• Audio

  covering slits on side of shotgun- bad?

  Posted by Justin Ferar on February 15, 2007 at 6:51 pm

  We just got some new ENG cameras and have found that the mic mounts put the shotguns (AT897) further forward than before. Now the cams don’t go in the Porta Brace bags without loosening the mounts and pushing the mics backward. Great, but we often need to get rolling as fast as possible, as soon as we arrive. I mean really fast.

  I was thinking about just pushing the mics back and keeping them there. The mount however would cover a few of the slits on the side of the mics. The mount would cover up about an inch and a half of slits. Any idea as to how this would affect pick up? Is this a big no no?

  Thanks!

  Ty Ford replied 19 years, 6 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Will Salley

  February 15, 2007 at 7:34 pm

  Big No No!
  The ‘slits’ in the side of those mics are used to cancel sound pressure (SPL) coming from the sides and, to a degree, the rear of the mic. When they are partially covered, that directionality diminishes, but not only that, the character of the mic becomes thin and hollow because the mic element is designed to have those slits functional.

  A better solution may be to find an offset mount for the mics.

  System Info – G5/Dual 2 – 10.4.8 – QT v7.1.3 – 8GB ram – Radeon 9800Pro – External SATA Raid – Decklink Extreme – Wacom 6×8
• 

  Justin Ferar

  February 16, 2007 at 3:20 am

  Well, I knew they weren’t there for looks.

  Thanks for the explanation Will. Appreciate it!
• 

  Ty Ford

  February 16, 2007 at 10:40 am

  About the same effect as taping over portions of the camera lens.

  The slits aren’t for ventilation. They are there by design.

  Ty Ford

  Ty Ford’s “Audio Bootcamp Field Guide” was written for video people who want better audio. Find out more at https://home.comcast.net/~tyreeford/AudioBootcamp.html
  or https://www.tyford.com
  Download Ty Ford’s “Existential Boogie” from iTunes now.

Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up