Kisaha

You are not hijacking. This is a very important aspect, and the microphone it is so new that we need all the experiences we can get. What is your opinion about the reach, acoustic quality, indoors vs outdoors, this vs other well known mics? What mounting and air protecting accessories are you using?

The HG is "harder" so can put a softie in front, I have the 7 and is too "soft" even for more basic configurations. I will probably buy just the HG lyres and replace them on the mount.

I, too, am between the 2 Sanken's. There are plenty of aforementioned solutions from all makers. Bubblebee Spacer XS fits, a few Rycote solutions, (WS10 probably)/a Rycote special for Sanken (including the softie) and the most advanced idea I have seen, that can be mounted easily on a camera, the Cinela Cosi (watch the video).

Just a little update. The box in the outside says "Suitable for following models: Rode NTG1, NTG2, NTG3, NTG4+ DPA 4017B NEUMANN KMR81i, SANKEN CS-2 SCHOEPS CMIT 5U SENNHEISER MKE 600, MKH 416" My guess is that Rycote is right, this is suitable for the aforementioned mics! The choice of colors make it a bit more desirable in style, it does seem like a cheaper version of a proper windshield, and I do not think it does such a good job, but for the price, and most jobs, I believe it is sufficient. I enjoy and like it more than the Rode one, no question about it, but it isn't cheaper than the Rode (here in Europe at least), but then, it is almost half price of the other Rycotes. I tried to fit my Audix, its diameter is 21mm and it seemed like it could open permanently the Lyres (which again, seem like a cheaper version from harder plastic than the original ones), but it could be possible to fit it there (there are some options of where to put the lyres, but just a few) if a back pod was added at the front, and maybe add the windjammer from the WS10, or something, but that takes a lot of extras (the pod only is something around 50-55euros). My interest lies to the fact that the Sanken CS-M1 has the same length as the Audix, but it is 19mm in diameter (so, fits exactly and with no violence the Super shield's Lyres), so maybe a mod of this design is appropriate for the budget conscious (the Cosi and the WS10 cost around 550euros, with the Cosi having many advantages, but one significant disadvantage, can't take the fur out, or anything at all, for when going inside). In general, I am happy with my purchase, it is going to be my backup/B/lower budgeted jobs blimp and it certainly does the job, while it is a bit smaller (both in diameter and length) than my Sennheiser one, so it could fit easily my K-Tek BLT35 bag for those endeavors that need a light setup!

As far as wind protection, there is a known "hack/mod" that one can add a rear pod to a Rycote super shield kit. That could probably do the trick also. Just a thought!

What is your impression vs a classic softie and/or a classic Rycote basket solution?

Does it have a new firmware update a la F8?

@TimoK thanks for the insight. I noticed you have 2 specialized adapters (1 for Cyclone and 1 for classic designs). I have 2 questions, and one request, 1) are those mandatory, or the tips are just fine? 2) is the adapter compatible with the super shield? Can we have a chart/table with all the basic Rycote solutions and the plus/minuses of each? Cheers. Pan.

What about the Spacer? Seems like a nicer design than a classic softie, and milder for indoor use.

Thank you very much for your review. Do you normally use a smaller hyper for indoors? Can you compare the CS-M1 with any other mic for in/out-doors?

Seems like a good compromise (for the money) between the usual WS4 and the For 416 kit, and the much cheaper Rode. Rycote WS4 700gr 440mm Rycote 416 500gr 180mm x 370mm x 104mm Rycote NTG 560gr 150mm x 410mm x 100mm Rode 550gr 285mmH x 490mmW x 125mmD

I think the announced weight is 53g here and the Ambient one is at least double that. I wouldn't give it 1 out 500.000, but it still is a possibility, on the other hand, I had some hard time with over used Ambient releases in the past. It says that is extensively tested in Germany, it could be a collaboration, or not. Rycote gives their products/designs to everyone (Beyerdynamics, Rode, Sennheiser, even Deity!), why not the oppossite?

What about this one? Seems like a good design, lighter and more straightforward than the Ambient.

I posted for the second video, but I added the first one for good measures. It seems to me the NTG will be fine for most uses. I have other blimps as well, so I need something small and light as a backup option (I prefer my backups to be cheaper than my A kit), so maybe the NTG is a good option for you and me as well. I use 416 and the 600 usually, so I hope the NTG is compatible, I guess that is the case, as Rode and Sennheiser have similar sizes. Maybe the Perfect for 416 is even better for my case, but I am afraid it won't fit a 600 and it is more expensive.

Very interesting. Is this compatible with the 416 and/or MKE 600? We definitely need a table with all the Rycote products and their differences. I am lost lately and I see Bubblebee and Cinela offerings as more straight forward.

I have a DR100mkII for backup. The only downside is that you choose phantom power, or not, for both ch. Any of the Zoom F and Mixpre series will do the job, everything is about channels, cost and how much you are willing to pay for a backup. I wouldn't pay too much for a backup (Mixpre10T, maybe the 6 also). Maybe the MixPre M is a good choice also.

From the official Zoom F8n site "That is why updates have been made to the F8n's headphone processing to maximize all three (volume, clarity, immersion). A digital boost has been added to minimize ambient bleed, which can cause comb filtering resulting in poor audio quality". The digital gain boost has been added to the F8, and both have 100mW max output level. I understand that "processing" happens in software level, not hardware or else it would be clearly mentioned by Zoom, but I can't be sure of course and I may interprating it wrong. Zoom F8n is 1199euros, while the F8 is 699.

I believe that: headphone amp is the same. Timecode generator is the same. Simultaneous recording to SD while used as an audio interface works on both of them. Please feel free to correct me of course. That is my impression.

Annoying! It is unbelievable that after so many decades we still lack on so many aspects of our trade. Even K-Tek is half a kilo, and the Orca's the same. Another half a kilo added weight to our backs! I am expecting to purchase Orca's solutions this year.

I saw the INV-lite mount being used from Sanken in the NAB videos, but without any extra protection. If it has any considerable advantage vs the classic softie, then it may not be a big deal for Rycote to introduce a specialized INV-lite softie (like the ones it has now for the INV-lite 19/21). Also my main concern is the too many products that overlap in the line up. I used the first version of Cyclone and didn't like it at all, so I am a bit sceptical of the new designs (the new 3D printed softie as well). There is also the acquisation by Vitec, it will change some things for sure. Anyways, I see the M1 being advertised in some shops in Europe, I hope some reviews will be available soon.

Rycote classic softie 7cm (19/22mm) 1x7cm Classic softie, 1x INV-6 Heavy, 1xHot-shoe 3/8inch adaptor, 1xHair brush = 133euros in Netherlands. Not bad at all. Is the INV-lite comparable to this classic softie solution? To be honest there are too many options on Rycote at the moment, it would be nice to have an official table to scientifically explain all the options we have (from classic softie to Cyclone e.t.c).

But only with one ch true diversity works, which is a huge deal in my books, but in general, the cheap Sony works brilliantly for the price in my experience.

What about the INV-lite 19 that Sanken used in NAB?

Slightly, but unbearably!!

I own the Oktava and although is great sounding for the money, I believe the 2 microphones you mentioned are the absolutely entry level mics for interior scenes. The Oktava is too sensitive to handling noises and air, so it needs the best mounting system and wind shield one can get (and usually the most expensive) and it is not as "user friendly" for non experienced boom ops. Finally, I went for the Audix solution, I own 2, and even though is not MKH50, is a great little microphone of its own and better than the Oktava in every characteristic. Have you tested the Audix at all? What is your opinion about it? And Vs the AT?