AT 875R vs Deity D3 Pro?

[joeperchard]

Hi everyone,

I am currently looking at buying a shotgun mic to use as a boom for an upcoming short film I am making with some friends and am not sure which to buy. I have a budget of max $300 AUD and am ok with second hand mics. Lots of the film will be outdoors as well, so the mic will need to perform well in wind/outdoor environment as well as indoor. We will be using a BMPCC4k so can plug an XLR mic straight in (using mini-xlr adapter), a 3.5mm, or can purchase a Zoom recorder if necessary.

We have found the Audio Technica AT875R and the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro in that price range. Other suggestions are welcome.

My question is, which of these would you recommend? Will the XLR connection of the AT875R be the better choice due to interference and hiss? Or would the Deity D3 Pro be better as it is a bit newer? Or would the fact that the Deity is 3.5mm introduce to much risk of noise?

Thanks in advance!
Joe

[resistorman]

The Deity is camera mount only, you can use the AT on a boom with standard mic cables using long runs if needed. I would go for flexibility. Nice looking camera BTW. I’d be interested in how the 4 internal mics sound.

[joeperchard]

Thanks for the advice! Could you not just attach the Deity to a boom pole and run a 3.5mm to a Zoom recorder? I've seen examples of this, just wasn't sure about the comparison between the XLR and 3.5mm in terms of interference.

However, I probably will go with the Audio Technica.

[resistorman]

Thanks for the advice! Could you not just attach the Deity to a boom pole and run a 3.5mm to a Zoom recorder?

I suppose you could, but recording into the camera has the huge advantage of not having to sync separate files, especially unlocked ones. I would assume Black Magic has a decent preamp in there, at least as good as a Zoom.

[joeperchard]

Yeah, from what I've heard the pre amps in the Black Magic are pretty decent if not a bit better than a basic Zoom recorder.

Would you say that running a long 3.5mm cable, say 3 metres, would introduce interference/hiss? I'm assuming there's a higher risk as it's less stable than the XLR?

[Mike Stranks]

Have you discovered Curtis Judd's YouTube channels?

He is the best when it comes to reviews of audio-for-video gear and will probably have conducted in-depth reviews of these two mics. No hype, no histrionics, no showmanship, just detailed analysis and comment from someone who's an audio for video person for his job.

He also has a weekly livestream (on Sunday) where you can ask direct questions such as this.

[Arpangel]

I’d go for the AT, purely from a sonic and value for money point of view, they are very good, I’ve got two.
I’ve compared them to Sennheiser and Schoeps shotguns, the differences aren’t worth the extra cash, if you’re not on a mega budget.

[Wonks]

But the mic alone has no special wind protection. To get any useable outside sound recordings, you are going to need a dead cat/blimp-style windsock for the mic.

And a decent one i.e. Rycote, is going to cost more than the mic. Without one you'll only be able to record on an absolutely still day. The more you spend, the windier you can go (though there are limits).

[Mike Stranks]

Wise words from Wonks!

Both are good mics... it's down to what suits you best.

I'd also suggest you checkout the Rode NTG4+ ... comes with the added convenience of being self-powered if needed.

Regarding the 3.5mm questions... as long as you're using decent cable and connectors and don't run cables for tens of metres then this shouldn't be an issue. I use 3.5mm connections all the time for my video work with no issues, BUT the mic/audio inputs on some camera/camcorders leave a lot to be desired.

To be sure of best results I'd be using an external recorder such as one of the Zooms or a Sound Devices... but that ups the cost of course... and you have to sync in post.

[Mike Stranks]

Have you discovered Curtis Judd's YouTube channels?

He is the best when it comes to reviews of audio-for-video gear and will probably have conducted in-depth reviews of these two mics. No hype, no histrionics, no showmanship, just detailed analysis and comment from someone who's an audio for video person for his job.

He also has a weekly livestream (on Sunday) where you can ask direct questions such as this.

Curtis's reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NknNRy ... CurtisJudd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9Sde3e ... CurtisJudd

[Arpangel]

But the mic alone has no special wind protection. To get any useable outside sound recordings, you are going to need a dead cat/blimp-style windsock for the mic.

And a decent one i.e. Rycote, is going to cost more than the mic. Without one you'll only be able to record on an absolutely still day. The more you spend, the windier you can go (though there are limits).

How true, wiser words never written.
I need to get a Rycote, there’s been too many recordings I’ve missed because of a lack of wind protection.

[pk.roberts]

Film locations can be electrically quite hostile places (lighting cables etc) so, for me, that would mean the Deity is a no-no. For future proofing your investment, something with a balanced XLR connection will give you far more flexibility as well. As others have added, don't forget a decent shock-mount and wind-cover ('dead cat') will be needed as well along with a decent pole.
From experience, the camera operator is unlikely to care much about sound and even if they do, they will be concentrating on the image rather than monitoring levels and quality for you; so unless you really have to, don't use the camera as your audio recorder. Use the onboard camera mics for guide/syncing and use a separate recorder if possible. TBH one thing that will make the biggest difference to your final audio will be how good your boom operator is.
It's also worth having a chat with the post production team to understand what they need and expect. Good paperwork, consistent file naming and clear slates could make them your friends forever.

[Mike Stranks]

Just to say that if you're interested in the AT875R, Pinknoise Systems have it at a good price in their Winter Sale.

[Wonks]

Just to say that if you're interested in the AT875R, Pinknoise Systems have it at a good price in their Winter Sale.

The OP is in Australia, so somewhere closer to them might be better. Shipping to it is a bit hit-or-miss (and within Australia Aus Post is even worse by all accounts). But that does mean Rode mics should be good value for the OP.

[Mike Stranks]

Thanks Wonks

Yup! I realised that sometime after I'd posted... and have also discovered that the Pinknoise offer (highly though I rate them) isn't as 'wow!' as I'd first imagined...