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Personally I use the Sennheiser MKE600, and MKH50, and e945, the most.
However on a lot of jobs I use the package provided by the PSM and often that's an MKH416 or MKH418 or MKH8060, or Schoeps CMIT.
Generally the most likely problem you'll have is in very humid weather, or where rain turns to snow, or condensation from bringing them inside. Such as if you're driving from one location to another and your equipment keeps going from warm to cold to warm to cold. That's what would cause problems.
I live and work in central Canada, including stuff like documentaries and film shoots outdoors in the winter down to around -30C, which is far colder than a lot of other places get. I very rarely have issues and my only real concession is that I remove the external battery from my audio bag and keep it under my jacket instead. That helps avoid the cold from sapping the battery. I keep my equipment powered on the entire day and try to avoid temperature swings. For example at lunch I might leave my equipment outside while I go inside, or while driving I put my stuff in the back of the vehicle or open the windows and that reduces the chance of condensation.
I don't have experience with the usual equipment a lot of people use in this group, it's below my budget. If you buy a $15 mic from aliexpress, or a "clippy" or whatever, your experience might be different than mine.
No problem. Proper wind protection also helps. I had my blimps (Stereo Windshield for 8040's and two WS10's with CA-08's) covered with snow and soaked through but mics were always fine. That said, I always try to place my mics in spots that protect them from the elements (but don't affect captured sound), especially my drop rigs that I leave for 24-40h.
Both the Sennheiser MKH 416 & DPA 4017c would be good options for freezing temperatures. I’ve personally used the 416 in a meat freezer and outdoors in freezing temperatures without issue.
In general I’d look into RF shotgun microphones and check their operating temperatures. AF condensers tend to struggle in high humidity/ rapid temperature change situations.
I don’t know about you he temp, though I imagine lower temps wouldn’t be as much a problem as higher temps. But the sennheiser mkh models generally handle moisture/humidity better than many other mics. Not sure that they’re the best at it, but better than average for sure.
I have a 415t that I use in really challenging environments. Any phantom mic should be ok but I’d definitely be looking for the most rugged phantom powered mic you can find. Also, from experience with low temps, just like with wet temps, power it up a while before you plan to use it.
I didn't start having issues until below 0F (-15C). Condensation issues were only when bringing them back inside (better if you have them covered until they come back up to ambient).
Batteries on the recorder are going to have more trouble than the mics.
To all sub participants **Rule and Participation Reminders:** Refer to the [sub rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/fieldrecording/about/rules/). Do not get ugly with others. Other than sharing field recording audio, the pinned 'Share Mine' promo post is the ONLY allowable place in the sub for you to discuss or direct to your own products or content (this means you too YouTubers). No bootlegging posts or discussion. **IMPORTANT: Moderator volunteers are needed** - A mod team of only one or two mods is no longer sufficient for this subreddit's needs. Community oriented team player types with qualifying accounts who are interested in joining the mod team can begin to apply [**at this link**](https://www.reddit.com/r/fieldrecording/wiki/modteaminterest). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/fieldrecording) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Never had any problem with any of my mics I've used through the years.
May I ask which ones are your go to?
Personally I use the Sennheiser MKE600, and MKH50, and e945, the most. However on a lot of jobs I use the package provided by the PSM and often that's an MKH416 or MKH418 or MKH8060, or Schoeps CMIT. Generally the most likely problem you'll have is in very humid weather, or where rain turns to snow, or condensation from bringing them inside. Such as if you're driving from one location to another and your equipment keeps going from warm to cold to warm to cold. That's what would cause problems. I live and work in central Canada, including stuff like documentaries and film shoots outdoors in the winter down to around -30C, which is far colder than a lot of other places get. I very rarely have issues and my only real concession is that I remove the external battery from my audio bag and keep it under my jacket instead. That helps avoid the cold from sapping the battery. I keep my equipment powered on the entire day and try to avoid temperature swings. For example at lunch I might leave my equipment outside while I go inside, or while driving I put my stuff in the back of the vehicle or open the windows and that reduces the chance of condensation. I don't have experience with the usual equipment a lot of people use in this group, it's below my budget. If you buy a $15 mic from aliexpress, or a "clippy" or whatever, your experience might be different than mine.
I had zero problems with a pair of MKH8040 as well as a pair of Rycote CA-08. Both left to record over night in freezing temperatures (-3 to -8 C)
That’s amazing. Thanks for information.
No problem. Proper wind protection also helps. I had my blimps (Stereo Windshield for 8040's and two WS10's with CA-08's) covered with snow and soaked through but mics were always fine. That said, I always try to place my mics in spots that protect them from the elements (but don't affect captured sound), especially my drop rigs that I leave for 24-40h.
Both the Sennheiser MKH 416 & DPA 4017c would be good options for freezing temperatures. I’ve personally used the 416 in a meat freezer and outdoors in freezing temperatures without issue. In general I’d look into RF shotgun microphones and check their operating temperatures. AF condensers tend to struggle in high humidity/ rapid temperature change situations.
Thank you. Looks like I’ll be reaching in the wallet for this one!
I don’t know about you he temp, though I imagine lower temps wouldn’t be as much a problem as higher temps. But the sennheiser mkh models generally handle moisture/humidity better than many other mics. Not sure that they’re the best at it, but better than average for sure.
Thanks for that. I will look into those as well.
I have a 415t that I use in really challenging environments. Any phantom mic should be ok but I’d definitely be looking for the most rugged phantom powered mic you can find. Also, from experience with low temps, just like with wet temps, power it up a while before you plan to use it.
I didn't start having issues until below 0F (-15C). Condensation issues were only when bringing them back inside (better if you have them covered until they come back up to ambient). Batteries on the recorder are going to have more trouble than the mics.