Stereo Recording

[Gregor]

I have read the FAQ and other great posts here but can't find the answer to my query.

I have an MZ-NH1 and will purchase a Radio Shack microphone (I have one at the moment) and a 3.5 male to 3.5 twin female adapter.

I noticed that using only 1 microphone and recording on an 80min MD that you can only get sound in both earphones if you use MONO mode. That is probably not the best non-PCM mode for recording a gig (or is it?).

So I will purchase another microphone and use the 3.5 to twin 3.5 adapter to input both microphones.

The question that I have is, will this give me stereo? One microphone on one lapel, one microphone on another lapel, will it really give me something *other than the format being different from MONO* that mono wont'?

[King Ghidora]

If your adapter connects two mono signals into a stereo signal it will give you stereo. You should be able to find an adapter like that at Radio Shack. IMO you should use a cable between the adapter and the MD so you won't get handling noise from the adapter.

[A440]

You have to make sure you are getting the right adapter. I don't think the Y-shaped adapter that lets you split one stereo output into two--the kind they make for sharing a headphone output--will do your job. It has to have two MONO inputs and a stereo out.

Also, Radio Shack mics are not going to give you top quality sound. They're made for voice, not for music. If you're trying to record gigs, you'd do better to save up some $$ and get the mic that's made for your job.

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-BMC-2

For anything loud you will also need to run it through a battery module into line-in. I use this one:

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

[King Ghidora]

A440 is correct about getting the right connector. That's why I said your adapter needs to connect two mono signals into a stereo signal. Mostly what you see at RS is a splitter for sharing a headphone connection. But they do sell an adapter that connects two mono cables and outputs to a stereo cable. I have at least one laying around.

[Jeremy1982]

I have read the FAQ and other great posts here but can't find the answer to my query.

I have an MZ-NH1 and will purchase a Radio Shack microphone (I have one at the moment) and a 3.5 male to 3.5 twin female adapter.

I noticed that using only 1 microphone and recording on an 80min MD that you can only get sound in both earphones if you use MONO mode. That is probably not the best non-PCM mode for recording a gig (or is it?).

So I will purchase another microphone and use the 3.5 to twin 3.5 adapter to input both microphones.

The question that I have is, will this give me stereo? One microphone on one lapel, one microphone on another lapel, will it really give me something *other than the format being different from MONO* that mono wont'?

GregorMD,

I also have an MZ-NH1 and there is no problem getting sound coming out of both earphones in stereo mode. You may want to make sure there is not a short in the microphone wire or uMD unit.

[A440]

A mono plug (one ring around the plug) into a stereo jack only sends sound to the left channel. A stereo microphone (two rings around the plug, like your headphone jack) sends sound to both channels. That's Gregor's problem.

[greenmachine]

Or you could get a real stereo mic for probably not much more of the price of adapter plus additional mono mic. Stereo is definitely worth it for recording music from a distance.