Topic: Choosing mics to Tascam DR-07

[paytoplay]

Hey there,

I'm very new to recording and found out about this site just today. I hope I can get some help with choosing some good, not too expensive microphones for me to use with my recorder Tascam DR-07.

My main target is to record rock-shows, in clubs and or in bigger venues. So mics that can handle this.
Ive been looking around the net for about a week now and have been able to find some microphone-sets that seems interesting.

These are:

Core-sounds': "Core Sound Binaural Microphone Set (with Switchable Bass Roll-off Filter)" for $260
http://www.core-sound.com/mics/1.php

Sound Professionals': "Low Noise In-Ear Binaural Microphones" for $79
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-TFB-2
+
"SP-SPSB-11 Micro-Mini Battery Module with Bass Roll-Off, Mini 12V Battery and 24 inch Output Cable Standard" for $79
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-SPSB-11

What do you guys say about these two alternatives? Are they working fine with the Tascam?
Should I go for some other mic-sets?

Thanks
Rickard

[SmokinJoe]

I have the Core Sound Binaural mics, and they work good.  It's what I generally use for occasional low profile work.

Sound Professionals have a good reputation, but I'm not familiar with that particular model.

If you happen to wear glasses, I suggest this used pair with croakies from a very reputable member of this board:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=132968.0

Another good source is Church Audio, such as shown here http://cgi.ebay.ca/STEREO-CONDENSER-MICROPHONE-4-EDIROL-R09-MR-1-STEALTH_W0QQitemZ250523991750QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_2?hash=item3a5464bec6
I'll caution you that while the product is good, there is typically a month lead time on new.  Some people find this delay quite aggravating.
The advantage to this one (CA-11) is that you can get interchangeable cardiod and omni capsules at relatively low cost.  These show up in the yard sale quite a bit.

That said, I'll leave you with three additional pieces of advice...
1) First and foremost, if you are on a budget, keep an eye on the "Yard Sale" here.  Almost every piece of gear I have came from the yard sale.  I bought my CSBs for $75 used instead of $260.
2) Listen to samples of music recorded with different microphones on archive.org, and decide what YOU like the sound of.  Much of what is on the archive has been recorded with big mics where open taping is allowed.  But some is with smaller gear.
3) asking us what to buy for mics, is like asking is what kind of Ice Cream to buy.  We'll tell you our favorite flavors, which is not necessarily your favorite.  That's why listening to samples on the archive is so important.

[paytoplay]

Thanks! Great information.
Listening right now to some different recordings with different mics.
Might go for the SP-BMC-12, good price on the yard sale! But I will need a battery box aswell. Its hard to find these kind of equipment in Sweden and pretty expensive to ship from the US.

Also the CA-11 sounds good, especially with the Church Audio CA-9100 Preamp. But its way more expensive than SP-BMC-12 with a battery box.

Might go with the SP-BMC-12 + SP-SPSB-11 (79$ from Sound Professionals).
These two with a Tascam DR-07. What do you think? 

[pontiacb]

But I will need a battery box aswell. Its hard to find these kind of equipment in Sweden and pretty expensive to ship from the US.

Also the CA-11 sounds good, especially with the Church Audio CA-9100 Preamp. But its way more expensive than SP-BMC-12 with a battery box.

I can recommend the CA-11 cards , having taped 50+ shows with them and always got good consistent results.  They are fantastic value for money compared to everything else I've tried.  I use a battery box with them rather than a pre-amp and even hugging the stack at loud shows I get really good results.  Chris Church regularly has special offers/deals for members here - have a look at the retail space section of this site.

I agree that sometimes shipping from the US to Europe can be relatively expensive, but for a cheap battery box with minimal or no shipping costs to europe from the US I recommend Microphone Madness (looks like the site is under maintenance till the 26th  http://www.microphonemadness.com ).  I've got a couple of their mini battery boxes and it worked out the cheapest deal inc postage of all the US suppliers I checked out and they have given me good service for the last couple of years.

[taperwheeler]

imo, the Tascam has a bit of a darker sound.  the audio technica mics are a bit bright.  paired together, they seem, to my ears, to compliment one another well.  so for my .05, i'd look for a set of low sensitivity at 853's from sound pro's at least for a later upgrade.  some of the other sp mics might be a good match as well.  welcome and enjoy...

[SmokinJoe]

The fact that you are in Europe makes a difference.  I'm almost sure I've seen some small mics pop up from folks in Europe in the last few months.  Maybe they are all sold, maybe not.

Go to the yard sale and go back page after page after page for up to a year.  If someone posts something for sale, as new things come up the old things get pushed back.  Lots of times if something doesn't sell, you can bump the thread asking "Is this still available?" and it is.   Fairly often if something is located in Europe they will mention that.

Good luck.

[rjp]

Sound Professionals': "Low Noise In-Ear Binaural Microphones" for $79
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-TFB-2

I use these with my LS-10 on occasion, but I normally record classical. I've had some great pulls of pipe organ though, and that can get pretty loud. I strongly recommend you use the windscreens if you run these mics - otherwise you're likely to pick up eardrum clicks during quiet passages.

[deadahead93]

I use the Tascam DR-07 with the Core  Sound mics and love the results. I use them Lo-Pro and I have also lofted them on a clamp with this mount: http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-GNA-2

I used this set up quit a bit till I bought my new set up. Here is a link to a couple out door shows with this setup and a pic with homemade teddy-bear dead rats... I really like the set up and take these mics with me to every show, even if I'm using my other rig 

Los Lobos 8/14/09: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=41003fd85c9d92641686155677bb268539b62201bfbf8c27 

Ky-Mani Marley 6/13/09: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=41003fd85c9d9264d5a101cf914073b42f7949327a20b6d7

[paytoplay]

Nice recordings you got there.
I still havent decided which mics to buy. But right now im into the "CA-9100 w/ ca-14 omni and ca-14 cardioid mics $249". The only aspect stopping me right now is the uncertainty of eventual taxes to get it shipped here to Sweden. Maybe ill have to pay like +100usd for taxes. That hurts!

[pontiacb]

I still havent decided which mics to buy. But right now im into the "CA-9100 w/ ca-14 omni and ca-14 cardioid mics $249". The only aspect stopping me right now is the uncertainty of eventual taxes to get it shipped here to Sweden. Maybe ill have to pay like +100usd for taxes. That hurts!

Yeah, the taxes are the same problem in the UK, although its very hit or miss whether you get hit with them.  Recently another taper and I received similar orders at the same time from Chris Church and I wasn't 'caught' by customs taxes, whereas the other guy got hit with about £60 worth.  It just seems to be pot luck in the UK.  BTW I just got a Tascam DR-07 in the post today, so looking forward to giving it a run out with my CA-11s over the next couple of weeks.

[paytoplay]

I still havent decided which mics to buy. But right now im into the "CA-9100 w/ ca-14 omni and ca-14 cardioid mics $249". The only aspect stopping me right now is the uncertainty of eventual taxes to get it shipped here to Sweden. Maybe ill have to pay like +100usd for taxes. That hurts!

Yeah, the taxes are the same problem in the UK, although its very hit or miss whether you get hit with them.  Recently another taper and I received similar orders at the same time from Chris Church and I wasn't 'caught' by customs taxes, whereas the other guy got hit with about £60 worth.  It just seems to be pot luck in the UK.  BTW I just got a Tascam DR-07 in the post today, so looking forward to giving it a run out with my CA-11s over the next couple of weeks.

I see. And I guess its the same thing with Sweden as the UK? With the hit and miss scenario. Maybe I'll get lucky.
Nice, let me know how it sounds!

[crazifyngers]

I have a dr-07 and run them with ca-14 and a 9100.  very nice combination.  about 2 months ago i sold the mics and battery box.  i regretted it so much I ordered another set of mics a few weeks ago.  As previously mentioned it does take some time to get the mics.  I can assure your the wait is worth it!  Also Chris Church also sells battery boxes.  the smallest i have ever seen.  in fact if you get the ca-14 cards and omnis chris is throwing in a free battery box.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=130844.0

A good way to see what people are using is to check out the team boards.  there are boards for most equipment.

[paytoplay]

I have a dr-07 and run them with ca-14 and a 9100.  very nice combination.  about 2 months ago i sold the mics and battery box.  i regretted it so much I ordered another set of mics a few weeks ago.  As previously mentioned it does take some time to get the mics.  I can assure your the wait is worth it!  Also Chris Church also sells battery boxes.  the smallest i have ever seen.  in fact if you get the ca-14 cards and omnis chris is throwing in a free battery box.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=130844.0

A good way to see what people are using is to check out the team boards.  there are boards for most equipment.

Do you have a sample of something you recorded with the dr-07 and the ca-14+9100? Have you recorder loud live music aswell?
I would like to hear what character the sound has with that package.

[crazifyngers]

http://www.archive.org/details/skce2009-07-11.flac16
http://www.archive.org/details/dea2010-01-01.flac16
http://www.archive.org/details/skce2009-11-07.flac16
http://www.archive.org/details/ysj2009-06-18.flac16

[jbell]

Do the CA 14s and ST9100!  They sound great and Chris has been running deals for the past few months.  It would be worth the wait.  I also think there are some CA 14s and ST9100 for sale in the YS.