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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: EmRR on November 20, 2019, 01:37:19 PM

Title: Rycote/etc blimps/zeppelins
Post by: EmRR on November 20, 2019, 01:37:19 PM
Random thought, I noticed looking through rig pics that I've never seen a zeppelin windshield deployed at an outdoor concert.  Not even Red Rocks!

#1 I guess not too many people are using MS, and the ones big enough for that are expensive.  There is also an ORTF blimp, but again, really expensive. 

#2 I don't see too many people using the Baby Ball Gag type of small single mic air barrier.  Again maybe cost?  Or are they just generally not needed, with foams being good enough?  Or the in-between wind jammers. 

Curious what thoughts/experiences there are around wind. 
Title: Re: Rycote/etc blimps/zeppelins
Post by: Gutbucket on November 20, 2019, 02:48:59 PM
Have encountered them at some outdoor concerts.  I think it's mostly that they are bulky, hard to transport, visually large and intrusive, and and most of all.. costly.  I've seen BBGs more often than larger zepps.

BAS remains my go to, and is sufficient for most everything I do. 
A number of folks around here have moved from BAS to inexpensive Movo (fabric or fur covered version) and like them.

When I need more than BAS alone I think about a zepp, but that's really gusty.  Just picked up a BBG for my Tetramic as the response of it's bidirectional components extend quite low in frequency making it more wind-sensitive than any of my other mics.
Title: Re: Rycote/etc blimps/zeppelins
Post by: EmRR on November 20, 2019, 03:08:30 PM
Gotcha. 

I'm wondering about MS since there's not a lot of foams that will pull over two mics, and the ones I've tried still don't cut it in moderate wind.  Likewise not much that will work as a pair in close proximity like MS. 

I had an MS pair with omni mid near the ocean last week, and it’s funny how it acts just like your ears in wind - the center is mostly impervious and the sides are blowing up all the time.
Title: Re: Rycote/etc blimps/zeppelins
Post by: heathen on November 20, 2019, 03:38:31 PM
Though Rycote stuff is great, I don't think the big zeppelins are necessary for stuff like recording at Red Rocks.  BAS/Movo windscreens seem to do a good enough job.  If conditions get bad enough that those won't work, it's probably going to sound like shit from that much wind anyway.  More importantly, those zeppelins are quite a visual obstruction.

As for the BBG, I've used that and liked it a lot.  With the windjammer it can even pass as a shaggy-haired old guy  ;)

I think at the end of the day people are happy enough with the BAS/Movo that they don't feel the need to step up to serious wind protection like the various Rycote products.  Which is kinda' weird when you think about how much people will pay for their mics and recorder, but then skimp on something that has way more potential to make an audible difference than 32 bit vs. 24 bit (for example).
Title: Re: Rycote/etc blimps/zeppelins
Post by: goodcooker on November 20, 2019, 03:42:59 PM
For me it's cost. Rycote wind protection is second to none in performance and they charge you for it. I think most hobbyists are like me and find that they can get away with cheaper solutions like the Movo shields (which I use and have never let me down) or the Big Ass Shures. Not too long ago I was taping on the Mississippi River during a surprise rain storm and I got away with using my DPA 0896s with a tshirt thrown over them.

High end mic makers that do M/S setups usually have specific mounts and wind protection for their M/S rigs and they charge for it as well (I'm looking at you, Schoeps).
Title: Re: Rycote/etc blimps/zeppelins
Post by: Gutbucket on November 20, 2019, 04:01:09 PM
As you may be aware, I fit M/S into a single BAS, but am using a miniature Mid that is only 0.25" in diameter or about the same as a pencil.  The fig-8 takes up most of the space and the tiny supercard Mid just rides atop it inside the Shure.
Title: Re: Rycote/etc blimps/zeppelins
Post by: EmRR on November 20, 2019, 04:49:06 PM
Cool thanks guys, nice to get some perspective.