Need your Microphone expertise folks

[spodek]

So, my set-up needs to be as un-noticable as possible. This is why I had hoped for a simple mic that just juts out a bit from the MD body(I have a new RH-10)

I've been reading a bit about the use of a battery with a microphone. Are there any good mikes in the $75 or so range that will give me nice quality WITHOUT using one? Or very compelling reasons I should look into it. I must admit I don't even know where one plugs the battery in relation to the Mic and player.

Also, in such a "close" environment, I can't use headphones to establish correct levels, are there very general setting guidelines that will give me a little margin for error so I can take a quick peak and forget it.

All very naive questions I know, but my head just swims when I just to piece together all the various posts.

Thanks for the direct download from your brains!

[A440]

Two problems with a one-point mic that just sits on the MD.

1) It picks up the whirring of the unit's motor.

2) You don't get much stereo separation or depth.

Better to use the setup described here:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?s=&sh...indpost&p=83960

Get the mics and a Radio Shack Headphone Extension Cord with Volume Control as an attenuator. (It looks a lot like my avatar.) Turn the volume knob on the attenuator all the way up, to its maximum.

The key is Manual level rather than AGC. AGC is not made for music.

You need the disc in the unit and REC and PAUSE pressed simultaneously (blinking display). MENU/REC SET/REC VOLUME/MANUAL and set it to 18/30 to be on the safe side, 20/30 if it's quieter. Un-Pause to start recording (display starts showing elapsed recording time). If you can watch the display, the levels ideally should be bouncing up to just above midway, or you can push up the recording volume just by turning the wheel. Don't fidget with it though, because you'll hear every change.

Look in Live Recordings to hear some recordings done this way. In my own album (In Tune With A440) there's one called "Better than Norah Jones?"

You can later upgrade to a battery module (Mic-->Battery Module-->Line-in is the connection) but you may find this sounds just dandy.

Edited January 15, 2006 by A440