bda92 Posted May 1 Report Posted May 1 After being a professional videographer for a decade, my focus has been shifting to the sound department for the past year or so. I currently own a Sennheiser ME66 and, having grown accustomed to the Sennheiser 416s we use at my day job, I recently compared the two out of curiosity. I was surprised by how brittle the ME66 sounded in comparison and, naturally, I am now considering an upgrade mic. The 416 was logically my first choice, but I've noticed that people have differing opinions on it. A sound mixer I worked with as a boom op for a short film a few months ago wasn't a big fan, citing the 416's relatively unforgiving pickup pattern (for perspective, we used a Schoeps CMIT 5 on that shoot). Others have noted that the 416 was designed in the 70s and there are better, newer designs that can be had for a similar price these days. As a result, I wanted to consider other shotgun mics that are in roughly the same price range as the 416. I know that no mic is perfect in all situations, but if I had to choose just one for now as my upgrade from the ME66, I'm curious what your thoughts are on the following: Audio-Technica BP4073 I wasn't initially going to include this one, but I have seen it mentioned from time to time. I don't know much about it, but it seems to sound pretty good and can be acquired for a pretty good deal. Sennheiser MKH 416 A workhorse that everybody knows. I have experience with it and like the sound. It isn't ideal for interiors, but I feel like I can make it work. Still, I'm curious what other options offer in its place. Sanken CS-1e I'm particularly curious about this one because people don't seem to talk about it very much. The only place I've really seen someone go into detail about it is in Dan Brockett's article "As I Hear It - Choosing the Right Microphone." He says that it is a fairly neutral mic, and I suspect it would go well with the Sanken COS-11Ds that I also intend to invest in when I can. He states that the CS-3e is similar to this mic, but all around better. Unfortunately, the CS-3e is out of my budget for now. Sanken CS-M1 People seem to really love this mic. One user on this forum stated that this was her all-purpose mic for a while until she could afford an upgrade. It sounds pretty nice from the examples I've heard, and the small size could be convenient in tricky locations. Having said that, some state that its small size does make it a bit difficult to mount. DPA 2017 I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything bad about DPA mics. I know relatively little about this mic other than that it's supposed to be great, and the audio samples I've heard sound pretty good. The 4017 is also highly recommended, but unfortunately out of my budget. Thank you for any insight you may have. Quote
IronFilm Posted May 2 Report Posted May 2 On 5/1/2025 at 1:55 PM, bda92 said: DPA 2017 I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything bad about DPA mics. I know relatively little about this mic other than that it's supposed to be great, and the audio samples I've heard sound pretty good. The 4017 is also highly recommended, but unfortunately out of my budget. if the CSM1/MKH416/etc are within your budget, then surely the DPA 2017 is also within your budget! It's basically the same price. Were you getting it mixed up with the much more expensive 4017? Quote
The Immoral Mr Teas Posted May 2 Report Posted May 2 3 hours ago, IronFilm said: if the CSM1/MKH416/etc are within your budget, then surely the DPA 2017 is also within your budget! It's basically the same price. Were you getting it mixed up with the much more expensive 4017? Nope, he said this one right - he can afford the 2017, not the 4017. Quote
bda92 Posted May 2 Author Report Posted May 2 4 hours ago, IronFilm said: if the CSM1/MKH416/etc are within your budget, then surely the DPA 2017 is also within your budget! It's basically the same price. Were you getting it mixed up with the much more expensive 4017? Oh, the way I typed up my notes might have been confusing at first glance. Yes, the 2017 is what I meant. I was just stating that I have seen people compare it to its big brother, the 4017, but that mic is out of my budget for now since it is about twice the price. Quote
inspire Posted May 2 Report Posted May 2 My voice goes to DPA 2017 because I really want it too. Quote
IronFilm Posted May 3 Report Posted May 3 15 hours ago, bda92 said: Oh, the way I typed up my notes might have been confusing at first glance. Yes, the 2017 is what I meant. I was just stating that I have seen people compare it to its big brother, the 4017, but that mic is out of my budget for now since it is about twice the price. Ah yes, I was an idiot, misread that & replied too quickly, my apologies. Quote
Phillip C Dent Posted May 3 Report Posted May 3 To me the 416 is like buying a car that is always going to start, and get you to where you’re going. It is reliable and damn near bullet proof. In some circumstances it sounds great - in others not so much. I also recently purchased the DPA 2017. I like the sound much better but I can’t comment on its longevity/reliability yet. You also mentioned the Sanken Cos-11 as a lav choice. I used these for years until they started falling apart on me. The rubber on the cable just disintegrated. I transitioned to the DPA 6060 and haven’t looked back. I think they sound better, are easier to hide, and are less susceptible to clothing rustle. Good luck on your choices. Quote
Rick Reineke Posted May 3 Report Posted May 3 The AT 4073a is a good sounding (relatively low cost) mic. It has very high sensitively.. around 70 mV, compared to most other short shotguns like the 416 p48. which are around 15 to 25 mV . It is about 9" and weighs 4 oz The 4073 is not great for high SPL environments and the 150 Hz HPF is a little high IMO. Quote
inspire Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 Finally I ordered DPA 2017. Soon I will have it on the table 🙂 Quote
inspire Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 Can you please specify? Do you mean that if something is needed to be corrected / Repair? Quote
Alien Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 I agree with the statement that support from DPA is terrible. I would add 'even non-existent'. However they do sound good enough, but no support has left a bad taste in my mouth and I'll stick with others. Quote
The Immoral Mr Teas Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 Being a long-ish term DPA user (20+years) and an even longer Bruel and Kjaer champion, in the UK at least their representatives were great for me and friends (although not a PSM nor theatre nor music person I was not exactly a primary customer nor ever had stuff fail). These days I get all the 'industry takeover' PR questionnaires (sp?) sent to me and in DPA's case I usually do them, as I like the company, products, and - for me at least in the past - personal service. What I do say in every questionaire is that both QUALITY and SERVICE are the most crucial things I might consider in any purchase - both excellent in the past at least for DPA. When quality failed - most obviously with their terribly interesting foray into a collapsible wind suspension blimp - they were very quick to acknowledge the fact (and to me it was a great shame they just gave up on bad materials rather than solve the problem and continue). If the new - bigger - better company is ignoring the results of the questionaires (or worse, if higher scores for CHEAPNESS / VALUE FOR MONEY is leading their campaign these days) it would be a great shame. Jez Quote
The Immoral Mr Teas Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 extra post - I guess I'll add that we went through exactly the same worry with Sennheiser (professional products) not that very long ago. The 'global thing' might seem to be moderate quality en masse ('Octava' for many here - for me handmade Chinese paintbrushes - where you could get a great one if you had the time to look) and it's easier to replace 'knowledgeable send backs' than worry about general quality control. Hell - just broadcasting in general has the same attitude for QC as far as I'm concerned, despite the constant whines to the contrary. I was just sent links to UK ScreenSkills online primers for TV production Post production explained - ScreenSkills and they have TWO modules about aspect ratio ... and I still rarely watch a documentary from either side of the pond (France, Germany - Arte - you're not excluded!) without at least one F-up in this regard! Ha ha - so, if you're listening DPA, and if you're failing in the US or elsewhere - remember your heritage and why your reputation was what it was, rather than worship at the altar of quick returns. Quote
Jim Feeley Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 Perhaps the drop in DPA's after-sales support coincides with the company being bought by a private-equity firm six or seven (or more?) years ago, and then sold again a couple years ago. https://www.pehub.com/palladio-takes-control-of-dpa-microphones-from-rcf-group/ Lots of chatter on the net about DPA's support. And there is this discussion here from a couple years ago: Quote
The Immoral Mr Teas Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 I reckon it certainly coincides with it Jim. Pity they're doing all that market research and ignoring the market sector who helped them on the way up. It's happening all over - let's hope it can get better all over. J Quote
Philip Perkins Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 22 hours ago, inspire said: Can you please specify? Do you mean that if something is needed to be corrected / Repair? Yes. We've fired DPA around here by now, after using them quite a bit for a long time. Quote
inspire Posted June 23 Report Posted June 23 I ordered also DPA 4055 Kick-Drum Microphone! Thus far from my side all good with DPA - good quality products. Quote
inspire Posted June 27 Report Posted June 27 In place, stunning quality IMHO. (For my 55 birthday) Quote
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