Topic: Realistic/RadioShack 33-1065 microphone - anyone has used it?

[LikeASong]

Hi everyone!

I opened a thread yesterday morning asking for some advice regarding battery boxes, because I'm going to start recording with a Sony MD that hasn't got a Mic input, but only a Line In entry.

You can read that topic here: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=141250.0


A few hours later, I spotted a second-hand mic that claims to have an incorporate battery-box so it doesn't need an exterior electric fed.

The mic is the RadioShack (or Realistic, the old brand's name) 33-1065.


Here is the page with all the specifications and features:

http://support.radioshack.com/productinfo/DocumentResults.asp?sku_id=33-1065&Name=PA%20Microphones&Reuse=N


I copy-paste some of its features:

Frequency Response: ....................................... 50 ~ 15,000 Hz
Impedance: ....................................................... 600 Ohm
Sensitivity: ...................................................... -72 dB
Directive: .............................................. Cardioid pattern
Operating voltage: .................................................. 1.5V
Size (WL): ................................... 3/4" x 5-2/3" (19 x 142 mm)
Plugs: - Equipped with two 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini-type plugs: Red (R) for
           the right channel; Gray (L) for the left channel. The plugs fit
           most portable cassette tape recorders.  (See Adapters in
           Faxback Doc. # 47729.)



So, I'd like to know if someone has used this in the past (it was discontinued in 1992 I think), or someone is still using it. If so, do you recommend it? I don't want to achieve a perfect sound, I just want to have some nice mementos of the shows I attend. I'm gonna record either with a Sony MD MZ-N510 or a Sony MD MZ-R500 (I might get a Sony ICD-P320 that's hanging around eBay for 25$...).

I've read this mics have been used by tapers all around the world to record loud live acts like Nightwish, Metallica, AC/DC, Pantera, etc etc so I think I won't be afraid of the recording suffering of distortion or clipping because of too high SPL's anymore


Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[ArchivalAudio]

oh man --- no don't use it with a non cassette recorder- today's recorders - yes even mini disc have much better S/N ratios and you want to get a mic that would be closer to 20- 20k in frequency response.

your recording will sound thin and  like an AM radio with no high end and no low end if you use that mic
look in the YS
not that inexpensive but-  look for some:
 Church Audio  http://church-audio.ca/viewcategory.php?groupid=1  http://church-audio.ca/viewcategory.php?groupid=0
Sound Professionals http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/130/mics  http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/110/mics

or even some microphone madness mics  some here at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&sku=337637&is=REG&A=details&Q=
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Microphone%20Madness&N=0
http://microphonemadness.com/categories/mini_stereo_cardioid.html
http://microphonemadness.com/categories/mini_stereo_omni.html

you'll be much happier - save up a bit more $ and get something way better...

Cards will result (usually) in some better recordings - but depending on what you are recording - some good omnis or binaural mics will yield excellent results!

--Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

PS
not that I endorse or think these are  these best out there you might check out
wither the Cardioid version ( I'd suggest)
MM http://microphonemadness.com/products/mmmincarster2.htm

or their omni version
http://microphonemadness.com/products/mmmicbinster1.htm

spend a few dollars more and you 'll be very happy you did

especially if you are trying to have a memory -- audio "snapshot" of the concerts you attend - the better the recording the more you'll enjoy reminiscing!

--Ian

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

The mic is the RadioShack (or Realistic, the old brand's name) 33-1065.

I have one of these...  I bought it as a joke...  Or to maybe modify one day...

It will work, I mean, it is a microphone.  But you'll get better results for a better product. 

Terry

[ArchivalAudio]

see the YS  for some MM and BB
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=141132.0

[kirk97132]

Looks like the thing on Ghost busters

[firmdragon]

that mic was a legendary stealth mic for filmers back in the early 90s.  it was highly recommended because it could handle the loud volumes that a live show had.  i used it for years before internal mic technology started getting better. in that time, never had a distorted recording.  that aside, audio fidelity was never that good.  lack of low end and high end.  also if you tape low pro, it's hard to work with as it's hard to mount on your body.

[ArchivalAudio]

I just want to add that
I have been recently listening to a number of recordings made iwth the Church Audio CA-14's that sound stellar! ver full - dep bass and crisp high end  and most natural

one such recording I am listening to now is:

Fleetwood Mac ~ "Stormin' Through Steeltown" ~ 16 BIT
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Unleashed Tour 2009
Mellon Arena ~ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Snowdog Productions SDP~016

Taper:      David Murray [ninjadave]
Mastering:  SiriusJoe [Sirius Records]
Location:   Lindsey Side, Igloo 4, Row B, Seat 5 [In line with PA ~ 2/3 way back]
Config:     Audience stealth ~ Mics inside of Kangol hat on lid
Source:     CA-14 cardioid ~> CA UGLY Pre [+20db] ~> Edirol R-09 [Rec Level 8 ~ Line In ~ WAV 24bit/44.1kHz]
Conversion: Master WAVs ~> PC ~> Editing/Tracking ~> Dither to 16bit ~> FLAC
Editing:    Cool Edit [fades, normalization, etc.]
checksums:  FLAC

MASTER ~ EXCELLENT AUDIENCE RECORDING

super sweet!

[runonce]

This was my least favorite of the Realistic Stereo Mics.

Its thin in the bass, making it a chirpy little thing.

I think I actually used this on the lawn at for the Dead at Deer Creek one night june 91 (off the the top of my head)

[rhinowing]

Not good for taping shows, but we use one of these for vox/guitar acoustic shows in our basement and they sound good.

[ArchivalAudio]

look in the YS for these Church Audio Mics!
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=141372.0
no affiliation
but you'd be set with these!