Softy recs

[JonG]

I’ve always used Garfield softies, but the one I use on my 416 has just about had it. Since they no longer make them, I’ll have to switch to another brand. I never liked the original Rycote ones, I always felt that the slightest breeze would produce wind noise. These days there are more options available. What do people recommend?

[Trey LaCroix CAS]

The bubblebee ones are really good. There is also the Cosi option if they support your mics. A great wind and mount solution. 

[JonG]

2 minutes ago, Trey LaCroix said:

The bubblebee ones are really good. There is also the Cosi option if they support your mics. A great wind and mount solution. 

The Cosis are only available for short shotguns. I asked them about making them for regular ones but they said there was no plan to. 

[Jim Feeley]

Ya, Bubblebee is the default option. I have a spacer bubble on a CS-3e that works well https://www.bubblebeeindustries.com/collections/shotgun-mic-and-boom-accessories

 

There's also the new(ish) Nimbus Windshields from Radius (the former Rycote people), but I don't know anyone who's used one yet: https://radiuswindshields.com/collections/nimbus

 

[Johnny Karlsson]

The Bubblebee Windkiller is great - and lightweight!

 

 

[Trey LaCroix CAS]

On 4/6/2025 at 8:43 PM, JonG said:

The Cosis are only available for short shotguns. I asked them about making them for regular ones but they said there was no plan to. 

I have a friend that uses this configuration and he seems to like it. Don’t know which mics you’re using specifically but maybe?

[DanieldH]

Humble curiosity, in what situation do people choose a 416 these days?

[JonG]

3 hours ago, DanieldH said:

Humble curiosity, in what situation do people choose a 416 these days?

They are bullet proof, so any time you’re in a situation where a more fragile fancy mic like a cmit might not cut it. 

[Trey LaCroix CAS]

17 hours ago, DanieldH said:

Humble curiosity, in what situation do people choose a 416 these days?

I still like a 416 for certain exteriors. Pulls the voice out really well.

[G Murphy]

I have been using the Bubblebee Windkiller many years for my 416.

[Derek H]

How does the windkiller compare to the spacer bubble plus fur? Seems very similar. 

[Johnny Karlsson]

14 hours ago, Derek H said:

How does the windkiller compare to the spacer bubble plus fur? Seems very similar. 

I had the spacer bubble first. It basically replaces the foam with something more durable, and you slide the fur on/off according to the wind conditions, or interior vs exterior. The fur is easy to just keep in a pocket of your jacket, or mixer bag. There is also an option of long or short fur, but to me it didn’t seem to make much difference, so I would rather just put the long fur on and not worry about it.

Sure, someone will probably chime in and say they hear a difference in sound quality long vs short fur, but imho wind noise would be much more of a problem (in a run-n-gun situation, which is what this mainly is for). If I am doing something where I really care about sound quality, I have the MiniCMIT in a pianissimo.

I switched to the windkiller a couple years ago and personally prefer it now. It’s light enough that if I am in a situation where I will be going back and forth between interior and exterior, I just keep it on the mic.
 

As with everything else, it’s basically a matter of preferences based on your situation, and what you like. 

[syncsound]

I switched to the Gutmann windscreen, and haven't looked back:

 

https://microphone-windscreen.com/external-microphones-m-z/sennheiser/625/microphone-windscreen-for-sennheiser-mkh-416

 

Since it's just a slip-on cover, it saves a lot of weight.