Any Possible Mic Setup To Use For Line-In Recorder?

[The Turtle]

My sister has been wanting an mp3 player recently, and I found an RCA Opal on sale for her. Additionally, I found that this mp3 player has the option for line-in recording, which might come in handy for me to borrow it for a few concerts I will be attending this summer.

So I have researched and know that the norm is is to use the mic-in input found on some MD Players and DAT recorders and the such, but I want to know:

Is it possible through some kind of microphone setup to amplify the microphone so that it would be able to record a concert decently through a line-in port?

I am not looking to need any supreme level of quality from the recordings, just an enjoyable amount of quality.

Any recommendations for microphones/battery boxes/amplifiers or anything of the sort to make this work would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[greenmachine]

If the mic has a decent output, loud concerts don't need preamplification. Electret mics need a bias voltage though which can be supplied via a battery box. Unamplified acoustic instruments may need preamplification. What kind of concerts are you going to attend / how loud?

[The Turtle]

Thanks for the quick response.

I will be seeing Wolf Parade on August 9th, and Handsome Furs on August 22, which are both rock concerts that will be amplified, and pretty loudly at that. One venue is like 1000+ capacity and the other is like 200+ I believe.

[The Turtle]

Can you recommend an inexpensive mic with decent output that won't need preamplification or an electret mic/battery box combo?

I'll probably just go for whichever is the best mix of inexpensive/stealthy.

Would something along the lines of this battery module: http://www.minidisc-canada.com/shopexd.asp?id=303

Along with one of these microphones probably work for a decent recording through a line-in port?: http://www.minidisc-canada.com/shopexd.asp?id=269 http://www.minidisc-canada.com/shopexd.asp?id=627

Thanks for any recommendations.

Edited July 30, 2008 by The Turtle

[A440]

There's no basic mic that will just work with line-in. You need power somewhere.

That battery module should work fine, but I don't recommend either of those two mics. Theyre' chunky--imagine them plugged into the battery module. You'd have to hold it in your hand, which would give you handling noise.

Seems that all Minidisc Canada offers are one-point mics--those two are the closest thing to what you need, and they would work if you're desperate. The Delta is the better of the two. But the Delta is a weird metal thing that's heavier than it needs to be and not particularly stealthy--shiny aluminum? hello?--and the Sony is even clunkier.

Get a stereo pair of itty bitty mics, like the Sound Professionals BMC-2 or the Microphone Madness equivalent or some separate pair of mics that you can clip to a shirt collar, glasses or a hat. Module and recorder go in a pocket, mics themselves are dark against dark clothing--you're not standing there holding something for security to see.

Also, make sure Minidisc Canada still actually exists by calling them before you order anything online.

[sfbp]

Also, make sure Minidisc Canada still actually exists by calling them before you order anything online.

Trust me. They exist. The guy is sometimes out of the office, but quite reliable, stuff always seems to arrive.

[greenmachine]

The Delta is the better of the two.

Not sure about that. The frequency response may be wider, but the channel separation will be virtually non-existent. Omnis either need some spacing (a couple of cm at least), a relatively large barrier (again, a couple of cm at least) in between, or both. Think of it as a mono mic with two elements. The Sony uses directional elements.

By the way, are Reactive Sounds out of business? I can't find their homepage.

[A440]

No argument here about the near-mono sound of the Delta.

I don't think either mic is a great choice. but I figured that given the tradeoff between the Sony's self-noise, size and lack of bass and the Delta's lack of separation, I'd go with the Delta.

Glad to know Minidisc Canada is still going. I can't find Reactive either.