AKG CK 69-ULS shotgun mic for location recording?

[Tajika]

Hello

looking for a new shotgun microphone for location recording in Costa Rica. A fellow musician recommended the AKG CK 69-ULS, however, I wasn't able to find much information on that microphone.

Any information how that microphone compares to a Schoeps CMIT 5U?

Or any other suggestion? I need a quiet, robust microphone, which can be used in humid conditions. I read somewhere that Schoeps microphones are not ideal in humid conditions. I'll be using it in combination with a Fostex FR2-LE.

Thanks a lot for your help!
Rob

[hbphotoav]

While not "top of the heap" like a MKH-416, my AKG SE300/CK98 (Blue Line) mic has provided solid service for the past 13 years. It's about $700 US at Full Compass. AKG CK98 10" Shotgun Capsule, Blue Line Series | Full Compass

Don't forget a Rycote Windjammer or similar. The supplied foamie is minimally helpful; the dead cat is essential.

[Tajika]

Thanks for your reply; of course I won't forget a windjammer. It's strange there's so few information on akg miks around, uls series in general. Seems not very popular somehow. So if anybody owns an akg uls series, I'd be glad to hear opionions.

Best, Rob

[Matti]

Schoeps Collette series mics are claimed to have humidity problems, never experienced myself though in some 15 countries I used them. I feel keeping the contacts between the capsule and preamp/body clean is the key. CMIT of course does not have this.
Sennheiser MKH series are RF condenser microphones and that maybe -is- good in extreme situations although I remember reading of a rain forest project where nothing worked except some Beyer dynamic mics.

EDIT: I feel AKG shotguns have rather bright character but are good anyways. Be careful with the capsule to body and short / long interference tube connections, a friend of mine got his walked on by an anxious director and
the connections broke -how come. Never put your mics on the floor near the crew ;-)

Matti

[John Brook]

I've been very happy with my ULS capsules and 480 amp body. As everyone will tell you, Schoeps walk several inches above the water, but for day to day work, the AKGs do a great job.

[John Willett]

I always heard that AKG were worse than most in the damp.

Sennheiser MKH series are the best (being RF condensers), but the Schoeps do hold up pretty well and are getting very popular in the UK.


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[John Brook]

I live and work in the city with the highest relative humidity of any city in the USA (according to USAToday, anyway). If the AKG's work here, they'll probably work where you live.

[Tajika]

Thanks a lot for your replies! It's very difficult to find these mics in a shop here and test them, so your info is much appreciated.

I'll go for the AKG and post back my experiences.

One final question: how big is the difference in wind protection between a rycote softie and a full windshield kit (windshield and windjammer)? Is a softie alone usable at all? I won't have a lot of space so if a softie would do the trick that would be easier to carry around.

Rob

[Matti]

I would choose the full rycote, and not use the
windjammer unless needed.

Matti

[Tajika]

And what about the Rycote Miniscreen? It can be fitted with a windjammer as well and looks a bit smaller/more compact. Any experiences with that windscreen? Would be for the short version of the ULS69 only, though.

[Icarus]

Hello all. I am wondering if the MKH 8060 would be a good choice for recording music in nature (the outdoors). It would be used to remote record acoustic guitar/voice. Is this a viable option? Thank you.

[samplatt]

I've used all the various Sennheiser shotguns, they are great for shoots, but I really like the musicality of my AKG 460 's. AKG rebuilt my pair a few years ago and they are awesome. Will the AKG CK80 work on a 460 body? do they sound like crap? I just found the CK47 capsule. Has anyone tried that? I had only seen the CK69 before, which is high dollar at $980.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Tajika

And what about the Rycote Miniscreen? It can be fitted with a windjammer as well and looks a bit smaller/more compact. Any experiences with that windscreen? Would be for the short version of the ULS69 only, though.

The Rycote Miniscreen is really for on-camera use. But a Miniscreen with its windjammer is actually better and cheaper than a Softie.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by samplatt

I've used all the various Sennheiser shotguns, they are great for shoots, but I really like the musicality of my AKG 460 's. AKG rebuilt my pair a few years ago and they are awesome. Will the AKG CK80 work on a 460 body? do they sound like crap? I just found the CK47 capsule. Has anyone tried that? I had only seen the CK69 before, which is high dollar at $980.

The new Sennheiser MKH 8060 should be good musically as it's part of the 8000 series.

[samplatt]

Yeah and its $1200. I was asking people's opinion on the shotgun capsule for a AKG 460 or 480. (since I already have the body)

[Matti]

I would try find capsules matching the mic preamp body width as they made it narrower at some time and the new line -that is shotgun- capsules where narrower than the " body " and more easy to break from the connection.
As happened to my friend at the time when he left it to floor and the director walks over it. - never happened to me as I didnt leave my mics like that and never had other than Sennheiser or Schoeps,

Matti