Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: brsox on November 21, 2003, 07:27:54 PM
-
just getting started w/ this hobby and I have a low budget...I'll probably get one of these: Sound Professionals SP-CMC-4S cardioid mics OR Sony ECM-DS70P....what do you experienced tapers recommend?
-
sound pro over the plug-n-play sony POS
-
first, of the 2 choices you presented, I would say go with the SP-CMC-4. Way better mics.
Second, you might want to consider the SP-CMC-2 also. The CMC-2 and CMC-4 are almost the same except the CMC-4 can come with different capsules making it more versatile, however, if you want to use the cardiod capsule, SP-CMC-2s will run you $50 less.
you will also want to pick up the SP-SPSB-1 slimline battery box, this provides phantom power to the SP mics. I recommend the adjustable bass filter option with this unit.
-
thanks for the advice
-
sure thing, don't be afraid to post anymore questions
-
solid advice. pay heed.
-
you will also want to pick up the SP-SPSB-1 slimline battery box, this provides phantom power to the SP mics. I recommend the adjustable bass filter option with this unit.
I wouldn't get the slimline battery box... need a tiny screw driver to open it... nothing worse than being at a show you want to record, battery is dead/dislodged, and you can't open it to fix it...
So my advice, is that you will be sacrificing a small amount of 'stealthness' but I would recommend one of the battery boxes that can be opened w/o a screwdriver... they are a little larger, but I think they are cheaper too.
-
Forgot to mention - the slimline uses a somewhat uncommon 9v battery that you really can't go to any store and buy... I had to order a bunch of them, but SP had the best deal... just make sure you have them on hand...
-
Hey pfife, why don't you just keep the battery box closed with a rubber band and toss the screws like I did?
-
Hey pfife, why don't you just keep the battery box closed with a rubber band and toss the screws like I did?
Yeah, ditto...worked great for me, too.
-
Forgot to mention - the slimline uses a somewhat uncommon 9v battery that you really can't go to any store and buy... I had to order a bunch of them, but SP had the best deal... just make sure you have them on hand...
Huh?
-
Forgot to mention - the slimline uses a somewhat uncommon 9v battery that you really can't go to any store and buy... I had to order a bunch of them, but SP had the best deal... just make sure you have them on hand...
Huh?
I never had a problem running standard 9v batts in my slimline.
-
i'm with the weirdos above, I usually have armen's battery box in my back pocket, no screws needed as it stays shut by itself back there, a rubber band is a good idea too tho. There is also an option to get a hinged box if you aren't down with the rubberband technique.
As for the battery, the particular model I mentioned, the SP-SPSB-1, takes regular 9V batteries, I haven't tried rechargables.
-
Here's what was happening with the battery box I got from Sound Professionals, which uses this battery (click on the pic):
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-MINI-9V&type=store&category=310
I was using it with a rubber band, but the battery would continuously become dislodged in the box - I was able to open it when I had a rubber band around it, and fix it, but the entire time I was worried about the battery becoming dislodged, and thus not power the mics, which meant I had to hold it perfectly steady.
I attributed this repeated battery dislodging to the fact that I had a rubber band holding it, and not having it screwed closed - there is a peice of foam on the bottom of the holder, and I though, for some reason that the foam was not holding the battery in the correct spot. SO I put the screw back in.
THen the battery became dislodged in there, even when I had it screwed in. NEeded a screwdriver, didn't have one...
My opinion is that if the battery is in there, and it is assembled as Sound Professionals desires, and the battery keeps popping out of place, it's a peice of trash. I have lost many recordings with my particular battery box b/c of this, rubberbanded or screwed.
My advice, based on my personal experience, is to get one that doesn't screw closed, and doesnt need a rubber band instead; I would also advise to get one that uses a standard 9v battery that has a little wire going to the battery (like almost everything else) so if the battery moves in the box a little, you still have a connection...
HTH-
Pfife
-
Here is a pic of my slimline box, so you can see what I am talking about w/ the battery and what not...
-
Here is a pic of my slimline box, so you can see what I am talking about w/ the battery and what not...
Thanks for the very detailed description of your troubles, good stuff. And oooooo...thanks for the pic, PFife - the innards are definitely different than the slimline battery box I owned! Must've changed the design since I had mine a couple years ago.
P.S. For a clearer picture, try setting your camera to Macro mode - it should focus better at short distances.
-
Here is a pic of my slimline box, so you can see what I am talking about w/ the battery and what not...
P.S. For a clearer picture, try setting your camera to Macro mode - it should focus better at short distances.
+T for photo advice... I am definately no photographer... must be why I choose to preserve audio history...
Pfife
-
Yeah, the SP-SPSB-1 is the one to get. Seems like you got hosed with some inferior model.
-
here is a link to the one myself/armen uses (http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?category=310&item=SP-SPSB-1&type=store)
it's a bit differnt, this one has an actual 9V battery. it clicks in nicely, so even if the lid is off, it will still provide power and you wouldn't have to worry about it.
thanx for posting pics, pfife, to help us understand, and I'm sorry you've had bad experience with that sound pro box.
(http://www.soundprofessionals.com/images/gold/full/SP-SPSB-2B.jpg)
-
that sp-spsb-1 looks nice and affordable...thanks.
-
what are your guys' thoughts on Microphone Madness?
i was gonna bid on that sp-cmc-4 on ebay but the price skyrocketed, so i ruled that mic out.
i'm thinking about getting MM-BSM-5 binaural stereo microphones and a MM-CBM-1 battery box...what do ya think?
-
what are your guys' thoughts on Microphone Madness?
i was gonna bid on that sp-cmc-4 on ebay but the price skyrocketed, so i ruled that mic out.
i'm thinking about getting MM-BSM-5 binaural stereo microphones and a MM-CBM-1 battery box...what do ya think?
What setting will you be recording in the most? Large venues, small venues, etc?
-
well I ended up getting a set of SP-CMC-4 (AT853) mics and an SP-SPSB-1 battery box w/ bass roll off option on Ebay for $77.56. I will be using those w/ my Sony MZ-N707. do you think i'm in store for some quality recordings?
-
quality is a very subjective statement. best way to see if you're going to get "quality" recordings from your setup is to find some other recordings with the same equiptment. lots over on the archive.
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-searchresults.php?searchAll=yes&collection=etree&submit=main&search=at853&limit=100&start=0
-
a set of SP-CMC-4 (AT853) mics and an SP-SPSB-1 battery box w/ bass roll off option on Ebay for $77.56
good deal
-
you be happy with em.....for about a month, then the upgrade bug will get ya :D
-
I went with the CMC-4's and I'm VERY satisfied with my results. I haven't tried the hyper caps yet but that doesn't worry me. Make sure you use the 9V battery box, though. (I use the standard battery box with level controls and selectable roll-off) If you put phantom power into those mics YOU WILL FRY THEM. They are only capable of 10v. Even 12v might be pushing it.