goldenbreast

im new to taping and after posting a request for advice on mics i was inundated with praise for church audio mics. you can get the cardiod mics from him on ebay for $109.99 plus shipping chris (church audio) has a few deals on mics and preamps but if your just after the mics you could pm him at taperssection and he will be able to give you pricing info. might i also add that he is a great seller!, great communication and customer service! http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CHURCH-AUDIO_W0QQ...sQ3amesstQQtZkm (ebay listings) ive just put my recording of aynsley lister on dime if you fancy hearing what they sound like Alex

right...it seems ive managed to get the connections right as im getting sound now, next i have to figure out the best recording levels... thanks for the help

wow!, thanks for the detailed information. i will try and figure it out when i get back from work tomorrow will keep you posted Alex

it looks like the same sound card, if i take the connector out of the green input then the speakers stop working...i dont have the manual for the graphics card as my comps a few years old. so far i connected the connector into the digital input on the soundcard and then into the line in on the md player and no sound is coming through the computer when i press play on the md player. i cant see how im going to get round this

first off, i recorded my first gig a couple of days ago using my rig: sony mz-r55 church audio cardiods church audio 9100 pre-amp i recorded aynsley lister, a blues guitarist, in farnham and have the recording split onto 2 minidiscs. i have downloaded audacity in my attempt to do the analogue transfer. i am having trouble figuring out how how i connect the 3.5 interconnect cable to my md and soundcard. the soundcard is a creative labs sound blaster audigy 2 PCI card and has a 'digital' input in the back which appears to be the only available connection as the others are taken. im also trying to find a step by step guide on how to do the analogue transfer using audacity as i have no idea how to use it. any help would be appreciated. on another note, if i had a hi-md player i could do a digital transfer which would be done using a usb cable right and the software provided?

thanks for the help. my immediate plans are to build the mic and battery box using greenmachine's guide. hopefully i will manage to do so and then try record a few gigs. i might just go to a local pub and record a band there. alternatively i might record a mates band in a practice room. basically, i want to get a feel for it all before i actually step out and attempt to record in a larger venue with security. it seems like it could be a bit fiddly... im gonna get cracking with the building in a couple of weeks when i finish uni and will post pics (if i can) when finished

have you tried maplin? - in my local shop they have a microphone section, although pretty small and limited, there are various accessories. im not certain but its worth checking. you could just search on the website alternatively perhaps ebay? you may have already checked them out, im not sure on other places as im a newbie too good luck

i have taken of the insulation on the 'inner wire' - each cable now has two wires showing, both are copper. i might have a problem getting enough distance between the mics when i finally get round to making them as i you can only split the two cables untill it reaches a blocker (a circular plastic thing) - as far as i can tell, its not possible to take that bit off in order to split the cables more so to get enough distance to mount on spectacles...any ideas? - does this make sense? lol UPDATE: i managed to hack off the plastic bit mentioned, im now able to seperate the wires as much as i want - ive seperated each one approx 15cm. i will test it out with my glasses to get the optimum seperation which fits comfortably and then perhaps use some tape to stop the cable splitting anymore - unless there's a better way of doing it. p.s. i tried to upload some pics of the cable (that ive modified) but for some reason wasnt able to (?)

i ended up buying a stereo 3.5mm jack to twin phono lead: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...IN&doy=17m5 cost £3.99. i chopped off the red and white phono connections to and each of those has two strands of wire - one of which is encased in a red/white plastic cover. as far as im aware, this should do the job. not a very technical explanation but i hope you get my drift. would also appreciate some info as to whether this can be used for the mic lead cheers Alex

i went to maplin today and bought the following: mic components: Stereo Double Shielded Microphone Cable - 1 metre : http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...amp;doy=14m5%5b Right-Angled 3.5mm Stereo Plug <a href="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1184&criteria=stereo%20jack&doy=14m5"" target="_blank">http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...;doy=14m5 heat tubing: (7mm as capsules diameter is 6mm) http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criter...0X&DOY=14m5 capsules - i already have the panasonic wm-61a capsules battery box: 2.2uF capsules (63v) X6 10kohm resistors X6 3.5mm stereo jack: http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Module...82&doy=14m5 3.5mm stereo socket (not sure if this is correct): http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Module...91&doy=14m5 cable for stereo jack: http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Module...27&doy=14m5 plain circuit board X1 for the battery, do i simply solder the cable to the stereo jack? as i say, i may have purchased the wrong stuff but i was advised in the shop that this was what i needed.im a little confused as the instructions say 1 cable with stereo connector - the guy in the shop said that meant i needed to get the cable and attach it to the stereo jack - right? UPDATE: i think i may have got the wrong cable for the mic as the picture shows two cables - one for each mic right?. but then those two cables are connected to one 3.5mm stereo jack - how does that work? - what cable should i be looking for then...this is becoming more frustrating as its just so bloody complicated! . apart from buying a set of headphones and chopping the headphones off, can i not buy a cable which is the same - 2 cables that join up at the end so that it can be soldered to a 3.5mm stereo jack (like the one i bought)

oops... seems i messed up - im going to my local maplin today to see if i manage to get some help from their staff...if not i will post back cheers Alex

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Basket.aspx?source=20&doy=13m5 the above link includes what ive added to the basket. i have everything apart from the 3.5mm stereo connector with cable and the circuit board. i can't seem to find the stereo connector with cable but would it be possible to use the cable that is used for the mics and solder some of that cable to the stereo connector?. also, im not sure which type of circuit board im looking for - help? it seems nobody has stepped up with some advice but i would really appreciate some help - does that basket look like it contains the right things? many thanks Alex

if your in the UK, maplin appears to be your answer - i have found on their website, the following cable - i think thats what is needed? http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Module...y=13m5#overview - Twin Individually Screened Microphone Cable. A very flexible, high quality twin screened microphone cable. Stranded cores 14/018mm copper conductors with red and white PVC insulation, individually lap-screened and sheathed overall in grey PVC. Overall diameter: 62mm

many thanks... greenmachine, could i ask you to help me out please?... ...would you mind, if time allows, taken a look at maplin.co.uk and pointing out exactly what components are needed. i have now figured out the capacitors... thanks Alex

does it matter what voltage capacitors i get as long as they are 2.2uf? - ive found some that are 50v, 63v and 100v. i was thinking of getting a selection just in case but if someone could confirm which ones i need for sure then i will stick to those ones thanks Alex

i already have a sony mzr55 but have noticed that the charging input (the yellow hole - yes i know, very technical ) is damaged meaning i cannot connect the ac power supply to it... i want to start making live recordings and it seems that the hi md are all the rave. i know they can transfer much quicker than other MD players but i don't want to spend that much, plus, im happy to have to do the transfers in real time. i have a Creative Audigy Audio Processor sound card - when i got my computer, it was the best upgrade i could get at the time via dell. im not sure if there is an exact model for it, i will have to double check. would this soundcard be good enough to do the transfers?. does it have the inputs necessary for doing transfers?. i see that on ebay you can get net md players pretty cheap so, if anyone could give me some advice on the best ones to look out for i would appreciate it thanks Alex

when it says a number and then K, is that referring to Kohms? im guessing so but want to make sure. i wouldnt want to make an order for the wrong components!

i too saw a battery case and was thinking whether that could be used instead - seems so right?. would that mean i don't need to fanny about with putting together a battery box with the capacitors/resistors etc?. im looking at this one here: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...ox&doy=10m5 im still a little confused with the components. i will make another attempt to find what i need on the maplin website...any help would REALLY be appreciated Alex i have found the below so far (are they the right ones?): angled stereo plug: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=...84&doy=10m5 heat shrinkable tubing: (i have to check which one i need for the panasonic wm-61a capsules) http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?Module...01&doy=10m5 battery box: 2.2uF capacitors: Axial Electrolytic Capacitors, GenElect 2.2uF 100V http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?pctitl...amp;classtype=M resistors: im having trouble figuring out which ones i need - can anyone help please: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criter...rce=15&SD=Y stereo jacks: (various) http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?MenuNo...=y&doy=10m5 stereo connectors: when i type this in it takes me to 'stereo jacks' - are they the same?

hi all i got my mic capsules this morning. went to maplin electronics shop the other day and was completely overwhelmed by all the odds and ends!. i wasn't sure on what i was looking for - there was so much stuff. the staff didn't seem to informative either. would anyone be willing to take the time and search on http://www.maplin.co.uk for the components needed (as listed by greenmachine) and then post the links?. i would really appreciate it many thanks Alex

i recieved my panasonic WM-61A capsules this morning. i didn't realise they were so small!. i went into maplin the other day but was completely overwhelmed by all the bits and bobs - ive also searched on their website but im still unsure what im after as there appears to be different types of one thing thats needed - perhaps its just me being thick... for anyone that can be bothered, can they check http://www.maplin.co.uk and point me in the right direction for whats needed for the mic and battery box? - i would really appreciated it cheers Alex

thanks for the info. thats sorted things out nicely!. im heading to my nearest electrical shop, maplin tomorrow afternoon to see if i can get what i need. thanks again Alex p.s. greenmachine, can you pm information about your mics and battery boxs in english? - no rush, would appreciate it when you get the chance. i'd like to know specifications, delivery costs to UK etc...are they only binaural or do you have cardioids?.

i have just found some panasonic wm-61a capsules on ebay: the guy has 1 set of 10 for sale left at just under £19 i have a question which might seem stupid...whats the difference between wm-61a and wm-61b?. do i need one of each to make it stereo (like a=left and b=right?). im starting to worry as ive already bought a lot of 5 wm-61a's... is it simply a case of them being two different versions? would appreciate some advice thanks Alex p.s. ebay link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-Panasonic-WM-61A-...1QQcmdZViewItem

many thanks for the input i will continue to look into this. meanwhile, on another site, a membert has recommended the following mic: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STEREO-CARDIOID-MICR...1QQcmdZViewItem what do you think? good starter? cheers Alex p.s. i found a UK site that has free delivery on their mics: mini binaural mics ranging between £45-65 http://www.discountdiscs.co.uk/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=mbs cardioid mic - £73 http://www.discountdiscs.co.uk/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=msc

hi all im new here so first of all i'd like to say hi! ive been thinking about getting into recording gigs, but all the technobbable has acted as a stumbling block. i know absolutely nothing about recording concerts so first of all i would like to know what is the best sought of equipment to use. i have a sony MZr55 MD recorder which has a 'mic(plug in power0' socket - does this mean i don't need a battery box?... so apart from the MD player i need a microphone. as a newbie, i don't want to spend too much to start with. im a student so my budget is pretty tight. for example, would the below microphone (see link) provide a good recording?. also what are the key specs i should look for when buying a mic? - ive checked a few sites and under the microphones areas, there are tons of different types - condenser etc...what am i looking for? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STEREO-PRO-MD-DAT-MI...bayphotohosting so once i have the MD player and mic, what else do i need? im in the UK, and would appreciate some info on good UK suppliers many thanks Alex p.s. i will also check out the FAQ posts. sorry if im a bit all over the place, as i say, this is all very new to me