Topic: AT4041 wind screen options

[rastasean]

So I have the AT4041 mics which came with foam wind screens but for anything where there may be a breeze, I doubt the ones supplied will work. Would the shure a81ws screens be too large for these mics? I'm looking for adequate wind reduction...just like any screen would do.
If the a81ws would not work, which would be a likely solution? Maybe making something?

I tried searching for this topic but I didn't find anything so if you know where its been posted, just let me know.

thanks,
sean

[drewloo]

Sean, I'd get the DPA UA0896 windscreens before getting the Shures, as you'd use the DPAs much more often than you would the Shures. 

[John Willett]

I would use the supplied foam and get a Rycote Mini Windjammer to go over it in windy conditions.

[rastasean]

thanks for the recommendations!

the dpas are a good price because I would have to get two separate ones but would it be able to reduce that much wind compared to the foam ones already supplied with at4041s?

For the Rycote Mini Windjammer, do you have a particular one in mind? it seems like it would cover the entire microphone making it kind of hard to use any shock mount system with one.

I found this error on b&h

Rycote Mini Windjammer

they say its for a pmd 620 but show it with an edirol 09hr. 

[drewloo]

This is just me, but if it's so windy that I'd need a windjammer I probably wouldn't even bother to record because the recording will be so full of phasing issues that I probably wouldn't even listen to the recording (same goes for the big-ass Shures) (edit:  I think someone pissed in my wheaties that morning, as the big Shure windscreens are certainly a valuable accessory to have should they be needed).  The DPA windscreens are nice because you can always add a dead-rat over them for extra wind protection.  Windjammers are more suited to RTF recording IMO, and spendy.  Are the DPA's significantly better than the stock 4041 windscreens?  Probably, but you should use the stock ones first and see how good/bad they are by themselves.

[John Willett]

For the Rycote Mini Windjammer, do you have a particular one in mind? it seems like it would cover the entire microphone making it kind of hard to use any shock mount system with one.

Rycote do many sizes of mini-Windjammer.

What you would need is one that just fits over the supplied foam windshield and leaves the body free.

It, in effect, becomes a mini Softie.

[Neilyboy]

I have a pair of 4041's as well I have wondered which screens to get myself as the stock windscreens are a joke. I plan on hitting up a few outdoor events this spring/summer and need to get on finding a couple good pairs of screens (a set for my 4041's as well as a set for my e70's). Both having different dia bodies so I will have to browse around.

Neil

[John Willett]

I have a pair of 4041's as well I have wondered which screens to get myself as the stock windscreens are a joke.

Rycote *do* also make foam windshields - so this may be a good source.

[rastasean]

This is just me, but if it's so windy that I'd need a windjammer I probably wouldn't even bother to record because the recording will be so full of phasing issues that I probably wouldn't even listen to the recording (same goes for the big-ass Shures).  The DPA windscreens are nice because you can always add a dead-rat over them for extra wind protection.  Windjammers are more suited to RTF recording IMO, and spendy.  Are the DPA's significantly better than the stock 4041 windscreens?  Probably, but you should use the stock ones first and see how good/bad they are by themselves.

This is a very good point. the fuzzy wind jammers seem like they are for shotguns a couple feet away from the source, not several yards.

I know what you mean about the phasing. unless its a soundboard mix, it probably will sound pretty bad if it is consistently windy.

[rastasean]

I have a pair of 4041's as well I have wondered which screens to get myself as the stock windscreens are a joke.

Rycote *do* also make foam windshields - so this may be a good source.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650865-REG/Rycote_104414_18_32_Small_Diaphragm_Mic.html

That's probably the cheapest thing Rycote sells at $8.

[OOK]

So I have the AT4041 mics which came with foam wind screens but for anything where there may be a breeze, I doubt the ones supplied will work. Would the shure a81ws screens be too large for these mics? I'm looking for adequate wind reduction...just like any screen would do.
If the a81ws would not work, which would be a likely solution? Maybe making something?

I tried searching for this topic but I didn't find anything so if you know where its been posted, just let me know.

thanks,
sean

The shures are the ticket.....I got a pair for my MBHO and they are fantastic.....

OOK

[Fried Chicken Boy]

This is just me, but if it's so windy that I'd need a windjammer I probably wouldn't even bother to record because the recording will be so full of phasing issues that I probably wouldn't even listen to the recording (same goes for the big-ass Shures).  The DPA windscreens are nice because you can always add a dead-rat over them for extra wind protection.  Windjammers are more suited to RTF recording IMO, and spendy.  Are the DPA's significantly better than the stock 4041 windscreens?  Probably, but you should use the stock ones first and see how good/bad they are by themselves.

I'm asking because I simply don't know: do the Windjammers work in the same way as a dead-rat?  And, the Windjammers also go over the stock windscreens like a dead-rat, correct?

[it-goes-to-eleven]

This is just me, but if it's so windy that I'd need a windjammer I probably wouldn't even bother to record because the recording will be so full of phasing issues that I probably wouldn't even listen to the recording (same goes for the big-ass Shures).

That generalization is not entirely sound

The impact of wind noise depends on many factors, but mic pattern and the amount of gain are critical.  I've recorded up in belltowers with subcards and wind.  The big Shures were not enough to to remove all wind noise, but I did not notice any phase issues.  I'd guess distance influences phase issues.

The big shures are nice because they leave a decent amount of airspace around the capsule.  Also, the foam cells are very open.   Many cheaper windscreens have cheap foam with many closed cells (and no airspace around the capsule).

All windscreens will impact the sound, especially on higher frequency sources that are more delicate.  I notice it as a loss of crispness and detail; muffling.  It is worth comparing the sound of different solutions.  I don't think size alone is a good indicator of windscreen performance or negative impact.

[John Willett]

This is just me, but if it's so windy that I'd need a windjammer I probably wouldn't even bother to record because the recording will be so full of phasing issues that I probably wouldn't even listen to the recording (same goes for the big-ass Shures).  The DPA windscreens are nice because you can always add a dead-rat over them for extra wind protection.  Windjammers are more suited to RTF recording IMO, and spendy.  Are the DPA's significantly better than the stock 4041 windscreens?  Probably, but you should use the stock ones first and see how good/bad they are by themselves.

I'm asking because I simply don't know: do the Windjammers work in the same way as a dead-rat?  And, the Windjammers also go over the stock windscreens like a dead-rat, correct?

Yes - the Windjammer is the original - the dead rat/cat/wombat are the copies.

And there is something special in the design of the original that the copyists don't know - there is a lot of science in the design.

And, yes, there are versions that can go over standard foam windshields.