Lots of filmmakers use furry windshields to cut out noise when shooting outdoors. If you don’t have one, it’s almost impossible to record audio anywhere but indoors. Many mics come with their own wind muffs, wind gags, furries, dead cats – call themwhat you will. They’re designed to cut down on the horrid wind noise that ruins audio so easily. Rycote offers all sorts of wind-deadening kit, with speciality mic covers using high-tech fabrics, or even a TV-style blimp that has your mid held in a suspension unit, with windjammer, inside a large shell. These are really designed for use on a boom pole or separate stand. Are you are using the wind muff your mic came bundled with, or did you buy a knock-off on the internet? Then Rycote’s range is a must. Many standard furry covers just stretch over the mic’s original foam, but Rycote’s most popular are better – the cost-effective Classic-Softie and Short Fur Softie windshields. These are available in different lengths and diameters to fit most shotgun mics, and typically cost around £84/$99. Both have synthetic fur covers over a specially-designed acoustic foam, cutting up to 25dB of noise, without losing high-frequency audio. The Short Fur Softie is slightly smaller with a lower- profile design, ideal for use on camera-mounted mics – it’s less obtrusive and shouldn’t get in the shot. The longer-hair version is larger, better suited to boom poles, and slightly more adept at cutting down wind noise. But our rudimentary tests using a studio fan proved there wasn’t much in it. Both are great performers, and come with their own hairbrush to keep them looking good. rycote.com RYCOTE’S SOFT OPTIONS
CLASS KIT Deity’s BP-TRX system (above) isn’t just a digital wireless lavalier transmitter – open it up and see its versatility for yourself (far left)
an OLED screen and two gain-adjustable 3.5mm TRS outputs, usable in three output modes. XLR mode sends a separate audio channel as a balanced signal to each output jack, DSLR mode mixes both audio channels to one output and turns the other jack into a headphone output, while stereo mode routes a feed from each transmitter to separate outputs. Unfortunately there’s no timecode support, but the receiver has a 10-hour operating time at 100mW–more at lower settings – via an internal lithium battery. It takes about an hour to charge via a USB Type-C connection. As with units that offer this many advanced features, the menus can be a bit complicated at first. But with so much choice and excellent audio quality, it’s a low price to pay for something high-end that will last for years. deitymic.com “All the high-end features normally found in expensive cinema audio kit are here, at a price indie filmcrews can afford”
BEST BUFFERS Rycote’s Classic-Softie and Short Fur Softie (top right) are both available in different lengths and diameters to fit most shotgun mics
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