Did I get a good deal?

[castout85]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220674386913

[Azureal]

It looks like you got a pretty good deal. That unit runs off of a single AA battery, so you'll always be able to power it. I have a blue one, it is pretty light-weight and very portable. This unit is pre-NetMD so you can only record in real-time via the analog mic or optical input.

Here is the unit description in the browser: R700

[castout85]

It looks like you got a pretty good deal. That unit runs off of a single AA battery, so you'll always be able to power it. I have a blue one, it is pretty light-weight and very portable. This unit is pre-NetMD so you can only record in real-time via the analog mic or optical input.

Here is the unit description in the browser: R700

Yea, I also grabbed a pair of http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-BMC-2

as a beginner in the hobby i thought i should keep a beginner budget.

Apparently, I now realize I will need a battery box for these mics to have any chance off getting a non brickwalled recording using a cheap MD. As I mainly attend rock concerts. So ya, a box that houses a battery costs that much? ridiculous lol

[sfbp]

You don't need the BB for the R700. It's got a mic input which is eminently suitable for the BMC SP-2's.

Stephen

[castout85]

Interesting.

I was reading on the sound professionals website that these MD units only put out 4-5DC worth of power (before resistance) through the Mic input. And in order for mics to realize their "full dynamic range" they need atleast 12DC worth of power.

Here were my reading references:

http://www.soundprof...gory=batteryfaq

Issues with Sony's low priced MD recorders explained

(Sony MZ-R35/37, -R70/71, -R90/91, -R700, -N707)

Sony omitted the microphone pre-amp's "low sensitivity" (-20 dB) setting on these recorders, so they are often prone to mic pre-amp overload distortion (sometimes referred to as "brickwalling") when recording even moderately loud sounds.

To resolve this issue, there are several solutions:

1. Use less sensitive microphones. This works, but unfortunately, many low sensitivity microphones are also lower in overall sound quality. Even when they are high quality, the built in Sony mic preamp will add a noticeable amount of noise to the recording. This is generally not a good solution for high fidelity recording.
2. Use an attenuator between the mics and the mic input. This also works in some cases, but will lower the bias voltage getting to the microphones (for those that require it), which also lowers the maximum SPL the mics themselves can then handle (sort of a catch 22). So, you solve one problem while potentially creating another. However, this is a workable solution in situations where the mic input is just beginning to overload....the attenuator knocks the signal down just enough to eliminate the overload, but because the sound isn't too loud, there is still enough bias power to run the mics properly. Here is an attenuator cable that will work in this situation. Usually, with this cable, setting the level control at it's highest setting lowers the signal just enough to eliminate the overload. Keep in mind that even when this works, you are still adding some noise from the Sony mic preamp.
3. Use a microphone power module with level control. This solution will allow you to make all types of recordings without distortion. Loud recording would be made using mics plugged into a power module and the power module plugged into the 'line' input of the recorder, thus bypassing the mic input of the recorder completely. Medium loudness recordings would be made by plugging the power module into the mic input, but with the level control of the power module turned down sufficiently so that the mic input does not overload. Quiet recordings would be made with the mics plugged directly into the mic input. This is a pretty good solution, with the only drawback being that you would still need to use the mic input for medium loud recordings, thereby still adding some noise from the mic preamp of the recorder. Here is the section of microphone power modules.
4. Use a separate high quality microphone preamplifier. This solution offers the highest quality recording, albeit at the highest cost. Using a separate preamp will allow you to make recordings of all kinds, with low noise and no distortion. Here is an example of this type of preamp.

After reading this, they made it seem that unless i have my mics plugged into a battery module-> plugged into the Line In port (of the MD), my recordings will suck ballz. lol

[sfbp]

I've seen plenty of good recordings with N707, R91, and R37, *without* battery box.

Suggest you try it.

[castout85]

I've seen plenty of good recordings with N707, R91, and R37, *without* battery box.

Suggest you try it.

I look forward to giving it a try!

Do you have any links to some examples?

[Azureal]

It's definitely worth a try before laying out more cash for the box. You'll have to report back with your results.

[castout85]

It's definitely worth a try before laying out more cash for the box. You'll have to report back with your results.

Will Do

[A440]

If you're recording amplified music, like a rock concert or club gig, the mics will overload the preamp in the R700.

If a battery box is out of your price range right now, you can get a cheap attenuator: a Radio Shack Headphone Volume Control.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102975

Mic-->HVControl-->Mic-in.

Try recording with your stereo blasting to see what levels you like on the volume control knob (probably about halfway up) and the unit.

The attenuator is not as good a solution as the battery box (which would go through Line-in, not Mic-in), but it's a lot more affordable.

[PsychoPimpKiller]

It seems like a good deal to me. I have the same unit in 3 different colors. I love it. I've recorded with it and have used to listen to music, too. I think it's a pretty decent model overall. The fact that it takes a AA battery is a definite plus, too. I have a 10dB inline attenuator that I use to record live music and it works pretty darn good. I still want to try a battery box one of these days. Good luck with your MZ-R700 and enjoy.

[castout85]

My Results:>

for anyone who cares to know what kind of recording result u can get at a very loud live rock concert in an arena without the use of a battery box going mic in

then here. are my results:

SP-BMC-2 > Radio Shack Attenuator>MZ-R700 (Plugin Power)

enjoy

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YE00MRET