Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
- Thread starter billyDe
- Start date
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
I probably shouldn't say anything since I haven't used the ME66, but I bought the AT-897 over the Azden SGM 2x. I'm glad I did. The AT has given me exceptional sound. Many believe the AT to be superior to the ME66. Others think the ME66 is superior. I think most, however, will tell you that you won't go wrong with either one.
Everdene
I probably shouldn't say anything since I haven't used the ME66, but I bought the AT-897 over the Azden SGM 2x. I'm glad I did. The AT has given me exceptional sound. Many believe the AT to be superior to the ME66. Others think the ME66 is superior. I think most, however, will tell you that you won't go wrong with either one.
Everdene
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
Everdene,
How do you mount your 897 to your camrea? Can you mount it on your regualy mic mount or do you have a shoe mount? I have the AZDEN 1x. It's a long mic and I'm looking for the best way to mount it. When I mount it with the camera mount, I can see the tip of the mic in my viw finder when I'm zoomed all the way out.
Thanks,
2 JARS
Everdene,
How do you mount your 897 to your camrea? Can you mount it on your regualy mic mount or do you have a shoe mount? I have the AZDEN 1x. It's a long mic and I'm looking for the best way to mount it. When I mount it with the camera mount, I can see the tip of the mic in my viw finder when I'm zoomed all the way out.
Thanks,
2 JARS
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
I just bought the AT 897. I won't be shooting with it 'til next week but in my preliminary "in-house" testing (literally in my house) it sounds good. I also have the Azden SGM-1X. Both mount in the stock external mic mount on my DVX 100 no problem (the AT is about an inch shorter). But in a year of use, I never had a probelm with the Azden peeking into my scene at full zoom.
I just bought the AT 897. I won't be shooting with it 'til next week but in my preliminary "in-house" testing (literally in my house) it sounds good. I also have the Azden SGM-1X. Both mount in the stock external mic mount on my DVX 100 no problem (the AT is about an inch shorter). But in a year of use, I never had a probelm with the Azden peeking into my scene at full zoom.
Monglane
Well-known member
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
2_Jars, you can see a picture of the AT897 here : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cinedv/. I've been using it for 6 weeks now and I'm absolutely delighted with the quality. I've bought a Rycote windjammer for it and I'll post pics if anyone's interested.
BillyDe, the AT897 v. ME66 and others has been discussed in earlier threads. There's a post by Rush somewhere, who tested both and made interesting comments.
2_Jars, you can see a picture of the AT897 here : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cinedv/. I've been using it for 6 weeks now and I'm absolutely delighted with the quality. I've bought a Rycote windjammer for it and I'll post pics if anyone's interested.
BillyDe, the AT897 v. ME66 and others has been discussed in earlier threads. There's a post by Rush somewhere, who tested both and made interesting comments.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
I've shot with both mics and prefer the AT. The ME66, as with all Sennheiser shotguns, have too narrow a polar pattern, resulting in a flatter, less realistic, sound. The AT has a slightly wider pattern, which picks up a bit more of the surrounding environment for a more realistic room tone, but is still ideal for film audio. I also like the AT 8415. To be honest, I've only used the AT with the DVX, but have worked with both mics extensively with Betacam SP, Digibeta, and the Arri 16 SR1. Those are my opinions anyway. Both mics are good, it's more a matter of personal preference.
-HMI5600
I've shot with both mics and prefer the AT. The ME66, as with all Sennheiser shotguns, have too narrow a polar pattern, resulting in a flatter, less realistic, sound. The AT has a slightly wider pattern, which picks up a bit more of the surrounding environment for a more realistic room tone, but is still ideal for film audio. I also like the AT 8415. To be honest, I've only used the AT with the DVX, but have worked with both mics extensively with Betacam SP, Digibeta, and the Arri 16 SR1. Those are my opinions anyway. Both mics are good, it's more a matter of personal preference.
-HMI5600
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
After reading the post by Rush, I was convinced the ME-66 was the shotgun for me! It's been fantastic isolating dialogue on moving boats for me! Great for outside shoots ! I ended up buying the ME-64 as well for handling reflective rooms [less room reverb on tape!] But to be honest, Have only heard real nice comments about the AT-897! I felt I could better handle a wide variety of audio challenges having these 2 microphones! Plus they can share the same power module making these 2 tough to beat on price & versatility!
After reading the post by Rush, I was convinced the ME-66 was the shotgun for me! It's been fantastic isolating dialogue on moving boats for me! Great for outside shoots ! I ended up buying the ME-64 as well for handling reflective rooms [less room reverb on tape!] But to be honest, Have only heard real nice comments about the AT-897! I felt I could better handle a wide variety of audio challenges having these 2 microphones! Plus they can share the same power module making these 2 tough to beat on price & versatility!
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
I think it is safe to assume you cant go wrong with either one. As Everdene mentioned.
I think it is safe to assume you cant go wrong with either one. As Everdene mentioned.
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
Hey BillyDe,
I usually use my AT on a boom, but I have a Sennheiser shock mount that I use on the camera (and the end of the boom). It's simple, works great, and is often less expensive than other shock mounts. I think it's the same shockmount used on those saferseas photos of the DVX you sometimes see floating around. Hope this helps.
Everdene
Hey BillyDe,
I usually use my AT on a boom, but I have a Sennheiser shock mount that I use on the camera (and the end of the boom). It's simple, works great, and is often less expensive than other shock mounts. I think it's the same shockmount used on those saferseas photos of the DVX you sometimes see floating around. Hope this helps.
Everdene
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
One more note. I bought my AT and the Sennheiser shock mount from Rush at EVS and the service and price were good.
While I can't compare the AT to the ME66, I can compare it to the different Lavs that I use at my day job. Although the Lavs are easy to setup and unobtrusive, I generally haven't liked the sound. I know there are great Lavs out there, but even with the best I'm starting to believe that often Lavs = TV sound and Shotguns = film sound. That's why as I put my own equipment together, I bought the AT even though I'm mostly shooting interviews. Yes, it's a pain to set up a boom and hang it over the person you're interviewing, but to me the sound is much, much richer and more realistic. The AT has been great with the right directionallity and tonal quality for me.
One more note. I bought my AT and the Sennheiser shock mount from Rush at EVS and the service and price were good.
While I can't compare the AT to the ME66, I can compare it to the different Lavs that I use at my day job. Although the Lavs are easy to setup and unobtrusive, I generally haven't liked the sound. I know there are great Lavs out there, but even with the best I'm starting to believe that often Lavs = TV sound and Shotguns = film sound. That's why as I put my own equipment together, I bought the AT even though I'm mostly shooting interviews. Yes, it's a pain to set up a boom and hang it over the person you're interviewing, but to me the sound is much, much richer and more realistic. The AT has been great with the right directionallity and tonal quality for me.
Re: Which one? - AT-897 or ME66?
Whichever mic you get, don't get the AT 8415 shock mount unless you get the heavy duty K-sus suspension bands. The stock rubber bands on the 8415 will not hold the mic in place.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=300643&is=REG
In frustration, I tried this out:
http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=SP-25&off=0
(It's the SP-25) For $9.95 it works great (almost as good as the AT 8415). Note: it has a 1" diameter and the AT 897 is a 3/4" mic. I wrapped a small piece of foam rubber (mouse pad actually) to take up the slack and it also helped dampen the sound.
Whichever mic you get, don't get the AT 8415 shock mount unless you get the heavy duty K-sus suspension bands. The stock rubber bands on the 8415 will not hold the mic in place.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=300643&is=REG
In frustration, I tried this out:
http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=SP-25&off=0
(It's the SP-25) For $9.95 it works great (almost as good as the AT 8415). Note: it has a 1" diameter and the AT 897 is a 3/4" mic. I wrapped a small piece of foam rubber (mouse pad actually) to take up the slack and it also helped dampen the sound.