Options for Shotgun work?

[Chris Jordan]

We are currently looking to purchase a few industry standard shotgun mics. We have been using the NTG-2 and 3, but really want to be up to par with TV and Movie production sound. What would you suggest we look into? Cheers

 

[Michael Tiemann]

Here's one standard, the Sennheiser 416.

 

[David W. Jones]

Are you only shooting exterior sound, and that's why you are only looking at "shotgun" microphones?

Where do you feel your NTG2/3 fall short?

What other audio gear are you using in conjunction with your current Mics?

Did you have a budget you wanted to stay within?

 

[Noel R.]

Shotgun for outdoor use the Shoeps CMIT 5U, indoors the Schoeps CMC6 with MK41 capsule. The Senheiser MKH416 is considered an industry standard mic, it's more rugged than the Schoeps but the Schoeps wins with sound quality. You don't want to use a shotgun indoors, the rear lobe will pick up on more reverberation, and doesn't sound as natural as a hypercardioid, but if it's all you have it'll work. I don't think the MKH416 is really a big upgrade from the Rode NTG3, they are both very close in performance, but the MKH416 does have a little more noise rejection, but that can also be a minus. Sometimes having a mic that is less directional is more forgiving when you are recording multiple people. Some people also prefer the sound from the NTG3 vs the Senheiser.

 

[shashbugu]

Shotgun for outdoor use the Shoeps CMIT 5U, indoors the Schoeps CMC6 with MK41 capsule. The Senheiser MKH416 is considered an industry standard mic, it's more rugged than the Schoeps but the Schoeps wins with sound quality. You don't want to use a shotgun indoors, the rear lobe will pick up on more reverberation, and doesn't sound as natural as a hypercardioid, but if it's all you have it'll work. I don't think the MKH416 is really a big upgrade from the Rode NTG3, they are both very close in performance, but the MKH416 does have a little more noise rejection, but that can also be a minus. Sometimes having a mic that is less directional is more forgiving when you are recording multiple people. Some people also prefer the sound from the NTG3 vs the Senheiser.

Exactly what he said. The Schoeps are really really good, amazing sound quality.

 

[Will Keir]

I have a 416 it's good. You can use it for VO too if you have a very quite room. It picks up everything in a room.

I hear the Nuemann 81 and 82 are a little nicer for voice but haven't had the chance to test myself.

The best deal on a 416 is $840 New from Location Sound in Los Angeles. B&H and all others are $999 and Tim at location sound puts together a nice package. I had trouble finding one USED here on RU for much cheaper. You can always go into Location Sound and have them plug in a few different mics to test what sound you like best. I'm only using a Zoom H6 recorder. I'm sure a few things change when adding a mixer.

Best of Luck whatever you go with.

Here's one standard, the Sennheiser 416.

 

[Will Keir]

I'll have to check into those.

Shotgun for outdoor use the Shoeps CMIT 5U, indoors the Schoeps CMC6 with MK41 capsule.

 

[ericyoung]

Audition a Sanken CS-3e:
http://www.sanken-mic.com/en/product/product.cfm/8.1001500

 

[Tom Visser]

NTG-3 is a great microphone. It doesn't have the pedigree or professional reputation of the 416, but technically I'd say they are mostly equal, perhaps excepting the long term ruggedness or durability of the Rode - couldn't say one way or the other about it, but the 416 is a known workhorse. If your looking to improve something in your sound workflow, perhaps it is not the microphone that needs improved?

 

[soren k jensen]

I use 416 when I need some bite to the sound, particularly in noisy surroundings. Dpa 417 for clean and neutral. Nothing beats proper mic placement!

 

[Peter Chin]

Shotgun for outdoor use the Shoeps CMIT 5U, indoors the Schoeps CMC6 with MK41 capsule. The Senheiser MKH416 is considered an industry standard mic, it's more rugged than the Schoeps but the Schoeps wins with sound quality. You don't want to use a shotgun indoors, the rear lobe will pick up on more reverberation, and doesn't sound as natural as a hypercardioid, but if it's all you have it'll work. I don't think the MKH416 is really a big upgrade from the Rode NTG3, they are both very close in performance, but the MKH416 does have a little more noise rejection, but that can also be a minus. Sometimes having a mic that is less directional is more forgiving when you are recording multiple people. Some people also prefer the sound from the NTG3 vs the Senheiser.

Same here. Additional thoughts:

"Short" Shotguns:

Schoeps CMIT for natural sound (and it's blue)
Sanken CS3e for noisy environments (it has 3 capsules!)
Sennheiser 416 for humid or high RF environments -- Some like the 416 for its "hollywood" sound -- think, "In a world...." Built like a tank. But not as good indoors as CMIT or CS3E if you only have a shotgun available -- Off-axis low-end muddiness - noticeable in highly reflective environments --is a problem of all shotguns to some extent.
Sennheiser MKH60 - Similar to 416. More forgiving off-axis. Also take a look at the MKH8060 which I think combines the attributes of the 416 and MKH60 but had some issues when it was introduced a couple of years ago (should be sorted out by now).

For indoors, you really want to have a hypercard mic such as the schoeps mk41 or Sennheiser MKH40/8040 (similar pattern to schoeps) -- or Sennheiser MKH50/8050 if you want something more directional.