Topic: What do you think of this set up??

[PG1Tapes]

So, I'm a noob when it comes to taping and I am about to buy some gear.  I wanted to get some advice...  Here's what I'm thinking:

 CAPS-OMNI>Sony PCM-M10 Portable Audio Recorder

Help me add to this rig.  My idea is that I want something good for stealth that is ALSO cost effective.
Finally, where can I buy these items? 

Thanks,
PG1Tapes

[Neilyboy]

PCM-M10: $199.00 Shipped US - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638090-REG/Sony_PCM_M10_BLACK_PCM_M10_Portable_Audio_Recorder.html

Church Gear: $???.?? - http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=141135.0

Read around the forums here to see other recommendations. Do you have a budget you would like to stay around?

Neil

[PG1Tapes]

PCM-M10: $199.00 Shipped US - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638090-REG/Sony_PCM_M10_BLACK_PCM_M10_Portable_Audio_Recorder.html

Church Gear: $???.?? - http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=141135.0

Read around the forums here to see other recommendations. Do you have a budget you would like to stay around?

Neil

I'd like to stay around $300, if possible,

[acidjack]

Are you mostly recording close to the sound source?  An omni mic like the CAFS is great for that; not so great if you'll be further back.  For that you need something more directional like the CA-11 cardiod. 

That said, I find that in the realm of very inexpensive small mics, the small omnis sound much better... You might also look into the Church CA-1, which are quite small and recently held up well in a head-to-head comparison with much more expensive small DPA microphones. 

Point being, if you're stealth taping, my personal preference is, get close or don't bother; therefore, go with the small omnis like you suggest.  But there are plenty of folks who routinely stealth tape in stadiums, amphitheaters, whatever... and they'll tell you to get the CA-11s. 

You also need a power supply aka "battery box".  The M10 supplies enough voltage to power some but not all mics; I'd not risk it and get a battery box, personally.  Church Audio makes the cheapest one, the "CA-UBB" which I think is $29.  For a bit more, the boxes from soundprofessionals.com like the SPSB-8 are a bit sturdier (full case around the battery).  I prefer the SPSB-10, which is tiny, but it does use a more expensive and harder to find battery.

[PG1Tapes]

Are you mostly recording close to the sound source?  An omni mic like the CAFS is great for that; not so great if you'll be further back.  For that you need something more directional like the CA-11 cardiod. 

That said, I find that in the realm of very inexpensive small mics, the small omnis sound much better... You might also look into the Church CA-1, which are quite small and recently held up well in a head-to-head comparison with much more expensive small DPA microphones. 

Point being, if you're stealth taping, my personal preference is, get close or don't bother; therefore, go with the small omnis like you suggest.  But there are plenty of folks who routinely stealth tape in stadiums, amphitheaters, whatever... and they'll tell you to get the CA-11s. 

You also need a power supply aka "battery box".  The M10 supplies enough voltage to power some but not all mics; I'd not risk it and get a battery box, personally.  Church Audio makes the cheapest one, the "CA-UBB" which I think is $29.  For a bit more, the boxes from soundprofessionals.com like the SPSB-8 are a bit sturdier (full case around the battery).  I prefer the SPSB-10, which is tiny, but it does use a more expensive and harder to find battery.

I'll probably be close to the sound source at times, as I plan to tape some local bands.  However, I figure I'll be taping in larger venues like stadiums as well.  So I guess I should g owith the CA-11s? And what's the deal with the battery boxes?

[acidjack]

Most small mics need 9v of power to work properly. The M10 supplies about 5v.  It's enough for some mics, not enough for others.  I don't believe Church's mics can be run without external power.

If you'll be up close most of the time you'll be a lot happier with the omnis.  If you're in stadiums most of the time, go with the CA-11s. IMHO small cardiods (of any kind) run stealth make mediocre recordings about 95% of the time.  Small omnis run by an experienced user in the right setting can make great recordings much more often than small cardiods. 

Of course, recording with ANYTHING stealth in a stadium/arena/amphitheater, without very optimum seats, sounds pretty awful, again, just in my opinion. 

[PG1Tapes]

Most small mics need 9v of power to work properly. The M10 supplies about 5v.  It's enough for some mics, not enough for others.  I don't believe Church's mics can be run without external power.

If you'll be up close most of the time you'll be a lot happier with the omnis.  If you're in stadiums most of the time, go with the CA-11s. IMHO small cardiods (of any kind) run stealth make mediocre recordings about 95% of the time.  Small omnis run by an experienced user in the right setting can make great recordings much more often than small cardiods. 

Of course, recording with ANYTHING stealth in a stadium/arena/amphitheater, without very optimum seats, sounds pretty awful, again, just in my opinion.

Another stupid question: Do all mics need external power?

[acidjack]

It's not a stupid question, nor is there a simple answer. But the short(er) answer is, yes.  A few small mics can run off of the plug-in power of the Sony PCM-M10 and a few other decks, but most cannot.  By "cannot" I mean, you can get a signal, but they will overload more easily due to being underpowered.

So, the general rule of thumb is, if you're recording with small mics, get a "battery box". 

That said, the Sonic Studios DSM-6S omni mics will power effectively off the 5v that the M10 provides, and they are some of the best sounding omni mics around.  They are, however, more expensive than some of your other options.  But if you just want to run some mics off the M10, they're quite good.

[PG1Tapes]

It's not a stupid question, nor is there a simple answer. But the short(er) answer is, yes.  A few small mics can run off of the plug-in power of the Sony PCM-M10 and a few other decks, but most cannot.  By "cannot" I mean, you can get a signal, but they will overload more easily due to being underpowered.

So, the general rule of thumb is, if you're recording with small mics, get a "battery box". 

That said, the Sonic Studios DSM-6S omni mics will power effectively off the 5v that the M10 provides, and they are some of the best sounding omni mics around.  They are, however, more expensive than some of your other options.  But if you just want to run some mics off the M10, they're quite good.

Alright.  So I'm thinking CA-11>CA-UBB>M10.  Good?

[Belexes]

^ Good. I own 2 pieces in that chain, but opted for the CA-14's. They are more challenging to stealth, so start with the smaller CA-11's and if you later want to get crazy brave you can.

[PG1Tapes]

^ Good. I own 2 pieces in that chain, but opted for the CA-14's. They are more challenging to stealth, so start with the smaller CA-11's and if you later want to get crazy brave you can.

I'll just stick with CA-11's for now.  I'll upgrade and get better stuff later on.