SHOOTOUT of the MINI SHOTS!

Sam Mallery said:
I don't mean to thread-jack Chad's awesome post, but I just finished my shootout of the VideoMic Pro and the MKE 400 - except my test includes outdoor shots. Here it is:

http://www.sam-mallery.com/archives/1322

My findings were different than Chad's. I found the sound quality for dialog to be somewhat equal between the two mics. I know that people often find the MKE 400 to be thinner, but for whatever reason, that wasn't an issue in my test. I didn't do any EQ'ing in post, just a little adjusting of the levels in Final Cut.



If it's any consolation, I thought the MKE 400 sounded decent, and its build quality was superior.

Awesome work once again Chad!
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Thanks Sam, interesting counterpoint. I agree that they sounded much closer in your tests. This all makes me wonder if (1) the MKE400 that Chad tested was defective; (2) it reacts very differently to male vs. female voices, or (3) maybe the MKE is very sensitive to the termination in the equipment you plug it into and sounds different depending on the preamp, transformers and so forth.

Anyway, that test somewhat redeems the Sennheiser reputation for me.

You're right, the outdoor tests were kind of sobering for both mics and all the different windscreens. That amount of wind is common out here on the prairie, too.

- Greg
 
Here are some additional tests I did today using my Sony D-50. I recorded the Que, MKE400, and the VMP straight in, then the next file is with 2 kinds of JuicedLink preamps, then final file is with the Sound Devices MixPre - all going into the D-50 recorder. With and without low vut and/or boosts. About 11 minutes of total stuff. Interesting to hear how much the noise level changes throughout.

At the top of this page "Mini Shotgun Tests" http://precisionintermedia.com/chadswebstuff/
 
Chad, it looks like the link to your second file -- the JuicedLink version -- is mis-typed and tries to access a file with extension ".mp" instead of the ".mp3" I think you intended, so I can't download the file.

I'm beginning to understand these mics a little better after listening to all the tests, and the two that sounded worse in the initial test are beginning to grow on me, a little bit. I'm not sure the people they're intended for would also be buying MixPres to plug them into, though ...

The Rode Pro still clearly stands above the others, though, and one might be tempted to leave the low-cut engaged most of the time after hearing your latest test.

- Greg
 
Just fore the record, there had been some complaints that the Sennheiser MKH400 sounded too thin in my MOTU test. I just tested the mic again in a different channel of the MOTU and the mic sounds the same. I thought perhaps that I accidentally engaged the low-cut on the MKH400, and was ready to re-film the sequence, but alas the sound of the mic is the same. You should hear it WITH the low-cut! I played my newly recorded bits against the bits from the shootout and they are identical. I'm glad because I didn't want to go in and re-shoot. But I would have! I want my tests to be accurate.
 
I am curious where something like the very compact phantom powered AT-875 would fit into this group. I always have phantom available, so I don't need and prefer to avoid the 1/8" plug issues. But I really need small and mobile at times.

Grant
 
Well the AT-875 is IMO not in the same category as these others. These mics are for more consumer needs like DSLR audio. However you can get a 10.00 adapter like I did and run them through XLR jacks. They do not take Phantom, but their batteries last a long time. My favorite is the VideoMic Pro for it's small size and awesome sound. When I get my own DSLR, that will be the mic I slap on for simple walking around audio. If I were trying to be more pro I have preamps like JUicedLink or Sound Devices, and I have professional XLR mics to use with those, and I have external recorders if I want 2nd system sound. For me it's all about scalability and options. I can scale my kit to my needs at the time. If I'm filming my nieces in the kitchen with a DSLR, the VMP will be great, but it's no slouch either. If I wanted to go get a testimonial for a radio spot I could grab my Sony D-50 and the VMP and get decent audio. Or I could grab my DR-680 and my AT4050 large diaphragm condenser and go balls out. It's all about the options..
 
Nice shootout Chad, thanks!
Definitely sounds like there was an issue with the Sennheiser going into the Motu, but it didn't sound all that great going into camera anyway.
OTOH the Videomics aren't half bad! IMO one doesn't need anything better than that if the mic is going to be mounted on camera, at this point any upgrade in quality would be wasted by the mic's placement.
Also, I agree with other posters that it would be nice to hear them outside as it would give a good impression of their side rejection charecteristics.

BTW something tells me Dave knows the Norbert already (check his signature ;) ).
 
Thanks marsupilami!

Yeah I retested the MKE400 again today going into the MOTU and there are no issues. That's just the sound. And I know Dave! I was just goofing...
 
So would anyone venture an opinion between the AT-875 and the mics in the review? Think of this more like a comparison of below $250 (shotgun) mics rather than how they are powered.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
So would anyone venture an opinion between the AT-875 and the mics in the review? Think of this more like a comparison of below $250 (shotgun) mics rather than how they are powered.

Grant
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Yes, please! I have access to an AT-875 and have been very pleased with it indoors for booming work, and even on-camera in a pinch. Dan Brockett's shotgun test praises it, and I actually prefer it to the Rode NTG-1 or 2 in the very few comparisons I've found online that included both the 875 and one of the Rodes. I see these mics as alternatives to the ones in the test, since I have phantom power available in-camera.

The real problem for me though is that Chad also includes the AT 4053b in this test. To me, it blows them ALL away and is only $499 at B&H. If I wanted to bump up to that price point, is there anything else for indoor booming to consider along with the 4053? It really sounds nice. I've got the budget to go that high but not beyond.

Decisions...decisions...
 
ddixon, the AT4053b is actually about 430.00 when you add it to your cart at B&H. And no, there isn't a better hyper at that price. That is THE mic to get for indoor dialogue for under 1,000.00. Anyone who claims there is a better hyper mic under 1,000.00 must provide proof with a side by side comparison...
 
Dixon,

I purchased a pair of 4053b as an upgrade to a pair of Oktavas and have been very pleased with them. And at the price point, it was a good upgrade. I did a side by side, and the 4053s have a very full sound and are more pleasing IMHO compared to the Oktavas. I would like to hear the 4053b compared to some really high end SC mics for comparison.

Have you been using the 875 indoors by choice, or is that your only option?

About the AT-875: I have been looking for a very compact shotgun mic to carry with my HMC-40 in a small sling pack. Other than that, it would be a spare. My other guns just don't fit in the sling. I can go either route; 1/8 or XLR since the HMC-40 has a factory detachable XLR module with gain, pads, and power controls, but also has 1/8" input. Using the XLR adapter would be my preference do to the better control and second mic option, but the audio quality is most important.

Seems like most people think the 875 punches above its weight.

Grant
 
Chadfish said:
ddixon, the AT4053b is actually about 430.00 when you add it to your cart at B&H. And no, there isn't a better hyper at that price. That is THE mic to get for indoor dialogue for under 1,000.00. Anyone who claims there is a better hyper mic under 1,000.00 must provide proof with a side by side comparison...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the additional info. At B&H I see "add to cart for price" and when I do, it's $499. Curious...
 
ggrantly said:
Dixon,

I purchased a pair of 4053b as an upgrade to a pair of Oktavas and have been very pleased with them. And at the price point, it was a good upgrade. I did a side by side, and the 4053s have a very full sound and are more pleasing IMHO compared to the Oktavas. I would like to hear the 4053b compared to some really high end SC mics for comparison.

Have you been using the 875 indoors by choice, or is that your only option?

About the AT-875: I have been looking for a very compact shotgun mic to carry with my HMC-40 in a small sling pack. Other than that, it would be a spare. My other guns just don't fit in the sling. I can go either route; 1/8 or XLR since the HMC-40 has a factory detachable XLR module with gain, pads, and power controls, but also has 1/8" input. Using the XLR adapter would be my preference do to the better control and second mic option, but the audio quality is most important.

Seems like most people think the 875 punches above its weight.

Grant
Click to expand...

The middle school (where I'm about to retire from) had some funding in Fall 2009, so I got an HMC40 (with XLR), the AT-875r, and a Sennheiser G2 set. Now that I'm retiring I'm buying equipment for myself since I won't have access to this gear anymore. I don't do high end work, but just some local videos for the school system, community groups, etc.

For me the 875 has been more than good enough quality indoors. I have even used the G2 on a teacher with the 875 on camera to do teacher training videos - the 875 mixed in sparingly with the G2 fattened up the sound of the stock G2 mic and added some classroom ambiance. I don't think it's considered an ultra directional shotgun, so maybe that has helped. I have also used an AT 3031 cardioid on a boom with decent results, so I may be working at a much more modest level than many :-)

Is there really much difference in the size of the 875 and the 4053? I thought both were 6-7 inches?
 
Don't mean to hijack, but how does that 4053b cut with a Rode NTG3? I've been looking for a hyper. All I've got now is the NTG3 for a real shotgun, videomic pro for an oncamera mic, and Sanken COS11 lav for wireless stuff. Right now the Sanken is my best solution indoors for talking heads, but I'd like to have a mic I could boom when needed.
 
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