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philipeve

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Hey guys - please accept my apologies in advance if this question has already been answered, but I can't seem to find it!

I am about to buy the Sony MZ RH1, and am planning to get the ECM MS 907 microphone to go with it. With my previous machine however (the Sharp MD-MT280E(S)) I was given to understand that the term "plug in power" meant that you HAD to use an UNpowered microphone for recording - is this correct? The MZ RH1 manual seems to imply that the ECM MS 907 (a powered microphone) is compatible with the machine. I am loath to buy either item until I am sure that they are compatible. Can somebody please help!!??

Many thanks!!

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Indeed, the ECM-MS907 is still unpowered in the sense that it doesn't provide enough output for a line-level signal - you still need the plug in power (mic-in) to amplify it to a high enough level for recording. The AA battery is just for the mic itself to operate. Some microphones are amplified to line level (usually needing at least 9V batteries) and can be used directly with the line-in jack, but not the 907, or the majority of consumer mics.

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  Borat said:
Indeed, the ECM-MS907 is still unpowered in the sense that it doesn't provide enough output for a line-level signal - you still need the plug in power (mic-in) to amplify it to a high enough level for recording. The AA battery is just for the mic itself to operate. Some microphones are amplified to line level (usually needing at least 9V batteries) and can be used directly with the line-in jack, but not the 907, or the majority of consumer mics.

Borat , dude , you need to do some research . Dont take me wrong here ok , But Mic level and Line level are two different things.

Mics DO NOT put out at line level . That is a serious misconception . Mics put out a signal that can be seen as almost line level , but you have to crank the recording levels way up to get that .

Mic and Line , are two completely different Impedance's , Mic input , is for what it says MICROPHONES , Line input ,..... is for line level devices.

square peg , round hole .

What your doing at a very LOUD rock concert is OVERDRIVING a mic , so the output of the mic is hot enough at that point to be seen by Line , if you crank your levels .

if you really want to hear what a line level recording thru a mic sounds like , Use a preamp , to get the Mic signal actually UP to line level . It will have a Completely different dynamic range and sensitivity ,

The basic concept of Microphones , is to be able to get what your ears hear,.... at the Same sensitivity or higher . That is a Pro mic standard.

You don have to crank your stereo up to 11 to hear it ( only to like it ) you can hear it at 2 or 1 , a" Good" mics job is to be able to capture that level 1 sound , as full and rich as it can , and yet also to be able to deal with louder sounds without cracking up.

You take that , and to access the mics capabilities , you have a Mic preamp (the Mic input has a Preamp built in) it allows you to adjust sensitivity, and dynamic range , when you are above the Mic preamps ability to control the sound , your probably also above the mics range and are now putting to mic under a great deal of stress , hence to need for MORE power (9 volts) to increase what is called the Damping Factor , or increase the mics internal resistance ,

Mics are built just like a speaker , but work in reverse , Sound pressure moves a coil , that moves inside a Magnetic housing , which creates an electrical signal , the Size of that signal is determined by the movement of the coil ,

Now watch a speaker when it is Cranked up very loud , stand to the side and watch the face of the speaker moving ,

Imagine that happening inside a Mic, not a pretty picture , especially when the diapghram of the Mic is only a couple of MICRONS thick and the coil wiring is almost microscopic .

To truly get Rock concert levels proper , you need mics that are built for that job , each mic has different characteristics , and it isnt a one size fits all matter .

If you used mics made for Rock concert levels thru the mic input , you would be very suprised at what you would get , Go to Internet Archive , browse the Live Recordings , and look at the gear that was used , most of the Recordists listed what they were using and how the set it up . Mics, Recorder, Input Levels, Adapters etc , then download and listen to some of the stuff , and compare it with what you have .

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  Guitarfxr said:
Borat , dude , you need to do some research . Dont take me wrong here ok , But Mic level and Line level are two different things.

Mics DO NOT put out at line level . That is a serious misconception . Mics put out a signal that can be seen as almost line level , but you have to crank the recording levels way up to get that .

Mic and Line , are two completely different Impedance's , Mic input , is for what it says MICROPHONES , Line input ,..... is for line level devices.

square peg , round hole .

Er.. that's what I was saying, perhaps it wasn't clear enough. That the 907 mic couldn't be used with line in and must be used with the mic in. I have used one. Oh well, never mind, it's christmas.

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