Rycote Nano Shield

Joshua Milligan

Joshua Milligan

Well-known member
I'm a Sennheiser fan and have an MKH 8040, 8050 and 8060. I use them for various situations for my video work and am now wanting to grab a blimp for using my 8060 outdoors. This will be my first blimp, so I want to make an educated purchase.

The one I currently have my eye on is the Rycote Nano Shield Windshield Kit NS3-CB which supposedly fits the MKH 8060. I don't know if it fits the 8060 with the low cut filter module or if it's just the bare 8060, but either way that's the one I'm looking at. Before the Nano Shield series was released, I was planning to purchase a Rycote Modular Windshield Kit, but the Nano Shield supposedly is their newer, lighter and improved design.

Do any of you have experience with the Nano Shield series from Rycote? If so, can you give me your thoughts on how you like or dislike it? Thanks!
 
I haven't used Rycote's Nano Shield Kit. But I do own and use a couple of their windshield kits, and also a Cyclone, which is/was their update to the modular windshields. So I'm semi looking at the Nanos. https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/cyclone/

Anyway, to me the Nano looks like Rycote's response to the Cinela Pianissimo and Piano windshields. I don't own one of those, but have boom op'd with them and they're really nice. REALLY transparent and light. And their OSIX suspensions/mounts also work great. Alas, they're not cheap, though not all that much more than Nanos. Cinela's website is still being updated (http://cinela.fr), so here's a North American dealer's page for Cinela (Gotham and other such places also carry Cinela).
https://www.trewaudio.com/product-tag/cinela/

I'd say both systems are worth checking out in person before laying down your money. If you're going to NAB, it looks like Rycote will be in the Redding Audio booth, C5225. I don't see Cinela on the NAB Show directory, but I'd think their stuff will be in some fellow-traveler booths.

Of course first-hand experiences with the Nano will be valuable. So hopefully we'll see some thoughtful responses.
 
Joshua Milligan said:
Do any of you have experience with the Nano Shield series from Rycote? If so, can you give me your thoughts on how you like or dislike it? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Josh, look like lots of experienced mixers (and long-time Rycote users; not haters) are really disappointed in the Nano Shield. I don't know if the issues have been addressed in later units.

But look around and try to get your hands on one...
 
I have had two Nano shields (the NS2-CA and the larger NS4-DB) for about 18 months. I think they are excellent and that the update (including the new 3D-Rex socks - like the cyclone - and a new swivel arm and an additional cable without the low-cut filter so you can use digital mics) solved any slight niggles for me. Others may well disagree: I would seek out the opinion of any well-respected boom op/sound mixer you know who is using them and see what they think. In terms of pure wind performance, I did do some comparative tests, which just might possibly be of use to you (or others): https://drbadphil.com/windshield-tests

Cheers,

Roland
 
I own a couple of the Nano Shields, but watch out that you can't remove their quick release plug! Thus you are kinda "forced to" use Rycote's own quick release system. (if you're already using them, then no big deal! But could be a big issue if you're already heavily invested in something else, such as Ambient)
 
IronFilm said:
I own a couple of the Nano Shields, but watch out that you can't remove their quick release plug! Thus you are kinda "forced to" use Rycote's own quick release system. (if you're already using them, then no big deal! But could be a big issue if you're already heavily invested in something else, such as Ambient)
Click to expand...

I don't follow you at all David, esp. if you already have a couple: the Nano Shields come with the parts to swap from their integrated PCS tip to 3/8″ thread. There's even a clear description of the parts supplied and a photo https://rycote.com/microphone-windsh...no-shield-kit/ , which exactly matches what I received with my NS2-CA and NS4-DB. So you can use the 3/8" thread and fit, say, an Ambient QRT tip. I swapped my Rycote PCS tips out in this way straightaway, as I don't have any other Rycote quick-releases.

Cheers,

Roland
 
By way of an update, I've done some tests on the Nano Shield (in its upgraded form) vs the Cyclone, to really explore the relatively handling noise performance: https://drbadphil.com/https-drbadphil-com-cyclone-and-nano-shield-comparing-handling-noise

In short, in these careful tests, my Nano Shield NS4-DB clearly outperformed my medium Cyclone: wasn't expecting that, but good to know that I'm not losing anything handling-performance wise when booming with the smaller and lighter Nano Shield!

Cheers,

Roland
 
Seems absolutely fine to me, and nice and compact for booming. Not used Cinela windshields so can''t compare to those. I use my two Nano Shields for booming mono mics; a Cyclone for MS; and my old Rode blimp Mk1 for MMS.
Cheers,
Roland
 
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