Rycote Nano Shield and PCS Quick Release System for Microphones

In this episode, we have a closer look at the Rycote Nano Shield wind shield as well as Rycote’s PCS quick release system for microphones. Rycote pitches the Nano Shield as their most advanced wind shield to date, and in my testing with it so far, I agree. Their PCS quick release system includes several different models including their flagship model for boom poles as well as the less expensive Lite version for studio microphone arms or even camera equipment. Let’s take a closer look!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Rycote Nano Shield microphone wind shield kits — B&H

- Rycote PCS microphone quick release — B&H

- DPA 4017b shotgun microphone — B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices 888 audio recorder/mixer — B&H, Sweetwater

- Earthworks Ethos studio microphone — B&H, Sweetwater

- Universal Audio Volt 276 USB Audio Interface — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Rycote HC-15 and HC-22 Shotgun Microphones

In this episode, we have a look at the new HC-15 and HC-22 shotgun microphones from Rycote. Rycote is known for decades for making high quality wind protection and shock mounts for microphones. Now, they’ve produced their first two microphones for production sound. Let’s put them to the test!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Rycote HC-15 and HC-22 shotgun microphones & Nano Shield — B&H

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Canon C200 camera — B&H

- Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens — B&H, Amazon

- Litepanels Gemini 1x1 Soft RGBWW LED Light - B&H

- DoP Choice Snapbags for Litepanels 1x1 lights - B&H

- Aputure Amaran 100D LED light used to light the back wall with the spotlight mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount ellipsoidal projection lens for Aputure COB lights - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: Rycote Microphones & Q&A

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we'll demo two new microphones from Rycote and answer your sound related questions.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We also just added a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Rycote HC 15 and 22 Shotgun Microphones & Nano Shield wind cover - B&H

- Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Behind the Sound Cart by Patrushkha Mierzwa - Amazon

- Earthworks SR314 - B&H, Sweetwater

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 Camera - B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon

- TA3-M to XLR-F Adapter cable to feed microphones to C70 or Blackmagic Pocket cameras - B&H

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Recording with Shotgun Microphones in the Wind

When recording dialogue for my video projects, I prefer to use a shotgun mic when working outdoors. But up until this point, I have not had a proper wind cover for my shotgun mics, just the foam wind covers and furry covers that fit over the foam. And while these help, they don't stop all the wind so I still end up with plenty of distorted bits when the wind makes its way through all of the fur and foam.

B&H Photo was kind enough to loan me a couple of things to evaluate and see whether they would solve this issue. Specifically, they sent over the Rycote Modular Windshield Kit and the K-Tek Avalon KEG 1550 CCR carbon fiber boom pole.

So I put an Azden SGM-250 shotgun microphone into the windshield kit, put it on the boom pole and tested it out in aproximately 15 mph wind for an interview.

And I was pleased to find that it cut all of the distortion that you normally get in the wind when the wind hits the microphone's capsule directly.

The K-Tek boom pole was a pleasure to use with its carbon fiber tubing, internal, coiled cable, and the 90 degree XLR connector near the bottom of the pole (so that you can rest the end of the pole on the ground between takes). The carbon fiber adds a bit to the price but makes for a lighter pole and when you're holding this thing overhead for more than a couple of minutes, every ounce really counts. I plan to buy this one as my first proper microphone boom.

A couple of days later, I met up with my friend Levi Whitney who runs a small production company here in the Salt Lake City area and he happened to have his RODE Blimp wind cover with him. So we had a look over both of them to compare:

It's very similar in design to the Rycote Wind Cover but the first thing I noticed is that it is larger in diameter so it offers a little more space between the diffusion material and the microphone and according to Levi, he hasn't experienced any distortion from wind with it yet. It also comes with the furry cover that RODE calls the Dead Wombat. Cheeky. In any case, I really like them both and they both seem just as effective at eliminating noise. Here's Levis piece demonstrating the RODE Blimp:

So I think I have some pretty good options here in terms of wind covers!