ME-66 vs. ATA 897

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
I am looking for an excellent shotgun mic to mount on my DVX. I have heard two mic brands being tossed around on this site, the Sennheiser Me-66 and the Audio-Techna AT897. There is definitely a price difference between the two microphones (around $200.00). Could anyone who has either of these microphones please give me some advice? Are they comparable? Is that extra $200.00 dollars money well spent?

Please mic users, one and all...give me advice and I will lend you my ears....
 
Well, I've heard that the AT897 is pretty good for the price. But I mostly hear people using the ME-66 more than anything. Now, the AT4073A is supposed to kick the ME-66's butt, then again, the AT4073A is about $300-400 more than the ME-66 =P. I personally would recommend the ME-66 as it seems to be more widely used.
 
I've only worked with the AT 897 and I've no complaints from it. You really do get your bang for your buck.
 
I have the AT897 and it is nice, I also used the ME66 some years ago and worked very well. Probably the ME66 is better, but the AT897 works.
Now about "excellent shotgun mic" I'm sure there are options better than both :) but for mounting in the DVX the AT897 does the job, better if your subject is close to the camera (anyway I'm not an audio specialist)

Ulisses
 
I have and use the ME-66 / K6 it is a good mic but is VERY sensitive and can over drive on hard transients. I supplement with 2 Shure SM-81's (not shotgun, but a good "ambient" mic none-the-less) I am longing for a Sanken Shotgun, now that is a sweet microphone.
 
I bought an 897 based on user opinions on this board, and I really like it. Way back whenever that was, the folks were claiming that the 897 beats the me-66, especially considering the price.
 
Before I bought my ME66 a bit over a year ago, Rush and I did a quick side by test in the EVS showroom...each mike into a separate channel. The ME66 is "hotter", requiring about half the volume on my DVX100a compared to the 897. However, we felt that the 897 had a "warmer" sound as opposed to the "crisp" top end of the ME66. It also has better rejection from the rear of the mike. I believe it's Matt G who did a real comparison of this. Do a search and download it. When used properly, you'll be very happy with the 897.


Hope this helps.

Ken
 
What's most important is how good the environment is and how close the mic is to the speaker. That said, I own an 897 and it's good. I'll send some sound from it. I have some samples; I'll see if I can upload them.
 
rlm7189, why don't you post what you are using it for, because those mics perform radically different duties. the ME64/K6 is more a match for the AT897 as far as audio bandwidth and rear rejection in small areas, but the ME66/K6 beats it for isolating a single speaker in a large area or crowds. The At4073A is excellent for not a lot more, but you may not need to go that far up in price.:)

ME64/K6 (free DVXuser XLR cable) $416.95http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ME64K6

ME66/K6 (free DVXuser shockmount and cable) $434.95
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=K6
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ME66http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ME66K6COMBO

AT897 (free DVXuser shockmount and cable) $277.95
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AT897

At4073A (free DVXuser XLR cable) $524.95
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AT4073A
 
Chapman said:
Which is better, AT897 or the AT815b, its 30 more $?
Click to expand...

Well the AT815 is a lot longer, not suitable for camera use, more for booming, which it is better at (more directional)
 
Hey everybody-

Thanks So much for responding. You have all helped out tremendously. What I'm gathering is that with respect to buying a microphone, you usually get what you pay for.

Policar-
If you could upload some audio samples for the 897 that would be fantastic.

Rush-
I can't really register a guess as to what this mic will be used for. I am preparing to film my thesis for graduate school and haven't nailed down the particulars yet. I just want to make sure that I get an all around good mic that will serve me well in most situations. I have to say though, since I began this thread, I went to DVFREELANCER.com and heard a side-by-side audio comparison of the ME-66 vs the 4037A. The ME-66, was very excellent but a little too thin and tinny for my tastes. The 4037A was rich and beautiful. I fell in love with it.....ahh, so the plot thickens.

Hey Rush, EVS wouldn't happen to offer student discounts would they? ;o)

Thanks again everybody!
Rick
 
Rush said:
Hi rlm7189, we have the DVXuser discount (better than student discount) :), it is $25 lower than our advertised price of $549.95 and you get a free 18" XLR cable:

At4073A (free DVXuser XLR cable) $524.95
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/...ct_Code=AT4073A
Click to expand...

Thanks so much Rush. Like I said, I have fallen in love with the AT4073A. The worst part about it is I am not 100% sure it's in my budget at this point. But, I am filming my sister's wedding in about a month so I need something. I just don't know if I can stomach getting a lesser mic after hearing samples from that one. It is EXCELLENT!

Rick
PS Thanks for the discount! It will be MUCH appreciated when the time comes for me to pull the trigger.
 
One final question regarding the 4037A. I have been reading that it requires the phantom power from the DVX. Does that eat up a LOT of battery juice? I need to know if I should pick up another battery pack! Thanks!
 
I think it would be okay and you are right the 4073a does sound good. I have never used the Phantom power capability of the DVX. I have Mackie for strap down shots and I used a Shure FP31 (Ebay $125.00) as my field mixer but I think with this microphone you will be okay. Battery wise, yes it may take some juice but I don't think it will be much.

P.S. I went to a nice panel at the Tish Center with Ellen Kuras and a couple more DPs in early May. Good luck and let me know if you need any help in your film projects.
 
Ernest_Acosta said:
Good luck and let me know if you need any help in your film projects.
Click to expand...

Nice to know I'm not hearing things. That 4037a has ruined me for lesser mics. I am having a nearly impossible time of convincing myself that a $300dollar mic (AT 897) will be okay, after hearing that one.

And thanks Ernest for the advice and the offer. I may be taking you up on it.
 
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