Topic: Recs for a good all purpose windscreen?

[rockymtnryan]

So I have a pair of DPA UA0896 screens, and a pair of Shure A81WS screens. Wondering if anyone has a different kind they like. It can get pretty windy out here in Colorado, so it needs to be something that can handle a good amount of wind. Ideally I'd like to find something that does as well as the Shure, but has the smaller profile of the DPA.

Thanks

[Gutbucket]

BAS is hard to beat.  Big works.  It's the physics.

For smaller than BAS with similar performance you'll most likely need fur.  DPA + a fur overcoat can do it. 
Rycote fur screens seem attractive.  They are 'poofier', less mat-prone, and more open than most.  Yet also pretty pricey.

[voltronic]

I use TBrown's Dead Muppets with my CM3s over the stock foam screens, and they worked great in some significant winds last fall.  He may have the measurements for those DPA foam screens already, and if not he can do a custom job for you.
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=137563.0

[rockymtnryan]

I also have a pair of those dead muppets, but found the BAS to be superior at Red Rocks. Other outdoor venues with moderate wind I've found the DPA's to be just fine on their own. DPA's UA0896's seem to be on backorder with everyone I've contacted for some reason. Odd since I figured it was a pretty popular item.

[dnuggs]

I use both sets of screens probably the BAS more.  When needed I use Soundmaster Windcutter brand furs with the Dpa's..rated for 15+mph winds.

[flipp]

So I have a pair of DPA UA0896 screens, and a pair of Shure A81WS screens. Wondering if anyone has a different kind they like. It can get pretty windy out here in Colorado, so it needs to be something that can handle a good amount of wind. Ideally I'd like to find something that does as well as the Shure, but has the smaller profile of the DPA.

Thanks

I've had the 0896 in the past and in a head-to-head comparison with four identical mics on the same stand found them to be less effective and allow that low rumble when the wind was either gusting or in a steady breeze over ~15mph. So I shipped the 0896s with some mics I sold and got another pair of BAS screens. I also acquired some Rycote Softies but haven't had the opportunity to do a head-to-head yet. I do like the build quality of the Rycotes and the feel of the foam reminds me of the inner foam of the BAS.

<eta> the Rycotes certainly don't have the smaller profile of the DPAs though, if anything they may be a tad larger diameter than the BAS </eta>

[jbell]

I was going to suggest the storm chaser windcutters with the DPA screens.  I've never had a problem even in windy conditions.  I check and it seems windcutters aren't being made anymore.  I like this option better the BAS because it is a much lower profile. 

[Gutbucket]

Just checked the Windcutter website yesterday after dnuggs's reminder to find the "closed until further notice" message.   Hope they return to business.

[thunderbolt]

They're a top-notch company.  I've bought a lot from them over the years, including some custom work.  Hope they can return.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Strangely enough, and with the outdoor festival season upon us, I was headed over to this section to post a question pretty much along the lines of the OP. 

... got another pair of BAS screens. I also acquired some Rycote Softies but haven't had the opportunity to do a head-to-head yet. I do like the build quality of the Rycotes and the feel of the foam reminds me of the inner foam of the BAS.

THIS is what I'm most interested in as, for me, it's come down to the Big Ass Shures (A81WS) vs. the Rycote Softies.  I've used the BAS screens in some very windy conditions and they've done a great job cutting wind noise and are also pretty durable.  What I'm not crazy about is that they do slightly suppress some of the high frequencies.  Not entirely a deal breaker but I've always wondered how well the Rycote Softies would do in similar circumstances.  I've tried some of the home-brewed dead rat solutions over DPA UA0896 screens and they did seem to work pretty well, but they got matted regardless of how much I cleaned and combed them, and eventually lost their wind-taming properties. 

flipp, whenever you do your head-to-head of the BAS vs. Softies, I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say.  If anyone else has similar BAS vs. Rycote Softie experience/opinions, I'm all ears.  TIA. 

[jbou]

Probably a stupid question, but how do DPA UA0896 screens compare to say Windtech 1200s.? The windtechs looks like the stock screens that come with most mics. I've never seen a pair of the DPA screens in person so just trying to gauge how much bigger those screens are/ how much better they are.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

The DPA screens are considerably bigger and, IMHO, do a noticeably better job of handling wind noise than the smaller screens do.  In the picture below, that's the DPA on the left, an Audio-Technica AT8159 on the right which is essentially the same screen as a Windtech 1200, Auray WHF-2040, etc. 

[jbou]

Just realized I never responded to this. Thank you for the pic Fried Chicken Boy. Very helpful!