- Black short faux fur construction
- Reduces unwanted wind noise
Fake fur toppers or windscreens for portable recorders like the DR-40 and the Zoom Hn4 usually run around $40, so when I saw this one for $26.10, I decided to check it out. Prior to this I spent the better part of an afternoon looking for fake fur in the small city in which I live, with no luck. I now realize that even if I had found some fake fur, the effort I would've had to put into turning it into a DIY fuzzy topper would not have been worth it. For one thing, not all fake furs are equal where fuzzy windscreens are concerned, and a DIY fuzzy windscreen could easily turn out to be less than effective for its intended purpose.
But before placing my order I looked for reviews online. In addition to the only other review on this page (at present) than mine, all I could find for this specific model was a one-liner at the B&H site, which said, "windscreen is short and tends to slip off the recorder very easily." That made me hesitate to order it, but I figured I could always return it if I was in any way unsatisfied. I also read reviews for K-Tek toppers for recorders other than the DR-40, and those were overwhelmingly positive.
While it's true that the K-Tek KTDR40 is short, in my experience it does not slip off easily. The elastic on the topper I received is extremely tight, and the width of the elastic is about 5/16 of an inch, while the area on the DR-40 where it can grab onto is just about 1/2 inch wide. The other review on this page says that the topper may fly off if you use it when using headphones to monitor your recording. While I can see how this could be a problem, I find that as long as I am gentle when pushing the elastic out of the way of the headphone jack, this is not a problem at all. When the elastic is pushed up enough to permit access to the jack, there is still enough area on the headphone jack side of the DR-40 to allow this topper to have a tight fit.
When I want to use the DR-40 with the microphones in the AB position (extended outwards) with the topper, I have to move the microphones after the topper is in place. This is a bit of a hassle but a topper would have to be needlessly roomy for this to be otherwise.
Turing the KTDR40 inside out, it appears thoroughly well made. I cannot see the stitching on the seams, though the seams appear to be very well stitched, as does the elastic. There is a small tab on the outside that says K-Tek on one side (white lettering on black) while there's a full color US flag on the other (bordered by black).
How about the sound? Before getting this fuzzy topper I used my DR-40 to record the sounds of a nearby river on a breezy day, and the result was worthless, as even the slightest movement of air is picked up by the DR-40. Even moving it indoors while recording, e.g., while walking with it in hand from point to point, results in an obtrusive wind sound. (Being an amateur at sound recording, I don't yet know how to make adjustments in the recorder itself that might help make wind sounds less of a problem, but based on everything I've read, one must use a windscreen wherever there is any wind regardless of the recording settings.)
With the fuzzy topping on my DR-40, recording the same river in the same spot on a windy rather than merely breezy day resulted in a fine recording, with no obtrusive wind sounds. Recording indoors with the topper on the DR-40 while moving about eliminates air movement sounds that the DR-40 mics pick up when used without the topper. The difference is really night and day and I am quite satisfied with the KTDR40, though I won't deny that I'm curious to hear what kind of difference a more expensive fuzzy topper might make.
K-Tek products are manufactured in the US, and K-Tek Boom Poles has been providing audio production accessories to professionals for nearly two decades, and was founded by the late Manfred Klemme. Klemme was honored with an Outstanding Achievement in engineering development award by the 1999 Prime Time Emmy Awards, and in 1998 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored him with a Technical Achievement Award for the K-Tek boom pole that he invented. K-Tek has a solid reputation and the very high quality of this fuzzy windscreen shows why.
It came in a heavy plastic bag (inside a bubbly shipping envelope), which I now use to store it when it's not in use. I'm more than pleased with this purchase.
Buy K-Tek KTDR40 Topper Fuzzy Windscreen (for DR40) Now
I bought this windscreen primarily based on the price, and it had few, but good reviews. My experience after giving it more than a fair shake, is it's incredibly difficult to put on, it's just too small for my Tascam dr-40. Not just occasionally, but every time I attempt to use it, I struggle for several minutes and countless tries to get the darn thing on. I have very dextrous fingers, no arthritis, but it just plain doesn't fit well. And yes, as another reviewer commented, it can and will shoot off if you're not super careful handling your unit. When I place it in my pelican case, it comes off every time. Another reviewer made the comment that the mics can be adjusted pointing outward once the windscreen is in place. This is wrong. You can manage finagle them to point straight forward, but mine is too small for the mics to point outward, and once they are adjusted to this position, it easily pops off because they are pushing against the end of the topper. Yes, it works as described, no problems there. But after using it a couple of dozen times now, it just never seems to get any better, I hoped it would stretch out or something. I'm sending it back, despite the fair price, to get one that I don't struggle with every time I try to use it. Very frustrating, and worth the extra $15 to avoid. I could have gotten a blem or something, but not going to risk getting another. Good company, good booms, poor windscreen for the dr-40.Read Best Reviews of K-Tek KTDR40 Topper Fuzzy Windscreen (for DR40) Here
By all means this windscreen isn't professional grade...you can still hear winds that are moving fairly fast. However, on the average day with winds moving relatively calmly the windscreen does exactly what it should: Block unwanted wind noise. I saw that there was no review so I thought I'd give my brief review of this product. First off, I would definitely order from K-Tek...they got the item to me within a few days and to be honest, it was in very good shape when I got it. I was also surprised to find it had more hair than I thought it would. Now onto the short review: The windscreen has a very tight grip on it, and a loose end so the bars aren't effected by the screen. The only thing that keeps this from getting a 5 start review is that if you plan on using monitor headphones with it, be prepared for it to fly off. The band is strong but it covers the line in for monitor headphones. That's really my only issue with itWant K-Tek KTDR40 Topper Fuzzy Windscreen (for DR40) Discount?
Honestly, this is a piece of furry fabric with an elastic band. I absolutely cannot see why I paid $26.10 for it! It is worth $4.99 at most. It can't take more than a dollar to make. My advice for anyone who is crafty is to go to the fabric store, buy the materials and make your own. The only reason I gave it 2 stars and not just 1 is that is does appear at least well made and fits nicely. My issue is the highway robbery price! I honestly feel robbed!
Not a good product for a quick application when you're under the gun.
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