Topic: Where to buy some Nakamichi's and Audio-Technica's?

[Giant_Rick]

Hi guys, is there a place where I can buy some Nakamichi mikes (in particulary the '300' caps) and discontinued AT mikes?
I'm looking for a website or something.. don't have a clue on where to start seeking!

Thanks and cheers!!

[audBall]

Welcome, Rick.

Naks come up for sale on here (in the Yard Sale) every so often.  Ebay is always a good place to look as well.  There's probably a good chance you'll find some here by putting an "ISO" in the Yard Sale.

We also have a Team Nakamichi in the Team boards.  Be sure check there for just about anything Nak-mic related.

There's tons of info here!

Happy hunting!

[SmokinJoe]

Rick... I happen to have a pair of Nak300 omni caps... just the caps, not full mics.  If you are interested email me joe.deadhead@gmail.com

[bgreen]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-of-2-Nakamichi-Electret-Condensor-Microphones_W0QQitemZ290353841640QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439a7005e8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

theres 2 300's on there now with a BIN of $150. Not a bad deal

[Giant_Rick]

Thanks for the info!

Sorry SmokinJoe, but I'm not planning buying the Nak's soon.
First I need some cash, then I need to think about something on..
Those mikes are 'big' and clearly not for stealth, and I'll record only the stealth way. No way for using those great, but 'bulky', mikes!
Secondly, I actually have a Hi-MD recorder, so no 48V power and a preamp would be a huge effort now.

Thank you anyway!

Two more questions:

•what is the best 'type' of mike for recording jazz music?

•is there a site with the specific for each mike and, perhaps, samples?

[acidjack]

You can get the Naks chopped down in the "Franken Nak" mod that is more acceptable for low-profile use.  I'm not sure who is doing the mod right now but search around the board.

"Best" is a subjective question - and highly subject to price range.  In the price range of used Naks (i.e., sub $300) the Church Audio CA-14 cardiods or Audio Technica AT U853 (aka SP-CMC-4) mics give great bang for the buck. 

I would try the Live Music Archive at archive.org - there are tons of recordings there with all kinds of mics.  Listen to bands that are similar to what you'll be recording, and see what you think.

Of course, the user of a mic -placement and other taping skill - can be just as important as the mic itself!

Thanks for the info!

Sorry SmokinJoe, but I'm not planning buying the Nak's soon.
First I need some cash, then I need to think about something on..
Those mikes are 'big' and clearly not for stealth, and I'll record only the stealth way. No way for using those great, but 'bulky', mikes!
Secondly, I actually have a Hi-MD recorder, so no 48V power and a preamp would be a huge effort now.

Thank you anyway!

Two more questions:

•what is the best 'type' of mike for recording jazz music?

•is there a site with the specific for each mike and, perhaps, samples?

[Giant_Rick]

You can get the Naks chopped down in the "Franken Nak" mod that is more acceptable for low-profile use.  I'm not sure who is doing the mod right now but search around the board.

"Best" is a subjective question - and highly subject to price range.  In the price range of used Naks (i.e., sub $300) the Church Audio CA-14 cardiods or Audio Technica AT U853 (aka SP-CMC-4) mics give great bang for the buck. 

I would try the Live Music Archive at archive.org - there are tons of recordings there with all kinds of mics.  Listen to bands that are similar to what you'll be recording, and see what you think.

Of course, the user of a mic -placement and other taping skill - can be just as important as the mic itself!

I'll search for the Franken Mod, thanks.

As for the price.. I should get about 300$ (to be honest are € as I live in old Europe) by 2010, then I don't know.. on 21st jan. I'm turning 18, so I can ask for some more cash.. but the R09HR is a must.

I agree with the ability of recording. In July I went to a Springsteen's show and met a taper (damn, I wish i had asked him his email address!!) who suggested me the right spot to record.
I was in the pit, in front of the right stack.
It ended up a nice recording (considering it has been made with a Sony cheapo mike), but I sang a lot.. so it's almost unlistable.
Next moth there will be a jazz festival in my city and I'll be taping in small theater (I suppose the best spot is on the side and close to the speakers). If everything goes well, something will pops up on Dime.

Thanks for the hint!
So I'll buy

[DSatz]

Hmmm, so Al Franken is modifying microphones for tapers now? It's not enough for him to be a comedian and a senator?

--best regards

[Roger Gustavsson]

Just remember that these Nakamichis are old now. At least 25 years! Just because of their name, the price tag is elevated... I think there are some more "younger" alternatavies for less money worth considering, especially if you are going for stealth. I am not stealthing so I keep my Nakamichis.

Franken, chopped etc. is just a matter of making them smaller, to get rid of the battery compartment. You will then need another source of power. If you are not doing this yourself, it ends up rather expensive.

Roger

[dgale]

The Naks do not require phantom power (at least not the unmodified ones) and I bet there are many 80's era tapers who'd disagree about the ability to stealth with them :-)  But this is a different era and they would not be a good fit based on what you describe you want to do.  There are lots of affordable options out there as folks mentioned above - once you choose something, I advise you experiment around at venues you attend regularly to best understand where they sound best under different locations, music types etc.  Location and technique mastery will probably yield you better results than exactly what gear you buy.  As for the singing while recording part...you might want to make that an either/or situation as the two don't go together very well ;-)

[bgreen]

I really love my naks, but I have never used them stealth. I would have to almost agree with Roger on the fact that there may be bettrer and cheaper mics for this kind of taping.

I use an R-09HR and chris Church's ST-9100 and CA-11's and couldn't be happier. I also run these as a second set a lot when I'm taping open. Look around a bit before you pick these and go for the mod IMO.

[Giant_Rick]

As for the singing while recording part...you might want to make that an either/or situation as the two don't go together very well ;-)

It was a show I couldn't sing.. have you ever been at a Springsteen's concert?

I'll work for the best spot in the venues I usually go and I'm almost sure on the rig I'll buy in the next months.. some CA cardioid mikes for stealth + a preamp (CA 9100 or 9000, I'll decide it later) and R09HR as recorder; for open taping I'll look for some Nak mikes and use the same recorder.. will decide further later for the preamp.