Dead cat for long shotgun mic?

[ernietamminga]

We mainly do event-videography, mostly indoors. We have outdoor shoots coming up, and hope to avoid wind-noise problems with our 18" shotguns. Here's a beginner-level question: If we use a Dead Cat, does it have to be long enough to cover the full length of the shotgun, or is it enough to cover the main-input front-area and leave the side rejection-ports uncovered? (Or more accurately, covered only with the foam windscreen that the mics came with.)

I'm guessing "has to be full length" is the correct answer because wind blowing into the sides might cause weirdnesses in rejection pattern; but I'm asking anyway in case that somewhat intuitive conclusion is wrong...

 

[BRH]

Need to cover all the slots/ports. Foam not good enough for outside.
If there are any switches on the mic not covered, sometimes wind can make a noise through the switches... just put tape over them.

 

[dre83]

Being logical is always good... and this time you'r right, it has to cover all the length

A dead cat by the way has a few types. You have this one:
http://a1.images4.thomann.de/pics/prod/276340.jpg
Which is good for low winds, but as soon as you get strong winds....it's not good enough

This one here is more expensive, but better
http://a2.images4.thomann.de/pics/prod/189660.jpg

It also depends on the type of mic. A 18" shotgun has to fit.....in this

 

[ernietamminga]

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies.
Poking around the Web, I also just found a YouTube clip that shows just how correct you (and my initial assumption) are...
http://youtu.be/tlgx5wmJNbg

 

[ZazaCast]

This might be a cheaper option.... I have one and it works pretty good:
Micover 'Puffin'
http://www.micover.com/index.html

 

[RandomHero]

Another good general information video about the whole topic, showing the difference between naked, muffed and blimped shotgun mics: http://vimeo.com/2095874

 

[ggrantly]

18" shotgun....that is some long gun. What brand model is it?

Grant

 

[Allan Black]

There's a new 'Blimp Extension' product coming from Rode, available in the next 2-4 weeks.

It screws on the front end to extend the length of your current Rode Blimp, comes with 2 sets of stronger bands, extra long Deadcat, comb and instructions. After you fit it, you screw your current dome on that.

http://www.rodemic.com/accessories/blimp-extension

It supports the Rode NTG-8 and shotguns up to 600mm in length. Pricing TBA.

Cheers.