I would like to know, since I'm a beginner, is it a good idea to buy older mics off of Ebay and the like, or has mic technology dramatically improved over the years? Do older mics suffer from age....say like diaphram brittleness or something? I'm currently looking at a Sennheiser MKH815-T with converter, zep, and fishpole for much lighter money than new stuff today! I'm thinking I can gain an education at lesser costs this way [Ebay], then I can buy the new stuff later! It seems if this mic is bad, I still have an oversized zep and pole to salvage my expenditure. Is this crazy, to purchase such an older mic?
Question on buying older mic's?
- Thread starter bwest
- Start date
ullanta
Veteran
I don't know the mic you're talking about, but at least SOME older mics are quite revered. Sure, they have some problems as they age, but can be restored; but even without, many mics from the 30's, 40's, and 50's are highly sought after and continue to INCREASE in value. Good-quality analog front-end equipment tends to have a very long life, and though digital technology changes fast and obsoletes fast, much of the old analog gear is considered better than what's made now.
'Course, I don't know about that Sennheiser.... but seems worth checking out.
'Course, I don't know about that Sennheiser.... but seems worth checking out.
thank Ullanta,
Thats sort of how Im thinking...analog is still analog, and I'm in the market for my first pole and zep too. A really long gun as this 815-T vintage is pre...1975. A little scary but intriguing too...never dreamed of a long gun until today. I accidentally found it shopping for zeps and / or boompoles. I could kill two birds with one stone [zep and pole] and gain this 'long gun' to experience a real shotgun!
Thats sort of how Im thinking...analog is still analog, and I'm in the market for my first pole and zep too. A really long gun as this 815-T vintage is pre...1975. A little scary but intriguing too...never dreamed of a long gun until today. I accidentally found it shopping for zeps and / or boompoles. I could kill two birds with one stone [zep and pole] and gain this 'long gun' to experience a real shotgun!
wabbit
Evil has Ears
For a long shotgun you are on the right track...if a long shotgun is what you are looking for. The 815t is T powered, which you can work around, but you need to be aware of that and not feed it phantom power. Personally, I would get the 816. You can find those all the time on ebay or at used audio dept. The 816 is an older but very popular long gun, replaced by the MKH70. It comes in both T and phantom powered. T powered will probably sell for less.
All that said, a long gun is more then likely not what you are looking for. It is a VERY directional mic that challenges even a good boom op. A short gun like the 416 is what you would want to start. This also can be found used for a good price, between $500 to $800.
Age is not an issue for true condenser mics. Electret condenser do suffer from age, they will slowly get worse over time. The cheaper shotguns that are popular today are usually electret as well as lav mics. Avoid buying those mics used.
Read up on the stickies to get a fuller picture of all the types of mics and equipment you will need. If you have the time, buying used is a great way to build a good sound kit for cheap.
Cheers
All that said, a long gun is more then likely not what you are looking for. It is a VERY directional mic that challenges even a good boom op. A short gun like the 416 is what you would want to start. This also can be found used for a good price, between $500 to $800.
Age is not an issue for true condenser mics. Electret condenser do suffer from age, they will slowly get worse over time. The cheaper shotguns that are popular today are usually electret as well as lav mics. Avoid buying those mics used.
Read up on the stickies to get a fuller picture of all the types of mics and equipment you will need. If you have the time, buying used is a great way to build a good sound kit for cheap.
Cheers
Thanks for the warning and recommendations wabbit. Thats why I never dreamed of the long gun before this, because of the expertise required to operate it. Operator error is something I'm prone to do [ AS A BEGINNER! ]
I know you speak of zeps often...could I modify this Zep to medium sized shotguns? This zep is as long as the sennheiser is long...a real monster.
The price for pole, zep, and mic are sort of in my favor, right now, and I've always felt "nothing in life is free" esp an education or lessons at operational skills. Even a brand new aluminum avalon [shortie] costs more than the current price of these above mentioned 3 [together], And I usually make some mistake with my first purchases...when buying new.
I know you speak of zeps often...could I modify this Zep to medium sized shotguns? This zep is as long as the sennheiser is long...a real monster.
The price for pole, zep, and mic are sort of in my favor, right now, and I've always felt "nothing in life is free" esp an education or lessons at operational skills. Even a brand new aluminum avalon [shortie] costs more than the current price of these above mentioned 3 [together], And I usually make some mistake with my first purchases...when buying new.
SMuir
Well-known member
I wouldn't call T-powering "obsolete". Unpopular among equipment manufactureres, but not obsolete. For the added inconvenience of T-12 to P48 adapter barrel, you get a mic that's far more reliable in situations with a lot of electrical interference (passing streetcars, radio towers, electrical pylons, jacob's ladders, thunderstorms, etc.) Besides, high-quality field mixers such as the SD402 will offer T-12 power.bwest said:
Watch out for the zepplin gear, though. Older zepps tend to be more brittle and heavy (a big concern when you have an `816 on a 15' boom). Also, replacement parts can be hard to come by, especially now that Rycote has retooled their product line (metric rather than imperial measurements). Some older Rycote systems use neoprene shock-blocks rather than rubber band suspensions. If you do find yourself with a neoprene shock-mount on your hands, you can easily adapt the kit for Sennheiser's shockmount cradles. You may have more difficulty replacing a damaged old-style Rycote zepplin, though.