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Low Profile Windscreen for Schoeps Capsules


Trey LaCroix

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Hey there! I'm a big fan of using my Schoeps capsules for car scenes, but as of now haven't found a great windscreen for this application. For windows up I use the teardrop windscreens and that works fine, but when we need the windows down the only thing that will properly protect against the wind is a softie, which I find to bulky to hide properly. Has anyone found/made/imagined a low profile windscreen to protect against wind coming into the car?

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What capsules are you using (MK4, MK41?) and where are you putting (or hiding) the mic - up above?

 

It's not the kind of thing I've done much (since I'm post) but when I have planted directional mics in cars for dialogue they've been low where they are hidden / out of shot, and up above I've used omnis, typically DPA4060s, which can be hidden away, windshielded compactly if need be, and are much less susceptible to wind / air streams (and thus probably more rescuable if need be in post).

 

If you're married to the director and related to the production designer you might consider rigging 'left - right' character mics into furry dangling dice?! Good to hear if this was ever done before!

 

Jez

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2 hours ago, The Immoral Mr Teas said:

What capsules are you using (MK4, MK41?) and where are you putting (or hiding) the mic - up above?

Both mk4 and 41 depending on the shot/car. Usually from above in the visors with a GVC swivel. Sometimes from below with an arm. 

 

2 hours ago, The Immoral Mr Teas said:

I've used omnis, typically DPA4060s, which can be hidden away, windshielded compactly if need be

That’s usually my plan B, which can sound really nice, but I often find I don’t get the reach I need with a lav. I just really like the sound of the Schoeps in the car (and in almost every other scenario).

 

I bet fuzzy car dice would make a great windscreen! I hope I get a movie with a hot rod in it soon.

2 hours ago, Chris Woodcock said:

How low profile you taking about here? 

 

Cinela Cosi is good

Ideally not much larger than a teardrop. The rycote softie I’ve been using has a habit of sticking out too much from a visor and getting hit by the actors knees from below.

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Rycote Baseball maybe? Not sure if it'll have enough protection, but it might be smaller than a softie. 

 

Other than that I think you might be going against the öaws of physics here. You could I guess try a regular teardrop and then add some Schoeps wraparound furry on top of that, one of those they sell for something like the Zoom H1.

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Have you considered using things like gauze, or sports wrap or ______? I’m sure that there are a number of things you could try that may not be purpose built, but therefore very inexpensive and available at drugstores. 

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Agreed that a Schoeps is the best sounding car mic -- the challenge being to position it and wind-protect the capsule while keeping it out of the shot.  As mentioned, you're up against the laws of physics.

 

I would try some Windjammer-type fur wrapped close around the capsule.  Also, keep in mind the air flow and see if there's a way to channel more of the wind to pass away from the mic.  If you could lower just one window at a time that would help diminish the turbulence within the car's cabin.

 

Next to that -- try some DPA directionals -- of course they may still need wind protection, but with them you might get away with short fur, similar to Overcovers.

 

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10 hours ago, Chris Woodcock said:

Ursa large soft circle with a rubber band, job done 

Great idea! Didn't even know those existed. Thinking about doing the same thing with the Bublebee piece of fur?

22 hours ago, JonG said:

Have you considered using things like gauze, or sports wrap or ______? I’m sure that there are a number of things you could try that may not be purpose built, but therefore very inexpensive and available at drugstores. 

I was thinking some people might have some home made solutions they could share. I could certainly start experimenting with a few things. Would gauze color the sound too much? Guess I could try it and see.

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In the past I used the Schoeps teardrop, but removed its screen material and instead wrapped first some old Rycote fur and later some Bubblebee piece-a-fur around it. The plastic cage of the teardrop is part of what makes it so effective, so this actually worked quite well with being too large. I lost this on a shoot one day, and I never bothered to replace it as nowadays it seems like I can never get a Schoeps placed well in a car anymore. 

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