Film recording shotguns

[Sound Chaser]

As I am leaning more and more to the world of sound for film/video, can someone recommend a choice for shotgun mics, under a grand. I've been looking at the following:
Sanken CS-1
AT 4073a
AT 4071
ME67/K6, ME66/K6
Suggestions for indoor shotgun?
Suggestions for outdoor shotgun?
Is there a multiple cartriage option? While everyone pans the ME66, the ME67 is a very different mic which is supposed to be excellent for distance pickup.
Again all under a grand.

[Jim vanBergen]

Used Sennheiser 416. Still the top choice for film/TV production is you're not using Schoeps of Neumann KMR shotguns. I have been able to get a few on Ebay over the years this way. One's up there now for $799 buy it now...

I also love the older ME80-K3U, own a pair of them. Always good for ambience, and have used them for boom work as well. Cheaper, not as nice as the 416, but nice. I really dislike the AT shotguns, I own an 815 and 835... they are OK, that's about it. Make me an offer, I'll sell 'em to you cheap. :>)

[dolo72]

I have to agree a 416 is a great buy and pretty much the most tested and reliable shotgun around. I personally prefer the sound of the T powered version and the 415 T ( basically the same mic). Generally I use a 415 outdoors and a schoeps cmc4 with mk41 capsule indoors. Pretty standard setup really and both can be had at good prices on the used market should have enough money left over to have them serviced.

[pkautzsch]

3rd the 416. and second the T powered version - best on a good old Nagra 4.
Newer version is the MKH 60 (short gun) or 70 (long gun). They are more neutral in the off-axis areas. To me, INDOORS the 60 seems slightly better than the 416, OUTDOORS the 416 wins.
Schoeps CCM41 is really small and nearly as directional as a 416, and can be placed about 15 cm closer to the source (doesn't have that shotgun in front of the diaphragm).

416 may not be technically perfect (off-axis coloring!), but is just THE sound everybody is used to.

[Steve Eagle]

yep, the 416 is a good choice, if not a bit standard. i think every sound person should have one in their kit or have access to one. but i think for $1,000 you can find a better mic in used condition like others here have suggested.

Schoeps might be the best choice for indoor recording. I personally am a fan of the CMC641 setup. CMC6 + MK41 capsule. CMC441 is a very popular set as well. all Schoeps i've used have a richer and deeper quality to them than Sennheiser. it's certainly a matter of taste, but hard to argue that point.

i am not a big fan of the Sennheiser MKH60. for that price, get a Neumann KMR81 I. that still remains my favorite short shotgun mic. it's off axis sound is superb and overall sonic clarity rivals many high end studio microphones. it can't take the beating that the 416 can, and may be a tiny bit less versatile, but i dare you to find me a mic in that price range that sounds better. i even put it above the new Schoeps CMIT5U shotgun, which is $300-400 more.

you know, if you're interested in Neumann, I have a used KMR82 I (the long shotgun) in great condition for $1,100. we may be able to negotiate on that as well, feel free to make me an offer, within reason of course

[Jim vanBergen]

there is a CMC5 w/ MK41 capsule on EvilBay right now... a solid choice for indoor work, and among my personal faves for audience response!

[bcgood]

I use to have the 416 outfitted with a "gerbil" for wind protection. I loved the sound I got from that mic...

bcgood

[hywyn]

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

416 may not be technically perfect (off-axis coloring!), but is just THE sound everybody is used to.

That may be so but it doesn't make it right.

The 416 off-axis rejection colours the sound as you say and in not a good way,( - the pay-back for it's excellent reach). Since I've changed to a schoeps CMIT-5U I've really noticed a difference re: natural ambience, also off-axis dialogue can be brought into focus without any noticable change in timbre and you still have the reach associated with shotgun mics.

It's a one-size fits all mic for me and I no longer need to change mics for recording indoors where the 416 often struggled.

Steve

[pkautzsch]

There is a BIIIG difference also between the 416 and the MKH60.
Knowing my 416 has, though, enabled me to work with it in a somewhat creative way ("it's not a bug - it's a feature!") which can come in very handy in German lo-budget productions.

[hywyn]

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

There is a BIIIG difference also between the 416 and the MKH60.

Yes you are right, the MKH60 was produced by Sennheiser to supercede the 416, correcting much of the problems associated, but everyone stuck with the 416, as a tried and tested workhorse I suppose.

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

Knowing my 416 has, though, enabled me to work with it in a somewhat creative way ("it's not a bug - it's a feature!") which can come in very handy in German lo-budget productions.

So a homecoming of sorts )

Steve

[hywyn]

Originally Posted by hywyn

..... but everyone stuck with the 416, as a tried and tested workhorse I suppose.
Steve

I should say that many did, - not everone of course. I just can't resist exagerration
tutt

[Nu-tra]

I like the sheops in a room with carpet. A Senn 416, 60 in a kitchen and outdoors. A 816 or 70 outside.

I love rockin the 816