Sennheiser Mke 600 vs AT 835r

T

TWeistar

Member
I need some advice please.

I am replacing my Rode NTG 2 because it is not sensitive enough for my needs. I purchased an AT 875r to use with my Canon XA-10 and with my Tascam DR100II and DR 40. The AT 875r works great and is much more sensitive then the the NTG 2. Although I have a SD Mix Pre, I want to be able to record directly to the Tascams, and the NTG 2 needs to be up in the 90% gain range to get decent levels. The Tascams get noisy at that level. I also purchased a Sennheiser MKE 600 which according to the specks is supposed to be more sensitive then the AT875r. In my tests they were about the same, and if anything the Sennheiser was less sensitive. To my hear the sound quality is very close with the edge going to the Sennheiser.

Here is my question. With the two mics being so close in performance, should I keep the Sennheiser? I could get two AT 875r's and have money left over. I know I am giving up battery option on the Sennheiser, but all my devices supply phantom power. The Sennheiser is a bit longer and my test also show slightly better side rejection. I will mainly be recording dialog. I also have a Rode blimp and dead cat that I am worried that the short AT 875r might get lost in. I haven't tested that set up yet.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Tom
 
TWeistar said:
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Well, you did ask.

My thought is that you'll get better sound if you continue to use the MixPre. It has (much) better preamps than those in the Tascams and it has limiters. Personally, I'd keep the AT 875r, use the MixPre with it, and sell the other mics. But maybe that's just me.
 
The SD preamps have a lot of clean gain, so the mic's output level is almost a non-issue.
To get a high output mic, you have to spend more. The discontinued AT4073 (and 4071) have very high output, if you could find one used at a good price. Then again I would still go through the MixPre.
 
Agree with the others to use the Mixpre no matter what else you do. Although a shorty shotgun, the 875 is surprisingly good for the price, i use one for a supper compact field kit. Instead of using a full blimp on it, try a Rode WS6 furry slip on or something similar. It will be ok in most outdoor situations unless it is really blowing. If you want to go straight to the Tascam and get good results, you will want to step up to a better shotgun like the ntg-3 which will outclass either the ntg-2 or the 875. I have heard the 4073 is hot as well, but cannot confirm.

Grant
 
Thanks for the reply guys. I will continue to use the MixPre when practical, but I also want a quicker more compact field kit that my students can operate. I do have smaller wind protection for the AT. Just not sure if I will be missing out by not haveing a longer shotgun.
 
For a compact, inexpensive, quick to use field shotgun, it is hard to beat the 875 unless you spend quite a bit more. Avoiding the blimp by using a softie makes it quick and nimble. For basic audio for video, this setup is justnuff. And for students, a wider more forgiving pattern that the 875 provides just might be a good thing. If your productions are more serious, with a more serious budget, of course you would want to upgrade.
 
I have five AT875r mic's and use them for just about everything these days, I partner them up with a rode PG2 grip and a WS/6 softie.

Personally I have found it more useful to have several of the same mic and i would sell your sennheiser and Rode and stick with two or three AT875r.

It should be Ok in the rode blimp too but as I tend to just use the softies I can't offer any further advice re the blimp.
 
  • Keep the Sennheiser MKE 600.
  • If the SD is the MixPre-D it has a digital out and will feed the digital input of the Tascam DR100-II. This will give you vastly better quality than the analogue inputs of the Tascam. If it's the original MixPre and not the "D" version - I would get rid and get the "D" version.
  • The length of the interference tube has a direct relationship to the directivity. The shorter the tube, the less directive the microphone is. The length of the MKE 600 is designed to give about the same directivity as the professional MKH 416 at a much lower price.
  • The Røde Blimp is rather heavy - personally I would have gone for teh Rycote S-series which is, I think, slightly cheaper and with a much better suspension.
 
Thanks for the replys everyone. Thought not making the decision much easier! Since I can still return the Sennheiser I think I will, knowing that I can pick another one up. I will run with the AT 875 for a while and see how it goes. Any one in the market for a Rode NTG 2?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top