Topic: Serious recording problems!! OKM II Pop

[Adamn]

Hi there!
I don't know what to do and maybe somebody be so kind to help me.

I tried to record a rock concert in a small venue, unfortunately the result (sample.mp3) was REALLY awful. You can download the sample here: http://uploaded.to/?id=y4fzjy

My settings and equipment:

Device - Sony MZ-N10
Settings device:
mic sensitivity low
used Line-in for mic
LP2 mode
Mic - OKM II POP, with A3 adapter
Settings A3:
Low Frequency Roll Off ON
switch position "-20dB" ON

I was standing in front of the soundboard. The batteries were full. The device and the mics are new.

Can anybody give me some advice what I should do that I still hear some bass? THX

Adamn

[Gawain]

The first obvious thing is that the OKM II POP is not the best mic to record loud rock shows, you should go with the ROCK or ROCK-STUDIO version...

[Arni99]

I had the OKM POP version 1 year ago. Sold it directly after my first recording at a loud amplified rockshow. Also got awful results which couldn´t get restored in post. Sounded like the diaphragm would hit the mic-body  !
Obviously it´s NOT capable of processing high soundpressure levels.

[lordbelial]

Hi there!
I don't know what to do and maybe somebody be so kind to help me.

I tried to record a rock concert in a small venue, unfortunately the result (sample.mp3) was REALLY awful. You can download the sample here: http://uploaded.to/?id=y4fzjy

My settings and equipment:

Device - Sony MZ-N10
Settings device:
mic sensitivity low
used Line-in for mic
LP2 mode
Mic - OKM II POP, with A3 adapter
Settings A3:
Low Frequency Roll Off ON
switch position "-20dB" ON

I was standing in front of the soundboard. The batteries were full. The device and the mics are new.

Can anybody give me some advice what I should do that I still hear some bass? THX

Adamn

Change mics, the pop version will not handle high SPL as the Rock version would do.

[boojum]

I am a little surprised that all three of you guys could diagnose the problem without listening to the sample.  Howdjadothat!!??   

[lordbelial]

I am a little surprised that all three of you guys could diagnose the problem without listening to the sample.  Howdjadothat!!??   

I did.

The recording is totally clipped and "saturated". Seems that the mics could not handle the changes in air pressure (SPL), at least, this is my point of view.

Otherwise, it could be because of bad batteries which did not supply enough power to the mics so it could not handle the required SPL (mics fail if they're not drained OK)

My suggestion is to test another time in similar conditions to assure if the failure resides on the mics, in the power supply (A3 adapter, did you check the voltage in the battery? because it may be drained out...) or in the recorder settings (line in, mic in high or low-sens ... etc...)

So my suggestion would be:

1-Test the battery (it should give you a little more than nominal voltage if battery is OK)
2-Use line-in recording
3-SET RECORDING LEVELS UNDER 0 db!
3-Test the mics in similar environment or audience conditions.
4-Give us your feedback.

[Gawain]

I am a little surprised that all three of you guys could diagnose the problem without listening to the sample.  Howdjadothat!!??   

I did too and for sure "Arni99" did aswell.

I just pointed the obvious thing, those mics are not good for loud rock shows (the sample shows it enough), they are not designed for that. Beside all the tests/advises "lordbelial" has suggested, the mics are still not a good choice for loud live music, they are much better for interviews or even for studio (I've heard other live recordings with them and even without distortion, the sounds is not good at all)

[Adamn]

Battery is new and ok. Mic sens was set to low!
The OKM II Rock is no longer available here in europe, out of stock or something.
Which high quality micro would you recommend, to record loud rock shows (beside of OKM II rock)? The smaller the better!!!

My old mic was the "Sony ECM-125 stereo mic". Always used it for rock shows. Are you guys sure, OKM II Pop isnt better than the sony one .... or not adequate for loud rock concerts at all?

[sebbydee]

The OKM II Rock is no longer available here in europe, out of stock or something.

have you tried this ?
http://www.mp3-player.de/warenkorb.php?ArtNr=1822

as for other mics and depending on the budget...dpa ?

[Adamn]

The OKM II Rock is no longer available here in europe, out of stock or something.

have you tried this ?
http://www.mp3-player.de/warenkorb.php?ArtNr=1822

as for other mics and depending on the budget...dpa ?

Yeah, I tried to order it there, they don't have it anymore!!!

Anybody have any experience with the OKM II Pop concerning recording rock shows?

[Adamn]

I had the OKM POP version 1 year ago. Sold it directly after my first recording at a loud amplified rockshow. Also got awful results which couldn´t get restored in post. Sounded like the diaphragm would hit the mic-body  !
Obviously it´s NOT capable of processing high soundpressure levels.

Did you use the A3 adapter with the -20db switch?

[sebbydee]

I had the OKM POP version 1 year ago. Sold it directly after my first recording at a loud amplified rockshow. Also got awful results which couldn´t get restored in post. Sounded like the diaphragm would hit the mic-body  !
Obviously it´s NOT capable of processing high soundpressure levels.

Did you use the A3 adapter with the -20db switch?

a friend of mine used to tape with the rock version and once tried the pop version he has on loan. the sound of his tape was horrible...even with the a3 adapter...
just in case you'd be interested someone is selling his rock version. 185$ is a good price.
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79172.0.html

[Adamn]

a friend of mine used to tape with the rock version and once tried the pop version he has on loan. the sound of his tape was horrible...even with the a3 adapter...
just in case you'd be interested someone is selling his rock version. 185$ is a good price.
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79172.0.html

Maybe he did handle everything wrong, like i did?

[Arni99]

I am a little surprised that all three of you guys could diagnose the problem without listening to the sample.  Howdjadothat!!??   

because i had the OKM POP mics and recorded a rock show with the same problems .

[sebbydee]

a friend of mine used to tape with the rock version and once tried the pop version he has on loan. the sound of his tape was horrible...even with the a3 adapter...
just in case you'd be interested someone is selling his rock version. 185$ is a good price.
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79172.0.html

Maybe he did handle everything wrong, like i did?

mmm i don't think so. his qualities were always amazing. used to tape for more than 10 years. his experiences with both the okmI and the II pop version were cut short regarding the results. he went on trying the pop version as the rock's he has were broken...
maybe you could use it for very quiet shows or talking but not loud concerts. that's not what this mike was aimed at at first.