wind protection

[butterflies]

For filming outdoors, can somebody recommend a good wind shield for the Rode Videomic sized gun mics?

[Shigeta]

Ebay a Rode VideoMic Deadcat

[Erik Bien]

I like RODE's own products: I have their Dead Cat for my VideoMic; they also make a very nice, complete blimp system that's relatively inexpensive.

[Seo]

Yeah, for hardcore shooting a blimp is necessary. There was a $1 blimp thing going on at the beginning of the year; I love deals like that. Rycote also has a (more expensive) blimp system and their own windjammer. With a windjammer, blimp, and foam windscreen, you'll get the most wind protection there is on the market right now.

[antman]

You can make a blimp for like twenty dollars that will work just as good. It's made with a cylinder bird feeder, with a black panty hose stretched over it, then the fur. I used an old piece of Mink, my mother had. It really works excellent. I just can't justify spending that kind of money for a blimp.

[butterflies]

Hello Ant,
That sounds interesting. I would be most greatful with a detailed description of the design for such a home made blimp.
Many thanks,
Rob

[RusstheDutch]

Reinhardt make great windshields for most models, I've used one with my videomic and had awesome results. Also had one for the onboard mic on my vx2100.

http://www.reinhardt.tv/ Good prices too.

[Seo]

Videomaker has an article on it, and you can find some on Google probably.

For quality foam shields, I usually buy WindTech. They do the best compared to other brands I know.

[jashan17]

There's also the micover on eBay which is basically a cheap deadcat for 20$ but it is definitely not as effective as a blimp.

[butterflies]

I have been watching tutorials for building a blimp yourself. I do not care about handling noise, but only about wind noise. The mic + blimp will be attached to the camcorder. I wonder, is it possible to attach a blimp to the Rode Videomic at all? It seems so fixed to solid material.

Anyway, what is the major noise reducing factor in a blimp. Is it the dead air between the mic?

[Seo]

Blimps (or zeppelins) work by creating a volume of still air around the microphone. The microphone is often further isolated from the blimp by an elastic suspension inside the basket. This reduces wind vibrations and handling noise transmitted from the cage. To extend the range of wind speed conditions in which the blimp will remain effective, many have the option of fitting a secondary cover over the outer shell. This is usually an acoustically transparent, synthetic fur material with long, soft hairs. The hairs act as shock absorbers to any wind turbulence hitting the blimp. A synthetic fur cover can reduce wind noise by an additional 12 dB.

[jboy]

\I do not care about handling noise

You will when the boom op ruins a take because you can hear his hands move on the pole(that sounded bad) If you don't do some kind of isolation the mic will pick up everything that touches the boom.

[Seo]

Mm, yes, definitely. Getting a good shockmount is essential. A 20 dollar POS can easily ruin your 1000 dollar mic. A shockmount is one of those low cost/high value investments, much like headphones and cables.

[butterflies]

http://www.rycote.com/products/famil...al-camera-kit/

Does somebody have experience with this item?

Anyway, I would be happy with some advise. I really do not care about handling noise. I only need good wind protection. I wonder if a cheaper thing, such as:
http://www.thomann.de/nl/rode_ws6.htm
or
http://www.reinhardt.tv/Whisper.php
Will these give good protection on a Rode shotgun? Like with a blimp? It seems to me that there will be a still air layer in these things too, like in a blimp.

[Seo]

Why? Is handling noise irrelevant in your case?

[VideJo]

Butterflies! Please read out your PM's. I wrote you a message that could be of some importance to you.

[butterflies]

I am thinking of buying the Rode Videomic and for wind protection the Rycote miniscreen and Miniscreen Windjammer:

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=+Rycote+miniscreen&x=0&y=0"]Amazon.co.uk: Rycote miniscreen[/ame]

However, I am not sure that the windscreen will fit the videomic and since there are no pictures without the foam on the web, I can't know which size I need. There is 14 and 18 cm. How long is the 'active' length of the Rode videomic?

[antman]

Stay away from the rode video mic. It's fine for close up work. but it's awkward to mount on to a boom pole, and I don't think it can fit in a zepplin. your better off with something that has a balanced xlr connection. I will PM you about a mic im selling. read this ok.

[Seo]

Yeah, definitely. Boom your audio, don't camera mount. RVM is perfect for mounting on a HDSLR for syncing purposes, but not for recording actual audio that goes into your master.

[butterflies]

Hey guys,
I really appreciate your concerns and advises, but I only would like to know wether this Rycote miniscreen goes (fits) on a videomic.

I might look stubborn, but most of what I do is close up work. I mainly film insects. Many of them zoom and that must be on the audio.

I sometimes record conversations, and the distance can be 2 or 3 meter. I know I better use a boom, but I am an amateur (no crew). So I need to solve it this way. Please help me thinking of how to solve it MY way in the best possible manner. For conversations, would I be better of with a NTG-2?

thanks,
Rob

[Seo]

Since you're only camera mounted... meh, I don't think a better mic would do you much good. So no, I don't think it's worth it if you plan on not changing your shooting style.

[butterflies]

Thanks.
And do you think the Rycote windscreen:
[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rycote-18cm-Miniscreen/dp/B002YN0LIW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268915736&sr =8-3"]Rycote 18cm Miniscreen: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]
will fit on the Rode Videomic? And which size would I need: 10, 12, 14 or 18 cm?