Topic: Cheap cardioid vs CA-1

[DaveH]

 Just wondering if anyone could give advice abouMyt this situation. If you were given the option of using a CA-1 or a cheap cardioid to record a show with a chatty audience, which would you do? My thought would lean toward the CA-1 but I'd like to hear other thoughts. Right now upgrading is not an option.

[Church-Audio]

Just wondering if anyone could give advice abouMyt this situation. If you were given the option of using a CA-1 or a cheap cardioid to record a show with a chatty audience, which would you do? My thought would lean toward the CA-1 but I'd like to hear other thoughts. Right now upgrading is not an option.

Use the ca-1 mics aim them at the source. They are more directional than your typical omni.

Chris

[DaveH]

Thanks Chris, I was figuring that by the way they were designed but I wasn't 100% sure.

[ChinaTaper]

I have another Ca-11 question. Or at least a mini-mic question.

I'm trying to do some stealth interviews but I can't really seem to get good audio. I'm at the park talking to elderly Chinese people, so to begin with, there wind, Chinese is a really hissy and chunky language (for dictation later I need something clear) and I don't want anyone to really know they are being taped.

I see thr Ca-11 is small, but how sensitive is it. If I have it inside my sleeve and leave my arms akimbo or if I put it on my bag pointing outwards, will I be able to up good sound?

To be clear, I've tried using the Olympus ME-15 and while its GREAT for a quiet room taping myself to give my lectures to students, its not going to cut it outside with noise, wind, etc where I want to be able to hear people. Any thoughts or suggestions?

[acidjack]

I'd try the omni CA-11 under a collar or clipped inside of your shirt, but near your face.  I would think that would work.  There are also probably things you could do with a hat, if you had the right one.

[Church-Audio]

I have another Ca-11 question. Or at least a mini-mic question.

I'm trying to do some stealth interviews but I can't really seem to get good audio. I'm at the park talking to elderly Chinese people, so to begin with, there wind, Chinese is a really hissy and chunky language (for dictation later I need something clear) and I don't want anyone to really know they are being taped.

I see thr Ca-11 is small, but how sensitive is it. If I have it inside my sleeve and leave my arms akimbo or if I put it on my bag pointing outwards, will I be able to up good sound?

To be clear, I've tried using the Olympus ME-15 and while its GREAT for a quiet room taping myself to give my lectures to students, its not going to cut it outside with noise, wind, etc where I want to be able to hear people. Any thoughts or suggestions?

I would use omni with dead rats.. I think you would be better off.. cards are rarely used for body mics.. Unless gain before feedback is the issue and since your recording thats not an issue. I sell omni caps for $40 a pair dead rats for $30.00

Chris

[ChinaTaper]

I would use omni with dead rats.. I think you would be better off.. cards are rarely used for body mics.. Unless gain before feedback is the issue and since your recording thats not an issue. I sell omni caps for $40 a pair dead rats for $30.00

Chris

I don't really understand what omni caps means, though the dead rats has to be for the wind? I don't think I totally understand you. Also, I use a Sony M10, would I need more power to use those mics? I'm not really interested in that if I dont have to. Also, I will be leaving again for China (actually in China now, but back soon) on Feb 14th. Could you direct me to a B and H similiar product to see what you are talking about? Or does none exist? Also, the whole package of mics and wind protection would be 70 dollars.

Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Stereo Microphone
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ECM-DS70P-Electret-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00006HOLL/ref=pd_sim_MI_18

I see something like this is usually used for smaller camcorders. I could probably pin it to my shirt pocket or sweater, etc. Its about 50 dollars. Its omni-directional, though I don't know about the wind.

What differences would your mics have? Again, I'm more or less a novice. Be kind. =)

[acidjack]

^^ Chris' mics are better engineered, and especially suited for recording live music.  You want an omnidirectional mic (i.e., picks up sound equally from all directions) because those are the least sensitive to wind noise.  And generally, are best suited for lapel miking. 

Chris' mics are great, but if your goal is just to record the voices of people talking, not strictly necessary. 

Take this thing and plug it into the M10, mic power ON, sensitivity HIGH (I would guess), put it on your shirt/collar/etc and go for it.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATR-3350-Omnidirectional-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B002HJ9PTO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1294950237&sr=1-1

That Sony mic you asked about is OK, but it's unidirectional, which is less ideal for wind.

I emphasize that if your goal is recording MUSIC, get Chris' mics.  The mic I suggested is garbage for music.  I assume it'll come with a little windscreen, so use that.

[Church-Audio]

I would use omni with dead rats.. I think you would be better off.. cards are rarely used for body mics.. Unless gain before feedback is the issue and since your recording thats not an issue. I sell omni caps for $40 a pair dead rats for $30.00

Chris

I don't really understand what omni caps means, though the dead rats has to be for the wind? I don't think I totally understand you. Also, I use a Sony M10, would I need more power to use those mics? I'm not really interested in that if I dont have to. Also, I will be leaving again for China (actually in China now, but back soon) on Feb 14th. Could you direct me to a B and H similiar product to see what you are talking about? Or does none exist? Also, the whole package of mics and wind protection would be 70 dollars.

Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Stereo Microphone
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ECM-DS70P-Electret-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00006HOLL/ref=pd_sim_MI_18

I see something like this is usually used for smaller camcorders. I could probably pin it to my shirt pocket or sweater, etc. Its about 50 dollars. Its omni-directional, though I don't know about the wind.

What differences would your mics have? Again, I'm more or less a novice. Be kind. =)

If you own my ca-11 mics the capsules unscrew from the body and you can screw on omni mic capsules.. The omni will pick up voices better when mounted on the chest + my dead rats = very little wind noise.