ray198 Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 I've had a blast learning from the experts and novices. It's incredible the amount of knowledge some of you have! I've done a lot of research and I've tried to assemble the right equipment for my budget and use. I welcome the guru's opinion of my set-up and need advice on what settings to use for my first recording attempt.Next week I will be recording a friend's blues band performing at an old inn. I have no idea what the place looks like or what the accoustics are. They will probably be fairly loud and I expect I will be fairly close to the sound source. I have a sony rh10 and just ordered the sp-bmc-3 microphone in high sensitivity with clips. In the future, I expect to use this equipment for recording my daughters vocal lessons and would like to try some nature recording as well. I guess I'm hoping to have it all. (I also own a sony 907 mic) Sp-bmc-3 Specifications Frequency Response 20-20,000 Hz Signal To Noise Ratio Low Sensitivity 58dB/High Sensitivity 62dB Open Circuit Sensitivity Low Sensitivity-42dB/High Sensitivity-35dB Maximum Input Sound Level 105dB/120dB Dynamic Range 81dB If I am interpreting all of the info you all have provided, I believe the high sensitivity mics will give me a better overall sound (per the specs) and I can control the sensitivity with the rh-10. i will also be using the radio shack headphone volume control as a attenuater (hooked up reversed and with the volume on the highest setting. is this correct?I have no idea what the setting should be on the rh-10. Please help me stay one step ahead of the ipod generation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmachine Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 I think you've let yourself mislead by the somewhat unclear specification table. It looks like the high sensitivity version could handle a higher maximum input sound level. If you hold your mouse over the column header for a definition though, you'll see "Maximum Input Sound Level - first # is with standard plug in power, second # is with battery module". There seems to be no difference in the max. SPL between high and low sensitivity. But - because of the higher sensitivity, you'll overload your preamp sooner in loud environments. You'll propably get plenty of distortion if it will be fairly loud and you expect to be fairly close to the sound source - even if you set your recorder to low sens and a low manual level - which you should do in any case. I think low sens. (together with a battery module or an attenuator) would have been the better choice for you (and many others). Maybe you'll be lucky though - the attenuator helps to a certain degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray198 Posted August 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 I think you've let yourself mislead by the somewhat unclear specification table. It looks like the high sensitivity version could handle a higher maximum input sound level. If you hold your mouse over the column header for a definition though, you'll see "Maximum Input Sound Level - first # is with standard plug in power, second # is with battery module". There seems to be no difference in the max. SPL between high and low sensitivity. But - because of the higher sensitivity, you'll overload your preamp sooner in loud environments. You'll propably get plenty of distortion if it will be fairly loud and you expect to be fairly close to the sound source - even if you set your recorder to low sens and a low manual level - which you should do in any case. I think low sens. (together with a battery module or an attenuator) would have been the better choice for you (and many others). Maybe you'll be lucky though - the attenuator helps to a certain degree.←Thanks Greenmachine. Granted it is confusing and I am no expert, but I believe the Signal To Noise Ratio and Open Circuit Sensitivity are better on the high sensitivity version of the mics. Could explain why they cost more than the low sensitivity version. Check out this link and let me know what you think. http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/...=specifications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmachine Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 I don't get that price difference, their pricing seems to be mostly random. They seem to use the same wm-60 / wm-61 panasonic capsules for most of their amateur microphones. Although the SP-TFB-2 for example is available with the same capsules / sensitivities, there's no price difference between hi/low.Although a higher S/N ratio is desirable, it's not the only thing to consider. A higher (open circuit) sensitivity doesn't need to be better, it's just an indicator how well it'll fit to your other gear. Because of its higher output, a higher sens. will overload your preamp sooner. I still think the low sens. would have fit your needs better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 High or low will both work with music, and for nature recording in the future, high will be far better. For the blues band, set Mic Sens to Low, use the attenuator and probably keep the levels around 18-20/30, and you should be fine, but keep an eye on the levels as you record. Most important, try to find the best spot for listening in the room. In a small club, moving by just a few feet can make a lot of difference--the vocals suddenly clear up, the bass becomes more reasonable. Listen with your eyes closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray198 Posted August 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2005 High or low will both work with music, and for nature recording in the future, high will be far better. For the blues band, set Mic Sens to Low, use the attenuator and probably keep the levels around 18-20/30, and you should be fine, but keep an eye on the levels as you record. Most important, try to find the best spot for listening in the room. In a small club, moving by just a few feet can make a lot of difference--the vocals suddenly clear up, the bass becomes more reasonable. Listen with your eyes closed.←A440 Awesome! That is exactly what I needed. I picked up the radio shack gizmo today and I should have the sp bmc 3 mic ion Monday. I want to do a practice run before Friday night and I won't have a band to try it on. Can I assimilate it in some way with my denon/polk sub on high volume? I know it won't be the same but it should help me get more familiar with the control settings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted August 14, 2005 Report Share Posted August 14, 2005 Definitely give it a dry run with the stereo. Depending on how high it's cranked up, you may end up recording with a higher manual level at home. I find that in a typical club, you can push as high as 22 or 23/30, but that can clip, which is why I'm conservative and leave it at 18-20. Every room is different, of course. If you really want to get used to the controls, do it standing up in low light after a few drinks..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray198 Posted August 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2005 Definitely give it a dry run with the stereo. Depending on how high it's cranked up, you may end up recording with a higher manual level at home. I find that in a typical club, you can push as high as 22 or 23/30, but that can clip, which is why I'm conservative and leave it at 18-20. Every room is different, of course. If you really want to get used to the controls, do it standing up in low light after a few drinks.....←If low lights and a few drinks is all I need to become proficient, I'll soon be an expert! I will definately be banging a few down so I hope I get it right the first time. Even with the rh10 lighted display I probably won't be seeing straight after the first set!Thanks again. By the way, I just found out that the gig will actually be outside. Any advice on the settings based upon this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmachine Posted August 15, 2005 Report Share Posted August 15, 2005 Use windscreens outdoors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 ...and when you do use the windscreens, use a tiny piece of doublestick tape on the side (not the end) of the mic to hold them on, because it's amazingly easy to knock them off and lose them, as I have learned from experience. They're not easy to replace. For an outdoor show with unreserved seating, try to find an acoustic sweet spot. Especially with big outdoor shows, you have to get back a bit from the stage so the PA plus stage amps are both reaching your ears/mics. Near the sound booth is usually best, and keep your distance from chatty people, who will sound even louder and more obnoxious on your recording than at the gig. Imperfect acoustics and quiet neighbors are better than the perfect spot with constant conversation. I'd still start with the same settings as above. But look at the levels, and if the peaks aren't reaching the left-hand dash, then nudge up the manual volume a bit to 21-22/30. You don't ever want the peak to hit the right-hand dash. Do try to remain vertical during the show.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimistic-pessimist Posted August 24, 2005 Report Share Posted August 24, 2005 So how about an update? How did the recording turn out? Had I seen the topic beforehand I would have recommended going with a batt box as well... but maybe I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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