Rycote Blimp Systems

Justin2

Justin2

Member
Looking to get some information regarding the old and new Rycote systems. Differences, pros vs cons, improvements, etc. UP for discussion will be the following. Opinions welcome!

Rycote Blimp System- http://cgi.ebay.com/RYCOTE-SHOTGUN-...00104?IMSfp=TL100104215004r8773#ht_500wt_1025


Rycote S Series Blimp- http://www.fullcompass.com/product/361550.html


New Rycote Blimp System- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325577-REG/Rycote_086006_Windshield_Kit_6_.html

One question I have is for the long shotgun blimps(or any). Does the hair on the S series hold up to the windjammer in the Rycote Blimp Kits?
 
OK.....

The Rycote at the bottom of the first link is an old, discontinued, basket windshield (Kit-8 by the looks of it) - it has the old elastic band mountings and the old pistol-grip.

Rycote moved away from rubber mounts a few years ago when they developed the patented "Lyre" mount. The Lyre is not affected by temperature like silicon O-rings and elastic and does not change properties with age. Their anti-vibration protection is much better than elastics.

The second link is the S-series - this was the first windshield to use the Lyres. It is over a third cheaper than a full windshield kit, is better than a Softie, but not quiet as good as a full basket with Windjammer.

The third link is the current full basket windshield kit - the latest kits have an improved pistol grip, Lyre suspension and now also include a ConnBox (which was an extra on the earlier windshields). The ConnBox decouples the microphone from the main mic. cable and helps prevent handling noise getting to the mic. via the cable.

Technically the full basket kit is best and the S-series second best. I would not use any shockmount that uses elastic, rubber or silicon O-rings nowadays - in fact I have changed all my shockmounts for all my mics over to the Rycote Lyre series (my stereo basket windshield kit, Softie kit, InVision mounts for small diaphragm condensers and now the new USM and TLM studio mounts for my large diaphragm condensers).

You can get all info and the right version for your mic. from the Rycote website HERE and the new InVision Studio Mounts HERE.

I hope this helps.
 
jaredgiese said:
Or you could go with the Rode blimp which is half the cost of the full windscreen from Rycote but still the same idea:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/579335-REG/Rode_BLIMP_Blimp_Complete_Windshield.html

I just got mine recently and LOVE it, however it depends on your mic length, if your mic is 13+ inches it wont fit.
Click to expand...

I own a Rode blimp and love it, but the point John made is that Rycote is using a Lyre suspension system, which is generally better and more durable. The Rode is still using the older elastic band mounting which isn't as good, but (for me at least) it's good enough.
 
True, but I have had no issues with my Rode blimp's suspension, and for half the price I think that it's ok :)
 
jaredgiese said:
Or you could go with the Rode blimp which is half the cost of the full windscreen from Rycote but still the same idea:
Click to expand...

Not really.

They have copied an obsolete Rycote suspension system - so the large blimp will give quite good wind protection, but the shockmount is nowhere near as good as the Rycote Lyre system.

The Rycote S-series is a similar price to the Blimp, much lighter, with a much better suspension system - I would rather have an S-series than a Blimp, any-day.
 
jaredgiese said:
True, but I have had no issues with my Rode blimp's suspension, and for half the price I think that it's ok :)
Click to expand...

Having no issues when it's new is different from a year or two down the line - and the rubbers are affected by heat and cold - the Lyre isn't.

There is a measurable difference in performance between a rubber syspension and a Lyre.

This article (pdf) will give you a lot of information on the subject (with measurement graphs) - published in LineUp magazine last year.
 
John Willett said:
Not really.

They have copied an obsolete Rycote suspension system - so the large blimp will give quite good wind protection, but the shockmount is nowhere near as good as the Rycote Lyre system.

The Rycote S-series is a similar price to the Blimp, much lighter, with a much better suspension system - I would rather have an S-series than a Blimp, any-day.
Click to expand...

Regardless, it isn't worth an extra $300 for less handling noise (at least not to me). Any GOOD boom operator shouldn't need the lyre system. Yes it is nice and convenient and definitely worth it, but only if it was only a little bit extra $$
 
Gohanto said:
I own a Rode blimp and love it, but the point John made is that Rycote is using a Lyre suspension system, which is generally better and more durable. The Rode is still using the older elastic band mounting which isn't as good, but (for me at least) it's good enough.
Click to expand...

RODE Blimp suspension mounts are made from high grade Silicone which is very durable in the heat and cold .. they even named a valley after it.

RODE include spare sets of Silicone mounts and tail grommets with each Blimp. They also include at no extra charge, a windshield called a Wombat .. just because it looks like one .. not because it is :)

http://www.wombania.com/wombats/wombat-facts.htm


Cheers.
 
jaredgiese said:
Regardless, it isn't worth an extra $300 for less handling noise (at least not to me). Any GOOD boom operator shouldn't need the lyre system. Yes it is nice and convenient and definitely worth it, but only if it was only a little bit extra $$
Click to expand...

Er - the Rycote S-series is actually *cheaper* than the Rode Blimp.

It's under £200 (Including 17.5% VAT) in the UK and I understand that it will be cheaper in mainland Europe and the USA also in a week's time.
 
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Was not referring to the S-Series, I have used that and don't like it because the fur is built in as opposed to removable.

I am referring to the complete windshield: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325558-REG/Rycote_086005_Windshield_Kit_5_.html

It isn't worth an extra $300+ for a little less handling noise considering any good boom op won't have an issue with handling noise in the first place

Also as Raster stated these bands arent cheapo silicone they are the nicest bands I have ever used and in the event one does degrade they included 8 or so replacements.
 
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