Handling Noise with K-Zepp

gco

gco

Veteran
Before you guys flame me on this, I know that cam mounted mics are a no-no and I understand why. The type of shooting that I do dictates very little choice in the matter. I shoot reenactments on the run sometimes with tripod, sometimes shoulder mount. Either way, I am literally chasing guys on the field or through the woods and a separate guy with a boom pole is absolutely out of the question.

That being said, I purchased a K-tek K-Zepp for open field/ high wind applications. I mounted it via shoe mount and was surprised at the extreme sensitivity to handling noise that translates from the camera body. I just touch the cam and there is an instant surface noise or rumble. Even with hands off, touching only the tripod arm causes a severe rumble. Using the low cut filter on mic is not an option since most of my recorded sound includes gunfire including canons. The possibilities for this that I can think of are the bands--they are not what I would consider soft, and the pigtail. The pigtail is short and stiff and it seems the only feasible way to connect it is with the mic filter switch facing down so that the pigtail has a single loop at the back of the connector.
It seems to me that even on the end of a boom pole this thing would rumble like thunder. I don't get it. I have no handling issues with my $20 Rode SM3. Am I missing something here?
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.
gco
 
You didn't mention what mic you are using. Have you tried a different mic in the same setup? What type of camera are you using? Others may differ with me, but my experience with the K-Zep is excellent even in pretty strong breeze.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
You didn't mention what mic you are using. Have you tried a different mic in the same setup? What type of camera are you using? Others may differ with me, but my experience with the K-Zep is excellent even in pretty strong breeze.
Grant
Click to expand...

I have tested an AT4073 and AKG SE300/CK93. The issue is not wind, it is sensitivity to any handling or touching of the camera (DVX). Mounting is via shoe mount. Q: is it normal to have the pigtail looped going into the back of the mic?--due to the shortness of it seems like the only way.
 
Are we talking about a full zep or one of the slip on fuzzy types? I don't remember the full zep being shoe-mountable.
 
I use a CK93 mounted on cam a lot with a K-TEK kssm shock mount with the soft bands and dont get much handling noise. I also cut the low end on the mic itself which helps a lot.

I think having a blimp mounted on a cam would be quite unruly. ou may want to look into a softie style instead or the baby ball gag from rycote for the CK93.
 
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you are right, a blimp on cam is unruly but there are times when my Rycote softie is totally overloaded and will not cut the wind. Lately, I'm thinking my Zep issue might be from the bands. I should not get surface touch noise from the handle of the tripod. Seems to me that if the noise is that prominant in a controlled environment, the same problem would happen with an aluminum boom pole. Softer bands might do the trick if I can find something that will fit properly. Overall, I'm just kind of surprised that I am even having this issue. I am half tempted to buy a Rode and see if that is any better.
 
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