Re: New Rycote S series

(edited for clarity from an earlier post)

I gave these a quick test in a local retailer and I was less than
inpressed.

I have been struggling along with slip-on furries that offered almost
no protection. The S series is built the same way- with a basket and
a single layer of fake fur.

For comparison, I tested an old modular Rycote with a wooden handle, a
knock-off modular system, and the S series. I used 2 mics (a short
Sennheiser, and the AT 4073a I normally use) with a running floor fan
as a wind source. I compared the uncovered mics against the three
windscreen systems.

This was a quick test under the most unlikely circumstance. Still, I
figure if a
mic can sit unaffected in front of a running fan, I would say the
windscreen is doing a good job.
And after the previous weekend I had in Santa Clarita fighting with my
slip-on furries, I wasn't settling for anything less than 100%
protection.

-The old Rycote basket cut about 90% (approx, obviously) of the fan,
and 100% with the homemade furry it had.
-The knock-off basket cut about 80% (approx, obviously) of the fan
and 100% with the lightly-padded furry cover.
-The S series cut almost nothing. I suppose you could wrap it in a
zippered furry cover for heavy wind, but that defeats the purpose of
the furry
'pods'.

This seems suited to ENG and less demanding recording situations. I
would not use where clean tracks are expected to be recorded on
location.

That said, the handle and clip mount system is brilliant, and will be
a real improvement in future modular systems. Hell, if the 'pods' had
combined the 2 to 4 layers of wind interference you get in a modular
system, it would be revolutionary.
I just can't conclude the single layer of fur interference the S
system offers is any significant amount of protection.

.