Topic: Need windscreen advice

[John Kelly]

So I've got these Audix mics.  They're extremely small, which is cool but they do not fit in my DPA windscreens.  So I'm looking into getting something a little better than the tiny screens they come with (which surely wont do a thing outdoors).  I saw in the zeppelin thread a company that makes windscreen for lavalier mics.  Think these would work for the micros?
http://www.rycote.com/products/lavalerie/default.htm

What kind of wind protection would these allow?  As good as the DPAs?  Better?  Worse?

[greenone]

This may sound silly, but will the DPA screens fit over the small screens that come with the Audixes (Audices? Audixen?)?

That picture is hilarious, by the way...the guy looks like he's nursing a Tribble:

[John Kelly]

This may sound silly, but will the DPA screens fit over the small screens that come with the Audixes (Audices? Audixen?)?

Dunno, Nick is in the process of getting me the rest of the gear, which includes the windscreens.  I have a feeling that the DPA screens will fit over the audix ones, however the DPA screens look absolutely huge over those mics.  I was thinking these may be a little more low profile...

I think I may pick up a pair anyway, they're only $45 for the pair...

[Massive Dynamic]

John, I just picked up a pair of 1290 and will be taping my first show with them (indoors) this weekend.  I also have some DPA 0896; the DPAs will fit over the Audix w/s, but the Audix w/s will probably come off deep inside the DPA (I didn't try it) when you pull out the mic.  If you secured the Audix w/s with a small diameter rubber band, that might ensure you can remove the DPA w/s without losing the Audix w/s.

I'll be receiving a pair of AT8117 windscreens next week that should fit nicely for outdoor use.  The AT8102 I have fits tightly enough on the Audix that it doesn't fall off when turned upside-down, but it is loose enough that it could easily be brushed off inadvertently.  I'll probably try the small rubber band just to be safe.  Oh yeah, the AT8117 is only about $7 apiece compared to the Rycote.

If I can get a portable wind meter, I'll be running some indoor tests with a fan to see which combination is best.

[Massive Dynamic]

Just got my AT8117 windscreens and thought I'd post some more info.  They are serious in size, though I have still to do some tests to determine how well they work.  Here's the size comparison AT8102 vs AT8117.
AT8102: 2" long, 1" diameter, mic opening, 3/8", mic insertion depth over 1"
AT8117: 3" long, 2" diameter, mic opening 5/16", mic insertion depth 2 1/2"
The foam material of the AT8102 is softer than the stiffer AT8117.  The AT8117 is oval in shape vs the cylindrical shape of the DPA 0896.

The Audix 1290 fits nicely in either of the AT windscreens, but I won't know how well they attenuate wind rumble until after I do some field testing.  Thought I would pass along some of my legwork to other micros owners.
Price from Full Compass is @ $7.74 (special order), B&H and SP are both higher.

[John Kelly]

Well I already bought the Rycote's, but B&H has a pretty good return policy.  I could probably do an exchange for those AT's.  Thanks for the heads up!

[Massive Dynamic]

I'm curious to know if the Rycote actually fits on the Audix.  I haven't been impressed with the DPA 0896 for outdoor taping, and I'm wondering if the Rycote type would be better.  In general, I think fuzzy types may be superior to foam types.  If the wind is blowing that hard though, taping with a 17' stand doesn't sound like a good idea!

[Brian Skalinder]

I haven't been impressed with the DPA 0896 for outdoor taping, and I'm wondering if the Rycote type would be better.

Have you tried the big-ass Shure A81WS?  Very, very effective IME.

[John Kelly]

John, I'm curious to know if the Rycote actually fits on the Audix.  I haven't been impressed with the DPA 0896 for outdoor taping, and I'm wondering if the Rycote type would be better.  In general, I think fuzzy types may be superior to foam types.  If the wind is blowing that hard though, taping with a 17' stand doesn't sound like a good idea!

Ragan

The Rycote is a lot smaller than I thought it would be from the pictures online.  They don't block the wind as well as the DPA screens (which I found out at Blues Traveler do fit over the Audix screens).  I'm gonna swap out the Rycotes for a pair of ATs and see if they can work as well but more lo profile.

[Massive Dynamic]

I haven't been impressed with the DPA 0896 for outdoor taping, and I'm wondering if the Rycote type would be better.

Have you tried the big-ass Shure A81WS?  Very, very effective IME.

Yeah, I have heard the A81WS come highly recommended by many, and, if I still had standard sized mics, I would have picked up a pair before this year's festival.

The AT8117 are intended for outdoor use on the AT853, and they look huge on the Audix 1290s. Here's hoping they will perform similarly to the Shure. If it's not up to snuff, I'll try using the A81WS over the stock Audix windscreen as a last resort.

[jpschust]

hey who has the best price on that A81ws, thinking about geting a pair for my dpas