i'm in the midst of getting new equipment for recording film and i've been looking for a good shotgun mic for the price. i've looked at sennheiser me66 and 67, shure sm89, and azden sgm-2x which is an interesting mic that is an omni short shotgun with an attachment that turns it into a super-cardioid long. has anyone used or heard anything about azden mics?

if there's anything else that would be good to start out with please let me know. i'd like to get a good sennheiser or shure mic, but any crisp sounding reliable mic is well worth the money.

try the Rode NTG-1

It's no 416, but it is fantstic value for money.

http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=NTG-1

The ME66 is a very common "starter" mic for dialog. It's ok but not terribly hot level-wise (so noisier recordings) and is rather harsh sounding compared to more expensive mics. They are very common, you might even find one used. I've never used a Shure shotgun, but my experience w/ Azden gear was quite negative--very low-end stuff. I'd look for a used Sennheiser etc before I went w/ a new Azden.

Philip Perkins

I'd like to throw in the Beyerdynamic MCE86 / MCE86i. For its price, I don't think you can come closer to the 416 soundwise.

Schoeps

Not exactly a "starter shotgun".

FWIW,

I agree: ME-66 is pretty harsh - the Rode as an entry shotgun wins that contest.

I've never heard the Beyer, but I would trust they have a pretty solid product.

I'd also recommend the Sanken CS-1 - it's more than the Rode, but sounds better.

IME, the best advice I could give is: BUY ONCE AND BE HAPPY - otherwise be prepared for constant disappointment...

If you're on a really tight budget I would try the Rode. If not, I would grab the sanken. It's a little bright but really is the best mic for the money. I would skip all the cheaper options. PlugHead said it right "buy once and be happy". If not, 6 months from now you will wish you had bought a better mic. I know, I did.

It's worth trying to find a used one.

any suggestions on where i could look for used mics other than ebay and craig's list?

and what are the big downfalls to the me66 compared to the rode or sanken?
also, i've looked on the schoeps site, and i'm completely lost in that catalog. they're spectrum analysis for each mic was quite impressive, but i'm not sure what goes with what. pls help.

Trouble with Schoeps is they don't go that much cheaper used than they go new.

Don't get me wrong, I love Schoeps mics. I occasionally see a used MK41 (Schoeps' hypercardioid) go up on eBay, but as pointed out, they are still very pricey for someone who is looking for a good starter mic for recording dialogue. The MK41 is an industry standard for recording interior dialogue and very much on the high end of the spectrum. As for shotguns, I've never seen a used CMIT (Schoeps' short shotgun) on eBay or anywhere else. There just aren't that many out there.

There are, however, loads of Sennheiser MKH416 out there being sold on eBay. They typically go from between $600-900 USD. I got really lucky and picked one up in great condition for $500. IMO, the 416 is just about the most valuable and versatile mic for post. As Charles Maynes says, "It's the sound of the movies." Great for recording dialogue, great for mono FX/ Foley-type stuff, and even great for VO.

Another short shotgun that I love is the Neumann KMR81i which I find to be a bit fuller and warmer than the 416. Not that these qualities are necessarily "better" just different. The KMR81 tends to be a little more expensive than the 416.

I agree with some of the others, skip the prosumer stuff and find a used pro mic. You'll be glad you waited for the real thing. If you need something NOW and don't have the loot, then I guess the Rode is cheap enough that you could use it for a while if you're just wanting to get your feet wet.

egggSACTLY!

as starcrash and pkautzsch are saying, they are not (ever) cheap and therefore not "starter".... but, you will pry mine out of my cold dead hands. (not much of a fun game at wake, but, you know when you are deparate).

for used mics, try Turner Audio, Trew Audio, Location Sound Corp, Coffey Sound.... do they list used stuff on R.A.M.P.S.? and the C.A.S. website.

or maybe this :

Don't believe the paper charts, believe your ears. I think the 66 is the harshest of all of those. Another issue is that it is physically longer than they are as well--ie bigger zepplin, more wind resistance and bigger shadow. Also harder to mount on cameras, for the same reason. The Rode and the Sanken CS1 are really small for being pretty directional. RE 416s used--beware, there are a lot of used ones out there that were in rental inventory for TV production, and they've been abused. Try to get the mic checked out before you buy.

Philip Perkins

me66 sucks, azden is horrendous, dont trust shure, get 416t they are great for their price used. if you can get the sanken cs3e, its over the budget your thinking of but its a fantastic mic.

better yet

just rent a mic from a rental house.

its cheaper that way unless your booked for half of the year.

wow, what a bunch of ME66 haters! they're certainly no schoeps, but useful nonetheless. dr phil, firstly i think you must decide your budget. with thtat amount, you must figure out the cost of boom, mounts and wind protection as the combo will run you more than just the cost of the mic. check out trew audio to get an idea.

has anyone ever heard of or toyed with Oktava mics? i just saw an add and was looking at prices but wasn't sure of them.

Am testing a bunch of AT mics now, I find the AT 897 shotgun (290 euros) really fine compared to our 416's
Belgian collegues of mine put a 416 and 897 under the shower, the 416 died first..

Also as inexpensive rycote alternative: Reinhardt Soft-Zep

AT4073a is an excellent mic. IMO, just under a 416 in performance at 40% of the cost. It is also hotter in output with excellent sound and can be used indoors and out doors for all but longer reaches. It also has good response when used slightly off axis.
A friend of mine recently purchased a new unit with boom pole and shock mount for $500. CND

As for the MKH416, you can't argue with the workhorse of the industry but, one complaint I have is that it accentuates high frequencies directly on axis. When someone is walking on snow, or sitting on a leather chair you really hear it.

OK I'm going to give my opinion here,,, 416 way to sharp on top end only real use is in perfect conditions inside (so almost never) or quiet conditions outside......U can not loose with the 81i ,my favourite mic by far at any price....one downside to be aware of with any mic these days is interference from vid transmitters on camera they just keep getting stronger and stronger and now are a constant problem....If I had only one mic there would be no question it would be the 81i

definately get the 416 1st if you can...,.........the senn me's are good at picking up really quiet sounds like a rattle snake tail from 6 feet..........the me's like to pick up a few very quiet signals and put them where they belong....with some depth.....they are super hot{harsh}........
,with the me's ,if you record a fly buzzing on a glass window and then use that sound effect in a film,it brings the sound right in to give the viewer the bothersome feeling of the fly energy......i'm rambling,sorry....
the me's and the 416 work together for a more diverse sound palette..
me's compliment the 416 by adding brightness when needed......
so the dialogue is done with the 416 .......
quiet meaningful sound effects can be done with the me's........
and louder sound effects{car horn} can be done with a senn md421..................
but that's a simple explanation of my personal vision.......there are so many choices......that sanken looks nice......
if you try to save money you will probably not get a good sound,because your asking a cheap mic to do the job of an expensive mic........

when I started out with film production, I bought a pair of A-T mics, a long and short-shotgun. I was amazed how noisy they were. I ended up buying a Senn 416 and a pair of Senn ME/80s, and have used most everything else- from Neumann KMR81 and KMR82s to MKH 60, 70, & 816s to AKG and others.

I think the Sennheiser mics are phenomenal for boom work, but I think the Schoeps MK41 is the best indoor production mic. Outdoor, 416 or MKH60 is my go-to. But I trust ME/80 in a flash. It is only just below the quality of a 416T, and can be found in great shape used for a couple hundred bucks. I love having mine for concerts & outdoor situations when I wouldn't cry if they got broken or rained on...whereas a neumann or Schoeps, I would cry...a LOT!

The sound of the shotgun is very subjective as you have by now noticed, so you have to choose what YOU like. So I will suggest you save your $$ until you buy the mic(s) you LOVE, instead of ending up with drawers full of mics you don't use, and several cases of 'go-to', trusted, expensive mics.

i'm stickin with my me66 claim since it really is a good STARTER kit. i would not recommend getting something incredibly awesome and expensive only to get it roughed up by the elements and inexperienced use. plus, i gotta pimp my sale

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