characteristics question

G

ggrantly

Veteran
After reading some of the sticky info and searching around, I have become interested in how the CS3e might improve my kit. It seems this mic might be a magic bullet, but I am a little confused how it fits into different situations. I presently have a NTG-3 and some Oktavas and wonder how the CS3e might fit into that mix.

When would (or can) this mic take the place of a hyper? Is it an all purpose shotgun, or is it limited? Where does this mic fit into a kit?


Grant
 
my idea about mices is that you can compare mices with cars.

Weather it's Mercedes, BMW, Suzuki, Toyota... they all have to drive, at least not to fall apart on the road, and to have if possible some doors and 4 wheels.

Same with mices: every mice will produce sound... but there are differences between mices of 10$ and 1000$.

So in this case, the CS3e could be a replacement for the NTG-3. Or you could use them both when needed. Although I have to say that matching different mices isn't always easy.
 
General opinion is that the CS-3e has a semi-high noise floor so in a very quiet interior it wouldn't fair too well, but other than that it's not an issue. Not RF shielded like the NTG-3. Although a lot of people find it to be the most directional shotgun mic on the market, with a good amount of reach. So in a louder environment or with a high boom line, it's commonly used.

Personally, I haven't used it though, so the above is just a general consensus I've gathered from research I did a few months ago. Hope it helps.
 
There was a recent RAMPS discussion about how the multiple elements in the CS3e actually made it one of the few shotgun mics that could reasonably be used in interiors without phase cancellation problems. Afraid I've not heard it or used it myself, though.

Note that the Oktavas' freq characteristics change rather dramatically based on what capsule you're using, so if you're comparing frequency responses, be sure to note which capsule you're using.

The NTG3 is a solid performer, though. I just art directed a shoot and chatted with the soundman after getting insanely jealous that he had TWO Schoeps CMIT5u's! They also, BTW, sounded amazing in an interior space (conference room)...
 
The CS3e is the closest thing there is to a "one mic fits all" microphone. It can take the place of a hyper in many situations (technically it can take the place of a hyper in ALL situations... with passable results, but there will be times when a hyper will be audibly superior)... No ONE mic does everything... but the CS3e is the closest thing there is to that.

If I had a mix of Oktava and NTG-3 and was interested in the CS3e then I'd expect it to often replace the NTG-3 in the uses that I typically reached for the Rode... however... as previously stated... the NTG-3 would still be the mic of choice around dimmers or other sources of RFI... and in any situation involving higher humidity... or more environmentally demanding conditions.

For interiors... if I had to boom HIGH... then I'd go with the CS3e over the Oktava hyper... OR... if I had some serious off-axis noise to cut through... and couldn't use a lav (for subject comfort, or some other reason)... then the CS3e would replace the Oktava. That said... if I had a quiet room, with good acoustics... I'd choose the Oktava hyper over the CS3e, because people MOVE... and they will move in and out of the beam of the CS3e when the mic is fixed in position.

Having both the NTG-3 and an Oktava or two... realize that your audio will NOT be "transformed" if you get a CS3e... you will hear some changes in timbre... and you'll have a few situations where you'll get more isolation then you did previously... but we're talking a matter of degrees... vs. absolutely distinct differences.

Anything I ever recorded for Modern Marvels, Travel, History, etc... was almost always a boomed CS3e w/ a COS11 lav/Lectro... and anytime the acoustics were a bear... I know they ended up choosing the lav track. The point is that yes, the CS3e is probably the best isolating SHORT shotgun... and the lack of a tail means it can do most interiors... and again... YES... it IS the closest thing there is to a do-it-all-mic... but it's still a natural law that anything that "does-it-all" can often be bested by several things that each specialize in one thing. There will be times when the CS3e is the single best choice there is... but there will be other times that one of your other mics will be the best option... even if the CS3e is sitting there ready to go.

The reason that so much of my ENG/EFP has used the CS3e is because it's truly run and gun... sometimes I've had to set up lighting for the shot... and once the cam op is happy I have exactly 2 minutes total... to be ready with sound. If you often face those situations, then a CS3e is hard to beat... It's my go-to "no time to set up audio" mic.
 
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Thanks to all for the responses. Matt, we haven't heard so much from you recently, and I for one wish that wasn't so.

I know you have been a fan of the AKG hypers. Have you or anyone used or heard the new model 4053B? Any thoughts comparing the two. I have also considered upgrading from the Oktavas, which have served me Ok, but I always wish for something a little easier to use if there is such a thing. Less handling noise would be a good thing.

Best Regards,
Grant
 
I've stopped suggesting people shell out big bucks for the AKG ULS line... because I've had some humidity/reliability issues. I'm not sure about the Blueline however... with the connection system I'm willing to bet the Blueline (ck93, etc) is more dependable in varied environments.

Still... my experiences with the reliability of the ULS system (especially for how much $ I have in it) has really turned me off on AKG mics. In tough conditions (high humidity, moving from very cold into very warm, etc.) I sometimes get a mild pop+sizzle (probably similar to some guys' experience with a Schoeps in humidity...) it's subtle... but HIGHLY annoying if it comes at just the right moment... and unfortunately, it has. In any environment that's potentially challenging I've been using the NTG-3.

I feel you on the handling/wind issues of the Oktava... but honestly... I'm really considering adding a couple more to the kit. I've been looking for an alternative mic to recommend... since the Oktava has steadily risen in price from it's bargain-basement beginnings... but unfortunately I haven't found anything to beat it yet (for a lower-cost hyper).

... and thanks for the kind words. I still read the audio forum almost every day... but I only comment when I feel the OP's question isn't getting answered... or he/she doesn't understand the answers... or when it's NOT something I've answered a hundred times already :)
 
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