Which preamplifier and where to buy?

[gargamelhaat]

Hi,

I was using a sharp md with mic-in so far, but I’d like to tape shows with my iriver t20 (1giga), it has only a line in, so if I am not mistaken I will have to buy a preamplier to connect my sony ecm 719 microphone. Does anyone have experience with using a flash recorder with line in to tape shows? I am scared for the result and would not like to waste money to something what will give less good results as the sharp md.

http://www.iriver.eu.com/fileadmin/uploads..._FM_english.pdf

Is it advisable to use my iriver instead of my sharp md? (1giga<>300mb)

Where do I buy a decent preamplifier? I prefer a cheaper one

Thanks

[ratbagradio]

Does anyone have experience with using a flash recorder with line in to tape shows? I am scared for the result and would not like to waste money to something what will give less good results as the sharp md.

http://www.iriver.eu.com/fileadmin/uploads..._FM_english.pdf

Is it advisable to use my iriver instead of my sharp md? (1giga<>300mb)

Where do I buy a decent preamplifier? I prefer a cheaper one

Thanks

Go over to the Mistic River Forums to discuss the iRiver

I have a couple of iRivers -- the T30 and the ifp 795 and the advantage with the ifp is it offers plug in power mic-ing. In fact I came to Hi MD after using these devices. So the answer is if you want "good results" stick with the MD. You won't have automatic gain(if Sharp has that?) and you won't have, I guess, the same control over your recording operation. Then consider that to use the iRiver (assuming it will take a mic -- CHECK that very carefully! -- you will have to carry around three pieces of equipment as well as the batteries to drive the pre-amp. ALSO be careful as "Line in" isn't the same as mic in. On my T30 I used to record with a sort of home rigged preamp mic through "Line In" and it was always LOW dB such that later I had to add a lot of gain in post editing. Similarly since there is' no automatic Gain in the iRivers you cannot hear the stuff you are recording with earphones -- it is simply too low. My guess is that a pre-amp won;t change that much if you are forced to use "Line IN".

So go to the Mistic River forums and ask that question and don't proceed until you are sure of an answer. The other disadvantage is that iRivers -- when they record --record straight to mp3 --so thats' your ballpark -- You start off with squished sound. And remember straight to mp3 in these devices won't protect you one bit from clipping -- so recording music --such as a concert -- may be a waste of time (IE: assuming you can use "Line in" to record).On mine I always record at 128kbps. Buy hey! since getting my Sony HiMD I don't us it anymore except for backup.

[A440]

If I were you, I'd stick to the Sharp.

The T20 does have auto gain control, it says here:

http://www.ciao.co.uk/IRiver_T20_MP3_playe...6#productdetail

It looks to me like a unit similar to the T30 with a rechargeable battery instead of a AAA.

And the Sharp MD is using compressed files, too: ATRAC instead of mp3.

But the crucial factor is the analog-to-digital converter: the processor that converts sound to numbers. And in my experience, it's just much better with minidisc--maybe it's faster, maybe it's bigger, but it gives much better sounding results.

I tried using my T30 for music with the same mics and battery module I usually plug into my MD unit's line-in, at the same show, and it was nowhere near the quality of the MD recording. As RBR says, you also have far less control during the recording. A full preamp would be about the size of your MD unit, so you're actually adding bulk and extra connections to your setup; a battery module, which only gives the signal a slight boost that's usually enough for recording amplified concerts, is smaller, of course.

The ECM 719 is a low-sensitivity microphone, which means that even with a battery module the results could be quiet. I haven't used one, so I don't know how much quieter it is. If it does need a full preamp, you'd be better off buying a more sensitive mic.

A battery module would be a good investment for show taping anyway, however. You can use it through Line-in with the minidisc unit and probably get better recordings of loud music than you do through the mic jack. You can build one with Greenmachine's instructions,

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11254

or get one like this:

http://www.microphonemadness.com/products/mmcbmminminc.htm

and try it with both the Sharp MD and the T20 and see what you think.

You might call Mic Madness and ask them how the battery module works with the ECM 719, and whether they'll let you try it out and return it if it doesn't work well.

Maybe the T20 will work better for you than my T30 does for me, and you'll get good mp3 recordings you can easily upload. But I think you'll be disappointed in the sound quality. Use the T20 as a voice recorder and a portable player--it's great for that.

[gargamelhaat]

Thanks for the information!

I will find me a battery module, anyway I can use it for my md. I still have the greenmachine's standard (cheaper) microphones, I hope this ones are more sensitive, .....probably not

[greenmachine]

The standard model is the significantly more sensitive one indeed (compared to the pro model, but should also be more sensitive than the Sony mic, particularly in the lower frequency region). This might partially compensate for the lack of preamplification, but you will have to see if it is a satisfying solution for you. Otherwise i can recommend the NH700.

Edited January 24, 2007 by greenmachine

[gargamelhaat]

what is NH700 ? sorry

The standard model is the significantly more sensitive one indeed. This might partially compensate for the lack of preamplification, but you will have to see if it is a satisfying solution for you. Otherwise i can recommend the NH700.

[greenmachine]

The NH700 is a 2004 model Hi-MD recorder.

(http://minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NH700.html)

(http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=7486)

Hi-MD records on larger capacity disks (1GB), allows uncompressed (44.1 kHz, 16 bit PCM/WAV) recordings as well as faster than realtime digital upload to your PC via USB * among some other minor improvements. Most of them (including the NH700) have built-in high quality preamps.

* (not per drag and drop though, you will need to use software for transferring)

[A440]

With greenmachine's mics you should be able to record amplified music through line-in with a battery module.

[gargamelhaat]

OK thanks