Good softie?

DavidBeier

DavidBeier

Veteran
About a year ago, I invested in a Audio Technica 4073a because I was told it was the cheapest professional quality mic I could get. I only used the little foam piece that came with it and it served me well on my smaller shoots but I must admit wind could do some real damage.

Now, I'm planning a short film of my own (not some corporate DVD or commercial where they're thrilled I even have a boom mic) and I want to make sure the audio is better. At the time, people suggested getting a Rycote Softie for about $130 at B&H but I didn't want to spend any more money after all the other equipment I'd invested in.

I look at B&H now and they've got several different options, some say 10cm, others 32m, and they go between large and medium hole. I admit, I have no idea what this means because I've never been an audio guy (I just needed a mic for some of my shoots and wanted decent quality). What am I looking for to go with my AT4073 and what's the best value for under $130? Also, who's cheaper than B&H?
 
you have terific products from k-tek or koala
suspentions from ktek
noneed to be slot by rycote prices
 
by the way of you need to place the mic on the boom or rze it over the camera you will need good suspention , check the ktek
chepaer then b@h ?
you qouate ,gotham , terw , coffey , tai and few others tll you get it in best price ,
thas how t works usially .
by the way i have new k-gps with ktek softie for your mic for 230 usd
incl shipping
its cheap :-)
 
DavidBeier said:
I look at B&H now and they've got several different options, some say 10cm, others 32m, and they go between large and medium hole.
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Softie systems need to be propperly sized for the mic you're using, unlike one-size-fits-all systems (eg. crossed rubber band mounts or those new-fangled Rycote lyre mounts), so the hole diameter refers to the size of mic it'll accept. On the Rycote website you can find product charts to match softie model to mic model.

That said, I would tend to agree with Oleg that Rycote products may not be your most cost-effective option. The K-tek zepplin system is probably a much better investment if you're concerned with keeping your costs down.

Also keep in mind that exterior shots will require both a shock mount and wind protection; foam windscreens are fine for interiors, but a even a gentle breeze will slice right through that foam. Softie systems pair the shockmount with a slip-on half-zepplin windscreen. While this works quite well, it is not as effective as a full zepplin-style windshield.
 
Thanks guys. My Mic came with a little SM3 Shock Mount which has worked fine so far but don't know if it'll work with other softie systems or capsules.

I checked back at B&H and they had two systems made especially for the AT4073 by lightwave.

The first is a "mini-screen" which looks like just a capsule for about $140 found here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292345-REG/Lightwave_MS104_MS_104_Miniscreen.html

and I think it would require that I also get a cover for $40-$90 (they've got two options with their accessories).


The other is an Equalizer Windscreen for $120 that appears just to mount on to the mic found here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292337-REG/Lightwave_EQ104_EQ_104_Equalizer_Windscreen.html

They also have a decent Rycote looking system for $110 that's listed with the AT4073 accessories found here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/225595-REG/Rycote_033032_12cm_Medium_Hole_Camera.html


Any suggestions on these options? I've heard that a capsule system is always better but I don't think I'll be able to swing that much.
SM3 Shock Mount
 
Softie for $60??

Softie for $60??

A company called "micover" like rycote has a softie like windscreen for only $60 bucks. I'm thinking about purchasing one. I have two slip-on fur windscreens for my HVX and Z1U from micover and their great! Hope this helps you out :)

http://www.micover.com/store/index.php
 
Oleg 2 said:
you have terific products from k-tek or koala from ktek
noneed to be slot by rycote prices
Click to expand...

We have softies for only 60 bucks.. thats about the lowest price on the internet for a "softie style" and not just a slip-on fur. It's half the price of the rycote and the other competition.

Hope this helps you out. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. We have tested the softies with the hvx off-board microphone and other brands like Azden, Audio Technica, ect.
 
I had a rycote softie and it was pretty much useless. Also, the extra weight on the front of the mic really caused my shockmount to sag.

I have a zepplin system for my long shotgun and that works great. I wouldn't get a softie again.
 
yeehaanow said:
I had a rycote softie and it was pretty much useless. Also, the extra weight on the front of the mic really caused my shockmount to sag.

I have a zepplin system for my long shotgun and that works great. I wouldn't get a softie again.
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Thats because rycote uses a full "rubber molded" shockmount. Also the weight of the mic is the problem, not the softie. Softies don't weigh much. If you have a larger mic I suggest using a better shockmount system.
 
Yeah what micover said. I've used a rycote softie on my AT4073a and it's been great. But then I've never been out in a tornado or anything =) Also use K-tek KSSM shockmount for it (from my Oktava) fits like a glove and no weight issues. Saved me some money there although since I've gotten other stuff.

The 4073 is a great mic, for the price. Just don;t skimp out of the accessories like ANY mic, budget accordingly. And don't skimp out on the quality either, B&H (I only get cables there nowadays) all the places Oleg suggested are reputable, friendly, great places great deals. Check em out!
 
-JunK- said:
Yeah what micover said. I've used a rycote softie on my AT4073a and it's been great. But then I've never been out in a tornado or anything =) Also use K-tek KSSM shockmount for it (from my Oktava) fits like a glove and no weight issues. Saved me some money there although since I've gotten other stuff.

The 4073 is a great mic, for the price. Just don;t skimp out of the accessories like ANY mic, budget accordingly. And don't skimp out on the quality either, B&H (I only get cables there nowadays) all the places Oleg suggested are reputable, friendly, great places great deals. Check em out!
Click to expand...

agree, the AT4073a is a wonderful microphone. We have heard really good things about that model. The AT815b is also a great model we currently use it's little brother the AT835b and it's a wonderful microphone. The conclusion is Audio Technica is legit.
 
Audio Technica is legit and great, never ever disappointed w/ their gear and the AT4073a was my first shotgun and I still use it (well the used Rode NGT2 technically was my first but I discount that really =D. Now, Sennheiser heh different personally I think their top gear is obviously quality and great but as a whole Sennheiser disappoints me, just their ME66 and lower end mics so overpriced for what they are just feeding off their reputation and lack of knowledge of the consumer, it's a shame. But anyways not to go off =)
 
I'm using a sennheiser ME80 and ordered a micover for it today. I think sennheiser is a great brand I've been using them for years.
 
We learned the other day that Rycote actually owns the name "Softie™," and they stopped us from using it to direct business to our products on ebay. We know everyone has adopted the name to be the standard term for these type of windscreens.

So when searching for "softie" you can also search "windshield, windscreen" Seems like rycote has an edge owning a name everyone thinks means a type of windscreen. When really it's only a trademarked brand name. Our softie style is called "puffin." Like the cute chubby birds found in Europe.
 
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