Topic: So how DO $45/pair omnis sound?

[TNJazz]

Decide for yourself.  Here is the sample file:  http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=B09E92646B69D313

This is a very unscientific sample - the show got a little crazy last night and I had to scramblie to get these put up in time (they arrived late in the day).  Several tapers last night, so I just stuck the mics onto fleximounts and clamped them onto a stand in the "section".  So the path you're hearing is MSH-1A (omni) -> MOTU Traveler @ 24bit/48kHz.  Mics were run in the crowd approximately 20 feet from the stage, spaced about a foot and a half apart (see pic).

No post processing at all was done to the files.  These are the raw files that are part of the multitrack project.

Next weekend I'll try them onstage, and running through a better preamp (either Metric Halo, Onyx 800R or Ramsa).

Please leave your comments on this thread.  Round 2 to follow.

If you like what you hear, these can be purchased here:  http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/microphones.html

[Brian Skalinder]

Here is the sample file:  http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?actionfiltered=download&ufid=B09E92646B69D313

Is there a way to get this w/o signing up for an account?

[dunebug81]

Here is the sample file:  http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?actionfiltered=download&ufid=B09E92646B69D313

Is there a way to get this w/o signing up for an account?

Hes linked the wrong page.

[TNJazz]

My bad - fixed it (I think)

[Gawain]

Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3/4"ø (70mm x 19mmø)....this makes them even good to stealth...I better switch off my pc or will end the night with a pair ordered  but with that price...mmmm...

[L Ron Hoover]

I wonder how these would work with the Microtracker's 30V phantom.

[F.O.Bean]

sounds great IMO, hmmm, may have to buy a pair for shits and giggles

[Ryan Sims]

I wonder how these would work with the Microtracker's 30V phantom.

Here's the specs according to the website:

Type: Omnidirectional Electret Condenser Microphone
Phantom Power: +48V nominal, +18V minimum
Recommended Input Impedance: 600Ω minimum
Sensitivity: -39dBV/Pa, +/- 2dB
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.15% typical, 1kHz @94dBSPL
Maximum Level: 126dBSPL (1% THD @ 116dBSPL, +/-2dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +/-2dB
Polar Response, 180°: -3dB @ 10kHz
Self-Noise: 22dBA
Weight: 1.3oz (36g)
Dimensions 2 3/4" x 3/4"ø (70mm x 19mmø)

One would assume the 30V could do it fine, right?
______________________________________________

I, for one, think these sound unbelievable.  $44/matched pair is insane.  I will be buying these instead of omni caps for my 853s, definitely.  Fuckin' A I am blown away.  I can't wait for Round 2, big +T.

[Sanjay]

the capsules on the end look strangely like the panasonic capsules in core sound etc....

[TNJazz]

The maker of these mics is a member of this board.  Perhaps he'll step up and tell us more about them?

Attached is a closeup pic of the pair.  The mics are basically an XLR connector, that's it.

Dirk

[stirinthesauce]

Sounds really amazing, Dirk.  I ran 481's there last night.  Sound marginally better, but not $1200 better    Think I know what my next purchase is.  Need some omnis

[TNJazz]

I set up a pair of 481's there last night, pressed record and then left to tape some lame show at another bar.

fixed it   

[Chuck]

This is so weird. ToddR sent me a link to these on Friday. I sent a couple of e-mails and I PayPaled him the $$ today.
I've been looking for this type of mic for a while now. $54 shipped for (2) matched omni's (with two windscreens), with XLR connectors that take 48v phantom power!   I can't wait 'til they come.

[stirinthesauce]

I set up a pair of 481's there last night, pressed record and then left to tape some lame show at another bar.

fixed it   

Hey, I made it back for the last 40 minutes of their set    Then left again, came back for the last 20min of the Jack Pearson/Oteil superjam set 


Don't think I'll be trying that one again anytime soon    Thanks for posting the sample, I am really impressed by those little omnis.

[TNJazz]

Here's another shot of the "section".  Damn those tapers are sooooo energetic...   

[Chuck]

I wonder how these would work with the Microtracker's 30V phantom.

I e-mailed the guy, Jon, that makes the microphones on Friday. He uses Panasonic electret capsules with the now well known 4.7k resistor mod. He said his design was a little different, as he uses (2) 4.7k resistors. This should take care of any overloading at high SPL's. 18v DC is as low as you can go for phantom power. He said they sound a bit better with the full 48v.

[tcf]

Hey guys,

Good seeing y'all at the show, the third set was off the hook, Oteil and Elizabeth playing bass, Jack and Delbert McClinton playing the hell out of the keys, highlight of the night for me

New record for myself tearing down at this show, Dirk I believe you had the whole multitrack rig torn down before I had two mics packed up.

So not to hijack this thread I can't believe you tried to run omnis when my roomate and I were trying to pick up those girls at the bar behind me in the picture.   Sweet spot for sure. 

tcf

[RebelRebel]

Yeah, the maker is a Carolina boy, great guy, and a real electronics whiz..

[F.O.Bean]

thsi might be the best/coolest find ever, well, in a really long time

+T fellas

im def getting a apir in the next few weeks price is unbelievable, i can always borrow some ck62's, but for 45 dollars, you cant go wrong, and they even have a lifetime guarantee

[Ryan Sims]

Greetings all, thanks to Teddy for the heads up on this thread.  I registered here a few days ago after an inquiry by Chuck, but I am not a taper myself so if there is something obvious to you it might be totally unapparent to me.  So feel free to point out something you feel would be useful.

A bit more about the mics:  They are Panasonic WM61A along with another FET and the associated components inside an XLR connector.  Therefore they are low output impedance.  They do take anything from 18V-48V phantom, in fact I test each mic with a 21V and a 48V pre.  Sound pressure level handling is higher with full phantom voltage, at 1% THD at 116dBSPL.

As for the Microtrack, I have one customer who reported adverse noise with that unit.  Doing some further research, I learned that the Microtrack supplies a very limited amount of current, which would mean that the voltage seen by the MSH-1A would drop below specification.  It would be possible for me to make a "Microtrack" version of the MSH-1A that draws less current, if there is someone interested in experimenting with that, please contact me at music@naiant.com.  Such a version would have lower SPL rating as well as slightly higher THD @ 94kHz, however.

Regards,

Jon

Welcome and +T.  Thank you for your contribution to the scene.

[Chuck]

Jon, about your naming convention:

So the MSH-1A is MS Hilarious? Like the name of a ship?

[TNJazz]

So not to hijack this thread I can't believe you tried to run omnis when my roomate and I were trying to pick up those girls at the bar behind me in the picture.   Sweet spot for sure. 

Yeah, the omnis definitely picked up a good bit of bar chatter  (I didn't know Kevin was a famous brain surgeon and that you have a villa in Spain...it's amazing the things you hear with omnis...! )

All kidding aside, I'm really interested in how these will sound in an on-stage situation.  That will make Saturday's show very interesting indeed.

[Chuck]

I bet cardioids and especially hyper-cardioids would be popular here!

[neumannkid]

Sound pretty good from the sound bite, just bought a pair very interested in playing around with them. Thanks for the heads up Dirk.

[Wiggle]

I just bought a matched pair of these things. Haven't even used the omni caps that came with my C4s but the terminally impoverished part of my brain managed to convince my fingers to go from 'add to cart' to clicking 'pay'. 

Damn this hobby.

[rdflash]

Is it $50 for the pair of matched mics, clips, and windscreens?

Just wondering, I think thats the right price b/c the stand bar is $15 seperate and the whole package is $65, so minus the stand bar it come out to $50.

Would that be the price Jon?

+T for the mics, waiting to get this sample d/led  

[Wiggle]

I was looking to get them without the bar, too. Clicking around I found this page: http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/microphoneaccessories.html

Scroll down and you'll find:

mics = $44/pair
clips = $2 each
windscreens = $4 each

Hope that helps.

[rdflash]

I was looking to get them without the bar, too. Clicking around I found this page: http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/microphoneaccessories.html

Scroll down and you'll find:

mics = $44/pair
clips = $2 each
windscreens = $4 each

Hope that helps.

I saw that and added 44+2+4 = 50

but I thought the prices were for pair.

I guess I will just wait for him to write back on here.

[Chuck]

I skipped the clips and went with:

$44 - (2) matched MSH-1A's
$  8 - (2) windscreens at $4 ea.
$  2 - shipping
____
$54 total  

[kgreener]

am i the only one who gets "Windows Media Player cannot play the file.  One or more codecs required to play the file could not be found"

i'm using Windows Media Player 10, and i even reinstalled it but still no go.  All my other .wav files play fine ...

any ideas 

[Javier Cinakowski]

Very cool, seems like a very inexpensive alternative to the Earthworks Omni's.

[mmmatt]

The accessories are sold each, so clips+screens+matched pair = $56 + shipping ($3 in US)

Right now I've got screens on order which should arrive Wednesday, so orders I've received this weekend will ship Wednesday or Thursday.

I'm working on a directional mic, those are a bit tricky so it's at least a few weeks out.  I should have a clip-mounted omni version ready sometime next week.

Thanks for stopping by and giving us the info on these mics!!!  What a great value!  Thanks for guniea pigging them Dirk.

Matt

[Chuck]

am i the only one who gets "Windows Media Player cannot play the file.  One or more codecs required to play the file could not be found"

i'm using Windows Media Player 10, and i even reinstalled it but still no go.  All my other .wav files play fine ...

any ideas 

I got the same thing with WMP. It opens fine in WaveLab.

[ScottT]

Plays fine in Winamp.  Sounds great!  I foresee a purchase in the near future - can't really go wrong at that price!

[kgreener]

nevermind, i'm an idiot, it's 24-bit, opens fine in sound forge

'twas a long weekend 

sounds great!

[mmmatt]

Opens as a flac in foobar...  These sound amazing!!!!  This is a great deal.  Nice low-pro for stage micing without pissing off the venue, should fit in a hat for people of that persuasion,they would be very inconspicuous for hanging from venue ceiling for crowd or stage,  light enough to fly on a very small cross bar for spits from a single stand...  I would say this is the ultimate newbie omni or for someone who is looking for a pair of occasional use omni's.  I doubt they would outperform a pair of MBHO or Earthworks omni's in a side by side, but for $50 these are the fashizzle!
     I would be real interested in cards or hypers.  I could see myself picking up a couple of handfulls of these for micing cabinets on stage.

matt

[Chuck]

Opens as a flac in foobar...  These sound amazing!!!!  This is a great deal.  Nice low-pro for stage micing without pissing off the venue, should fit in a hat for people of that persuasion,they would be very inconspicuous for hanging from venue ceiling for crowd or stage,  light enough to fly on a very small cross bar for spits from a single stand...  I would say this is the ultimate newbie omni or for someone who is looking for a pair of occasional use omni's.  I doubt they would outperform a pair of MBHO or Earthworks omni's in a side by side, but for $50 these are the fashizzle!
     I would be real interested in cards or hypers.  I could see myself picking up a couple of handfulls of these for micing cabinets on stage.

matt

Yeah, $19 a piece or $200 for a dozen     ... Man, that's a cheap way to start a sound reinforcement business.  Those prices even crush the Oktava's that were so popular a while back. Like I said, I have my order in, before too many folks find out about these and inevitably the price doubles...

[Javit]

These sound really good for what they are, I couldn't believe it listening to the sample.  If for nothing they're great to have in your bag of tricks.  It seems like one of those things that you don't think you'll ever need but end up running them consistently just because.

[Patrick]

Like Matt said, I'd also be interested in other pickup patterns.  Possibly some hypers, I don't forsee myself using hypers very much but it would be nice to have a pair around just in case I find myself in the back of a gym taping from the section 

[Chuck]

Like Matt said, I'd also be interested in other pickup patterns.  Possibly some hypers, I don't forsee myself using hypers very much but it would be nice to have a pair around just in case I find myself in the back of a gym taping from the section 

I'm sure Jon will chime in, but from my reading, it looks like hypers are much tougher to make sound good. I know that the element used for these only come in omni and uni-directional. The uni directional elements I see don't have very good low frequency characteristics. Perhaps with the proper venting/ design the omni elements can be made directional? I'd love to have a set of hyper-cardioids the size of an XLR connector too 

[mmmatt]

Like Matt said, I'd also be interested in other pickup patterns.  Possibly some hypers, I don't forsee myself using hypers very much but it would be nice to have a pair around just in case I find myself in the back of a gym taping from the section 

I'm sure Jon will chime in, but from my reading, it looks like hypers are much tougher to make sound good. I know that the element used for these only come in omni and uni-directional. The uni directional elements I see don't have very good low frequency characteristics. Perhaps with the proper venting/ design the omni elements can be made directional? I'd love to have a set of hyper-cardioids the size of an XLR connector too 

In most cases where I would use hypers taping ambient it is because the bass is heavy and boomy so poor low-end responce may be just right.  I could still also find a use for hypers or cards with limited frequency responce... Shit, a friggin sm57 costs $100!

Matt

[bluegrass_brad]

I built a pair of these myself a couple of years ago and have used them for onstage/matrix work.  These little guys will really surprise you with how could they sound.

[poorlyconditioned]

I'm sure Jon will chime in, but from my reading, it looks like hypers are much tougher to make sound good. I know that the element used for these only come in omni and uni-directional. The uni directional elements I see don't have very good low frequency characteristics. Perhaps with the proper venting/ design the omni elements can be made directional? I'd love to have a set of hyper-cardioids the size of an XLR connector too 

It would be difficult to modify the omni capsule to be unidirectional because there is no vent in the capsule itself, and the back of the capsule is a circuit board with a FET on the inside.  I am working on a directional design using unidirectional capsules, there are a few issues there though.  The resulting mic will have higher SPL handling and lower sensitivity.  Those are useful features for close micing cabinets, toms, and such.  The frequency range is more limited than the omnis, but it's not quite as bad as the capsule specs state.  The response above 13kHz isn't flat, but it is still much better than a typical dynamic mic.  There is a bass roll-off, but there is also proximity effect.  Of course with the loss in sensitivity, there is higher noise.  Thus I believe the omni design will generally be superior for stereo recording.

Whether cardioid or hypercardioid is influenced by the venting pattern, and with the small capsules is not as profound as you would get with a larger capsule.  Therefore if you had an application that was highly dependent upon good off-axis rejection, I would not suggest using a miniature mic.  As I mentioned above, I intend to position the directional mic as designed for louder sources instead.

I've also given some thought to the particular problems of portable recorders and have some new products in mind, specifically a version of the MSH-1A that can run off either standard or very low phantom supplies, and also plug-in power via an adaptor cable.  Look for an update on my website sometime next week.

Nice work!  And thanks for providing to the taping community at a nice price .

Do you mind answering some questions (to a fellow DIY person, but not a seller)?

- How do you get such a low self-noise value?  The WM61A's are rated at 62dB SNR, so self noise (A-weighted) should be 94(ref value)-62=32dB.  You've got a much lower value.  Don't get me wrong, these mics sound great, I'm just suspicious of the number.

- What circuit did you use to drop the phantom to feed the mics and drive the output?  In particular, did you use two PNP transistors (like the famous Scheops circuit) or some kind of FET circuit?  If you used regular transistors, did you use the FET for a constant current source, or perhaps to replace the FET in the WM61A capsule?

Thanks again, and good luck with your business!
  Richard

[Chuck]

Also, how much current do they draw?

[poorlyconditioned]

Do you mind answering some questions (to a fellow DIY person, but not a seller)?

- How do you get such a low self-noise value?  The WM61A's are rated at 62dB SNR, so self noise (A-weighted) should be 94(ref value)-62=32dB.  You've got a much lower value.  Don't get me wrong, these mics sound great, I'm just suspicious of the number.

- What circuit did you use to drop the phantom to feed the mics and drive the output?  In particular, did you use two PNP transistors (like the famous Scheops circuit) or some kind of FET circuit?  If you used regular transistors, did you use the FET for a constant current source, or perhaps to replace the FET in the WM61A capsule?

Panasonic is very conservative in their specs.  Technically, they say >62dB SNR; I have tested noise carefully in reference to mics with published specs, and I'm pretty comfortable with my 22dBA rating.  Or maybe they stated a C weighted spec, which would be odd but closer to 32dB.  There is nothing special about my circuit and noise, that's pretty much only something one could make worse . . .

My circuit does not use the PNP approach.  Primarily that is because originally the circuit didn't use an external transistor at all; it started as a phantom-powered version of the famed Tape Op mic.  As I continued work on the circuit and the constraints of an XLR connector, I was able to add a FET to the circuit which lowered output impedance.  I am about to transition to PCB assembly from point to point, that would allow for another transistor, but I'm happy enough I don't think I will change the circuit.  While I didn't replace the FET in the capsule, essentially the external FET is a current source, fed off the capsule + and thus biased pretty high, it uses a fair amount of current--I haven't measured, but probably 6mA or so.

Thanks for sharing.

I looked at the circuit (homerecording.com forums).  I should comment that the "4.7k mod" we (Chris Church and I) do is a little different than this one.  In particular, we *cut* the traces on the WM61 capsule and put the 4.7k resistor between the source of the FET and ground.  This acts as "negative feedback" to reduce the gain of the mic, which is the reason why it can handle high sound levels..  Aside from this the circuit looks good.  Very nice work with the FET...

  Richard

[china_rider]

Ok... Gotta say I pulled the trigger.   The sample sounds good and I have a few shows comming up where I will have stage access and the smaller the footprint the better.  These would also probably be good for a second rig to loan out to friends when asked for.

Should be running the mics split on stage with some 481s in the center in a few weeks.  I'll post a sample when mixed together.

Stay Kind,
Dana

[poorlyconditioned]

I looked at the circuit (homerecording.com forums).  I should comment that the "4.7k mod" we (Chris Church and I) do is a little different than this one.  In particular, we *cut* the traces on the WM61 capsule and put the 4.7k resistor between the source of the FET and ground.  This acts as "negative feedback" to reduce the gain of the mic, which is the reason why it can handle high sound levels..  Aside from this the circuit looks good.  Very nice work with the FET...

Yes I am aware of the Linkwitz mod, I never meant to imply my circuit uses it.  I did test it, but I could not derive a substantial benefit vs. my floating design, and the difficulty of soldering to the case (well, difficult for me, anyway) caused me to toast the occasional capsule.  However I have never been able increase SPL beyond 126dB, at that point the capsule seems to hit a brick wall and clip irrespective of supply voltage, FET configuration, etc.  Linkwitz reports 135dBSPL, but I can't duplicate that myself.  Of course my test gear also cannot much exceed 126dBSPL without increasing harmonic distortion significantly itself, so . . . however I have had good success tweaking the circuit further from the homerecording.com circuit to reduce THD up to the 126dB point.

The design of the 1A was also to enable use with low input impedance pres, and to some extent as I push the envelope on SPL, that ability gets degraded.

Try a search on homerecording for a thread by Marik, he did a lot of experimentation with this capsule in respect to the Linkwitz mod and some interesting variations of his own.  Those ideas were influential in my design.

The trick, that Marik posted I think, was to (carefully) modify the capsule as follows:
- use copper "solder wick" to remove the excess solder from both tabs on the WM61
- find the tab connected to the ground with copper
- carefully cut (with an exacto knife) across that tab.  You should see the pins of the FET protruding on the back.  Cut the tab so the FET pin is separated from the part of the tab which goes to the case

Now you have three parts (one on the one tab, and two on the cut tab) to connect to.  And you don't have to solder to the aluminum case.

It only took me ten or twenty tries to discover this, or more accurately, discover what Marik was doing and that it really worked!

Happy hacking...

  Richard

[Chuck]

+T and thanks for the link. I love reading about this stuff.

[poorlyconditioned]

I believe most of the orders I received in the last couple of days were from this board (thank you!), so in the interest of efficiency I will post here:  if you have ordered a pair (as of now) WITHOUT windscreens, your mics will ship today (or shipped yesterday).  I ran out of windsreens on Saturday, I placed an order on Friday which I should receive tomorrow--with any luck, in enough time to send out your orders same day.

Sorry for the delay, the windscreens are rather more popular here than they are with the homerecording crowd  .  I have my vendors looking into a larger quantity for me so this won't recur in the future.

Great job.  Hackers and (friendly!) vendors welcome on this board...

  Richard

[davepeck]

any chance of getting an updated download link? i'd love to check this out..

[Chuck]

It was this thread here:

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=111051

Modding the capsule progressed through many changes, it's kind of a long thread.  Somewhere in the middle there was a mention and a circuit with a floating capsule based on a suggestion by PRR.  I believe that was still a three-wire design, and of course the circuit is more involved.  I should repeat here what I said on homerecording that this is not the best possible circuit that could be made with WM61A, it's perhaps the best circuit that can fit in an XLR connector and be sold for $19     My design target was the ECM8000's cousin, the Apex 220 (the version I happen to own).  I feel pretty comfortable stating the MSH-1A is better in nearly every respect.  Except the silkscreen job    On the other hand, my KSM141 is a better microphone in nearly every respect.  Except for size and maybe one other thing 

However I don't think WM61A is ever going to make a high SPL microphone.  Thus my work on unidirectional capsules is oriented more towards that.

Jon:

Let me suggest that you start a thread in the Retail Space:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=22.0

You'll get more visability and be able to keep us up on your latest offerings.

Check out what ToddR did with his Segue Cables:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49744.0

I haven't been so excited about a new product in a long time as I am with the MSH-1A matched pairs. I can't wait to get my hands on them.

 

[rowjimmy]

Yep. these have jumped to the top of my shopping list...

[SunWizard]

Can someone assist me with a question?  I've had no luck searching here or on Google    I'm trying to build myself a test plug-in power supply, does anyone know the typical resistor value the power is supplied across?  Also is 5V most typical, or is the 1.5V-10V range hard to narrow down 

I think 2.5-3v is more typical, that is what the R-09, the iRiver H120 and most mini-discs put out for plug power.

[uglybassplayer]

TNJazz,  I've been trying to access the page on YouSendIt.com, but it keeps sending me to the signup page, EVEN after I signed up and registered.  Is there another link to this file?  I'd really like to hear it.

- Frank.

[TNJazz]

The link seems to have expired.  Did anyone who downloaded it keep it around?  I don't have it anymore, so to put another sample up I'd have to re-render the file from the multitrack project.

Can anyone out there help?
Dirk

[mmmatt]

TNJazz,  I've been trying to access the page on YouSendIt.com, but it keeps sending me to the signup page, EVEN after I signed up and registered.  Is there another link to this file?  I'd really like to hear it.

- Frank.

Hey Dirk,
Why don't you cut that sucker up and just put the whole show on the archive?  That is oteil and the peachmakers right?

Matt

*edit*

The link seems to have expired.  Did anyone who downloaded it keep it around?  I don't have it anymore, so to put another sample up I'd have to re-render the file from the multitrack project.

Can anyone out there help?
Dirk

I think I have it at home and I can throw it up on tpers later tonight as a sample.  I like my idea above better though!

Matt

[Chuck]

TNJazz,  I've been trying to access the page on YouSendIt.com, but it keeps sending me to the signup page, EVEN after I signed up and registered.  Is there another link to this file?  I'd really like to hear it.

- Frank.

Hey Dirk,
Why don't you cut that sucker up and just put the whole show on the archive?  That is oteil and the peachmakers right?

Matt

*edit*

The link seems to have expired.  Did anyone who downloaded it keep it around?  I don't have it anymore, so to put another sample up I'd have to re-render the file from the multitrack project.

Can anyone out there help?
Dirk

I think I have it at home and I can throw it up on tpers later tonight as a sample.  I like my idea above better though!

Matt

Peaches and Herb

[TNJazz]

Peaches and the Herbmakers

fixed it

[cleantone]

... Man, that's a cheap way to start a sound reinforcement business.

with omni condensors? Better get some good graph eq's!

I have some TC30K's but might need to grab some of these too.

[mmmatt]

 

TNJazz,  I've been trying to access the page on YouSendIt.com, but it keeps sending me to the signup page, EVEN after I signed up and registered.  Is there another link to this file?  I'd really like to hear it.

- Frank.

Hey Dirk,
Why don't you cut that sucker up and just put the whole show on the archive?  That is oteil and the peachmakers right?

Matt

*edit*

The link seems to have expired.  Did anyone who downloaded it keep it around?  I don't have it anymore, so to put another sample up I'd have to re-render the file from the multitrack project.

Can anyone out there help?
Dirk

I think I have it at home and I can throw it up on tpers later tonight as a sample.  I like my idea above better though!

Matt

Peaches and Herb

Peaches and the Herbmakers

fixed it

fuckers

[uglybassplayer]

Peaches and the Herbmakers

fixed it

It's wierd, when I click on the link, the site recognizes me as being "signed in", but it still re-routes me to the signup page.  What should I be seeing when I click on the link?  Shoud it take me to a page where I can download the file, because that's not whats happening.

[china_rider]

Here is the original sample:
http://www.aztapers.org/music/samples/oteil.flac

[TNJazz]

Here is the original sample:
http://www.aztapers.org/music/samples/oteil.flac

Thanks!

Hey Dirk,
Why don't you cut that sucker up and just put the whole show on the archive?  That is oteil and the peachmakers right?

Matt

I would, but that would mean I'd have to listen to it again...

[uglybassplayer]

Thanks China_Rider, I'm downloading it right now.  BTW, I just pulled the trigger on a matched set of these mics (with the windscreens, holders & t-bar) myself.  I'm just a sucker for mics based on modified WM61As

- Frank.

[mmmatt]

Hey Dirk,
Why don't you cut that sucker up and just put the whole show on the archive?  That is oteil and the peachmakers right?

Matt

I would, but that would mean I'd have to listen to it again...

It would be like being reuninted with it and it feels so good...

[TNJazz]

Hey Dirk,
Why don't you cut that sucker up and just put the whole show on the archive?  That is oteil and the peachmakers right?

Matt

I would, but that would mean I'd have to listen to it again...

It would be like being reuninted with it and it feels so good...

fucker   

Now that song's going to be in my head all afternoon

[Chuck]

re-united.. hey.. hey...   
 
  sorry guys...   

[J.Maye]

I am definitely getting a pair of these. Obviously I can run these with my existing kind kabels>UA5, but Im looking for something a little more stealthable. I was originally going to save up and get a DPA 4061>MMA6000 setup, but when I saw/heard these I decided they completely fit my needs. Obviously the DPA setup would be nicer, but I think it would be overkill for what I really need. I don’t plan on stealthing much, but I really want the option. Anyone have a good recommendation for powering these mics? I’ll be running into a jb3 or iriver h120 and I would be satisfied with the internal a/d converter for now. I looked at the battery boxes and it looks like none of them put out enough voltage, or maybe I am missing something. I know this should prolly go in the pre/ad section, but since everyone is pretty much up to speed on these mics in this thread I thought I would pose the question here. Im looking for something small and fairly cheap, under $200. If that’s not a feasible option I’ll still have a nice set of Omni’s for open taping.

[smokydays]

I am definitely getting a pair of these. Obviously I can run these with my existing kind kabels>UA5, but Im looking for something a little more stealthable. I was originally going to save up and get a DPA 4061>MMA6000 setup, but when I saw/heard these I decided they completely fit my needs. Obviously the DPA setup would be nicer, but I think it would be overkill for what I really need. I don’t plan on stealthing much, but I really want the option. Anyone have a good recommendation for powering these mics? I’ll be running into a jb3 or iriver h120 and I would be satisfied with the internal a/d converter for now. I looked at the battery boxes and it looks like none of them put out enough voltage, or maybe I am missing something. I know this should prolly go in the pre/ad section, but since everyone is pretty much up to speed on these mics in this thread I thought I would pose the question here. Im looking for something small and fairly cheap, under $200. If that’s not a feasible option I’ll still have a nice set of Omni’s for open taping.

The MSH-1A was really developed for studio recording.  Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have a clip-mount version for plug-in or phantom power. 

That is awesome!  +T !  I will be ordering a pair soon myself.

[uglybassplayer]

The MSH-1A was really developed for studio recording.  Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have a clip-mount version for plug-in or phantom power. 

Hmm, I may just have to put my CSBs on evilBay 

- Frank.

[Chuck]

My thinking on these microphones is that they have more self noise than the typical condensors we all use for making audience recordings. But, for our application, that self noise is not as a big a concern as it would be in the studio environment. The ambient noise in the venues we record in easily masks the self noise the "ultra small" diameter electret omni mics have. The fact that the MSH-1A design is small (so, potentially stealthable) and 48v phantom powered is exactly what many of us need. Flat frequency response, good sound and very low price is the icing...

The anticipated battery box powered version will probably be very popular with tapers as well.

[rdflash]

I am definitely getting a pair of these. Obviously I can run these with my existing kind kabels>UA5, but Im looking for something a little more stealthable. I was originally going to save up and get a DPA 4061>MMA6000 setup, but when I saw/heard these I decided they completely fit my needs. Obviously the DPA setup would be nicer, but I think it would be overkill for what I really need. I don’t plan on stealthing much, but I really want the option. Anyone have a good recommendation for powering these mics? I’ll be running into a jb3 or iriver h120 and I would be satisfied with the internal a/d converter for now. I looked at the battery boxes and it looks like none of them put out enough voltage, or maybe I am missing something. I know this should prolly go in the pre/ad section, but since everyone is pretty much up to speed on these mics in this thread I thought I would pose the question here. Im looking for something small and fairly cheap, under $200. If that’s not a feasible option I’ll still have a nice set of Omni’s for open taping.

The MSH-1A was really developed for studio recording.  Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have a clip-mount version for plug-in or phantom power. 

They are already phatom if they are just XLR right?

[Chuck]

I am definitely getting a pair of these. Obviously I can run these with my existing kind kabels>UA5, but Im looking for something a little more stealthable. I was originally going to save up and get a DPA 4061>MMA6000 setup, but when I saw/heard these I decided they completely fit my needs. Obviously the DPA setup would be nicer, but I think it would be overkill for what I really need. I don’t plan on stealthing much, but I really want the option. Anyone have a good recommendation for powering these mics? I’ll be running into a jb3 or iriver h120 and I would be satisfied with the internal a/d converter for now. I looked at the battery boxes and it looks like none of them put out enough voltage, or maybe I am missing something. I know this should prolly go in the pre/ad section, but since everyone is pretty much up to speed on these mics in this thread I thought I would pose the question here. Im looking for something small and fairly cheap, under $200. If that’s not a feasible option I’ll still have a nice set of Omni’s for open taping.

The MSH-1A was really developed for studio recording.  Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have a clip-mount version for plug-in or phantom power. 

They are already phatom if they are just XLR right?

yup

[davepeck]

ordered mine this morning. thanks OP!

can't wait to try them out..

[TNJazz]

Hmmm...

I will have a sample from this weekend's gig up tonight or tomorrow (onstage mics -> Metric Halo) for additional consideration.

I've got a few concerns though, especially as it relates to field taping usage.  Need to do a little more listening first before I comment further though...

[china_rider]

hmmm

[bgalizio]

Hmmm...

I will have a sample from this weekend's gig up tonight or tomorrow (onstage mics -> Metric Halo) for additional consideration.

I've got a few concerns though, especially as it relates to field taping usage.  Need to do a little more listening first before I comment further though...

That sure isn't a tease

[TNJazz]

Hmmm...

I will have a sample from this weekend's gig up tonight or tomorrow (onstage mics -> Metric Halo) for additional consideration.

I've got a few concerns though, especially as it relates to field taping usage.  Need to do a little more listening first before I comment further though...

That sure isn't a tease

I had some minor concerns after last week's outing, but I decided to wait and see if this weekend's outing could improve on the problems I experienced.

I will listen critically today just to verify.  If anyone's worried, I will say that for the price these mics can't be beat.  How can you not grab a pair of mics for $50 that actually sound good?  However, they may not be particularly suitable for all situations, especially loud rock shows.

[Chuck]

I got mine on Saturday and recorded a rain/ thunder shower with them using my own version of the J-Disk. I noticed the output was considerably less than my C-480's. I lifted the -20db pad on the PMD671 that I always use with the C-480's. Next I want to record a quiet source to see if the added gain needed will be a problem.

I had one other thought... If you hard wired some thin mic-cable to the XLR pins and epoxyed that good, these would be VERY stealthable.

[flipp]

When the store comes back online is there going to be an alternative to paypal for those of us who don't/won't do paypal?

[mmmatt]

I just ordered a pair!!!

Matt

[TNJazz]

New joint here http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=70181.0

[Wiggle]

Just got mine in the mail today. They look pretty nifty and I can't wait to give them a try.

Thanks Jon!

[kuuan]

naiant.com won't open in the land of the dragon, must be banned here in China. Do they take them for bullets?

Will there be a 9 Volt battery box version with 2 x mono mini plugs?
Do I understand correctly that these omnis sould work well with not heavily amplified music, even ambient sound?

[Chuck]

naiant.com won't open in the land of the dragon, must be banned here in China. Do they take them for bullets?

Will there be a 9 Volt battery box version with 2 x mono mini plugs?
Do I understand correctly that these omnis sould work well with not heavily amplified music, even ambient sound?

It sounds like Jon is working on a battery powered version. I recorded a rain shower the other day with the MSH-1A's I got. These mics require much more gain than a standard condensor, like my AKG C-480's, so they may not be suited to recording low level ambient sounds.

[kuuan]

Thank you Chuck!

Currently I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of SP-CMC4s with cardioid capsules I bought at the yard sale, but I also want omnis. Yes, I do want to record unamplified music and ambience. I use a 9 Volt powered preamp which supplies 9 Volt power to the mics. With the preamp added, could Jon's omnis be a good choice, or would the omni capsules for the CMC4s, which I'd hope to get at the yard, my best choice? BTW I have Giant Squid Omnis, but I'd suppose that both, Jon's and the omni capsules for the CMCs should be quite superior, yes?

The preamp is quite basic though, it's an unknown model only sold in Japan. The specs look like this: ( some odd automatic translations included )

Rated Output Level: -10dBV
Maximum Output Level: +2dBV (1kHz, T.H.D1% o'clock)
Frequency Characteristic: 20Hz-20,000Hz (-3dB)
+20dB (when GAIN is MIN),
+ 50dB (when GAIN is MAX)
Maximum Permission Input: -18dBV (when GAIN is MIN)
all -- harmonics:0.05% (when GAIN is MIN)
0.2% (when GAIN is MAX)
Input conversion noise level :
- 110DBV (when GAIN is MIN),
- 120DBV (when GAIN is MAX)   
Power-supply: DC9V
Consumption Current: 30mA (maximum)

[Chuck]

Thank you Chuck!

Currently I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of SP-CMC4s with cardioid capsules I bought at the yard sale, but I also want omnis. Yes, I do want to record unamplified music and ambience. I use a 9 Volt powered preamp which supplies 9 Volt power to the mics. With the preamp added, could Jon's omnis be a good choice, or would the omni capsules for the CMC4s, which I'd hope to get at the yard, my best choice? BTW I have Giant Squid Omnis, but I'd suppose that both, Jon's and the omni capsules for the CMCs should be quite superior, yes?

The preamp is quite basic though, it's an unknown model only sold in Japan. The specs look like this: ( some odd automatic translations included )

Rated Output Level: -10dBV
Maximum Output Level: +2dBV (1kHz, T.H.D1% o'clock)
Frequency Characteristic: 20Hz-20,000Hz (-3dB)
+20dB (when GAIN is MIN),
+ 50dB (when GAIN is MAX)
Maximum Permission Input: -18dBV (when GAIN is MIN)
all -- harmonics:0.05% (when GAIN is MIN)
0.2% (when GAIN is MAX)
Input conversion noise level :
- 110DBV (when GAIN is MIN),
- 120DBV (when GAIN is MAX)   
Power-supply: DC9V
Consumption Current: 30mA (maximum)

I'm not the right one to ask about all the various electret microphones available. I do know that the price/ performance of the MSH-1A's is what I was looking for. I want to do my own tests to determine the overload point of the MSH-1A's, before I use them for any critical recording.

[RebelRebel]

John is also working on a tube mic..that guy is smart as a whip. He is a great addition here.

http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/tubemicrophones.html

[Chuck]

Yeah, I saw that miniature tube microphone... That's pretty nifty...