Sennheiser MKE 600 vs ME64 vs ME66 - Shotgun Microphone - On camera scratch audio?

[Daniel Reed]

I'm looking to pick up a mic for on camera scratch audio that in a worse case scenario can be used as option B/backup audio.


In a perfect world i'll be using a Sennheiser MKH-416 as the primary audio capture mic on a boom or stand and use the on camera mic to assist with sync.

I've used the ME66 before for on camera, and found it rather effective for creating scratch audio(or even usable sound bites) for outdoor/noisy environments, but never tried it indoors. I've read that it's not so good indoors due to off angle reflections



So I was intending to pick up a K6 power cap, then I could swap between the ME64 and ME66 mics on based upon location/set/distance to subject.....


...Until i stumbled upon this video review:

To me, at least in this sample, the MKE-600 sounds a lot cleaner.

If you've used the MKE-600 before, how was it?


I've got an A-box and a fancy shock mount (forget the model atm) that can extend mic a bit forward/back and rotate the horizontal angle a bit for better mic directionality.

On a side note, I've used R0de mics before, and just not a fan.


Thank You

 

[Henry Howard]

I tend to agree with you about the sound quality. I have not gotten my hands on an MKH 600, but do use the 416 regularly.
One note though, the ME 64 is NOT a shot gun or hyper cardioid mic. it's a cardioid. The general rule is that cardioid work better
on interior shots. The flip side is that the shotgun will get you a little closer to your subject and this is supposed to be for
sync or cya audio. With the ME 64 and 66 you would have alternatives. My first set of mics was the K3U kit with the 20, 40 and 80 and 88.
(an omni, cardioid, shotgun and long gun) That cost about what one MKH mic would have. I have since moved up in the world of quality.

 

[Daniel Reed]

Thanks for your thoughts and input Henry.

I went ahead and went down the ME64/ME66 route for scratch/backup audio capture as I like having options.

On a side note, I was having some issues w/ effectively rigging the MKH-416 in a shockmount onto the gobo arm on a cstand.
Until I discovered the awesome "5/8" Baby Spud w/ 3/8-16 male thread" over in the grip section at filmtools:

http://www.filmtools.com/58babspudw38.html

Highly recommended :thumbsup: