Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: digifish_music on June 11, 2008, 08:40:43 PM
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I am chasing some decent windscreens for a pair of AT3032's (same as AT3031 physically)
Length: 5.67" (144.0 mm)
Diameter: 0.83" (21.0 mm)
I am looking for something like a small dead-cat (fake fur).
suggestions?
EDIT: BTW, this looks useful...shows the range of mics that can share similar windscreens.
http://www.olsenaudio.com/mic%20model%20cross%20ref.htm
EDIT2: here's the result from this thread...
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Well, thanks to all who provided input, they arrived today.
I went with the MicroPuffin (http://www.micover.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=29) from Micover Windscreens (http://www.micover.com/store/index.php?osCsid=c5aa9832ea787c0edfca2df205d417e1) as seen below.
They seem well made and should prove durable, they came with a bonus comb to keep the fur in fluffy condition :) The people at Micover Windshields are friendly and give great service (unexpected discount for multiple orders).
I have not had much time to experiment, but they seem to work (as expected) excellently, will post a YouTube demo video soon.
Like all these things, it's difficult to imagine they cost more than $5-10 to manufacture, but they are low volume speciality items for a market used to paying $$$. That and they are about 1/2 the price of the Rycote Softies (http://www.rycote.com/products/softie_system/softie_windshield/) and so are definitely the value proposition in this category.
(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/TapersSection_Micover01.jpg)
(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/TapersSection_Micover02.jpg)
digifish
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hi Digifish, I'm using Rycote softies for my 3032's. It's a foam windscreen with a short fur cover that's integrated, so not removable. Nice but expensive. there is another company that makes a similar product, for about 1/2 price, but i don't remember who. I believe I found them through ebay, but didn't bookmark it.
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hi Digifish, I'm using Rycote softies for my 3032's. It's a foam windscreen with a short fur cover that's integrated, so not removable. Nice but expensive. there is another company that makes a similar product, for about 1/2 price, but i don't remember who. I believe I found them through ebay, but didn't bookmark it.
Thanks for that, what model softie is it?
digifish
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For a strictly foam-based solution, I like the Shure A81WS. For my purposes - occasional outdoor non-critical (i.e. unpaid, amateur) recordings - they suit my budget and requirements just fine.
For a more robust solution, you could add dead rats over the Shure's (which unless you're in pretty severe wind would be overkill, IMO). Or you could opt for DPA UA0896, a smaller, less effective (IME) windscreen than the Shures, but quite effective when combined with dead rats.
For a full-on proper windscreen solution, you'll want something like the Rycote system that provides a pocket of dead air space around the mic caps. Most of these options get fairly expensive. But if you're doing critical or professional recording, it's obviously well worth the expense. Two alternatives to Rycote:
K-Tek: http://www.ktekbooms.com/
Lightwave: http://www.lightwavesystems.com
I'm not familiar with either product range, so...hopefully you find something that will work for your needs.
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For a strictly foam-based solution, I like the Shure A81WS. For my purposes - occasional outdoor non-critical (i.e. unpaid, amateur) recordings - they suit my budget and requirements just fine.
For a more robust solution, you could add dead rats over the Shure's (which unless you're in pretty severe wind would be overkill, IMO). Or you could opt for DPA UA0896, a smaller, less effective (IME) windscreen than the Shures, but quite effective when combined with dead rats.
For a full-on proper windscreen solution, you'll want something like the Rycote system that provides a pocket of dead air space around the mic caps. Most of these options get fairly expensive. But if you're doing critical or professional recording, it's obviously well worth the expense. Two alternatives to Rycote:
K-Tek: http://www.ktekbooms.com/
Lightwave: http://www.lightwavesystems.com
I'm not familiar with either product range, so...hopefully you find something that will work for your needs.
Thanks Brian...
http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/Accessories/us_pro_A81WS_content
Is the sure solid or hollow? Solid I presume.
I am starting to think of using a largish foam cover like you suggest to take up the slack of a Rode dead-kitten?
(http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/2ee612244ef07bc13dd6300ac3853821.jpg)
digifish
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http://www.micover.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=13&osCsid=ee30a6af52be1e9e57d5f3574c2e6ca8
-brian
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Hi I use the Metall Slip on Pop Filter with the Rode Dead Kitten. The princip for Windprotection is a lot of free airspace between outer (Fur) and the Mic Capsule for calming the airwaves.
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/windscreens_mounts/6fd9093a8d8eac6f/index.html
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http://www.micover.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=13&osCsid=ee30a6af52be1e9e57d5f3574c2e6ca8
-brian
Thanks for that, Microcover Windscreens note...
Your question is what windscreen do you need for the AT3032?:
1.) The Puffin 5cm would work fine, it can be found here:
http://www.micover.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=29
(http://www.micover.com/store/images/3.jpg)
...
They seem a nice bunch. I am now tossing up between a pair of these and the Rode dead kitten approach, which will probably pack down into a smaller space?
(http://www.micover.com/store/images/3.jpg)(http://www.micover.com/store/images/4.jpg)(http://www.micover.com/store/images/5.jpg)(http://www.micover.com/store/images/6.jpg)(http://www.micover.com/store/images/2.jpg)(http://www.micover.com/store/images/1.jpg)
digifish
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Omnis AT 3032 are much more less sensitive to Wind than the AT3031 cardoid because of the stiffer membran tension. With my Rode and AT Slipon I can wotk outside with very good Wind Damping.
The Rode dead Cat needs eqalizing sound is darker.
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21/22mm. 5cm long. The microcover link is what i was thinking about.
hi Digifish, I'm using Rycote softies for my 3032's. It's a foam windscreen with a short fur cover that's integrated, so not removable. Nice but expensive. there is another company that makes a similar product, for about 1/2 price, but i don't remember who. I believe I found them through ebay, but didn't bookmark it.
Thanks for that, what model softie is it?
digifish
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Is the sure solid or hollow? Solid I presume.
The A81WS has an outer layer of more dense / finer foam, with an inner chamber of much less dense / more coarse foam, effectively creating a sort of pocket of air around the mic. Since the inner chamber is still foam, and not an entirely empty space of dead air, it's not up to the same standards as the full-on "proper" solutions like the Rycote zeppelins, but IME it works fine for my purposes (using mostly cardioids, not omnis).
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21/22mm. 5cm long. The microcover link is what i was thinking about.
Yes, thanks, Rycote got back to me with the following...
With regards to the Audio Technica AT 3032, we would recommend using a 5 cm Medium Hole Softie.
It would be nice if these sites simply listed the microphone diameters and lengths that were compatible with each softie/system.
digifish
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Is the sure solid or hollow? Solid I presume.
The A81WS has an outer layer of more dense / finer foam, with an inner chamber of much less dense / more coarse foam, effectively creating a sort of pocket of air around the mic. Since the inner chamber is still foam, and not an entirely empty space of dead air, it's not up to the same standards as the full-on "proper" solutions like the Rycote zeppelins, but IME it works fine for my purposes (using mostly cardioids, not omnis).
Thanks for this, I have a pair of Rycote 'knockoff' blimps (CineCity), but I am using one with my NT4. Works very well in strong wind btw, with no noticeable change in high frequencies.
Thanks for your advice.
digifish
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Thanks to all for suggestions, finally went with a pair of 5cm Puffins direct from the Micover Windscreens (http://www.micover.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=29) shop. They gave me a discount for buying a pair, nice people.
Will post some before and after tests on the next windy day after I get them. I expect they will be great. The only down-side to this decision is that these (as with the Rycote Softies) take up more space than a couple of dead-kittens and foam-balls that can be squashed into the bottom of a bag, while these can't. I may still get some dead kittens, useful to have around.
digifish
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Thanks for the comment that you're using a CineCity blimp. I can't find a decent windscreen solution for my AKG C34, and one of the CineCity blimps - while a bit more than I'd like to spend, at least not out of reach like the Rycotes - just might be the best option I have right now. Only catch right now is the mic holders, even the larger 20-25mm ones, aren't quite big enough (the C34 is 25.4mm, so maybe it'll squeeze in, dunno yet).
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Thanks for the comment that you're using a CineCity blimp. I can't find a decent windscreen solution for my AKG C34, and one of the CineCity blimps - while a bit more than I'd like to spend, at least not out of reach like the Rycotes - just might be the best option I have right now. Only catch right now is the mic holders, even the larger 20-25mm ones, aren't quite big enough (the C34 is 25.4mm, so maybe it'll squeeze in, dunno yet).
The NT4 has the same problem (heavy @ 480g and fat @ 23mm) , solved by
1. Doubling the rubbers on the cradle.
2. Connecting a rubber band over the top of the mic (suggestion from fellow taper).
(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/TapersSection_NT4-Suspension.jpg)
(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/TapersSection_NT4-Suspension2.jpg)
The suspension clips are very flexible plastic and so won't break if stretched wide open. The extra 2 mm on your mic will be even more of a stretch, but a couple of rubber bands like I have should keep it all together. Alternatively you could ditch the cradles altogether and string a X of twisted heavy rubber bands in the suspension ring and slip the mic in the middle.
The CineCity blimp is built to a price, and your mileage may vary, but I have 2 and am very happy with them. You do get a bunch of spare rubber bands and three sets of clips (different sizes) with the blimp and the fake fur cover. They certainly would not work in a commercial environment where the guy who was using the blimp didn't pay for it :)
This is what sent me on a quest for more wind-protection. The NT4 is in one of the blimps, and I have 2X AT3032's in the boot of the car to keep them out of the wind, the foams that came with the AT3032's just couldn't cope with the breeze that day. I recently got an R44 so started doing 4 channel field recordings.
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=54963
(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/Freesound_AirportNerd.jpg)
I had the AT3032's in the boot to record the bass frequencies and keep them out of the wind, not ideal. So I will set them up either side of the blimp next time and do some nice matrix stuff.
digifish
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Well, thanks to all who provided input, they arrived today.
I went with the MicroPuffin (http://www.micover.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=29) from Micover Windscreens (http://www.micover.com/store/index.php?osCsid=c5aa9832ea787c0edfca2df205d417e1) as seen below.
They seem well made and should prove durable, they came with a bonus comb to keep the fur in fluffy condition :) The people at Micover Windshields are friendly and give great service (unexpected discount for multiple orders).
I have not had much time to experiment, but they seem to work (as expected) excellently, will post a YouTube demo video soon.
Like all these things, it's difficult to imagine they cost more than $5-10 to manufacture, but they are low volume speciality items for a market used to paying $$$. That and they are about 1/2 the price of the Rycote Softies (http://www.rycote.com/products/softie_system/softie_windshield/) and so are definitely the value proposition in this category.
(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/TapersSection_Micover01.jpg)
(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/TapersSection_Micover02.jpg)
digifish.