Topic: Shotgun Self Powered 1/8th inch?

[aleatoric]

So I am just getting into the wonderful world of field recording.  I picked up a PCM-D50 about a week ago and love it.  The internal mic's sound great and the pre is nice and smooth, quality converters and headphone amp as well.  I am noticing how sensitive the mic's are, they excel in ambiance recording and basically any other recording where outside noise is minimal.  However I am considering adding a more directional external mic (mono or stereo) to my aresenal.  I don't really want to spend $500 on the XLR phantom power extension for the PCM-D50 so I am wondering what my options are for a shotgun or hypercard mic that has battery powered phantom and a 1/8 inch output?  Does anything like this exist?  Would be a great companion to the excellent internal mics on the PCM-D50 I feel.  Thanks. 

[vanark]

I think some are running chopped/hacked NAK's as you describe.

[rastasean]

Welcome to the board.

There are plenty of inexpensive shotgun microphones on the market that would be a good starting microphone for you, but don't let the name fool you. Shotgun mics can't pick up the bird chirping 100s of feet away or the water droplets across the pond and often sound better the closest you can possibly get.

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/location_sound.html

Have a look at that  very informative article.

[tgakidis]

Sennheiser makes a battery powered (AA) modular microphone (k6) with available caps including shotguns (me67), short shotguns/Super Cardiod (me66), cardiod (me64) and omni (me62).  It is the big brother to the k3u/k3n line which is also battery powered, but noy with AAs.

I have an extra k2u/me80 (short shotgun) that I could sell you if you are interested.  I also have a full stereo set of the k3u line (not the long guns though) that I could sell, but probably to much $$ for you.

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=003285

EDIT: You would need an xlr > 1/8" cable though.

[aleatoric]

Shotgun mics can't pick up the bird chirping 100s of feet away or the water droplets across the pond

Exactly!  That's the idea, the built in mics on the PCM-D50 can and pretty much any other sounds going on within 100 yards!  The reason I want a shotgun is so I can record things close up without a lot of ambient leakage from the surroundings.  Recording specific events without a huge background atmosphere.  I will have to do some research when time allows and try to find the right mic.  Budget is between is no more than $350.  Anyone know anything about the AT897?

[Roving Sign]

I don't really want to spend $500 on the XLR phantom power extension for the PCM-D50

Well - please dont!

Any 50 dollar phantom box will do exactly the same thing as that 500 dollar "phantom power extension"

Look at the ART Phantom II

Just get the proper output cables...

So - dont limit your mic selection to those that run on internal batteries...

[rastasean]

Exactly!  That's the idea, the built in mics on the PCM-D50 can and pretty much any other sounds going on within 100 yards!  The reason I want a shotgun is so I can record things close up without a lot of ambient leakage from the surroundings.  Recording specific events without a huge background atmosphere.  I will have to do some research when time allows and try to find the right mic.  Budget is between is no more than $350.  Anyone know anything about the AT897?

you have a large budget. I'm jealous.   I would highly look at Rode's NTG-1, 2, and 3. If I had the money, I would go with the Rode NTG2:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367747-REG/Rode_NTG_2_NTG_2_Shotgun_Microphone.html

You'll need a boom pole but just make one yourself:
http://www.indymogul.com/episode/imwe_20070727



my editing:

This is a self powered mic but like other people pointed out, you can get a phantom powered device for $50 from b&h.
If you go that route, you can get the ntg-1:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/367746-REG/Rode_NTG_1_NTG_1_Shotgun_Microphone.html

XLR into the phantom device, xlr out to 1/8" to the recorder.

[taper420]

I can vouch for the sennheiser me66's. I use em for video and for taping.. they pair up great with a V3. And a very simple XLR to 1/8" cable will do exactly what you need. I have used that mic and cable to go into my GL1 which has an 1/8" mic input. They will operate on phantom or a single AA battery. Street for a K6 base and me66 shotgun cap is $300~350. You could also go for the ME67 which is a longer gun. The ME66 is more of a hypercard. These mics are fairly widely used among the low-budget video crowd. The higher budgeted crowds might use the senn MKH-416. I've heard a comparison and there is a huge difference... but of course a huge jump in price as well. Damn you law of diminishing returns.

[run_run_run]

I don't really want to spend $500 on the XLR phantom power extension for the PCM-D50

Well - please dont!

Any 50 dollar phantom box will do exactly the same thing as that 500 dollar "phantom power extension"

Look at the ART Phantom II

Just get the proper output cables...

So - dont limit your mic selection to those that run on internal batteries...

yeah just get a box like that