Curtis Judd 11/13/23 Curtis Judd 11/13/23

Awesome 4017b/MKH-416 Alternative: DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone!

In this episode we take a look at and listen to DPA’s new shotgun mic, the 2017. This sibling to the 4017b shares the classic and characteristic sound of DPA mics, but has a completely new design both in terms of feature set, capsule, and internal electronics. In this episode we listen to some raw sound samples from the 2017 as well as a variety of similar mics, walk through the 2017’s feature set, and rigorously compare it to the 4017b. Let’s take a closer look!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- DPA 2017 Supercardioid Condenser Shotgun Microphone — B&H

- DPA 4017b Shotgun Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH416 Supercardioid Condenser Shotgun Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 200x S LED light — B&H, Amazon, Aputure

- Aputure Light Dome II soft box — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Curtis Judd 8/21/23 Curtis Judd 8/21/23

Can You Use a Shotgun Mic Indoors? Shotgun vs Pencil Condenser Boom Microphones

Can you use a shotgun microphone indoors?

In this episode, we critically listen to a variety of boom microphones in a reverberant, echo-y indoor space. We record with a variety of shotgun microphones versus non-shotgun (pencil condenser) boom microphones and answer the question: Can you use a shotgun microphone indoors?

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

- Sennheiser MKH 416 Supercardioid Shotgun Condenser Microphone — Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODE NTG5 Short Shotgun Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Deity S-Mic 2 Shotgun Condenser Microphone — Trew Audio, B&H, Amazon

- Azden SGM-250 Professional Shotgun Microphone — Amazon

- Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone — Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- DPA Microphones 4017B Shotgun Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Audio-Technica AT4053B Hypercardioid Condenser Microphone — B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 50 Supercardioid Condenser Studio Microphone — Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 8050 Low-Profile Supercardioid Condenser Microphone — Trew Audio, B&H, Amazon

- Schoeps CMC641 Supercardioid Microphone Set — Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater

- SoundDevices MixPre II Series Audio Recorders — B&H, Sweetwater, Trew Audio, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- K-Tek 36”-12’ Graphite Boom Pole — B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 200x S LED light — B&H, Amazon, Aputure

- Aputure Light Dome II soft box — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

Curtis Judd 8/9/20 Curtis Judd 8/9/20

Takstar SGC-600 Camera Shotgun Microphone: Decent Sound on a Budget

In today’s episode, we have a look at and a listen to the very affordable Takstar SGC-600 camera-top shotgun microphone. This little microphone doesn’t have any of the fancier features you find on microphones like the RODE VideoMic NTG or the DEITY D3 Pro but its price is about 1/7th the cost. Have a listen to our audio samples to see if you can hear the difference.

Index:

00:00 Intro

00:23 Recorded with Takstar

00:41 On Camera vs Off Camera

01:35 Learn to boom your mic

01:57 Audio Samples vs RODE & DEITY

03:21 Outdoor sample

03:44 High Pass Filter On

03:56 High Pass Filter Off

04:11 Shockmount Test

04:42 No Fur Wind Cover

05:10 Size & Weight

05:25 Polar Pattern Sample

06:05 AA Battery

06:41 Gain Switch

06:51 Build Quality

07:07 Record to phone

07:19 High Pass filter

07:39 Price

07:47 No Fur Wind Cover

08:15 Compared to RODE and DEITY

10:08 Please Take My Courses

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- TAKSTAR SGC-600 camera top shotgun microphone - Amazon

- DEITY D3 Pro camera top shotgun microphone - B&H, Amazon

- RODE VideoMic NTG camera top shotgun microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODE VC1 3.5mm 10’ extension cable if you use the SGC-600 off camera on boom stand - B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS II Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, Pictureline

- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS ART Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Curtis Judd 11/7/19 Curtis Judd 11/7/19

RODE NTG5 Audio Samples & AndyCine Monitor Mount Mini Review

In today’s episode, we give you some audio samples from the new RODE NTG5 shotgun microphone. And while we do that, we also do a mini review of a sturdy little friction shoe monitor mount from AndyCine.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode:

RODE NTG5 Shotgun Microphone - B&H

AndyCine Friction Shoe Monitor Mount - Amazon

Aputure Light Dome II Soft Box - B&H

Aputure C120T key light- B&H

Aputure C120DII for slash of light on the back wall- B&H Amazon

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - B&H

Tilta Half Cage for BMPCC 4K/6K - B&H

Sigma ART 24-70mm f/2.8 EF Mount Lens - B&H Amazon

Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed

Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Curtis Judd 3/6/16 Curtis Judd 3/6/16

Azden SMX 15 and 30 Shotgun Microphones Review

If you’re looking for a shotgun microphone for your camera, there has never been a time with so many great choices. Azden recently released two more microphones in the $200 to $250 USD range called the SMX-15 and SMX-30. These are short shotgun microphones designed to mount to the cold-shoe of your rig and have a cable with a 3.5mm plug to record directly to your camera.

Both of these microphones are good for recording dialogue sound when you need to travel light. I like to boom the mic even close to the talent for even better sound. The SMX-30 also has an additional set of stereo cardioid microphones for recording detailed ambient sound making this microphone particularly versatile. Both microphones are very light weight so you don’t add a lot of heft to your camera rig. And most importantly, the SMX-15 and 30 sound quite nice for their price.