What's the buzz on RF-resistant boom mics?
Jim Feeley
experiencing on gigs. While I do some indie feature stuff, I do mostly
doc/news/corporate bag stuff. And I seem to be ending up surrounded by a
growing number of wireless devices, netbooks, and other spewers of spectrum.
So I'm thinking it may be time to upgrade/replace my 416/CS-1 combo (with a
4073 back up) with a better pair of mics that will also resist all this RFI.
I hear good things about the RF resistance of the MKH60 and MKH50 and have
used both a couple of times. But my experiences with those (and with
Schoeps) have been limited to more controlled sets.
Are the 60 and 50 the way to go? What other mics might I consider? How are
the newer Sennheiser mics? How well does the Schoeps CMIT 5U reject RF?
To be clear, I trust my ears to judge the quality of the mic...I'm mainly
looking for input here about RF rejection.
What other mics should I listen to?
Thanks,
Jim
Sergio Sanmiguel
Rode (RF-bias) ntg-3
S.
Douglas Tourtelot
The Neutrik RF-suppressing XLR connectors really worked miracles for us.
They made even the Sanken CS-3e RF proof.
Never had any RF issues with my Sennheiser 50 in any case. Sounds wonderful
as well. Haven't tried the 60 since I like the CS-3e so much. And once
cured of it's RF problems. . . .
D.
On 3/5/09 8:02 PM, in article
6acf17dd-363e-4587...@k36g2000pri.googlegroups.com, "Sergio
Charles Tomaras
"Jim Feeley" <jfe...@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:C5D5DECA.DC404%jfe...@pacbell.net...
I've not noticed any RF issues with my CMIT's.
rich
everything. maybe its worth looking at getting starquad cable from you
mixer to your boom
Batter...@googlemail.com
> "Jim Feeley" <jfee...@pacbell.net> wrote in message
>
> news:C5D5DECA.DC404%jfe...@pacbell.net...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Boy am I getting tired of the increased levels of RF noise I seem to be
> > experiencing on gigs. While I do some indie feature stuff, I do mostly
> > doc/news/corporate bag stuff. And I seem to be ending up surrounded by a
> > growing number of wireless devices, netbooks, and other spewers of
> > spectrum.
william...@gmail.com
My new Schoeps and the CMIT are now the most RFI resistant mics I
own. Even quieter than the 50 and 60 (which are both a good deal
older). I've noticed no rfi noise on the Schoeps (post
modification). The Sennheisers will give me some slight low level rfi
in extremely quiet environments. Nothing to worry about though, so
I'd be very comfortable with either.
Billy S
berniebeaudry
Hello Billy,
What mods did you have on your Schoeps and where were they done? I
have the CMIT5U and haven't any rf issues yet, but it would be good to
know what to do if it should crop up.
Regards,
Bernie
Rafael de la Uz
I own a set of Neumann Km180 series, the new models after Neumann
worked on their Rf issues. I have to say that those are the most
immune to RF microphones that I work with, besides the Senn MKH. I
know those Neumann are infamous for their Rf sensitivity and I own an
old Km184 that is almost impossible to work with, but the new ones are
incredible on that aspect. I just work in docs, so I don't deal with
Steadycam or wireless monitors.
johnpaul215
Just from personal experiences.... I don't seem to have the same
issues. I also do indie films and doc/news/corporate bag work. My
personal bag kits are a 442 or FP-33 mixer, and usually a 416 shotgun,
with a ME66 as backup. I also do a fair amount of work with a SQN
mixer and a MKH60. I've never noticed that many crazy RF problems, and
the SQN/MKH60 gig is reality TV that involves many buildings as well
as streets, under trolley power lines etc etc.
If you are getting noise with a 416, it *might* not be the mic body
that is the problem. Generally people consider the 416 as immune as
the 50 and 60. If RF is going to make it through a 416, it will
probably get through something else too. It could be the XLR connector
on your boom pole, or the cable itself. Like other people have
suggested, the Neutrik RF-suppressing XLR plug would be my first
attempt at a fix. It's a cheap fix, and generally a good idea to have.
If it's still an issue, i would look into swapping out the cable
itself with starquad.
This might require a little hunting next time you are on a job. See if
it's worse around overhead lights or anything specific. Also make sure
it is on your boom channel at the mixer and not something like the
camera return feed.
You can find other threads on the MKH8000 series for non-shotgun
needs. People seem happy with their RF rejection.
-johnpaul
freeheel
says....
416's should be fairly invincible.
Brent C
Jim Feeley
look into adding Neutrik RF-suppressing XLR connectors.
Historically, I haven't had much problem with RF. But recently, cell phones,
certain laptop computers with wifi, and some other localized items seem to
be chasing me. And for some recent gigs, these weren't items we could always
turn off. So I know when a character's getting a cellphone call before his
phone rings...stuff like that rather than power lines, lights, and such...
I sometimes find myself fishing for a quiet spot with the boom....these are
really localized fields, and I usually only need to move a few inches...and
usually find one, but not always in the optimal spot.
Again, it seems like something that's been more common recently. Not so much
issues with
Thanks all...
Jim
johnpaul215
gotcha. There are some other threads about what mics seem to take the
worst hits from GSM cell phone (AT&T, T-Mobile etc in the USA). I
forget which shotguns are the worst.
The place i really feel that is on my Sanken CUB-01. It gets nailed by
GSM smartphones (iPhones, GSM Blackberries). If an AD or Camera Dept
person is standing near the plant mic (wireless or hard wired) i will
know it at some point. That's not always something i can see from my
cart until i hear it.
On the reality TV gig i mentioned, it is pure luck that they people we
follow are using Verizon phones while working (and us filming). I
don't know what we would do if they were on a GSM carrier.
-johnpaul
no spam
wrote:
Hello Jim,
Just a maybe. Some years ago I saw my 416 fall, unprotected, onto a
concrete floor. Oh no! Picked it up and it sounded fine BUT from then
on it would randomly pick up cell phones and other glitches, the worst
being within 10feet or so of a neon sign. It also picked up strange
phzzing sounds when it was brought in very close to a Diva light. Sent
it in for repair, they found a problem and it now works perfectly.
So just maybe the mic has taken a bad fall?
regards
G. John Garrett, CAS
First, I'd guess the buzz in RF-resistant boom mics would probably be from a bad
ground......
The new Schoeps CMC6 has been bulletproof. I think the CMIT5 is probably very
good too. I never had any problems when I was testing it, though I never did
take it down near the Pru/Hancock towers to see if it lit up.
jg
Jason
> The Neutrik RF-suppressing XLR connectors really worked miracles for us.
> They made even the Sanken CS-3e RF proof.
Hi Douglas,
Sorry for the silly question, but should I use the Neutrik RF-
suppressing XLR connectors at the mic-end or the mixer-end of the XLR
cable? (Or both?)
Many thanks!
william...@gmail.com
Hi Bernie,
A few years ago Schoeps came out with a mod for the CMC6 to greatly
improve rfi rejection. In the end I sold 3 of my old ones and bought
3 new bodies and only had the mod done to one. I think the mod
essentially guts the unit and replaces everything except the shell.
As for the CMIT, it seems like they incorporated all the changes, so I
haven't had any rfi issues. If something does pop up (an
exceptionally bad video transmitter for example) all you can do is
move the mic away from the source.
Best,
Billy
G. John Garrett, CAS
jg
G. John Garrett, CAS
headphones, or perhaps entering via the headphone cable and getting demodulated
in the headphone amp. I get that with my SQN. Nothing on the meters, or
playback, but sometimes I hear my cellphone polling the cell.
John
G. John Garrett, CAS
John.
Jim Feeley
<http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/audio/210_1822126843/NC3FXX-EMC_detail.aspx>
On 3/6/09 4:37 PM, in article gosfko$ajf$1...@pcls6.std.com, "G. John Garrett,
Jim Feeley
seemed to be coming from... And I was able to move the mic out of (at least
some of) the problems...and some showed up on playback.
Not my headphone coil this time... But everyone we were covering had an
iPhone and/or a Blackberry....
Jim
On 3/6/09 4:59 PM, in article gosgu0$jiv$1...@pcls4.std.com, "G. John Garrett,
Ty Ford
(in article
<fe21dc62-a018-45cf...@n33g2000pri.googlegroups.com>):
I've had buzz problems with the Zaxcom plugon transmitter and a 416.
I have not yet been in a situation to experiment with a Rode NTG-3 (not NT3).
The NTG-3 is an RF condenser shotgun, similar to the 416 in design.
The 416 was put out when, 1974, I think?
The boards and shielding of the NTG-3 are better done, probably because they
were fine in 1974. There's the MKH 60, so the point is moot.
The NTG-3 is slightly wider in pattern than the 416 and with not quite so
much low end, and cheaper. $699 I think. If you're thinking about an
ME66/K6, cause you can't afford a 416 or 60, raise your sights to an NTG-3
Anyone else have a run with one yet?
416 vs NTG-3 pix, naked:
http://idisk.mac.com/tyreeford-Public/RodeNTG-3MKH416%20Open.JPG
Regards,
Ty Ford
--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWaPRHMGhGA
G. John Garrett, CAS
jg
Douglas Tourtelot
D.
On 3/17/09 5:06 PM, in article gppdtg$rsm$1...@pcls6.std.com, "G. John Garrett,
Mark Calice
> On Mar 6, 5:37 am, Douglas Tourtelot <dtourte...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > They made even the Sanken CS-3e RF proof.
>
> Hi Douglas,
>
> Sorry for the silly question, but should I use theNeutrikRF-
> suppressing XLR connectors at the mic-end or the mixer-end of the XLR
> cable? (Or both?)
>
> Many thanks!
If you follow the Neutrik wiring diagram, the shield connection, which
spreads the shield out as individual wire strands with no solder
connection, seems rather tenuous and subject to intermittent
connection and strand breakage over time. Can anyone comment on this
concern?
Douglas Tourtelot
female at the mic end.
We have been using them for, perhaps, nine months or so with no problems. I
think that the fanned shield, if it is done according to instruction will
make a very secure connection under the grip. There should be no stress on
this unless 1) the wire is to small to be held by the plastic chuck or 2)
the shield is cut off to short to go all the way into the shield grip.
Just like anything, installation technique is key, just like for a car's
transmission, a computer HDD, or anything else mechanical.
Just for what it's worth, I had to take a ("store bought" from a major sound
shop) mic cable apart yesterday (to clip the wire from Pin 1 to the shell)
and couldn't believe how poorly it was constructed. OMG ugly. I redid it
myself and expect years of service from it now. I have some mic cables (of
the ordinary sort) that haven't been opened up in 30 years and still work
fine.
D.
PS. I never saw your question about which end (or both) to install the
connector until it showed up in another post. Could be a Google Groups
thing.
On 3/18/09 10:40 AM, in article
e7a2982f-898c-4b72...@l33g2000pri.googlegroups.com, "Mark
Jason
J.