What is the best portable windscreen?

O

oxband

Well-known member
I use an Audio Technica hyper cardioid: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...4053b_Hypercardioid_Condenser_Microphone.html

I shoot a lot outside and sometimes have problems getting audio with this mic when contending with wind. What is the best kind of portable windscreen? I want to be able to keep all my gear in one large bag and that rules out some fragile zeppelin type product. That said, the soft foam over the tip of the microphone, what B&H sells for this product, isn't getting it done. Suggestions? I realize the best idea is to avoid shooting when windy, but sometimes it's unavoidable...
 
There is no reason why you cannot store a blimp in a softbag, fold up the windjammer, and tuck it in beside it. Typically, using a hyper outdoors is not a good idea. That being said, there is no substitute for a proper blimp and windjammer for outdoor shooting. That's why you see so many of them. They work, and they work incredibly well. While the initial investment is high (I spent a little over $700 for my Rycote Wind Protection System w/lyre suspension), you will be absolutely amazed at the wind you can shoot in. I have often had a director look at me during a shoot when the wind was whipping and I just smiled and gave him a thumbs up. I have yet to work in a wind condition that the Rycote system couldn't conquer.
 
Two follow up questions:

1 - Why is the hyper not good for outdoors?

2 - Is this the Rycote you are talking about?
 
oxband said:
Two follow up questions:

1 - Why is the hyper not good for outdoors?

Shotguns are a better choice outdoors due to their greater directivity as compared to hypers. Since we typically have less control over the sounds in the environment when shooting outdoors, greater off-axis rejection is highly desireable. However, the design methods used for created this high directivity make the shotgun less desireable when booming an indoor shot in a acoustically reflective environment. I think there are a few posts here that talk about this in more scientific detail. Use the search.

2 - Is this the Rycote you are talking about?
Click to expand...

That's the one. It's one of those buy once, cry once tools. I purchased the kit 7 to accomodate my ME-80/K3 shotgun.
 
oxband said:
Two follow up questions:

1 - Why is the hyper not good for outdoors?
Click to expand...


It's not that it's "not good" so much as it's not directional enough when your in a typically noisy outdoor environment. A shotgun by it's narrow pattern isolates a lot better.

Depending on where your shooting and how close you can get a hyper could be fine. But as a general rule your first choice should be a shotgun outside.
 
Petrus said:
S-series is neat and cute, but the protection is not as good as with the old fashined zeppelins. 90% of the time they work fine, but...
Click to expand...

Agreed - but it's not far off and it's half the price and packs down better for transport (which is what the original question was all about).
 
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