The Azden shotgun/boom mic with changable heads

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I think it's an Azden, which means "not so great". Best bang for your buck would be a Rode NTG-1 or NTG-2. And check Rode Boom poles. They have a couple sizes under 200.00 I think.
 
Azden bad, NTG 2 also bad but if you can only afford a budget sound and gear then NTG 2 and a boom is super cheap on Ebay. Under $400 together I believe.
 
Does this make this mic even worse than the Sennheiser me66, which Chad calls 'cheap and crappy'? I suppose the mics I got with my old cassette deck (Teac) were 'mightily cheap and mega-crappy'. Is there a hierarchy to this cheap and crappy business? Can this be quantified?
 
When I say "cheap" I'm not referring to price. I'm referring to sound quality. For me, thin or brittle = cheap. The NTG-2 is almost half the price as the ME66, yet it's twice as good sounding. Even Ty Ford prefers the sound of the NTG-2 to the sound of the NTG-3. I don't though. I have an ME66, NTG-2 and NTG-3 as shotguns, and since I got the NTG-2 the ME66 is shelved. Since I got the NTG-3 the NTG-2 is shelved unless I'm running 2 cameras that need mics. I would have a better shotgun if outdoor dialog was a priority in my work, but I have many items higher on the list of priorities. The NTG-3 is pretty sweet for 600.00, and there is nothing under 1,000.00 that beats it IMO. The mic I use the most is the AT4053b hyper for all indoor dialogue and I am VERY happy with that mic. Again, the best mic for it's purpose under 1,000.00. These mic choices have been discussed ad-nausium on these forums and for the price, nobody I know of here suggests anything different (***for the price***). And I originally got my info from Pros who are much more pro than I on these forums. So rather than continue with your hostility towards me for mentioning my opinion on a mic - in a post written 6 months before your first post here, try to not take an opinion so personally. I'm here to learn what I don't know and share what I do know. We are adults here, and trolling like that is not only uncool, it's against the rules. If my opinion is BS, then it's BS. Ignore it and move on. This is the last I'll speak on the subject without using a mod.
 
Unfortunately, the results of being not-so-tactful, despite your feelings/opinion, Chadfish. He does have a point.

You must always consider what results a person gets and if they are happy with those results, before denigrating what they have. Not everyone can afford top-tier gear, and many people get great results with gear that is looked down-upon by those with higher priced equipment.

Unfortunately, there is a term used for this. It is called gear-snobbery. I have XXXXXXX gear, and I would never consider slamming any gear another user has. I may not use it, but if that is all they have, can afford, or are happy with, then my insulting them by calling it crappy only causes animosity. As you have seen here.

This site caters to both the low-end user and high-end user alike, and putting users down through their gear, even off-handedly, is never a good thing, as feelings do get offended. Calling someone's DVX "cheap and crappy" because you have a Red is not appropriate in other sub-forums, so why shouldn't the same guidelines exist here in the Audio forum?


That being said, I think you got your point across Scott. You can refrain from the pointed comments now, and carry on.
 
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Doc Bernard said:
This site caters to both the low-end user and high-end user alike, and putting users down through their gear, even off-handedly, is never a good thing, as feelings do get offended.
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At the same time I dont think we have to lie about a piece of gear in order to not hurt someones feelings.
I don't think anyone here has the responsibility to make someone feel "good" about their purchase.

Personally I think an me-66 is one of the worst sounding mics out there.
Sue me.
 
Rippie said:
Sue me.
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Okay, how much can I get? I read the original thread, and there was a bit of "lack of tact" in the offending post, even I had an issue with the way it was put across. You can not like a piece of gear, but always keep in mind that someone else may love it. If it is opinion, say as such.
 
Rippie said:
At the same time I dont think we have to lie about a piece of gear in order to not hurt someones feelings.
I don't think anyone here has the responsibility to make someone feel "good" about their purchase.

Personally I think an me-66 is one of the worst sounding mics out there.
Sue me.
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You have a point but the facts can be given without the attitude!

I think I saw Chadfish poking around a GoPro site. GoPro's are crap, I own 3 of them and use them, so they're useful crap. The audio is non existent, the video is only marginally acceptable under ideal conditions...but they have their uses that my expensive cameras don't.

So do inexpensive mics...especially to someone that's just starting out.

It's enough to just give the facts and figures without burning the guys feelings to a crisp.
 
I happen to own both Azden wireless gear, and a Sennheiser ME66 K6. I would not recommend either! The only reason I have either is to satisfy the local low budget indie rental crowd that asked for these low quality pieces by name after being recommended by posts on sites like this one.
 
Peternap said:
You have a point but the facts can be given without the attitude!

I think I saw Chadfish poking around a GoPro site. GoPro's are crap, I own 3 of them and use them, so they're useful crap. The audio is non existent, the video is only marginally acceptable under ideal conditions...but they have their uses that my expensive cameras don't.

So do inexpensive mics...especially to someone that's just starting out.

It's enough to just give the facts and figures without burning the guys feelings to a crisp.
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Im not quite sure thats the best comparison.
The Go pro as you mention has its uses. Tough to strap a RED to a persons head skiing down a mountain.

I don't see anyone "choosing" to use an inferior mic in any situation over a better mic other than price.
If people are giving better options for the same price or less, I think that's providing a service here.

I understand how someone with not much money wants to hear their purchase was a wise choice but I also think it serves
this community better if the lurkers or future readers using the search engine have the facts.

As far as burning a guys feelings to a crisp I guess I obviously missed something.
I just noticed in this thread and the "echoey hallway" thread that "scott" has been ragging on Chad personally more
than I see Chad giving unjustified opinions about a piece of gear.

I'll have to try to search for the thread I'm missing.
 
The offending "cheap crap" remark came from a post on 3/9/11 in a thread that the complainant was not a part of until 3 months later: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?241717-Sennheiser-ME64-vs.&p=2383428&highlight=#post2383428 And he responded on 7/7/11.

My statement: "Anything from Sennheiser with an "ME" in the front is a bottom of the line item. "ME66" and "ME-2" are all just cheap crap. If you insist on getting a mic all the Rode stuff related to video will do you better than any "ME" stuff. ...For shotguns in your range the NTG-2 is decent. All have XLR connection." Then i mentioned the VM or VMP as an even cheaper solution.
My point was that within the Sennheiser line of mics, the "ME" stuff is their low end. I don't count the MKE400, as that's not even XLR or meant for a boom pole, and my mini-mic shootout proved again that mic to be cheap crap for the price compared, again, to the comparably priced VMP. Still when I read that the OP "had access" to an ME64. I assumed that he may buy a mic for himself, since he's asking for opinions. If he was going to use the ME64 no matter what, why ask?

And I don't consider it gear snobbery in this case, as the ME66/K6 costs 500.00, and the NTG-2 (which I prefer) costs 270.00. So it's a choice not driven by cost on my part, but by quality of sound. It's just my opinion, and I wasn't even talking to anyone who owned one. Since then scottfs hasn't let it go, mentioning my name in every post he talks about his ME66 like it really affected him. It's like if your girlfriend asks if these jeans make her look fat, and you said "a little" then she's constantly making comments like, "I'll go into the house now, IF I"M NOT TOO FAT TO FIT THROUGH THE DOOR!" So I'm sorry again to hurt anyone's feelings. Like I said, I used the ME66 for years, and I got sick of it's sound, so I guess I have an emotional response when someone brings it up. Call it P-ME-S-D, Post ME Stress Disorder. Especially when I can suggest a cheaper mic that I think sounds better. That's all it was brohams. P-ME-S-D.
 
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Hey Peternap I have a GoPro and LOVE it. I've been trying to figure out ways to use it. This weekend I put it on a Bull Fighter - the kind that protects cowboys in Rodeos. AMAZING footage, and the picture quality is not bad at all IMHO. The audio is pure crap though.
 
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Chadfish said:
Hey Peternap I have a GoPro and LOVE it. I've been trying to figure out ways to use it. This weekend I put it on a Bull Fighter - the kind that protects cowboys in Rodeos. AMAZING footage, and the picture quality is not bad at all IMHO. The audio is pure crap though.
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Yeah, I know...I've been meaning to say hello on the GoPro Sites:grin:

The video is usable but they love light too much, no WB, tend to overexpose especially with the new Firmware and require a ton of post if used in artificial light.
That said, I use them all the time because they fill a niche.
Rippie's probably right and the answer you gave the fellow in this thread was spot on and gave good alternatives.

I was just pointing out that we do tend to be a little blunt because most of us learned that to get quality, you have to pay for it and even that is relative.
 
I guess I'm blunt because I have been encouraging newbies to hold out as much as possible to get something that they will want to keep. That's what I did. I saved for months just to get an NTG-2, and the story is the same for every piece of gear I have. I have a gear bank acount that I put 20 bucks in here, 50 bucks in there etc. I live month to month, and rarely have over a grand in the bank. With a mic, you maybe can afford a 200.00 mic today, and that's where the "poor guy" thinking kicks in, of which I am guilty. You think "I can't afford the 300.00 or 500.00 mic, so I'll just get this crap and maybe pick up something better down the line. Well, you get the 200.00 crap, then next month when you have that 100.00 more needed to get the "not too shabby" mic, but you don't get it because you already own a mic! So now every project you do is compromised by your poor thinking. Not the fact that you are poor, but the fact that you think poor. You could have lasted one more month without a mic. You made it years and years without one. But now you've invested in the crap and have to sell it for less than you paid, and its a hassle so you put it off, all the while every sound you capture is colored by this mic, no, this COMPROMISE, you made out of poor thinking.

So I always encourage people to slow down, save a little longer, get something that you'll keep and have sound you're happy with. You don't have to go top of the line. I would love top of the line mics, but there is the "diminishing returns" thing when you get closer to the top of the line. You pay a lot more for a little bit better (is some cases). And I don't berate anyone. I berate inanimate objects sometimes. I treat Azden products with no respect. I only talk about stuff I've used or heard and have an empirical opinion on.

So to anyone, be patient, and hold out for something better. Read stickies while you wait.
 
Just want to make this clear. I have no animosity toward anyone here. I too have purchased crappy gear that I later regret so when I say that both Azden and NTG 2 are crappy I'm actually trying to help. wait a couple more pay checks to get something that will really shine.

I have to clear this up with the NTG 2. I believe too many people praise it just because other people praise it because other people praised it.... and so on. In fact the mic has terrible off axis, not directional, extremely unnatural sound, and the only reason why they are so cheap (under $300 on ebay new) is because they are mass produced asian imports and they don't pay their labourers anything.

Why not just save an extra $500 for the 416 so you actually have some quality to bring to the table.
 
Chad, you are just the chosen one. I'd start looking over your shoulder and change the pin number on your cell phone.

And for anyone else new to the DVXuser audio board, it plays a little rough here sometimes, and I am glad it does. People here give there honest opinion and sometimes folks just don't want to hear it. Others get offended because they don't get there personal gear choices stroked with praise.

Grant
 
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