The right shotgun mic

[rustysterling]

Here's my dilemna: I want a mic that I can use with my FX1 both mounted and boomed, but that I can also use to capture sound effects (mostly nature) with my Marantz CDR300. I plan to get an XLR adapter for the FX1 that will have phantom power (the CDR300 already has it). The mics I've been considering are the Audio Technica AT4071, Sennheiser ME66/K6, Senn. MKH816, Shure SM89. What else is out there that would satisfy both my needs.

I also plan at times to use the CDR300 to capture my sound instead of using the cameras sound capturing.

So what do you guys recommend?

[Chuck Engels]

I've seen some good reports on the Audio Technica AT-897 for something inexpensive. I like the Azden SGM-1000 in the same price range.

But you are looking at the long mics it seems, in that case if price was no object, I would choose the Neumann KMR-82i, Senn MKH-70, then the Senn ME67 and the Shure SM89 in that order.

On a tight budget the Azden SGM-2X looks pretty nice.

Hope that gives you some help.

[rustysterling]

I like the idea of the long mics but would love to get the same quality in a short mic with the same polar pickup (lobar). There's also a Beyerdynamic MCE86 that interests me. Price is an object but I don't let that limit my search. And Neumann always makes me drool. ;'D

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Also have a look at the Rode SVM.

EDIT. Don't forget to include a deadcat for your shotgun mike. The normal foam wind shields are OK but not anywhere near adequate when there is more than a gentle breeze blowing.

If I can sort out the technology I'll post some sound samples in the gallery of a shotgun mike with and without a deadcat so that you can judge for yourself the difference.

[William Tranter]

I use a Rode shotgun mono mike for most of my video-ing and background SFX needs, and my Sony stereo mike for narration back at home. When I bought it Rode didn't do a stereo mike, though they do now.
Regarding being in mono, the only problem occurs when I am inputting the video/audio into PrEl - the program detects the difference between mono and stereo and promptly stops capture, though I can re-start capture in the different 'mode', then use 'Fill Left' or 'Fill Right' as required. Don't forget the 'dead cat' windgag - a necessity in Britain!
Hope everything goes well for you,
Bill

[Don Whitten]

I would have to second the Rhodes SVM. I have been using it for a couple months now and it does sound great.

[rustysterling]

I do have the Rode mono Video mic. The stereo mic looks intriguing but I need a mic that has a very narrow pickup range and can pickup at a little distance. It also has to have XLR capability because I want to use it both with my camcorder and my portable CD recorder (which has XLR with phantom power). While the Rode SVM seems to be a good mic it is limited because of the 1/8" jack. If I was going to go that way I'd probably get a Rode NT4, which is a stereo condensor mic with two elements in an XY pattern similar to the SVM. But even that mic wouldn't fulfill my requirement to do sound effects recording on my CD recorder. A lobar pattern shotgun is what I'm really looking for. I appreciate the comments about the SVM. As I said, I've looked at it but it really doesn't meet my overall needs. Thanks.

[rustysterling]

Some update information: I now have a Sennheiser ME80/K3U, which for a short shotgun has a very long range. I also have an Audio Technica AT815A which is a lot like the AT4071 (except for length -- just a little shorter) and works quite well for what I want.

I also want to note that the Deadcat fits well on the Audio Technica AT897, AT835, Sennheiser ME80, ME66, and ME67. So it's a nice catchall wind muffler.