recommendations for variety of higher end mikes and audio gear

[Stephen Hall]

Hi Craig,

I’m not qualified to comment on all of your equipment and plans, but I do have a couple of suggestions.

First, about the K-Tek internally-wired booms: they don’t really have any problems with internal cable kinking unless the sections are turned relative to each other, causing knots. I had to have my K-Tek 12-footer re-cabled after my first year of ownership because I was careless about handling it while collapsing the pole.

The key is to keep the socket and the mike mount aligned one way and take pains to keep that alignment the whole day during use. When collapsing it, if the cable does provide a little resistance, be gentle, back off and turn the uppermost section a little clockwise until the kink is gone and the section can be collapsed without resistance. Don’t jam down on the pole and force it — you’ll abrade the cable and it will eventually fail.

K-Tek has excellent, superior customer service, though, and the cost to re-cable a pole won’t break the bank. I love my K-Tek boom and have not had to have any repairs in 3 years after learning how to use it properly!

The Sennheiser G2/G3 wireless sets and Countryman B3/B6 mics are a great combo. I’ve found that I can use the Sennheiser MZA 900P XLR adapter (it’s a preamp with switchable low-cut filter) with my B3 mics to use them wired. The B6 mics don’t seem to work with that preamp, though. I can successfully use the Sennheiser ME2s, Countryman EMW and B3s with the MZA 900P, which means I don’t have to have a lot of duplication in mics to switch between wired and wireless.

As for shock mounts, I recommend the Rycote Invision mounts (“lyre”). They’re remarkably capable at isolating the mic from boom handling noise. Not expensive, either. They even have retrofit kits so you can use them with an older-style Rycote zeppelin, if you have one.

The Schoeps CMC641 mic is wonderful, glorious-sounding for dialogue. If you have the budget, it would be a terrific addition. I really can’t say enough good things about how this mic sounds when employed properly.

Cheers,

Stephen H
https://sound.facesproject.org/

[Craig Alan]

Thank you.
I have contacted k-tek and as you say they offer very good support. My problem is I have 30 production teams and even if I master keeping the pole untwisted, it will continue to get twisted. I think what I will do is leave them fully extended and only fold them down myself. Just the same I am looking for higher quality polls with straight cords. The audio pros I know do not use the internal corded models.

On the Schoeps CMC641 — how are you using them? On a boom? Hand-held? V.O.? All.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Stephen Hall]

Yeah, I can see how an internally-cabled boom used in a school environment or someplace where lots of different folks will be using it might not be ideal. Inevitably, someone will be in a hurry or careless. One possibility to consider is one of the poles where a straight cable runs through the pole and slides in and out of the base. I’m not sure which manufacturer makes those.

I’ve used the Schoeps on a boom, as a plant mic (within 18-22″ of the actor’s mouth and for voice over work. I would suggest that it’s way too sensitive for use hand-held. While the Schoeps sounds glorious, to me, there are probably mics more appropriate for VO work — I’ve read about large-diaphragm condenser mics like the Neumann TLM-103, etc. in that role, as well as dynamic mics like the Electro Voice Re-20 and even the Sennheiser MKH-416 when used in a treated environment.

I’m sure there are lots of folks on this board who could offer more informed opinions about VO mics.

Stephen H

[Craig Alan]

Thanks. I’ll do a search for voice over and for boom poles and see what’s been said. The Schoeps and 744T are on my wish list unless someone like Ty says such and such is a better choice for a boom set up.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Tony Koretz]

Mics for voice over works:
Because not every one’s voice suits every mic here are some I recommend:
Top Two:
1)Neumann U87: If you can afford one get it. Been the standard for years. Someone mentioned a Neumann TLM103. Personally that mic is the subject of a lot of love/hate in the industry…probably more than any other Neumann mic. I personally would suggest best to avoid it. There are better mics for less money out there.

2)Shure sm7 or sm7B: A dynamic mic that will cover most voices that don’t suit a U87. Also been a broadcast standard for years.

Other good mics for this application are Electrovoice RE20: A dynamic mic, Great for some voices not for others.
AKG C414: Condensor mic:many different sub models of this mic..some better than others, but also a long time standard. Other brands like Rode K2 or some of the Audio Technica condensor mics are also good, and considerably cheaper than the Neumann

Rocksure Soundz
https://www.rocksuresoundz.com