RYCOTE 021904 WINDJAMMER WJ AF

The modular suspension provides support for the microphone and the other accessories. It is a central bar fitted with two Lyre clips. The microphone is supported by the Universal Lyre clips (for microphones between diameters of 19-25mm). There are four different bar (module) lengths; 1, 2, 3 correspond to small, medium and large respectively. Half module types are a special case. See below. Sizes 1, 2 and 3 are moulded from a black, reinforced glass polymer incorporating a UV stabilizer to prevent UV light deterioration and a rubber additive to prevent it being brittle, making it up to 60% more stronger than the alternative metal bar. Other sizes are made from machined aluminium and hard-anodized in black.

'Mono' types - Single Microphone Body

These have two Lyre clips, to take a single microphone body. The name 'Mono' should be treated with caution since it refers to the suspension holding a single microphone which may be either mono or stereo. They are offered in three different sizes, each of which can accommodate various different microphones by using five different varieties of Lyre suspensions. Please see the compatibility chart below to select the appropriate size.

Included accessories: Pistol-grip with 3/8″ thread socket, lightweight boom adaptor (also 3/8″ socket), a clip-on XLR holder, a set of virtually unbreakable Universal Lyres for 19-25mm diameter microphones, a pair of square MKH Lyre clips and a hard-wired Connbox 1 (microphone tail for Large Modular Suspensions), a hex key for adjustments.
Optional accessories: Connboxes, Modular Windshields, Hi Wind covers, Windjammers; see below. Lyre clips for microphones with larger diameter (30mm) must be used with some models, with heavier microphones requiring grey, 30mm, 'heavy duty' lyre clips (see chart), order separately.

'Stereo' types - One or Two Microphone Bodies

These have two Lyre clips, to take a single microphone body, and, in general, are supplied with back-to-back clips to suit two microphone bodies mounted parallel to each other. The term 'Stereo' should be treated with caution, because certain larger single-body mono microphones require the larger diameter windshield and accessories in order to fit.

Included accessories: Pistol-grip with 3/8″ thread socket, lightweight boom adaptor (also 3/8″ socket), a clip-on XLR holder, a set of virtually unbreakable Universal Lyres for 19-25mm diameter microphones, a pair of square MKH Lyre clips and a hex key for adjustments.
Optional accessories: Connboxes, Modular Windshields, Hi Wind covers, Windjammers; see below. Lyre clips for microphones with larger diameter (30mm) must be used with some models, with heavier microphones requiring grey, 30mm, 'heavy duty' lyre clips. (see chart), order separately.

'Half Module' - One Microphone Capsule

Referred to by Rycote as a Mono Extended Ballgag (or XBG) due to the parts from a Baby Ballgag used to comprise it, is fitted with one 19/22mm Lyre clip at the front and one 9.5mm Lyre clip at the back.

Included accessories: Lightweight boom adaptor (3/8″ socket), hex key for adjustments and a clip-on XLR holder.
Optional accessories: Alternative Connboxes, Modular Windshields, Hi Wind covers, Windjammers; see below.

'Half Module' - Two Microphone Capsules

These have a single hoop and are supplied with dual clips to take two capsules mounted parallel to each other. The 'mono' size, referred to by Rycote as a Mono Extended Ballgag M/S, with a small hoop, is available with a dual ('MS') clip to take two capsules mounted parallel to each other. The 'stereo' size, referred to by Rycote as a Stereo Extended Ballgag M/S, with larger hoop, has a dual ('MS') clip. See optional accessories for suitable 'XY' clips.

Included accessories: Lightweight boom adaptor (3/8″ socket), replaceable silicone rubber suspension elements in the same 'weight', hex key for adjustments, a clip-on XLR holder and 2 x stepped rivets.
Optional accessories: Connboxes, Modular Windshields, Hi Wind covers, Windjammers; see below. The XY / MS mount fits into the 'stereo' half module 40215 suspension (not the smaller 'mono' version), replacing the standard MS clip, to take 19-20 or 21-22mm capsules such as Neumann AK and Schoeps CCM types. The mount uses an accurate reference pin-location system to provide preset 120, 105, 90, 70 or 0 degrees (MS) inter-capsule angles while maintaining true vertical coincidence.

Microphone cable is frequently so stiff that it 'short circuits' acoustic isolation almost completely. The thick or double cables used for stereo microphones are particularly bad in this respect. The Connbox can be fitted to the Modular Suspension to avoid this and isolate and eradicate cable-borne noise. The Connbox acts as a transition connector and anchor point for the microphone cables. Available in mono or stereo models, it has a flexible starquad output cable that terminates in a 3-pin or 5-pin XLR at the pistol grip. The input cable which connects to the microphone(s) is an ultra-thin pluggable tail fitted with either a Lemo or XLR connector. The cable needs no special dressing or positioning.

Connbox kits have two (colour coded) elements. The plastic box itself attaches to the suspension; it has one or two miniature input connectors, depending on model, and captive output cable. The input cable(s) connect between the microphone(s) and the box. The Connbox 7 and 8 are both supplied with two input cables of differing lengths (110/130mm (CB7) and 90/200mm (CB 8)) to allow for the vertical displacement of the stereo pair whereas the cables with the Connbox 6 are both 110mm.

These are light-grey plastic 'basket' windshields, which slide on to the Modular Suspension surrounding the whole microphone, connector and suspension, to provide excellent wind-noise reduction. Front and rear caps use a fast twist-on bayonet fitting. The basket interfaces to the metal bar of the suspension using an extruded plastic 'filler-strip' which also seals the connection. The modular nature provides for fitting extension pieces to extend the length of the windscreen, so one windshield can be used with several microphones. On 'stereo' baskets, only one end cap is removable. A wide range of sizes are available to cater for almost every microphone, see compatibility charts below. Technical Support can advise suitable models for those microphones not listed.

The 'mono' 100mm diameter and 'stereo' 140mm types fit 'mono' and 'stereo' suspensions respectively. Two sizes are sometimes referred to as 'extended' types, since they are basically two end caps from a 'Baby Ball Gag' (See Rycote non modular windshields) with an extension piece to produce a very short basket. These fit the half-module suspensions. Sizes AA and AC fit 'mono' and 'stereo' versions respectively.

Optional accessories: Hi Wind covers, Windjammers; see below. Filler strips are available as spares.

These can be fitted to windshields and can provide approximately 3-5dB improvement in wind-noise in low wind conditions. These are manufactured from a black fleece material, held in place by "hook and loop" fasteners (Mono Extended Ball Gag HWC uses elastic and not "hook and loop"). Each cover fits one specific size of windshield.

Windjammers are synthetic fur fabric covers in two-tone grey and can give 12dB+ of wind-noise reduction over a standard windshield. They fit securely using a draw-string (zipped versions are available to special order - contact Sales for details). The materials used are exceptionally transparent to audio and will remain so if regularly groomed with the brush provided. Each Windjammer fits one size of windshield.

Included accessories: Rycote 'quick-draw' hairbrush!

Note: Some stereo microphones have a single body and fit inside 'mono' width suspensions and windshields.

Important: Small, medium and large in the table equate to 1-module, 2-module and 3-module. Mono XBG is a half module, 'mono' suspension, referred to by Rycote as a Mono Extended Ballgag.

Note (1): Reduced length. (2): Full length. (3): With super-cardioid tube. (4): Special order version using larger lyres required - contact Technical Support for details. (5) With CUT1 filter. (6): With capsule remote. (7) With MZD pre-amp and MZF filter.