Question About My Microphone

[nickjr]

Everyone here has been very helpfull with answering all my questions. I have one more question. (For now anyway)

I have a Sony MS-907, pictured on my avatar. The cable is about 4-1/2 feet long. Is there a way to change the cable, I was hoping to go about 6 feet long. The reason I would like the longer cable is for better microphone placement. Also would this effect the sound quality at all.

Maybe I could add some kind of an extention??

Edited January 24, 2005 by nickjr

[mrsoul]

I would be very, very careful with any extension on the miniplug because the slightest touch or movement generally leads to static. You can buy miniplug extensions at Radio Shack for nothing. Good luck but treat them gently. Maybe some reinforcement and play around with it at home before taking it out.

[dex Otaku]

I have used extensions with an MS907 in the past and never had problems with static from movement.

Since all MD type mics are unbalanced, however, cable length will have an -extremely- noticeable effect on what reaches your recorder. Anything longer than about a 2m/6ft extension is likely to cause a great deal of noise by simple virtue of altering the impedance of the mic and acting as an antenna for RFI.

[lfymozart]

hi,dex Otaku what does this word "RFI" mean??

My knowleage is poor.......could you explain more detail ? thanks

[craftech]

hi,dex Otaku what does this word "RFI" mean??

My knowleage is poor.......could you explain more detail ? thanks

==========

Radio Frequency Interference. It is most often a result of spikes and surges.

Most commonly it is generated by communications equipment, lighting equipment (particularly flourescent) etc. The severity varies and is not a given with respect to cable length. It is dependent upon proximity to what is generating the interference and the severity of the problems the equipment has.

Equipment that uses grounds such as AC operated mixers can cause it as well and often is "cured" by a three prong to two prong adapter depending upon the location's wiring and grounding system. Diathermy, welding equipment, modems, are all devices than can cause the problem.

The best advice is to try to route cables away from offending devices and not run them parallel to AC lines (particularly lighting cables), but rather across them at right angles (if you have no choice). I have run unbalanced XLR cables 100 feet when recording musicals in a school auditorium with no interference (but it took some creative cable routing). Balanced is safer, but not a must.

John

[mrsoul]

Dex-

My experience with the Sharp DR7 and a line extension on an unbalanced miniplug lead to lots of static when I touched the cable during the recording, especially when I touched the cable anywhere near the mic input. Seems to me that the unbalanced miniplugs are just more sensitive.

I have not noticed any problems with static on my NH900 and the AT822 like I did with the Sharp but I have used the line in on the Sony with the longer cable and was using the mic input and the longer cable more on the Sharp. Would that make a difference? Not sure. But the AT822 XLR to 2 1/4" plugs to a Y adpater minplug male has yielded very little interference that I have noticed, even when moving the cables during the recording. Maybe I had a very sensitive Sharp DR7 mic input or a bad cable?

But, Nickjr the extensions for those are readily available at your local Radio Shack as a headphone extension. I would put some tape around the connection point just to be safe since the connections aren't that secure with the miniplugs.

Edited January 25, 2005 by mrsoul

[nickjr]

Dex & Mrsoul, thanks for all the help. I'll go to Radio Shack and give it a try.

Another thing I found this Mic. from Sound Professionalshttp://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/...item/SP-SPSM-17, how does this mic compare to the 907? I noticed that you can get it with a 2 meter cable.

Edited January 25, 2005 by nickjr

[dex Otaku]

Another thing I found this Mic. from Sound Professionalshttp://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/...item/SP-SPSM-17,  how does this mic compare to the 907?  I noticed that you can get it with a 2 meter cable.

←

The specs listed outdo the MS907, so I would expect it to be higher in fidelity.

The MS907 does have one thing to its credit, though - as a true M/S stereo microphone, it gives a proper "middle" in the recording [from its forward-facing mic capsule] which makes your recordings better-suited to mono mixdown if the need should arise. [in particular, M/S stereo is used by broadcasters who know their material is likely to be played on both stereo and mono equipment].

[mrsoul]

I don't have any experience with that mic or your Sony to be honest but I don't think you would notice much difference, at least enough to warrant buying a new mic,etc. SP makes good products and I am not trying to discount them or Sony.

What are the specs for this SP mic? It doesn't list the frequency range or the max SPL. Either way, you are still relying on the mic input of the MD.

Here's the most important question, what are you intending to record with your mic?

Loud music?

Quiet outdoor naturals?

If so, you should look into a mic with a battery box, preamp or self-powered to avoid the mic input to avoid that extra noise the mic input will add.

[nickjr]

Mrsoul, we usually just sit around a table (4-5 people) and practice our songs. We sing barbershop quartet style.

I placed my 907 mic up high above us on a shelf, used the mic jack & default settings.

I've only used it once, but I must say that this is the best sounding recording I've ever made.

I appreciate all the help that you and Dex provided me, as I've gone through 3 different recorders trying to get a good clean sound.

[mrsoul]

Look into a mic stand with a short boom that you could center over the table. I got one at a local music shop for less than $20 used. Works great for what you are doing. That would at least be more stable for the mic and offering more flexibility for mic positions,etc.