a1steak Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 Hey all, new to MiniDiscs but need to learn fast. I will be recording bird songs this summer. I just purchased a Sharp IM-DR420 for recording. Now I need to find myself a good microphone. Something that can pick up bird songs at a fair distance, say 200ft maximum in a quiet forest. Of course, the forest won't be perfectly quiet either, there will be lots of other stuff singing, so it needs to have a fairly directional pick-up. Two mics I have found that sound good: Audio-Technica AT835b - $239.99 Street Price Azden SGM-2X - $249.99 Street Price This is about the right price range. If anyone knows anything else or can help me at all it would be appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneSim Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 I just bought a Rode NT3 for similar needs as you. I will be recording all types of natural sounds with a minidisc. The Rode NT4 would be perfect for stereo recording. Also the Audio Technica 822 would be good cheap stereo choice. I would have bought the Rode NT4 no question. But it in the end came down to price. Rode make awesome mics. All I can say is "shhh, dont tell Rode there mics are way cheap!" . I hope that helps. Good luck with whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhalten Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Pardon my butting in, but you must be using an XLR adaptor with either of those two mikes. If so, which do you recommend? And do you feel the quality with an XLR-type mic is noticeably better than a quality mic with a mini-plug that goes directly into the minidisc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneSim Posted May 22, 2004 Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 I use this cable. http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/XVM-105M.html My basic setup up is a Sony MZR 909, Rode NT3 mic and the above cable. I have been getting great results! If a mic comes standard with a 1/8 (3.5mm) plug, as a rule it has been built for the "cheap" market, and won't sound as good as a proper mic. You get want you pay for! Why spent a lot of money on a minidisc recorder and buy a cheap mic? You might as well buy both cheap! The sound quailty you record will ALWAYS be that of your weakest link. for example a $10 mic recorded on a $500 MD will sound it was recorded on a $10 mic, which will be noisy. You might as well buy a $10 MD to go with your $10 mic becasue it is basically the same... you get my point. IMHO, spend at least 3/4 of the price you paid for for MD on a mic. (eg MD costed $100, spend at least $75 on a mic). That would be my basic rule if buying a mic. But it all depends on what you are recording and how good you want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhalten Posted May 28, 2004 Report Share Posted May 28, 2004 Well, I try not to spend hundreds on an MD. I just bought a Sharp MT-99 on eBay for $36. But, sure, I understand a condenser mike is better than a dynamic. How is the Rode as a handheld mike? Low noise from holding it? And does the fatter XLR plug ever get in the way? And do you use it for music, voice, or both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllanH Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 Hi. I'm new to MD recording too. I'm now pulling togther a quiet (ie non hiss) stereo recording rig. If you're looking to record birdsong you will probably need something similar. So far I've found that: - Sony ECM mics dont a have a low enough S/N ratio for bird recording (ECM-999PR has a S/N of 68dB.) - Rode NT4 has a quoted S/N ratio of 78dB, and produces quite a high signal output. MUCH quieterr than ECM-999PR, but is very prone to wind noise if used outdoors. Comes with both XLR and 3.5mm cables so it will plug straight into a MD. For either mic you will need a shock mount to get over handing noise and a good wind cover eg Rycote, with a WindJammer cover. Or make something similar yourself. I'm told the MD reorders have noisy built in mic pre-amps so you may need to use an external preamp to keep the noise down. I use an external pre-amp/ADC and record using the digital optical input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhalten Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 You might find the following helpful on the question of minidisc pre-amps. I've heard so much confusing stuff on the topic, I asked a microphone retailer for his opinion. Here's his reply: >>It does get more critical when trying to record in higher sound pressure level environments(recording loud sounds) because all portable Minidisc and Dat recorders can and do go into overload when in moderately loud to loud recording situations quit easily! Quick fix is incorporating a batter / filter module and using your "line" input. By doing this you will bypass the preamp stage(at the mic input) of your recording allowing your microphones to handle a much greater, cleaner signal. Good rule of thumb: When recording quiet to moderate loud levels use your microphone input with or without a battery / filter module. When recording loud to extremely loud situations "always" use your battery / filter module in your "line" input. << Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 What about a mic like the AT 822 that already has a battery in the mic (1.5v)? Is that enough bias power to go line in for very loud to loud rock shows? Would an extra battery box with 9v more make any difference? Mark J> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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