What is the construction of a BBG (baby ball gag)

[mainstreetprod]

I have never actually held one of these and wonder if it is something that could be duplicated. Is it fur over a mesh screen only? Or is there open cell foam under the screen also? Found some kitchen strainers that, with the two halves put together, would form a mesh screen ball about 2.5" dia.

 

[Gohanto]

It's one of those things that feels like it costs 10c to make, but costs way more. But to the same extent, I've never seen a well built emulation...

But it's basically a plastic cage, with a ~1mm thin layer of foam on the inside of it. You can add fur around the outside (effectively a wind jammer for use outside), but a plan BBG itself doesn't have one. For size, on a standard hyper the diameter is closer to 4-5" (you want a significant amount of air around the mic's tip).

The material is the tricky part though, as it's not regular foam by any stretch. I remember some article from a while back explaining that they go through hundreds and even thousands of materials and thicknesses to find the material that stops wind while minimally impacting the high-frequency response.

My guess is that the high cost of BBGs (and blimp systems for that matter) are largely spawned from that large initial research cost.

Why can Rycote continue charging an arm and a leg? Because they work very well.

 

[mainstreetprod]

I really don't mind paying the price of the real thing if I can be assured the materials are highly researched, special items like you mention. Probably will go that direction.

 

[MagicCat]

If you have the Cash, you are best off buying the real thing. I have experimented with very limited success making my own over the years. There are tens of dozens of DIY versions out there, we have toyed around with many of them. In this particular case, there is nothing like the real thing. The plastic Cage is also designed to give it structure and rigidity. IMHO, there was a lot of thought (R&D) that went into the whole Blimp. Not just the foam/materials.

Not to mention, this industry has a huge ego problem. Many of us can hand fabricate a lot of different things that meet and exceed anything commercially available. BUT, You wont ever get laughed at or lose the opportunity to work a gig because it doesn't say Rycote on the side.

It is strange, most of my corporate clients are impressed with anything high tech looking. They could care less if it says Ralphs Inc, Chimera or nothing at all. All they care about is the final product. It is all of US, behind the lens, that seem to live and die by a brand name on the side of a device. Yet, we are the ones that suffer the most from a lack of "Stuff" Its really stupid when you think about it long enough.

I used to think women were nuts for spending a gagillion dollars on an Italian handbag or french designer pair of shoes. After 20 years in the industry, I can honeslty say, All one has to do is go out on a few productions to come to the conclusion that Production Crews make even the most demanding accessorized women, look humble or frugal in comparason.

 

[j]

Good point:

I used to think women were nuts for spending a gagillion dollars on an Italian handbag or french designer pair of shoes. After 20 years in the industry, I can honeslty say, All one has to do is go out on a few productions to come to the conclusion that Production Crews make even the most demanding accessorized women, look humble or frugal in comparason.