Choosing a hyper-cardioid mic for indoor boom

[Brian Reynolds]

I have just bought a pair of Samson C02 “super cardioid” mics for a boom pole indoors. I haven’t tried them on a job at this stage but for the price you can’t go wrong, and they seem to sound nice on the tests that I have done.
https://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1664&brandID=2

The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…

[Eric Toline]

The AKG Blueline is a good choice. Nice part is that it’s a modular system with interchangeable capsules. I’ve had a set for years and have been very pleased with it’s performance. One caveat is that although the Blueline will run on 12v phantom you always want to feed it 48v phantom for best performance.

Eric

[Ty Ford]

Ed,

You have done great “due diligence” here. I wish every one who came in the door had that with them.

I saw where the CMC641 was down to $17xx in the US last week. As your research probably indicates, the mics you list are only similar by their approximate patterns, but not their sound.

Some folks find this unbelievable, until they hear the difference. Provided their ears are up to it, there’s a very big difference.

With your octava, are you using a pop filter?

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field GuideWatch Ty play guitar

[Will Salley]

Another one you may want to consider is the Beyer MC836.

https://north-america.beyerdynamic.com/shop/mp/microphones/film-and-broadcasting/video-recordings/mc-836.html

It’s harder to obtain in the US, but I think it’s the best “short” shotgun I’ve ever used. What I like about the mic is that it cuts well with the Countryman B6 mics that I have – or as good as a boom and lav can cut together. The pattern is rather wide for a shotgun style and it’s extremely lightweight. I have the Sennheiser as well and while it is very good, the 836 seems to do better for me.

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[Ed Denton]

I’m not entirely sure what you mean by pop filter Ty? I’ve got a foam cover for my Octava much like this: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298936-REG/WindTech_1212_Windtech_1200_Series.html and also it is in a Rycote suspension shock mount. I just can’t seem to avoid wind sounds even indoors.

As I’ve been looking around a little more the AT4053b is standing out to me as a good choice. It seems similar to the the Audix or the AKG in price range but has the advantages of having an in-built low frequency rolloff and -10db pad and greater tolerance of high SPLs. It is also modular like the AKG. I’d love to put all these mics together and be able to compare them but unfortunately over the pond here in Australia we don’t have anywhere that stocks all (if any) of these mic so I can’t test for myself. So keep the comments coming in!

Ed

Sound Devices 552
Lectrosonics UM400a/UCR411a
Sanken COS-11 D
Rode NTG-3
Oktava MK-012

[Ty Ford]

Ed,

interesting photo. I didn’t realize you were transgender. No worries. I have several friends up here who are.

Yes pop filter like that, but Schoeps makes a better, more effective one. The BD4 of B4D, I forget which it is.

The Okatava is a bit floppy. I compared the 4053a with the cmc641. No comparison really.

The Audix SCX-1 HC is about 80% as good as the Schoeps, but it’s still not a schoeps.

Look Ed, if you plan to be at this a while, it’s more economical to buy right once than to buy wrong once (or twice) and have to buy again.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field GuideWatch Ty play guitar

[Ed Denton]

I understand that Ty and I’ve taken that into consideration. I’m strongly considering the Schoeps and may wait a few months to save for that mic. Thanks for your comments. They really do help.

Ed

Sound Devices 552
Lectrosonics UM400a/UCR411a
Sanken COS-11 D
Rode NTG-3
Oktava MK-012

[Joe Pena]

After watching and listening to your video, I wondered how you had both you and the guitar mic’d up.

Given the sound of the guitar, I guessed you had it mic’d up separately, and also wondered how far and where the mic was positioned. I’m guessing the mic was just above the frame, but that’s just a guess. Perhaps you can fill in the details.

[Ty Ford]

Joe,

On the sofa armrest, you can see a little grey oval. That’s the Schoeps supercardioid. For vocal, I had a Countryman E6 over my ear and on my cheek.

I split tracked the recording and then ran the mono guitar mic through a stereo reverb.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow audio Forum Leader

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Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Joe Pena]

Ty, thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I suppose if I watched in full screen mode, I would have seen the oval, but while watching/listening in the thread, it was “invisible”. Same for the Countryman. (veiled compliment)

I’m listening again as I’m writing this. I hear the reverb loud and clear. I suppose that’s what threw me. I wondered as I watched the first time, how you managed that.

In the end, a fine piece of work.

Thanks again,

Joe