Topic: Non plus ultra stealth?

[udovdh]

Just some sort of mindgame:

Considering we have our end of year bonus, what would be the best small setup for stealth?

Currently I use a R09, small DIY batterybox and the cardioid Sennies (comparable to the MM MM-HLSC-2's).
I like the size of the R09 although the size buttons (hold...) could be better. Runtime is nice, it even is good enough to use 24-bit.
Maybe a remote?

The mics perform OK, even though they're 2-wire. (only distort in bass when real close (1m or so?) to stacks)

Batterybox' biggest gains in size reduction come from the 9V battery that could be smaller.


What would be the best upgrades w.r.t. size and performance? I mean: add 2700 mAH NiMH batteries to the R09, or replace the small deck by something else, change the mics for something better/smaller, etc.

What would you think of?

[Chanher]

I had pleasing results with Church Audio's 2-wire preamp.

I think mics > Church Audio 3-wire preamp > R-09 would be very nice. The gain from the preamp would be cleaner than the R-09's.

The 3-wire should provide optimal voltage to the mics. The mics would have to terminate in mini-xlr. I recommend the AT mics (at853, at943, or try the u853) as I've used them many times and the cap options help a lot.

[leshlush]

I think mics > Church Audio 3-wire preamp > R-09 would be very nice.

Hey udovdh,

If it's not already gone, Andrew's selling a good 3-wire box w/ a set of hyper caps:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,76766.0.html

Don't know if you're looking to go that route, but in case you are, it's definitely a good deal...

[WiFiJeff]

I guess it depends on the size of your bonus.  If you work for Goldman, Sachs, here is what I would recommend:

DPA4060s > DPA MMA6000 > Sonosax MiniR82 or Sony D1

The Sonosax is smaller than the D1, and can record at 24/192 as well as 24/96, which the highest the Sony does.  You can get DPA4063s or Sanken COS11s wired to Binder connectors to go directly into the MiniR82 and eliminate a preamp.  It also provides 48V phantom for serious mics.  I've run it 5 hours untended (it splits files at 4GB losslessly) but with phantom power at 24/96 (two 2.4 mAh Neumanns) it needs a battery change after 3 3/4 hours.  External powering coming, not yet available.

Jeff

[leshlush]

DPA4060s > DPA MMA6000 > Sonosax MiniR82 or Sony D1

That would be a sweet stealth rig...

But as WiFiJeff said:

I guess it depends on the size of your bonus.

And realistically speaking, it probably exceeds your bonus

[udovdh]

DPA4060s > DPA MMA6000 > Sonosax MiniR82 or Sony D1

That would be a sweet stealth rig...

Sure.
But the DPA's are omni's and would the MMA plus R82 be bigger than the R-09 plus BB?
So sonic upgrades are nice but also usability and size are big factors.
I.e.: DPA406x in some cardioid pattern would make things interesting.
R09 cannot power DPA's so perhaps build a BB for the DPA's?
That sort of things.

But as WiFiJeff said:

I guess it depends on the size of your bonus.

And realistically speaking, it probably exceeds your bonus

Sure, but is nice to gather practical ideas that could be implemented step by step.

[udovdh]

There's no Cardioid style DPA60xx mics yet, right?
And an R-09 cannot power these.
And there's nothing smaller than an R-09?
(hmm there's still the battery box)

[kuba]

I personally don't see a point in replacing R09 (although I don't have one ...).

[guysonic]

So far the smallest mic+R-09 I've seen that works for recording loud pop/rock venues uses the R-09 built in mic preamplifier's low voltage powering feature.  Mic power is turned on when needed in the recording setup menu.

Low voltage powering is ~2.5 volts and this low a voltage usually does not work with well with most electret condenser mics working best with 5-9 volt mic supply voltages at low current draw; hence the need for external in-series battery box that increases the recording package size and number of wire connections. 

However, R-09 mic powering voltage is exactly right for Sonic Studios DSM mics working best with low voltage, high current draw mic powering.  While the stock R-09 has the right voltage for powering DSM mics, the current limiting circuit is wrong, so this is corrected with internal MOD-3 service done here at Sonic Studios for $150, which also includes securing down the input jacks that's required of some earlier R-09 production runs with bad soldering and not having glued-down mic/line input jacks.

So far, I've had only two customers trying out DSM-6S/EL mics connected directly to modified MOD-3 R-09 configuration with no reports of problems with R-09 mic pre being too noisy for this type of loud amplified venue recording purpose.

And because just the small head wearable 2-channel stereo-surround mic is directly connected to the R-09 deck without additional battery power supply, this combination seems the smallest, lowest profile, and one of the highest quality recording packages possible at this time for pop/rock venue recording. 

Links:
MOD-3 www.sonicstudios.com/pa_x.htm#mod3
DSM-6S/EL www.sonicstudios.com/dsm.htm#chart