bisebaer

Ah yes, I messed them up ;-) I'll try and see what is the best ...

Just a question: I'm using a Rode NT4 to record fair and barrel organs (indeed!). I'm using manual record levels, but should I set my mic sensitivity to "low" or "high". I'd guess high, since the volume of these instruments is rather loud, but on the other hand, they can sound 'quiet' too, depending on the music ... OK, I know: I could try it out, but I'd like some expert's opinion on this

I've been using the NT-4 for some time now and have always used it with the mic-in (power source: internal 9V battery). I did try the line-in, but the restults were rather disappointing, while the results with the mic-in are very good (in my opinion, at least).

Quicktime player plays it ...

So, will we finally be able to set recording level manually directly without having to dig into the menu? I love (Hi-)MD, but the lack of this feature has been a major drawback for me lately.

The Rode NT4 can indeed work from an internal 9V battery; but connecting to the line in didn't give me good results: the levels were always too low (and a fair organ is pretty loud ...). When possible, I do use a small Yamaha mixer with good preamps (well, good for its price), and the results are slightly better than when connecting the mic directly to the MD mic in.

I don't think it's silly: I have the Rode NT4 and use it with my MZ-NH900 to make fair organ recordings, and the results are really satisfying. I also used the MS907, but my Rode NT4 gives a deeper and richer sound. I haven't tried the MS957 though.

Sadly, you first have to upload the recordings before you can even convert them to .wav ... So: YES!

I made a recording of 2 Hi-MD-discs in PCM-mode using the internal battery and 1 Duracell AA, so I guess there's no problem there. I do make sure my battery is fully loaded when I start recording.

Thanks Dex; the reason for my question is that I noticed that in two very loud passages I recorded with the NT4 via the mic-in, show some distortion, although the recording levels were set correctly. So, perhaps I should invest in some reasonably priced pre-amps?

Well, I tried it, and it worked OK, at least for the loud organ passages, but some passages are rather quiet, and I had the impression I lost some of the detail (record level was set at highest possible without distortion in loud passages) - or is that just an impression? Are those powered mics like the NT4 made to go line-in?

Just a question: will it make a noticeable difference if I use mic pre-amps and then record via the line-in instead of using my Rode NT4 mic directly in the mic-input of my MD-unit (MZ-NH900)? If so, can anyone recommend me a reasonably priced mic pre-amp (or set of pre-amps, since it's for a stereo mic)? I'm not really in need of a mixing table, since everything needs to be portable, and I'd rather do some mixing on my computer afterwards.

Indeed, no hum ... and the NT4 is a great mic. I did my first recording with it yesterday, and the result was quite amazing - at least, compared with my ECM-MS907 Much more depth, and more details, esp. in the higher tones. I had to fiddle a little with the mic sensitivity settings on my MD-unit, but it worked out fine. Just a question: will it make a noticeable difference if I use mic pre-amps and then record via the line-in instead of using the NT4 directly in the mic-input of my MD-unit? If so, can anyone recommend me a reasonably priced mic pre-amp (or set of pre-amps, since it's for a stereo mic)?

Thanks, dex Otaku, that's a relief ... I'll let you know how the recording next Monday has gone!

I'm a little confused: I don't have an external power supply, but the NT4 does use an 'internal' 9V battery. Will this prevent the hum problem or not? My friend has used the NT4 (only with the 9V battery) with a Sony MZ-N900, and never complained about hum, but I don't know if there were similar hum problems as with the Hi-MD units?

The second hand AT825 apparently was used with an MD unit (someone travelling in Hungary, but the mic is OK ;-) ) since it comes with a special connector cable. However, I read the specs of the Rode NT4 and they seem to be 'slightly' better than those of the AT825. I read some reviews of the NT4 and some user experiences on this forum, and I'm getting really curious about the results. The only thing that worries me is another post in this subforum about excessive hum when using a Hi-MD unit on AC power with a powered mic - but I'll have to try. I'll let you know what my final decision will be ;-)

As expected, SP pointed me towards the PSM-3. However, I'm lucky, since a friend of mine (who plays the drums in a band) is lending me his Rode NT4, which I will try Monday. If I'm pleased, he's willing me to sell it at a friendly price ... but first try and see!

Hmm, upon close reading, I suppose the PSM-4 is only a mono microphone? Then I would need two mics, and that's not really what I want. Besides, I noticed that in 'cardioid' mode, the PSM-4 also has a range from 50-18000, which is not that much above my ECM-MS907. Perhaps I should go for the AT825, but can I connect this mic without any problem to my minidisc? I'm also afraid the AT825 might be overkill, but on the other hand: it's kind of an investment ... But I now see that the range of the AT825 is 30-20000, while the PSM-3 has 20-20000. I suppose this will make some difference, or not? Anyway: many, many thanks for the help!!! I'm sure I'll find something, one day or another :grin:

Hmm, someone also pointed me towards the Audio Technica AT825; I know someone who is offering it for sale second hand for about 250$ ... I know, my budget is ca.250€ - but this doesn't mean it has to be spent all at once ... I just want a handy mic, which gives slightly better results than my ECM-MS907 ... Once again, many thanks in advance! Björn

Many thanks for the advice; I visited soundprofessionalscom and they have a lot of very interesting stuff, but I'm really getting confused now ... Someone told me that - for fair organ recordings - I really should use a unidirectional microphone, but is this right? FYI: I often record in open air, but from time to time also in organ halls etc. - but mostly there are people around, so I don't want lots of their talk on my recording. Should I get a unidirectional then? And is unidirectional the same as cardioid? I'd also rather have one single microphone, since I need to carry it around on trips. The following models are on my 'interested in' list: - SP-SPSM-4F, but I dislike the idea of having to use a battery module to get most out of the mic - SP-PSM-3: sounds most interesting to me, esp. with the 20-20000 range; but what is the actual difference with the SP-ECM-MS907? And why is this one more expensive than the SP-PSM-4, which has a selectable pattern? OK, shoot me if I ask too many questions, but I'm more or less a newbie (bought the ECM-MS907 on advice of someone else) ... Many thanks! Björn

Hi all, One of my hobbies is mechanical music, and I always use MD (now MZ-NH900) to record all kinds of barrel, fair and dance organs. I'm now using a Sony 907 mic, which gives me very good results, but the only thing that I miss, is more bass. I suppose this is caused by the frequency response range (or how do you call that - I'm not an expert :smile: ) of the 907; therefore, I was considering the 957, for its higher frequency response - but would this give better results? Or should I look for something else? My budget is about 250€ (ca.280 USD). Many thanks in advance! Best wishes, Björn Belgium

291MB, according to the manual. So, pretty useless to make a continuous recording on a Hi-MD without track marks, no? Viva Hi-MD-renderer :rasp: