Topic: Which of these mics would you recommend?

[brsox]

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?

[zhianosatch]

sound pro over the plug-n-play sony POS

[Sean Gallemore]

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.

[brsox]

thanks for the advice

[Sean Gallemore]

sure thing, don't be afraid to post anymore questions

[zhianosatch]

solid advice. pay heed.

[pfife]

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.

[pfife]

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...

[zhianosatch]

Hey pfife, why don't you just keep the battery box closed with a rubber band and toss the screws like I did?

[Brian Skalinder]

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.

[zhianosatch]

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?

[Brian Skalinder]

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.

[Sean Gallemore]

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.

[pfife]

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

[pfife]

Here is a pic of my slimline box, so you can see what I am talking about w/ the battery and what not...