Mic and Battery Box question

[jhebert]

I'd like to ask a recommendation regarding this project .... I did not think it appropriate to tag this onto the original thread since it would not add value there, so I'm starting a separate one.

I can solder well and have repaired lots of gadgets in my life, but I can't read a schematic or make "simple" projects like greenmachine's DIY project! I attempted a headphone amp from a circuit board kit a few years back and learned that it's not in the cards for me. It's frustrating (I'm not stupid, but quite ignorant there... and it makes me feel stupid!).

I'd like to get a quality stereo mic signal for my barbershop quartet rehearsals and shows into an iRiver iHP-120 jukebox recorder (it accepts a line input and records mp3 or wav). Although my preferred solution is something like the Sound Professionals SP-PASM-2 stereo mic + preamp box, the $209 price tag is too much of a shock to the budget. So...

I am wondering if this ~$50 solution would do the trick (a T mic and battery box item from an Ebay reseller):

1) http://cgi.ebay.com/PHANTOM-POWER-SUPPLY-F...oQQcmdZViewItem (2xAAA power source)

2) http://cgi.ebay.com/HI-PER-STEREO-MICROPHO...oQQcmdZViewItem (T mic, Panasonic capsules)

I understand the flexibility and quality will likely be less than the pro box, but is there enough information there to tell you clearly that I should or should not go this route? Or does any member of the board build these occasionally for sale, and would that probably do the trick? It's difficult to tell when many of the online shops and Ebay sellers claim "high quality" mics... how do you really tell?

Anyway, I wanted to ask your recommendations. From what I read, many of you have far more experience with this than I!

Thank you,

James

Edited January 30, 2006 by jhebert

[raintheory]

Does the description of the battery box state that it runs on 2 AAA batteries? I'd ask the seller, just to clarify that... 2 AAA's means that it's only giving 3 volts to the mics. Most battery boxes use a 9v battery.

Edited January 30, 2006 by raintheory

[jhebert]

Yes, it does say that... and that's partly why I felt I'd best ask about it here, having seen a lot of references to 9V battery sources.

I will ask the seller about this, and let you know.

James

[greenmachine]

Also the mics are rather closely mounted together, not separable or adjustable, they're propably directing outwards. The stereo image might suffer, not to mention the lack of flexibility. Also left and right channel might not be matched closely, so you might end up with unacceptable channel differences. Ask the seller for more details.

A mic - preamp - line-in (or mic - mic-in) chain is suited for low to medium SPLs and might distort at high SPLs, whereas mic - battery box - line-in works well for high SPLs, but low to medium SPLs might be recorded too quietly and you'll get lots of noise after normailzation. Each chain fulfills its own purpose. Preamps are usually so expensive that it might be more economical to invest in a (used) MD recorder with mic-in (and sensitivity switch). The resulting sound quality might be even better.

[jhebert]

Ouch. See, *that's* why I brought my question here! Thank you greenmachine, for asking questions I would not have considered on my own.

This has helped me to see that I'm juggling convenience, sound quality, and budget. The *weight* of any one of these these sometimes imbalances the others.

I am locked into the iRiver iHP-120 for the moment, it must be used. The current beta RockBox for iRiver has both adjustable record-level meters and no imposed record-length limit. I think it will be satisfactory. (The MD recorder was a good suggestion, but we are invested in the iRiver for now. Even with a good used MD recorder, I'd be looking at needing mics for it, wouldn't I, which leaves me having to still go that extra mile into "which mic" territory? Tell me if I'm just wrong, there.)

Based on this point of view, this is how I think it boils down (please feel free to let me know if my thinking or understanding here has some unseen flaw or unthought-of hitch...):

The 120 can apply 2.5V of gain on its mic input, I wonder if a good mic is all I need? --If Yes, then something from Giant Squid or Sound Professionals may be the simplest answer and do the trick. (Opinions?) --If No, say the 120 can't drive those mics in the situations I'll use it for, it gets sticky for me - how much "more than that" do I need to go? Battery box, battery box+preamp, all-in one (battery box+preamp+mics)?

Because of my inexperience with mics, battery boxes, preamps and live recording situations - I can't answer that yet.

But I welcome your questions, answers and comments, as I try to!

James

Edited February 1, 2006 by jhebert