I love your content but rarely comment on videos. So, here's a shout-out as a representative of all those silent watchers who get excited each time you put out a video but don't necessarily give you any feedback. Happy 2020!
I love this video. It's a consolidation of years of your work and knowledge. Really appreciate you taking the time to put this together and sharing this information. EDIT: PS Thank you for saying "do not go into debt to buy these microphones". I am so happy you said that, it's something that I think a lot of folks don't think about.
I was able to get everything I needed out of this video within 4 minutes thanks to the stellar labeling and price ranging to let me only watch the part that's applicable to what I need. Good show, I love following channels who respect their followers!
Great rundown as usual. In my opinion, for low budgets, Rode NTG-2 should get discontinued. Low sensitivity with rattling battery compartment makes it unusable for booming around, the xlr in itself wobbles and has harsh cutting spikes. At work, a second new replacement is being sent back due to bad connection out of the box, need extra amps to get it to work with such as entry Zoom recorders. Medium budgets, the AT4053B and NTG-3 just as you describe. Many pros have it as a backup as it works every time. Medium High, I can recommend the Sanken CSM1 (small and light for indoor and outdoor) Phantom power only.
Useful information. I bought my mics (Sennheiser 416, Pearl MS-8, DPA 4060's) boom (Panamic) and windshields (Rycote) in good used condition. Saved a ton of money with no sacrifice in quality or reliability.
It's amazing, the Samson C02's were some of the first mics I ever got, back when I was a teenager. I thought of them as 'budget' and just what I could afford then. But with age, I've realized that they've more than stood the test of time. Still one of the best deals you can find in audio, right up there with the SM57 and a few others.
Great informative concise education vid that balances info vs opinion - thanks, Curtis. You consistently deliver on your YT influencer status in audio for video.
Thanks for giving the Octava its proper due - it continues to impress me(hypercardioid). I've kind of stopped thinking about boom mics since discovering how good it is. You'd have to spend a lot more to do better. It benefits from the Rycote Inv 6 or the mixpre's 80Hz high pass. Don't use the highpass module that comes with the Octava - it kills all that wonderful low end.
Great stuff as always! Been wonderful seeing you continue to add value to the community and improve your craft. Would love to see you review the Sennheiser e614 for dialog. Cheers and blessings in 2020 and beyond!
Oh man, I just bought an 8050,a pair of 8090's and a MixPre6 and I'm HYPED! You've been a massive help in getting me to finally pull the trigger Curtis, thanks for all that you do for the community!!
I'm a longtime audio engineer. Nice job on the overview. One you may want to check out (if you haven't already) as a "budget" mic is the AKG C1000s. It's one of the most versatile mics in my mic closet. For under $200 you get a small diaphragm cardioid OR hypercardioid condenser with onboard battery power, if needed. It has a great response curve, super low self-noise, low handling noise, is ridiculously sturdy, and works well indoor on a boom, although I've used it as an on-camera mic as well.
while it's frustrating that there's no black and white answer to "which one should I buy" I love that your ethics push you to telling people NOT to put themselves in financial debt. Our true value is in the COMMUNITY. WE. BUILD. 👍😁❤ It truly is about diminishing returns. And knowing your environment. e.g. My Sennheiser MKE 600 works amazingly well for TEAMS / ZOOM / FB (in my "home office" in the garage with walls about 10 feet away ... hell people can't even hear the washing machine or tumble-dryer that's just 6-8 feet away) / TH-cam-with-sound-treatment (i.e. soft velvet drape to stop the harsh echoes from a glass French-door just 3-4 feet away). I've always loved your content and the advice you give people - even in old vids like this one! I hope you and the family are good -- keep up the good work, Curtis :)
You know when you have a TV series on DVD and you rewatch episodes. Your TH-cam videos are just like that. I've seen this video 4 or 5 times, but it has loads of rewatch value.
Great video, Curtis! As usual. Thank you! If you haven't done so already, here's a topic that you may want to consider creating a video about: XLR cables. If I hadn't done my own tests, I'd have guessed they'd all be pretty much the same, but boy was I proven wrong. For example I have two Mogami (Neglex) XLR cables, but with two different model numbers. One is very warm and the other is way more open and transparent with beautiful HF coming through. As far as recording dialogue goes - and mostly for those reading this who don't do any post-processing for your videos - XLR cables can really make a huge difference in the overall sound quality of your microphones. So, try different models, if you have the budget, to find what's right for you.
The Takstar mic has the most awful mechanical resonance. The shock mount does nothing. It's not usable on top of a camera unless you put it on a mic stand and do not touch it.
@@curtisjudd I am thinking of buying the MKE 600 instead of NTG4+ and I wish you had included in your review/thiughts. So confusing...so many mics, so little money :)
Be careful with the oktava. Great mics, if you find the Russian made mics. After they got popular, they eventually started manufacturing in China although they advertised, made in Russia, and thus the quality went down.
10:06 The NTG-2 is quite effective for condenser microphones, but you have to remember that when powered by AA batteries, the efficiency drops by 6dB. In addition, it should be remembered that the H4n does not have very good preamps, they have quite a high level of self-noise.
Curtis Judd I think your channel is the most professional on yt! But i’ve a question... i’ve the bad couple, Ntg 2 and Zoom H4n. I could sell the Zoom H4n, and After the Ntg2 also, because i want a multi porpose mic (in and outdoor) and a good recorder too. All this stuff for a sort of one man band filmaking or really hold crew... looking this vid the verter choice seems to be for me (keeping in mind the recorder’s expense) the Deity S-Mic 2S or the Rode NTG3. What do you think is best to do? And why is so a bad couple Ntg2+Zoomh4n? They sound orrible :/ now i look your video about best Recorders in 2019 :)
Another great review. I really appreciate your coverage Curtis. As an owner of most of the top end mics you’ve covered here, I actually agree with your opinion on almost all of them. I was kinda hoping to see a review of the Sanken CS-M1 in here somewhere as I’m contemplating a purchase soon but, as you said, you don’t have every microphone. You did a great job at covering something for everyone so thanks for making this video
Salt lamp review? Heheh, anyways great job, I here just learned about entire mic supply companies I didn't even know existed. I'm just getting into this game and this content is really helpful to me.
Absolutely super useful video. It has clarified a few things for me and confirmed my view of my NTG4+. You could easily split it into two videos too. Big thanks again, Curtis!
Just got a great deal on a Rode NTG3. Your reviews here and elsewhere were instrumental in making the choice for my budget. I'm officially turning into a sound nerd so I didn't know who else to share my excitement with besides you! Although I did just see an older review you did on the NTG5, only after I got the NTG3. While I wish I had gotten the NTG5 now, I'm not at all unhappy with the NTG3 purchase and I'm sure it will serve me well.
Love your work Curtis. BTW, if you add in a 0:00 to your timestamp you'll get Video Chapters which might help people navigate to the category they want quicker, just a suggestion, FWIW. They were not available when you released the video.
Great video. Recently got the chance to use a Schoeps miniCMIT. After years of using 416s it really blew me away like the DPA 4017b does. Definitely worth a look.
Very thorough video full of solid info. A minor point re 8050, the rear module is not a preamp like on a DPA or Schoeps, it is only an XLR adapter with a couple impedance matching resistors in it. The main module is both a capsule and a preamp. This is why the rear module can be replaced with different connection accessories from Sennheiser, Cinela, and Kortwitch.
Thanks Curtis, always super helpful! I'm the discount audio guy in KC...Could definitely get into a 416 and 8050.....didn't realize there were mics just for indoor recording. I'm just running a pair of Sennheiser ME66 shotguns and have served me well. Have a Zoom F6 in the bag and this seems like a good next step to up the audio game. Always appreciate your insight.
Great mic collection and discussion! I enjoyed a Neumann KMR81 shotgun for many years, and sold it for a small profit within an hour of posting online a few years ago. Lovely sound, but seems to have fallen off the general radar in many sound circles: I guess Sennheiser do much of the heavy lifting in that brand family.
Thanks Alex! Yes, it is interesting how in the sound for film space, we don't see a lot more Neumann gear, especially since they're manufactured by Sennheiser.
My basic package is the AT 4053b for interior work, and the Rode NTG3 for outside. But I've used the MKH 50, and that is a better sound. But at twice the price. Rode offers a 10 year warranty, which is something to note as well. Another great review, thanks!
Very useful and informative. For a upper end budget/mid range mic, check out the Sennheiser ME66. I think I mentioned it in a comment on one of your older videos. You have to get the capsule and power module separate but you can get a power model to run it off +48V phantom power (K6P) or one that will run it off a single AA battery (K6) and with the battery option you could plug it into a 3.5mm jack. I have been using one a for around 4 years with a Tascam DR-100 MKII audio recorder and a Tascam 701D. Build quality is quite good. It has a low self noise (10db (A)), and is sensitive (50 mV/Pa). For voices I find it can work well and haven't noticed any self noise in my recordings, although personally I would have liked a little more low end bass than it has. I use mine for talking head shots and mostly outdoor ambient natural recordings. My only issue is that it can sometimes pick up too much sound. I once took a recording in a field one morning of birds and I picked up the hum of a wind turbine over 1200-1500 ft away across 2 fields and I didn't hear the turbine hum until normalising the audio when editing it. Also picked up chicken clucks from a farm around a similar distance away. It can also have an issue with a hum in the audio if the screw on the power module is slightly loose and not tightened fully. I also have the MKH-416 and find it is a great mic overall, smoother in the highs and more bass than the ME66. Best mic I have used for voice over as my voice has more high frequencies in it and mics which boost some high frequencies too much can sound a little harsh on my voice but this didn't and sounded smooth and natural. I tried it for ambient outdoor recordings with my Tascam 701D to see if it would work as a replacement for my Sennheiser ME66, but in all my audio recordings, especially in quieter locations, I had some noticeable self noise in the recordings . I tried plugging in a FetHead Phantom with it to see if that would lower the self noise, but couldn't get it to pick up any sound with it plugged in to either my Tascam DR-100MKII or 701D. The MKH-416 sensitivity is 25 mV/Pa with slightly higher self noise than the ME66 so that could have been why I got the hiss whereas with the ME66, I didn't notice it. I am trying to find a low self noise, high sensitivity stereo mic for ambient outdoor recordings.
I had the ME66, I started out with it as one of my first mics! I guess for a beginner back then it kinda made sense? Maybe. Not a huge fan of it, aside from the fact it was hotter than my weak NTG2. I reckon in this day and age though we're spoiled with much better choices such as the Deity S Mic 2 or the Rode NTG5, I just can't possibly recommend anybody to buy new a ME66
The MKH 50 and CMC641 are by far my favorites. I remember the first time a heard the Schoeps wen i was working as a intern on a post production company... it just blow me away. I imideatly just grab the phone and call the location team to ask what microfone they used XD
@@creativegreatsvisuals yeah i do. At this price range, it's more about the "flavor" than "this one is better than that one"... i fell like the MKH50 make things sound "bigger" and the CMC sounds more like "real life" to me. It is a pretty subjective thing, so you need to try both to see which one you prefer, but those 2 are absolutely incredible mics
@@creativegreatsvisuals I didn't check the frequency response charts but by ear, I feel that the mkh50 have a little spike on 8~10k and more bass on 30~100hz region. I think those two make it sound "bigger"
Great overview. Thanks. One word of warning to folks about the Oktava mics.... I've owned 5 of them, and I have 2 left. The others all died. They're great sounding mics, but they're very VERY fragile. I tend to be a little rough with my gear out in the field (not deliberately, but out of circumstance) but everything survives the punishment.... except for the Oktavas. Handle with care, guys. Sadly, I won't be buying any more of them. No point for me. Thanks again.
I had to use a Samson C02 for my first ever feature film :( :( Because the Oktava broke! And I was overseas for the entire month of the film being shot. Luckily I had that C02 spare with me as a back up! (ALWAYS HAVE BACK UPS!)
@@SoundSpeeding Yeah, they're terrific sounding, versatile mics (I've recorded voice and entire orchestras with them) but they're not as robust as they look. It's like handing china ceramics! Pity.
@@SoundSpeedingtriple redundancy. If sound does not work, nothing happens. I had a shoot a while back and the GPS got me very lost. I had to call the director for directions (out in the sticks) and when I showed up 1/2 late, I was the least popular guy on set that day.
Curtis, thank for another awesome "Product Comparison". My primary Boom/Shotgun Mic is the Sennheiser MKH 416. I am actually the third owner oof this Mic as it was purchased in the late 1970's. The original owner was a onsite Production Video Sennheiser as the End Cap was missing (Did not really effect anything but looked Un-
There is simply nobody alive who gives better advice when it comes to sound recording. Watching Curtis and doing his courses is like having another team member on your crew. I am putting two new people through his courses very soon as they are fantastic value for money.
Love your presentation style , Not a hint of delivery contempt in a industry full of overbearing "Gearheads", I've been in the Pro TV Bis in New Zealand for over 20yrs, I run a location bag doing everything from large TVCs, Docos, Run 'n' Gun reality through to drama , I have a home V/O and music studio , running Protools and have 25 yrs out in the field experience with massive OB's ( Onsite Board-casts )of every sporting nature , Matched with 5 plus yrs of post cutting dialogue and FX editing and Atmos laying etc, so I am a heavyweight in terms of the industry standard mics used at pro audio level. I'm a Sanken CS3 boy at heart, out in the field, could listen to that puppy all day long without my ears bleeding when on set for 12 hours. Love my go-to MKH 50 , It's so forgiving in a large IV on those days when you are not quick enough. Have used just about every mic under the sun for Location and OB shoots, even still have an old pre 416 era - ME88 I'd likened to a laser beam with pin point accuracy.. Great in real nosy BG's environments. Listening to your considered evaluation of mics from entry level through to pro , You hit the mark and it rings true and demonstrates a lot of Cred and huge experience that only comes from years out in the field, of trying, purchasing , and been thrown under the bus moments when your gear dies on you. I feel a newbie to the industry can shortcut the process BIG-time following your channel , Even an Oldie like me, might have learn a few things / tricks from you... Just saying..... Thank you for your channel ...K
Hey @curtisjudd what a quality video, thanks for doing this. I'm interested in the MKH 8050, I'm curious what kind of setup you use with it. Any wind protection, and perhaps most importantly, do you use a specific shock mount with it?
While I understand that you have separated into price categories, adding "pro" after the $600 category is a bit peculiar as Rode themself describe the NTG5 as more or less superior to the NTG3 with less self noise and the same RF bias design, while also being way more sensitive. I don't own either, but am in the market for a new all-round mic now, and your content is very helpful.
I was fortunate enough to purchase a second hand MKH416 for £300 because it was T Powered. Bought a 48v to 12T adapter for £50. Best purchase I've ever made. This microphone is a miracle worker. The distance it can pick up clean audio is amazing. So look out for any T powered 416s. A fraction of the price for the same microphone.
Have have read much about boom microphones and I have been into buying a ntg5,ntg3 or mkh417 but I’m almost only records inside in corporate place I know considering the mkh50 or mkh8050 or schopes. This video helped me to understand and also change my mind.
I think something that should be mentioned about the MK-012 is that even with a good shockmount if you don't tie your cables near the male XLR end you'll get some sort of resonance. Literally just takes an elastic, velcro cable tie, or anything you can use to keep the cable still. Also ALWAYS buy the MK-012 new because the 90's-early 00's ones had some issues, but the recent ones are great.
Thanks for making these. Between your ASMR voice, and the actual content and explanations, your videos are wonderful. I’m getting into interview shoots, and fairly new to audio. I think you (and others) have sold me on the Oktava, but I’m unsure on which capsule for indoor interviews. The one you have in this video is apparently the cardioid, but from what I gather, the hypercardioid is more ideal for what I need, and you mention this here as well, so I’m unclear which of the two I should go for?
I agree - surprisingly good sound from that mic. In fact, I'm reviewing a newer model from them which is much smaller. Looking forward to how that pans out.
Great channel. Discovered it 3 weeks ago and it has been the most useful and at the same time pleasing (in regards to the entertaining format and to the good production value) source of content i have found on the subject of mics and audio in general (haven't gotten into lighting tho, some of these days will have to).
One little detail which would be of interest to potential buyers: When showing us the Røde NTG4+ you printed the correct name on screen, and I believe everything you said about it was correct. Except that verbally you only called it the “NTG4” and omitted the “+” in the name, and unfortunately that's a different version of the microphone which doesn’t have the battery option. I only wanted to mention this so that people don’t get confused and buy the wrong version.
@@curtisjudd Yes! Its super helpful. I do have some newbie question but I will email you to spare my embarrassment and also when I give up goolging it haha. cheers!
Thanks Curtis. Great information. I sometimes use a Rode NT3 as an affordable indoor interview microphone and it works well. Its a bit heavy so not really great for booming, but it takes a 9v battery which is handy sometimes. However.... boompoles, mic stands, mics and shock mounts are a young persons game, and as a one-man band approaching middle age, I'm finding I leave them all at home more and more. Lavalier microphones are my preferred weapon, and I can hide a lot of their sonic sins with careful post processing.
I have an Audix uem-81 and an old Sennheiser K3-u and both sound pretty good in my opinion. The sennheiser served many years as part of an eng rig for a local tv station before it ended up in my kit bag but it still works great.
👍 If it sounds great, it is great! Good to hear that an older microphone is still working well. That's the great thing about microphones, a good one is easily worth its price because it can work well for so many years.
@@curtisjudd that is very true. I saved the K3 and a Cartoni carbon fiber tripod from the trash because my boss said they weren't worth keeping. Both were part of an old eng setup at a tv station I used to work for.
Hi Curtis, first of all thanks for your channel is our place to go everytime we have a doubt about audio :) i purchased the C02 from samson after watching your video but on our video today it was a fail ( our own fault im afraid ) we have a youtube channel and photography online academy and we produce variety of videos. most of times its myself speaking so we use a rhode go inside my t-shirt onto a recorder and that works ok, not so good outdoors where we just plug the recorder to the mic directly to avoid interferences and cuts with the rhode. We also do a lot of table courses, one person speaking to multicamera setup sometimes with prompter and for that we use the rhode aswell. but when we have a live interview or a table with multiple people we can't use enough inputs to our pocket wizard atem mini. We need a microphone to get everyones voices and i though that samson will do the trick. What happened is the volume was way too low, and bumping the volume on the atem or on the software created a lot of noise and low quality audio. We have a mixing table which we never use anymore since we have the atem, but i guess the problem is this mic needs power? conecting the microphone to the table should give more volume? we found the sound on it was pretty good while conected directly to a camera, and close to the speaker ( like in your video just over head ) but what kind of microphone would you recomend to get audio on a 150sqm room where 3-4 people are talking?? can you please point me on the right direction?? and if this is the right mic can you let me know how i should connect it to the atem? mix board ( we have a Behringer Q802USB ) ? if thats the issue please let me know which cables we should use as we are really new on audio and having a hard time! apreciate your time curtis!
Hi kubestudio, thanks for the question - I had a listen to your livestream from today. Ideally, there should be a microphone for each person, much closer to the person to get cleaner audio. When it is attached to the table, it will pick up all of the sound reverberating through the room and will become overwhelming, as you found, when you increase the gain/input level. The behringer mixer could be used to feed each of the microphones the phantom power they need and then output the audio on the line outputs of the mixer to the ATEM. That will help tremendously. Best wishes!
@@curtisjudd Hey curtis thanks a lot for your answer. i just found out that we needed phantom on the samson. as i say we are really new on audio and we tried many combinations without luck. the mixer we have has only 2 inputs so i couldnt do 3 inputs with it can i? to feed the phantom we need xlr to xlr cable or can it go on the jacks aswell? thanks
Great video Curtis. I'm a cinematographer with two decades of video experience, but one man band stuff is pushing me to dip my feet into audio more and more. This is a great crash course really. Again thanks for your efforts.
@@curtisjudd You bet! Just got to a new place that has an in-house Sennheiser MKH 416. Using it for interviews but it sounds horrible. It's going into an original model Zoom H4N. Judging from context clues here, I'm assuming the lack of gain in the H4N is causing the issue. I was very confused since the mic itself should be a rockstar.
@@danielrisk6174 That could be part of it. What about it sounds horrible? The 416 was designed and voiced back in the analogue sound recording days so it was optimized for the unique characteristics of analogue tape. I actually don't love the 416 for digital recording, personally. It is a little too bright for my taste. But that's a personal preference.
@@curtisjudd Thanks for the response. I'll have to go back and do another test with it, but I remember it being chocked full of noise that buried the voice. It was unuseable, no matter how much noise reduction I did (just general loud noise even in a deathly quiet room) I inherited the mic after years of prior use, so it could be damaged.
Really appreciate the work you put into these videos. Highly valuable resources. I've been researching wireless systems again, and would be interested in hearing your current thoughts on the various options.
Jump ahead:
00:27 Introduction
02:05 Camera-top Shotgun Microphones
08:50 Less than $300 USD XLR Shotgun Microphones
12:46 $300 - $599 USD XLR Shotgun Microphones
19:24 $600 USD+ Pro Level Shotgun Microphones
24:08 Indoor Boom Microphones
24:46 ~$100 USD Cardioid Boom Microphones
25:50 $200 - $499 USD Cardioid Boom Microphones
29:27 $500 USD+ Professional Cardioid Boom Microphones
36:37 Bonus - Matched Pair Stereo Microphones
37:43 Buying Advice
Curtis Judd Still rocking my AT4053b. I LOVE IT!!!
Rad! Keep making great sound!
A little index for your viewing pleasure.
fresh new intro! 👍🏼👀
Very much appreciate this.
I love your content but rarely comment on videos. So, here's a shout-out as a representative of all those silent watchers who get excited each time you put out a video but don't necessarily give you any feedback. Happy 2020!
Thanks Shawn! Good to hear from you and have a happy 2020!
Spoke my mind literally. Now let's hunt down those downvoters!
I love this video. It's a consolidation of years of your work and knowledge. Really appreciate you taking the time to put this together and sharing this information.
EDIT: PS Thank you for saying "do not go into debt to buy these microphones". I am so happy you said that, it's something that I think a lot of folks don't think about.
Thanks Bandrew! Honored that you watched :)
I might go into debt after watching this video... thanks a lot Curtis. ;-)
@@SoundSpeeds Hahaha! You have been warned, friend!
I was able to get everything I needed out of this video within 4 minutes thanks to the stellar labeling and price ranging to let me only watch the part that's applicable to what I need. Good show, I love following channels who respect their followers!
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Damn you got a nice mic collection! Thanks for the detailed explanation Curtis.
Thanks Tom. I’m a sound nerd. 😀
So refreshing to hear from an expert that knows how to teach. Best mic review I can remember; and with no audio samples. Awesome. Instant fan.
Thanks Richard.
Great rundown as usual. In my opinion, for low budgets, Rode NTG-2 should get discontinued. Low sensitivity with rattling battery compartment makes it unusable for booming around, the xlr in itself wobbles and has harsh cutting spikes. At work, a second new replacement is being sent back due to bad connection out of the box, need extra amps to get it to work with such as entry Zoom recorders.
Medium budgets, the AT4053B and NTG-3 just as you describe. Many pros have it as a backup as it works every time.
Medium High, I can recommend the Sanken CSM1 (small and light for indoor and outdoor) Phantom power only.
Thanks for the insights, Mauricio!
Great video, sometimes people just want to know which mic the pros love!
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Love the layout of this vid Brutha.
Thanks D4!
Useful information. I bought my mics (Sennheiser 416, Pearl MS-8, DPA 4060's) boom (Panamic) and windshields (Rycote) in good used condition. Saved a ton of money with no sacrifice in quality or reliability.
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Great coverage! Makes me comfortable with my choices, some of which came from your recommendations. Thanks!
My pleasure!
Same here
It's amazing, the Samson C02's were some of the first mics I ever got, back when I was a teenager. I thought of them as 'budget' and just what I could afford then. But with age, I've realized that they've more than stood the test of time. Still one of the best deals you can find in audio, right up there with the SM57 and a few others.
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Thank you. Looking forward to the lav mic edition!
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How on earth is Curtis not well over 500k subs? His content is amazing.
We focus on quality rather than quantity. 😉
Great informative concise education vid that balances info vs opinion - thanks, Curtis. You consistently deliver on your YT influencer status in audio for video.
Thanks SilverSulu! Appreciate the feedback!
NTG3 User ahead. It's an absolute beast and was an upgrade from the Rode Videomicro. Yup, the sound is that much better.
Awesome video btw!
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For the more budget shotgun category, the Sennheiser MKE 600 is AMAZING. Good output signal, good all around sound, and About $325. It's my workhorse.
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Thanks for giving the Octava its proper due - it continues to impress me(hypercardioid). I've kind of stopped thinking about boom mics since discovering how good it is. You'd have to spend a lot more to do better. It benefits from the Rycote Inv 6 or the mixpre's 80Hz high pass. Don't use the highpass module that comes with the Octava - it kills all that wonderful low end.
Thanks for the details on the Oktava Mike!
this is a historical review ...thumps up Curtis
Thanks Ahmed!
Great stuff as always! Been wonderful seeing you continue to add value to the community and improve your craft. Would love to see you review the Sennheiser e614 for dialog. Cheers and blessings in 2020 and beyond!
Thanks Dave! Best wishes!
Oh man, I just bought an 8050,a pair of 8090's and a MixPre6 and I'm HYPED!
You've been a massive help in getting me to finally pull the trigger Curtis, thanks for all that you do for the community!!
Congrats and happy recording!
I was literally just re-watching your older video on the subject. Spooky.
A few updates here. Sorry for the spook. 😀
Sennheiser MKH 416 is also moisture resistant which is an important consideration for field recording
Indeed.
yes! I was waiting for this one!
Thanks Bugz!
I'm a longtime audio engineer. Nice job on the overview. One you may want to check out (if you haven't already) as a "budget" mic is the AKG C1000s. It's one of the most versatile mics in my mic closet. For under $200 you get a small diaphragm cardioid OR hypercardioid condenser with onboard battery power, if needed. It has a great response curve, super low self-noise, low handling noise, is ridiculously sturdy, and works well indoor on a boom, although I've used it as an on-camera mic as well.
Hi Gary, thanks. Will check it out - thanks!
@@curtisjudd have you had a chance to look at this AKG C1000s
mic?
while it's frustrating that there's no black and white answer to "which one should I buy" I love that your ethics push you to telling people NOT to put themselves in financial debt. Our true value is in the COMMUNITY. WE. BUILD. 👍😁❤
It truly is about diminishing returns. And knowing your environment. e.g. My Sennheiser MKE 600 works amazingly well for TEAMS / ZOOM / FB (in my "home office" in the garage with walls about 10 feet away ... hell people can't even hear the washing machine or tumble-dryer that's just 6-8 feet away) / TH-cam-with-sound-treatment (i.e. soft velvet drape to stop the harsh echoes from a glass French-door just 3-4 feet away).
I've always loved your content and the advice you give people - even in old vids like this one! I hope you and the family are good -- keep up the good work, Curtis :)
Thanks so much and keep making great sound!
You know when you have a TV series on DVD and you rewatch episodes. Your TH-cam videos are just like that. I've seen this video 4 or 5 times, but it has loads of rewatch value.
Hahaha! Thanks Eryn. 🤓
Great video, Curtis! As usual. Thank you!
If you haven't done so already, here's a topic that you may want to consider creating a video about: XLR cables. If I hadn't done my own tests, I'd have guessed they'd all be pretty much the same, but boy was I proven wrong. For example I have two Mogami (Neglex) XLR cables, but with two different model numbers. One is very warm and the other is way more open and transparent with beautiful HF coming through. As far as recording dialogue goes - and mostly for those reading this who don't do any post-processing for your videos - XLR cables can really make a huge difference in the overall sound quality of your microphones. So, try different models, if you have the budget, to find what's right for you.
Thanks Paul, good idea!
whats the best xlr cables for the Schoeps CMC 6 and cmit mics ?
Hey Curtis. Have you ever tried the Sennheiser MKE 600? What are your thoughts on it?
I haven’t, unfortunately. So many mics, so little time...
The Takstar mic has the most awful mechanical resonance. The shock mount does nothing. It's not usable on top of a camera unless you put it on a mic stand and do not touch it.
@@curtisjudd Eyes, lungs, pancreas...
@@curtisjudd I am thinking of buying the MKE 600 instead of NTG4+ and I wish you had included in your review/thiughts. So confusing...so many mics, so little money :)
@@lazyoverworked I've heard the MKE 600 and I used to own the NTG4+. If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose the MKE 600.
Bought the mkh 8050 today to match with my 416. Thanks for the reviews!
👍 Happy recording!
Be careful with the oktava. Great mics, if you find the Russian made mics. After they got popular, they eventually started manufacturing in China although they advertised, made in Russia, and thus the quality went down.
Thanks Oscar - good to know!
10:06 The NTG-2 is quite effective for condenser microphones, but you have to remember that when powered by AA batteries, the efficiency drops by 6dB. In addition, it should be remembered that the H4n does not have very good preamps, they have quite a high level of self-noise.
Yes and yes.
@@curtisjudd Other than that, great stuff as usual :)
Can't wait for your lav video. Keep it coming Curtis!
Thanks Andrew, will do!
Curtis Judd I think your channel is the most professional on yt! But i’ve a question... i’ve the bad couple, Ntg 2 and Zoom H4n. I could sell the Zoom H4n, and After the Ntg2 also, because i want a multi porpose mic (in and outdoor) and a good recorder too. All this stuff for a sort of one man band filmaking or really hold crew... looking this vid the verter choice seems to be for me (keeping in mind the recorder’s expense) the Deity S-Mic 2S or the Rode NTG3. What do you think is best to do? And why is so a bad couple Ntg2+Zoomh4n? They sound orrible :/ now i look your video about best Recorders in 2019 :)
Another great review. I really appreciate your coverage Curtis. As an owner of most of the top end mics you’ve covered here, I actually agree with your opinion on almost all of them. I was kinda hoping to see a review of the Sanken CS-M1 in here somewhere as I’m contemplating a purchase soon but, as you said, you don’t have every microphone. You did a great job at covering something for everyone so thanks for making this video
Thanks 22Sound! Michael Wynne put together a couple of videos with CS-M1 samples you might find helpful. Best wishes!
Bought the Audio Technica AT4053B based on Curtis' review a few years ago...still rocking this mic & might grab another one. Thx Curtis!
👍 Glad to hear it is working well for you!
I really need that RF Bias technology ... Saigon is very wet. Not in my budget, but maybe in future.
👍
Salt lamp review? Heheh, anyways great job, I here just learned about entire mic supply companies I didn't even know existed. I'm just getting into this game and this content is really helpful to me.
I highly recommend salt lamps for setting the right vibe. 🤓
I just bought a Schoeps CMIT-5 .... I’m really excited for it to come 😍😍
Congrats! That's a good one!
Curtis Judd thanks! I listened to many of your sound gear videos before making my decision. Thank you for providing amazing content 🙂
For those of us with more limited experience in using or selecting microphones, this is very helpful review. Thank you very much.
Thanks for the feedback, Dan.
Absolutely super useful video. It has clarified a few things for me and confirmed my view of my NTG4+. You could easily split it into two videos too. Big thanks again, Curtis!
Thanks Kamil!
Just got a great deal on a Rode NTG3. Your reviews here and elsewhere were instrumental in making the choice for my budget. I'm officially turning into a sound nerd so I didn't know who else to share my excitement with besides you! Although I did just see an older review you did on the NTG5, only after I got the NTG3. While I wish I had gotten the NTG5 now, I'm not at all unhappy with the NTG3 purchase and I'm sure it will serve me well.
Congrats on the new microphone, Benjamin! The NTG3 is a great option. Happy recording!
Love your work Curtis.
BTW, if you add in a 0:00 to your timestamp you'll get Video Chapters which might help people navigate to the category they want quicker, just a suggestion, FWIW. They were not available when you released the video.
Thanks Jim, just added 00:00. Hopefully that'll work. Thanks!
@@curtisjudd looks like it worked like a charm and thanks again for your videos, you are my go to guy for audio
Great video. Recently got the chance to use a Schoeps miniCMIT. After years of using 416s it really blew me away like the DPA 4017b does. Definitely worth a look.
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Some times we use mkh8060 for both indoor and outdoor, and cmit5u is also great for it
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holy cow, this channel is a gem. Thanks for all the great resources you have put out, I have learned so much.
Thanks Nick.
All great information and a wonderful presentation. Thanks, Curtis. Have a nice day!
Thanks Michael, you too!
Very thorough video full of solid info. A minor point re 8050, the rear module is not a preamp like on a DPA or Schoeps, it is only an XLR adapter with a couple impedance matching resistors in it. The main module is both a capsule and a preamp. This is why the rear module can be replaced with different connection accessories from Sennheiser, Cinela, and Kortwitch.
Thanks for the clarification RallenMan! That's a substantial difference - good to know.
Thanks Curtis, always super helpful! I'm the discount audio guy in KC...Could definitely get into a 416 and 8050.....didn't realize there were mics just for indoor recording. I'm just running a pair of Sennheiser ME66 shotguns and have served me well. Have a Zoom F6 in the bag and this seems like a good next step to up the audio game. Always appreciate your insight.
Thanks Wayne! Keep making great sound!
What an in depth video. Wow. Thanx Curtis
Thanks Thomas.
Always professional reviews. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks Paul
Thank you for ALL of the knowledge you share. The Best!
Thanks Robert.
Great mic collection and discussion! I enjoyed a Neumann KMR81 shotgun for many years, and sold it for a small profit within an hour of posting online a few years ago. Lovely sound, but seems to have fallen off the general radar in many sound circles: I guess Sennheiser do much of the heavy lifting in that brand family.
Thanks Alex! Yes, it is interesting how in the sound for film space, we don't see a lot more Neumann gear, especially since they're manufactured by Sennheiser.
@@curtisjudd nice as the KMR81 is, the Sennheiser MKH mics feel more rugged and durable (I didn't like taking the Neumann outside...!).
@@75ajw That makes sense. The MKH mics are tough as nails...and hammers for that matter.
My basic package is the AT 4053b for interior work, and the Rode NTG3 for outside. But I've used the MKH 50, and that is a better sound. But at twice the price.
Rode offers a 10 year warranty, which is something to note as well.
Another great review, thanks!
Thanks Scott!
Unbelievable knowledge & experience here. Hats-off and thank you.
Thanks Martin.
Very useful and informative. For a upper end budget/mid range mic, check out the Sennheiser ME66. I think I mentioned it in a comment on one of your older videos. You have to get the capsule and power module separate but you can get a power model to run it off +48V phantom power (K6P) or one that will run it off a single AA battery (K6) and with the battery option you could plug it into a 3.5mm jack. I have been using one a for around 4 years with a Tascam DR-100 MKII audio recorder and a Tascam 701D. Build quality is quite good. It has a low self noise (10db (A)), and is sensitive (50 mV/Pa). For voices I find it can work well and haven't noticed any self noise in my recordings, although personally I would have liked a little more low end bass than it has.
I use mine for talking head shots and mostly outdoor ambient natural recordings. My only issue is that it can sometimes pick up too much sound. I once took a recording in a field one morning of birds and I picked up the hum of a wind turbine over 1200-1500 ft away across 2 fields and I didn't hear the turbine hum until normalising the audio when editing it. Also picked up chicken clucks from a farm around a similar distance away. It can also have an issue with a hum in the audio if the screw on the power module is slightly loose and not tightened fully.
I also have the MKH-416 and find it is a great mic overall, smoother in the highs and more bass than the ME66. Best mic I have used for voice over as my voice has more high frequencies in it and mics which boost some high frequencies too much can sound a little harsh on my voice but this didn't and sounded smooth and natural.
I tried it for ambient outdoor recordings with my Tascam 701D to see if it would work as a replacement for my Sennheiser ME66, but in all my audio recordings, especially in quieter locations, I had some noticeable self noise in the recordings . I tried plugging in a FetHead Phantom with it to see if that would lower the self noise, but couldn't get it to pick up any sound with it plugged in to either my Tascam DR-100MKII or 701D. The MKH-416 sensitivity is 25 mV/Pa with slightly higher self noise than the ME66 so that could have been why I got the hiss whereas with the ME66, I didn't notice it. I am trying to find a low self noise, high sensitivity stereo mic for ambient outdoor recordings.
Thanks for the details, Dave, really helpful!
I had the ME66, I started out with it as one of my first mics! I guess for a beginner back then it kinda made sense? Maybe. Not a huge fan of it, aside from the fact it was hotter than my weak NTG2. I reckon in this day and age though we're spoiled with much better choices such as the Deity S Mic 2 or the Rode NTG5, I just can't possibly recommend anybody to buy new a ME66
@@SoundSpeedingAgreed. I had such problems with that mic,I gave mine away.
The MKH 50 and CMC641 are by far my favorites. I remember the first time a heard the Schoeps wen i was working as a intern on a post production company... it just blow me away.
I imideatly just grab the phone and call the location team to ask what microfone they used XD
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did you like the sound of the cmc641 better over the mkh 50 ? if so why ?
@@creativegreatsvisuals yeah i do. At this price range, it's more about the "flavor" than "this one is better than that one"... i fell like the MKH50 make things sound "bigger" and the CMC sounds more like "real life" to me. It is a pretty subjective thing, so you need to try both to see which one you prefer, but those 2 are absolutely incredible mics
@@RafaelPSchaefer what do you mean by bigger ?
@@creativegreatsvisuals I didn't check the frequency response charts but by ear, I feel that the mkh50 have a little spike on 8~10k and more bass on 30~100hz region. I think those two make it sound "bigger"
Great overview. Thanks. One word of warning to folks about the Oktava mics.... I've owned 5 of them, and I have 2 left. The others all died. They're great sounding mics, but they're very VERY fragile. I tend to be a little rough with my gear out in the field (not deliberately, but out of circumstance) but everything survives the punishment.... except for the Oktavas. Handle with care, guys. Sadly, I won't be buying any more of them. No point for me. Thanks again.
Hi Heathcliff, thanks so much for sharing your experience with the Oktavas. Really good to have another data point!
I had to use a Samson C02 for my first ever feature film :( :( Because the Oktava broke! And I was overseas for the entire month of the film being shot. Luckily I had that C02 spare with me as a back up! (ALWAYS HAVE BACK UPS!)
@@SoundSpeeding Yeah, they're terrific sounding, versatile mics (I've recorded voice and entire orchestras with them) but they're not as robust as they look. It's like handing china ceramics! Pity.
@@SoundSpeedingtriple redundancy.
If sound does not work, nothing happens.
I had a shoot a while back and the GPS got me very lost. I had to call the director for directions (out in the sticks) and when I showed up 1/2 late, I was the least popular guy on set that day.
Learned so much from this video. Thank you.
👍
Thank you Curtis. This is really useful for us that do not have the possibility to test a lot of microphones.
Thanks Bjørn!
I just wanted to say thank you for this review and overview. It made me buy two MKH 8050s and I could not be happier. ^^
Glad they worked out - happy recording!
Hello have you tried the synco mic D2
Amazing review comparison as always!
Thanks T.J. 👍
Curtis, thank for another awesome "Product Comparison". My primary Boom/Shotgun Mic is the Sennheiser MKH 416. I am actually the third owner oof this Mic as it was purchased in the late 1970's. The original owner was a onsite Production Video Sennheiser as the End Cap was missing (Did not really effect anything but looked Un-
Wow - that’s a long-lasting microphone!
Watching your channel would make me a great FilmMaker
Thanks for the feedback!
There is simply nobody alive who gives better advice when it comes to sound recording. Watching Curtis and doing his courses is like having another team member on your crew. I am putting two new people through his courses very soon as they are fantastic value for money.
Thanks Gerard!
Extremely helpful vid! Even though it was a bit long, it never lacked any pace and was quite dense with content. Thank you. Nice work!
Thank you.
Just found you.. great channel.. read great stuff in there.. thank you!
Thanks, bake.agency.
love this session cant wait for the next on lav mics
hoping to see another with mics for ambience recording
Thanks Sage dB!
+1 for recommendations for ambient recording mic’s
Thank you so much, Curtis. Really helpful! Love your channel!
Thanks João!
Love your presentation style , Not a hint of delivery contempt in a industry full of overbearing "Gearheads", I've been in the Pro TV Bis in New Zealand for over 20yrs, I run a location bag doing everything from large TVCs, Docos, Run 'n' Gun reality through to drama , I have a home V/O and music studio , running Protools and have 25 yrs out in the field experience with massive OB's ( Onsite Board-casts )of every sporting nature , Matched with 5 plus yrs of post cutting dialogue and FX editing and Atmos laying etc, so I am a heavyweight in terms of the industry standard mics used at pro audio level.
I'm a Sanken CS3 boy at heart, out in the field, could listen to that puppy all day long without my ears bleeding when on set for 12 hours. Love my go-to MKH 50 , It's so forgiving in a large IV on those days when you are not quick enough. Have used just about every mic under the sun for Location and OB shoots, even still have an old pre 416 era - ME88 I'd likened to a laser beam with pin point accuracy.. Great in real nosy BG's environments. Listening to your considered evaluation of mics from entry level through to pro , You hit the mark and it rings true and demonstrates a lot of Cred and huge experience that only comes from years out in the field, of trying, purchasing , and been thrown under the bus moments when your gear dies on you. I feel a newbie to the industry can shortcut the process BIG-time following your channel , Even an Oldie like me, might have learn a few things / tricks from you... Just saying..... Thank you for your channel ...K
Thanks so much, Kris - means a lot coming from you!
I am learning so much from you...just wanna let you know. Thank you and Happy new year from Korea.
Thanks so much and happy new year to you!
Living in Saigon and filming in SE Asia mostly ... the review really helped me on my next purchase. It's definitely humid here ... Nice show!
Thanks!
Thank you very much for the info. Always useful.
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Hey @curtisjudd what a quality video, thanks for doing this. I'm interested in the MKH 8050, I'm curious what kind of setup you use with it. Any wind protection, and perhaps most importantly, do you use a specific shock mount with it?
Very helpful! We have the NTG3 and use it for both indoor and outdoor. Might need to consider a seperate mic for our indoor interview work. Thanks!
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The improvement going to an AT4053b astounded me. I use my NTG3 outdoors, and the 4053b inside.
Once again, a very informative and detailed video. Great job, Curtis!
Thanks DerAugstein!
Thanks DerAugstein!
While I understand that you have separated into price categories, adding "pro" after the $600 category is a bit peculiar as Rode themself describe the NTG5 as more or less superior to the NTG3 with less self noise and the same RF bias design, while also being way more sensitive. I don't own either, but am in the market for a new all-round mic now, and your content is very helpful.
Yes, sorry about that. It is hard to know where to draw that line.
Hi...that was a great informative video explaining different types of microphones.
Thanks.
I was fortunate enough to purchase a second hand MKH416 for £300 because it was T Powered. Bought a 48v to 12T adapter for £50. Best purchase I've ever made. This microphone is a miracle worker. The distance it can pick up clean audio is amazing. So look out for any T powered 416s. A fraction of the price for the same microphone.
👍 Nice find. They haven't made those for quite some time.
Have have read much about boom microphones and I have been into buying a ntg5,ntg3 or mkh417 but I’m almost only records inside in corporate place I know considering the mkh50 or mkh8050 or schopes. This video helped me to understand and also change my mind.
Thanks for the feedback Jonte. Happy recording!
I think something that should be mentioned about the MK-012 is that even with a good shockmount if you don't tie your cables near the male XLR end you'll get some sort of resonance. Literally just takes an elastic, velcro cable tie, or anything you can use to keep the cable still. Also ALWAYS buy the MK-012 new because the 90's-early 00's ones had some issues, but the recent ones are great.
Thanks for the tips, Dylan!
Thanks for making these. Between your ASMR voice, and the actual content and explanations, your videos are wonderful. I’m getting into interview shoots, and fairly new to audio. I think you (and others) have sold me on the Oktava, but I’m unsure on which capsule for indoor interviews. The one you have in this video is apparently the cardioid, but from what I gather, the hypercardioid is more ideal for what I need, and you mention this here as well, so I’m unclear which of the two I should go for?
Most opt for the hypercardioid capsule for interview videos.
Thanks. Just ordered it.
So glad I bought the Takstar, so impressed with it.
I agree - surprisingly good sound from that mic. In fact, I'm reviewing a newer model from them which is much smaller. Looking forward to how that pans out.
another great clearly explained comparison!!
Thanks ericsf!
This was awesome! Thanks!
Thanks.
As always excellent content!
Thanks!
THanks for all the interesting info.
You bet!
Great job. Thank you for making these videos.
Thanks! Best wishes to you on your podcast!
Great channel. Discovered it 3 weeks ago and it has been the most useful and at the same time pleasing (in regards to the entertaining format and to the good production value) source of content i have found on the subject of mics and audio in general (haven't gotten into lighting tho, some of these days will have to).
Thanks Lluc March Crespí!
One little detail which would be of interest to potential buyers: When showing us the Røde NTG4+ you printed the correct name on screen, and I believe everything you said about it was correct. Except that verbally you only called it the “NTG4” and omitted the “+” in the name, and unfortunately that's a different version of the microphone which doesn’t have the battery option. I only wanted to mention this so that people don’t get confused and buy the wrong version.
Thanks for clarifying Lau.
Thanks again Great video. The Info I was looking for. A bit long but well done as aways.. Thankyou
Thanks Paul. We included the index to hopefully save people time.
Thanks Curtis. 👍 This video helped me with my decision on what type of mic to purchase. 🙂
👍 Happy recording!
Ok Mr Judd.. 40mins ? I’m gonna go and make popcorn now 🍿
🍿👍
Nice! I just started taking your course!
I hope you find it helpful!
@@curtisjudd Yes! Its super helpful. I do have some newbie question but I will email you to spare my embarrassment and also when I give up goolging it haha. cheers!
Great video. Very helpful in making my decision. The choices are pretty overwhelming.
👍🎙 Happy recording!
Thank you so much for taking time and effort to show us so many microphones!!
You bet!
Thanks Curtis. Great information.
I sometimes use a Rode NT3 as an affordable indoor interview microphone and it works well. Its a bit heavy so not really great for booming, but it takes a 9v battery which is handy sometimes.
However.... boompoles, mic stands, mics and shock mounts are a young persons game, and as a one-man band approaching middle age, I'm finding I leave them all at home more and more.
Lavalier microphones are my preferred weapon, and I can hide a lot of their sonic sins with careful post processing.
Thanks for the info on the NT3! Sounds like a nice option.
I have an Audix uem-81 and an old Sennheiser K3-u and both sound pretty good in my opinion. The sennheiser served many years as part of an eng rig for a local tv station before it ended up in my kit bag but it still works great.
👍 If it sounds great, it is great! Good to hear that an older microphone is still working well. That's the great thing about microphones, a good one is easily worth its price because it can work well for so many years.
@@curtisjudd that is very true. I saved the K3 and a Cartoni carbon fiber tripod from the trash because my boss said they weren't worth keeping. Both were part of an old eng setup at a tv station I used to work for.
Hi Curtis, first of all thanks for your channel is our place to go everytime we have a doubt about audio :) i purchased the C02 from samson after watching your video but on our video today it was a fail ( our own fault im afraid ) we have a youtube channel and photography online academy and we produce variety of videos. most of times its myself speaking so we use a rhode go inside my t-shirt onto a recorder and that works ok, not so good outdoors where we just plug the recorder to the mic directly to avoid interferences and cuts with the rhode. We also do a lot of table courses, one person speaking to multicamera setup sometimes with prompter and for that we use the rhode aswell. but when we have a live interview or a table with multiple people we can't use enough inputs to our pocket wizard atem mini. We need a microphone to get everyones voices and i though that samson will do the trick. What happened is the volume was way too low, and bumping the volume on the atem or on the software created a lot of noise and low quality audio. We have a mixing table which we never use anymore since we have the atem, but i guess the problem is this mic needs power? conecting the microphone to the table should give more volume? we found the sound on it was pretty good while conected directly to a camera, and close to the speaker ( like in your video just over head ) but what kind of microphone would you recomend to get audio on a 150sqm room where 3-4 people are talking?? can you please point me on the right direction?? and if this is the right mic can you let me know how i should connect it to the atem? mix board ( we have a Behringer Q802USB ) ? if thats the issue please let me know which cables we should use as we are really new on audio and having a hard time! apreciate your time curtis!
Hi kubestudio, thanks for the question - I had a listen to your livestream from today. Ideally, there should be a microphone for each person, much closer to the person to get cleaner audio. When it is attached to the table, it will pick up all of the sound reverberating through the room and will become overwhelming, as you found, when you increase the gain/input level. The behringer mixer could be used to feed each of the microphones the phantom power they need and then output the audio on the line outputs of the mixer to the ATEM. That will help tremendously. Best wishes!
@@curtisjudd Hey curtis thanks a lot for your answer. i just found out that we needed phantom on the samson. as i say we are really new on audio and we tried many combinations without luck. the mixer we have has only 2 inputs so i couldnt do 3 inputs with it can i? to feed the phantom we need xlr to xlr cable or can it go on the jacks aswell? thanks
Great video Curtis. I'm a cinematographer with two decades of video experience, but one man band stuff is pushing me to dip my feet into audio more and more. This is a great crash course really. Again thanks for your efforts.
Thanks Daniel! Yes, interesting times.
@@curtisjudd You bet! Just got to a new place that has an in-house Sennheiser MKH 416. Using it for interviews but it sounds horrible. It's going into an original model Zoom H4N. Judging from context clues here, I'm assuming the lack of gain in the H4N is causing the issue. I was very confused since the mic itself should be a rockstar.
@@danielrisk6174 That could be part of it. What about it sounds horrible? The 416 was designed and voiced back in the analogue sound recording days so it was optimized for the unique characteristics of analogue tape. I actually don't love the 416 for digital recording, personally. It is a little too bright for my taste. But that's a personal preference.
@@curtisjudd Thanks for the response. I'll have to go back and do another test with it, but I remember it being chocked full of noise that buried the voice. It was unuseable, no matter how much noise reduction I did (just general loud noise even in a deathly quiet room) I inherited the mic after years of prior use, so it could be damaged.
@@danielrisk6174 Ah, yes, that seems like it may be a problem with the microphone. The 416 is not exceptionally noisy when in good working condition.
Really appreciate the work you put into these videos. Highly valuable resources. I've been researching wireless systems again, and would be interested in hearing your current thoughts on the various options.
Thanks Alan, I'll add that to the list.