indoor dialogue - 416 or cheap Hypercardioid?

[puredrifting]

Um.... you do realize that you just bought another shotgun mic, yes? According to AT the AT875r is "Audio-Technica’s shortest shotgun microphone". Those slots on the sides are the interference slots (why they call them interference tubes). See how similar they are to the same slots on the 416? These slots are what make the mic more directional, and are also the cause of artifacting from so-called "rapid reflections".

The AT875 is not a hyper. It's a supercardioid-based shotgun. It's going to have the same limitations as an interior microphone as the 416 has. Just sayin'.

That said, the AT875 punches well above it's weight class, it sounds surprisingly good. Now that you have it, you can still consider selling the 416 and buying a good hyper, like the AT4053b, the Audix SCX1-HC, or better.

I totally know what the design and specs say, but I have been shooting with mine for years in all kinds of crazy interiors and have only had room reflection issues once or twice. I think it may have to do with the overall length is so short that even though it is technically a shotgun, the resulting polar characteristics seem to behave more like a carioid variant sometimes. Mine sounds great for 90% of interiors.

 

[graywolf]

There are some great prices on used gear.

yep! I just picked up another AT4073A for $125. Plan to to leave this one in the blimp most of the time, and occasionally on my B-cam. The other one lives on top of my A-cam.

 

[GaryNattrass]

I find the AT875 a good compromise between a full shotgun and a hyper and for the money it is my go to general purpose mic.

 

[Throwback]

Rode suggest the NT5 (cardioid) or NT55 (cardioid cardioid/omni) pattern.

Well I guess they would in the absence of a hypercardioid capsule for the NT5/NT55! At the back of my mind, I have a feeling that this was planned in the past, but maybe that is wishful thinking. Odd though, as it seems an obvious thing to do.

Cheers,

Roland