K3 ME80 Handling Noise

[Why Why Are Why Be]

My ME 80 capsule seems to be very sensitive to handling noise, with a sort of low frequency rumble on pans, and any movement that isn't absolutely delicate. None of the other capsules do this (ME 40 / 20), and my AT815a is pretty immune to handling. Is this normal for the ME 80, or is this a problem that needs to be addressed?

 

[SMuir]

Different mics will respond to mechanical vibration in different ways. If the mic's on a boom you'll need a shock mount to take the edge off handling noise.

The noise during pans is likely the sound of air bashing against the diaphragm as you move the mic. A foam windscreen should remedy that situation if you're shooting indoors. If you're outdoors or near an air vent, you'll need a more substantial wind shield such as a Rycote zeppelin.

It is also a common practice to run dialogue through a high-pass filter set to 90 to 120 Hz. Unless you're recording James Earl Jones humming a Barry White tune, there won't be a lot of useful material in your dialogue track below 120 Hz. Most mixers will have switcheable high-pass filters on all channels, allowing you to clean out all that unwanted noise before it even hits the tape. If you're recording without a mixer and your recorder lacks any filters, you can simply add the filter in post-production.

 

[Why Why Are Why Be]

Its on a rycote lyre mount, with a normal old windtech foam windscreen for indoors, and a K-tek zeppelin softie for out doors. At first I went from a PSC mount to the stiffer rycote to try to reduce noise. I just want to know from anyone else who owns a k3 to compare with me about the handling characteristics. I've also been making use of the highest roll off setting for faster scenes, but I'd rather not do that.