Recording using MZ-N505

[Chaicom Man]

Hello all

I am a newbie. I play Irish bagpipes and want to produce a reasonably good CD to sell whilst busking, I would also like to record folk music in pubs. I have done a bit of research into mikes and battery boxes and have looked at the FAQ lists and now wonder about what people would think about the folowing combination of components. I was impressed by the live recordings a friend made using the ECm-ms907. I also gather from the soundprofessionals site that using the line in port may produce a better sound.

What I gather is that a microphone needs about 10v of power but the ecm-ms907 only supplies 1.5 volts so it seems that this mike requires further power from a battery box. From previous postings I discovered that when using the n505 with ECM 907 the mike required extra power. Is the following setup a good combination for recording Irish/folk music in a pub?

Mz-n505 with ecm-Ms907 mic with soundprofessional mini battery module (or similar).

Rather then buy the battery box from sound professionals how easy is it to home construct an equivalent device? Are kits available from generic electronics stores such as Dick Smith or Tandy (Australian stores)? I would like to be able to adjust the recording volume as the MD records without stopping to adjust.

Finally what I haven not been able to figure out is (because I have not got the MD in the mail yet) is how I can copy music from the MD player to the computer so that I could produce copies of a self-made standard CD to sell whilst busking.

I hope this is sufficiently clear and that this is not annoying those who have been on the list for a while. Sorry for this questions length.

Thanks

[The Low Volta]

Hello Chaicom Man... welcome to MDCF

that are quite some questions... here are a couple of answers.

- if you plan to transfer your recordings from MD-> PC, you need to realize that only HiMD can do this through USB... older type MD can only rerecord in realtime to PC (read this pinned thread) so, as you've got an MZ-N505, you need to use the realtime method

- I dunno about that model you've got there, but HiMD allows on the fly rec level adjustment (without pausing etc.) so I woul say: "keep the mics as cheap as possible (see further recommendations on how to do that) and invest some more money in a (cheap) HiMD model (like the RH910 or NH700/800/900 if you can find them...and the RH10 is the best if you can part with that sum... just watch out for the NH600/RH710 and all models with a D in the name, as they do not have mic inputs or line inputs for some as well)

- if you know how to solder yourself (or know someone that can) another member here on MDCF (greenmachine) posted some good instrucions (follow the link in my signature about the greenmachine mics and for the battery box-insructions, use the search function or send greenmachine a PM) on how to make a very cheap but very good mic and battbox (I use them as well, with good results...you can always check the live rec gallery)

- if you get the ecm-Ms907, realize that it is a one point stereo mic... and it will not provide the best stereo picture... if you do intend to order from soundpro's, consider the SP-BMC-2-mics as they are very good (A440 has posted clips of them in use) as well and pretty cheap

- sony mics have quite a limited frequency range (Frequency Response: 100 - 15,000Hz vs 20-20,000Hz on other mics and for human hearing range as well) so you'll lose some bass and some highs when using the sony one, that you would have when using the soundpro ones or even the greenmachine DIY-mics

so have another look around, consider getting a HiMD and some cheap but good mics... there are a number of options

hope this helps

[greenmachine]

Caught this guy recently in a tunnel. You can clearly hear him walking from the left to the right while playing his pipes if you're listening with headphones. Have been using HRTF microphone placement (mics attached to glasses, facing forward). Doubt a one point mic could capture room acoustics in such a realistic way.

--> click here <--

[Chaicom Man]

Thanks for that Volta and Greenmachine

I hate re-inventing the wheel but ignorance must be overcome.

One thing I failed to think of yesterday, but remembered today, was whether it is possible to run two mikes into an MD so that balance of recording volume input for each mic can be individually adjusted? i.e one mic for drones one mic for the melody part of the instrument with independant adjustment of each mic? Is there an easy and cheap way to pre mix? I suppose one really good omni-directional mic with careful placement would pull off what I am trying to achieve but I am fussy.

For my instrument it is crucial to get a good balance in the volume of the various parts. I dont know whether there is a way of modifying the volume of the bagpipe drones after the recording using software. I am utterly ignorant of these finer points. Is this beyond the scope of MD?

Sorry but how can I get A440's schematics for the mics and battery box?

thanks again

[The Low Volta]

Sorry but how can I get A440's schematics for the mics and battery box?

I'm afraid your looking towards the wrong member there... A440 uses SP-BMC2's, the guy helping you out in this post (greenmachine) is the 'master of DIY-mics'... so just follow the link in my signature (and search for the batterybox one, as I do not know where it is anymore) or perhaps he will have read this and he will post links to that himself

[greenmachine]

For the mixing part - i'd really do it afterwards unless your two sources are very different in volume. There's a large variety of audio editors, including the free, but some kind of limited in its capabilities Audacity.

For the schematics, this site should be helpful:

http://www.minidisc.org/homemade_mics.html