VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I use the foam filter it came with. One of the reasons I like the 416 is that it doesn't block your vision of the copy much. I've tried my pop screens without the foam and it didn't make much difference
in sound or 'pops".

I have mine at about the top of my head and pointing down about 20 degrees and angled about 30 degrees from the side. Clear view of the copy stand.
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georgethetech · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

When placed above your head and pointed down toward your upper chest, it sounds natural and full, is completely out of your line of sight, and is impossible to pop. You then require no pop filter at all.
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Ed Gambill · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:50 pm Post subject:

I like e’m all; Large Condenser, Ribbon, Dynamic, Shot Gun and Lavaliere, got some of each in my kit.

When location conditions are good and/or the sound stage is correctly treated the Shot Gun captures the delicate detail of dramatic reads.

While the 416 seem to be predominate, there are other shotguns that work well and sound good.

I am considering a NTG 3 from Rode. This video give a clean comparison between the 416 and NTG 3 http://www.youtube.com/user/Matt63368#p/a/u/2/FbzNgmrCBQs . It also help that the Rode NTG 3 is currently $700.00 street price against the Sennheiser MHK 416 at $ 1,200.00. Buying the Rode save you $500.00 enough to buy gobs of Monster Mic Cable (you know I’m joking about the Monster Cable).
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georgethetech · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:54 pm Post subject:

Yep, the NTG-3 is an excellent substitute, that's why I am a Rode dealer.
They are a great company with excellent customer service, and they deal with a little guy like me.
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Ed Gambill · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

Substitute does not see like the right word. If the 416 was the only product that would do the job then “Substitute” would be a good choice. But in actuality for years there have been several Line Gradient microphones that are as good as or better than the 416. I am talking about professional cinema quality microphones and not battery operated video models.

In normal use, that is to say shooting film or video, the Short Shot Gun is good on interiors. The Long Shot Gun is best for exteriors. But even better than the Short Shot Gun is the Hyper Cardioid. I have use Hyper Cardioid AKG’s and Schoeps for several years.

Maybe I don’t really need a NTG 3, I just need to get out my AKG 451EB with Hyper Capsule
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bobsouer · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject:

As George pointed out earlier in this thread, when you have the 416 above you, pointing down toward your mouth and upper chest, there's no need for a pop filter at all. I've never used one with my 416.
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:05 pm Post subject:

Ed Gambill · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject:

Been away for a bit sorry for late post.

George to be clear, I taught production sound for film and video. One thing we did was extensive booming practice to be on target in the sweet spot.

And yes long shotguns are used where they are needed, mostly at the end of a 16 foot pole. On a well treated sound stage and a Extreme Wide shot, I could see an long shotgun being used

The carbon fiber Vdb 16’pole and blimp, snake and other bits cost me as much as an 416. As regard short shot guns, the Hyper Cardioid Schopes is use more than the short shot gun on indoor sets. They don’t have some of the problem short shotguns have on ill prepared sets. I have used Schopes and I have AKG Hyper Cardioids they are a few db low in the output range but I never had a problem with them.

The reference to battery powered is that most location sound mixers worth there wage would not use a battery powered shot gun.

I was speaking of the NTG-3 it seems like a very well purposed microphone. The only Shennheiser product I have are some headphones.

The only comparison I have seen to date, if not tricked any way put the NTG-3 in completion with the 416. From the demo, I don't hear a dimes worth of difference and I hear fairly well.
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

I still have my 16' VdB pole in the closet, even has the quick-change mic mount system. I let a newb boom op use it once and it took me an hour with a hair dryer to get the thing to collapse fully again. They can be really touchy...
Yes, the NTG-3 sounds eerily similar to the 416, with a bit more bottom end to it. Depending on your room, this might give a little more tubby sound than desired, but it is subtle.
I never had the luxury in my short career of mixing using a long shotgun, or mixing on a real sound stage, but with skill and optimal condition it still sounds better than any lav will ever sound!

OK, O.T. rant over Smile

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Ed Gambill · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject:

Why, I love it. Ranty on

Lavs are good when you can't boom and for run and gun.

Some time a little Talcum powder help to dry the fiber and provide a bit of lubercation.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

On a Union shoot, a Shotgun is always on location, and the Schopes CMIT 5U seems to be the standard for most shoots these days especially for its low coloration of off-axis sound. It is a delicious mic.

It depend on the company and crew but most still prefer to use shotgun onstage, particularly for medium and close up shots; it just sounds better than the gummy lavs. Though if there is a lot of action, Lavs are just about the only way to get audio.
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Ed Gambill · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:15 am Post subject:

Brother Mike said

Mike Sommer · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

Not a gear requirement. It's part of the kit, it's always there.
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CD · Guest

Hi Everyone ...

I'm a brand new member (having been "lurking" for some time) ... I hope that you'll forgive me for the fact that my first post is a request for suggestions/information rather than an actual contribution ...

Recently acquired a 416 ... looking for a suitable shockmount ... It seems that a number of VO-BB members use the 416 in a studio environment - what do you find best/most convenient? - and of course, affordable - as a shockmount ... ??

Thanks for any suggestions ....

Cheers ... CD

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:38 am Post subject:

Enhanced Audio M600 is fabby!