Question about SP-PASM-2 Sound Professionals pre-amp mic

[glauber]

What do you guys think of this microphone?

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/.../item/SP-PASM-2

I'm about to give it a try tonight, recording my band's rehearsal. I've been using the Sony MS-907, but i'm more and more disappointed with the amount of hiss that it seems to be introducing in the recording. I'm hoping this will be quieter.

g

[Christopher]

How did it go, mate?

[glauber]

It went well. I find that the hiss is gone. The best result is plugging this microphone/preamp combo into the "line" input of the MD (Sharp MT190). But then you lose the ability to insert a mark (new track #) every 5 minutes. I ended up using it in the "mic" input, but setting the levels in the Sharp very low (10 or 8). Then adjusting the level on the preamp up slowly until it's where i need it without clipping. There is a very slight deterioration when compared to using the line input, but this allows me to have the new track marker every 5 minutes.

This Sound Professionals mic has very good low frequency response, maybe better than the Sony's. Stereo separation is OK, but not as good as with the Sony MS907.

I wish i had a microphone configuration like the Sony, but able to generate a stronger signal. Maybe something with its own preamp.

The hiss i'm getting with the Sony is coming from the Sharp MD's microphone amplification. The hiss kicks in as soon as the recording sensitivity goes higher than 20. That's where there is a quick interruption in the input, and apparently a different or additional amp kiks in, in the Sharp.

g

P.S.: The Sound Professionals microphone i have is actually an older version, but looks like the one i mentioned, without the additional gain toggle switch (it has only an on/off and the level pot.

[glauber]

Since the Sound Professionals microphone i have can be used (apparently) as a preamp too, the next thing i should try is using the Sony microphone through the S.P.'s preamp. I'll let you know how it goes, next week.

I like the directionality and stereo quality of the Sony, but at least in my case, i need the output level that the preamplified microphone can supply, to bypass the noisy amplifier inside the MD recorder.

[Christopher]

Thanks for your impressions. I really appreciate them, and so will other members of the community who will read this and learn from your experiences.

I look forward to your future words and also the possibility of some uploaded recordings? Even an analog upload sounds good in the right conditions..

[glauber]

I look forward to your future words and also the possibility of some uploaded recordings? Even an analog upload sounds good in the right conditions..

Well, since you're twisting my arm :wink:

Here's with the Sony SM907 connected to the mic port (5MB MP3, sorry):

http://www.glaubernet.com/music/20040914/2...14_FluteJam.mp3

you should be able to hiss under the music (sounds a little like wind).

Here's with the Sound Professionals connected to the line port (1MB MP3):

http://www.glaubernet.com/music/20041012/2...1012_Bruach.mp3

The Sound Professionals mike is omni. Notice how the amount of reverb increases when i move away from the mike a little, about halfway into the recording. Also notice how it picks everything, including my breath and the key clicks. Very sensitive. You'll hear some hiss, but that's my breath on the flute. Listen for silence when the flute isn't playing.

Both recordings done with Sharp MD-MT190W(S) recorder. No effects added (reverb is ambient). Analog upload to PC soundcard, then Lame to convert from WAV to MP3.