Topic: Sony trouble... buy Sound Professionals in Europe?

[LSD]

I guess I'm a newbie compared to most you guys here. I hope you can help.

I can't seem to get good results with my Sony ECM-MS907. I was hoping it was the kind of mic that would pick up the sound in a venue much like one's own ears (in lack of a better explanation). But it only seems to pick up sound close to the mic. Hence the live music has to be quite loud, but then still sounds rather "dead" when I listen afterwards (maybe even have had too boost the sound). And noises close by are then loud.

I plug it into "line in" as I figure that would be right now that the mic has it's own battery. Anyway, when I try plugging it into the "mic in" it gets very easily distorted. Simple too loud. No matter what I do.

The mic is nice for home recording guitar and such. But is it simply the wrong mic for recording live music? It seems to me. Or am I doing everything wrong?

I can see that Sound Professionals seems to be "the thing" here. Anywhere one can buy those in Europe? Would like to avoid customs trouble when getting such from the US.

Or should I go out and find something else? Used to have a clip mic years ago. It picked up the venue as it should, although sound quality could be better.
 
Any of the others Sonys okay? What's with the ECM-DS70P?

Geez, I really need some help here, as you can probably see? I need to record some gigs in August. Hopefully I'll have a good new mic (or know how to use the one I have?!) before then.

Thanks,

L

[Ray76]

I guess I'm a newbie compared to most you guys here. I hope you can help.

I can't seem to get good results with my Sony ECM-MS907. I was hoping it was the kind of mic that would pick up the sound in a venue much like one's own ears (in lack of a better explanation). But it only seems to pick up sound close to the mic. Hence the live music has to be quite loud, but then still sounds rather "dead" when I listen afterwards (maybe even have had too boost the sound). And noises close by are then loud.

I plug it into "line in" as I figure that would be right now that the mic has it's own battery. Anyway, when I try plugging it into the "mic in" it gets very easily distorted. Simple too loud. No matter what I do.

The mic is nice for home recording guitar and such. But is it simply the wrong mic for bootlegging live shows? It seems to me. Or am I doing everything wrong?

I can see that Sound Professionals seems to be "the thing" here. Anywhere one can buy those in Europe? Would like to avoid customs trouble when getting such from the US.

Or should I go out and find something else? Used to have a clip mic years ago. It picked up the venue as it should, although sound quality could be better.
 
Any of the others Sonys okay? What's with the ECM-DS70P?

Geez, I really need some help here, as you can probably see? I need to record some gigs in August. Hopefully I'll have a good new mic (or know how to use the one I have?!) before then.

Thanks,

L

1st and foremost, dont refer to Taping(Taperssection.com) as BOOTLEGGING. That word is not used around here, as it implies illegal activity. Sony ecmms907 are basically almost the bottom of the barrel for what we do. They are almost feasible for maybe picking up a lecture, but thats about as far as it goes. I would suggest reading the "where to begin: threads in this forum as well as all the "new to ts.com" threads and after reading all that , then asking more questions. There are many many answers in those threads. Good luck.

Ray

[LSD]

Thanks a bunch.

Coming here at first all the many threads and somewhat confusing "tech talk" seem a bit of a mouthful to say the least. From reading what I have been able to find so far (like in the newbie threads) I keep bumping into Sound Professionals....but they can only be ordered from the US? Been googling a lot and checking on eBay. Not much luck so far.

All I want is a mic so I can record a decent live show. Without spending 1000s of dollars.

L

[Ray76]

Thanks a bunch.

Coming here at first all the many threads and somewhat confusing "tech talk" seem a bit of a mouthful to say the least. From reading what I have been able to find so far (like in the newbie threads) I keep bumping into Sound Professionals....but they can only be ordered from the US? Been googling a lot and checking on eBay. Not much luck so far.

All I want is a mic so I can record a decent live show. Without spending 1000s of dollars.

L

You probably want two mics, to get a stereo recording. what are you recording in to, and which country are you in?>
the sp-cmc-8, sp-cmc-4, and sp-cmc-6 are all mics used here from them.

Ray

[Ray76]

Thanks a bunch.

Coming here at first all the many threads and somewhat confusing "tech talk" seem a bit of a mouthful to say the least. From reading what I have been able to find so far (like in the newbie threads) I keep bumping into Sound Professionals....but they can only be ordered from the US? Been googling a lot and checking on eBay. Not much luck so far.

All I want is a mic so I can record a decent live show. Without spending 1000s of dollars.

L



By the way, i have a mint condition sp preamp with a set of mics built in that I will sell you cheaper than sp. it is MINT condition.

Ray

[LSD]

You probably want two mics, to get a stereo recording. what are you recording in to, and which country are you in?>
the sp-cmc-8, sp-cmc-4, and sp-cmc-6 are all mics used here from them.

I use my minidisc (for now). An older model. Sony MZ-R37.

And I live in Denmark. So any shop within in the European Union would be prefered - to avoid having customs put a lot of fees on the thing.

I've also come across those Core Sound ones. But also only seems to be in the US. Still, Sound Professionals is the way to go? Saw some at $129 (not including shipment). I guess that'll be just about what I'm prepared to spend at the moment. Hmm...

Thanks.

L

[LSD]

By the way, i have a mint condition sp preamp with a set of mics built in that I will sell you cheaper than sp. it is MINT condition.

Oh? Interesting. Got more info on those? :-)

L

[Ekib]

If you want a small mic for stealth recording I think Core sound Cardioids is a good choice.They are much cheaper than SP and just as good,if not any better.
I would go out and spent that $ 250 on this set:

http://www.core-sound.com/cardioid.html

Now Len(the owner)is not the easiest guy to deal with....see this thread:

   http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=44551.0

If you buy them ask Len to lower the value(let him write they are the cheaper version sor something like that).I am sure he will do that to make sure you avoid paying duties.And you may have to pay duties but what is some extra money if you have a great pair of mic's???Buy something cheaper and it will sound horrible.

But fact is I have heard a lot of diferent mic's(Including SP)and IMO this mic beats them all in terms of directness and clearnes.

[Ray76]

By the way, i have a mint condition sp preamp with a set of mics built in that I will sell you cheaper than sp. it is MINT condition.

Oh? Interesting. Got more info on those? :-)

L

Yeah, it basically can be used as a preamp alone , or with the mics built in . It is the same thing as the sound professionals preamp that folks here use, except it has some mics built in. At any rate it is a HUGE step above the sony ecm907 mic you are using. I will let go of it for 135, and later on if you dont like the mics built in, you can get some SP mics to plug into it, and you will have a decent beginner setup. 140 shipped to Denmark.I am in Europe too, Germany.

Ray

[LSD]

Thanks a lot, both of you!

Ray, mics built in? Right...I feel like a beginner, ha-ha. Do you have a link for somewhere on the net where I can read more about that particular mic/pre-amp? Or just the model name etc., so I can search myself?

Danke schön,

Lars

[VA_TAPER]

For made in europe stealth mics try googling "OKM microphones"  they are in-ear mics that look like headphones, they use sennheiser elements.  BTW they sound really nice if you get the studio rock version

peace, chris

[kuba]

I don't know about any European SounPro retailers but there are some Audio-Technica resellers (visit their site for more info). Their AT831b, AT853a or AT853Rx are the mics you're probably looking for 

[Ray76]

Thanks a lot, both of you!

Ray, mics built in? Right...I feel like a beginner, ha-ha. Do you have a link for somewhere on the net where I can read more about that particular mic/pre-amp? Or just the model name etc., so I can search myself?

Danke schön,

Lars

go to www.soundprofessionals.com and type in SP-PASM-2 in the search field.

Ray

[LSD]

go to www.soundprofessionals.com and type in SP-PASM-2 in the search field.

Wow, that's an odd-looking fella. :-) Mic's on the sides? I though one would have something direct at the stage too?

How does one hold just a thing in a crowd? Need extra equipment? Or is it necessary to have a stand and put it somewhere around the soundboard if it's not too far in the back? After all, clip-mics have.....clips. :-)

Uhm, thanks for all your help, guys. Much appreciated. I've come across this place:

www.okmusic.de

Maybe some of these?
audio-technica Mikrofon AT829aW (Info) 54,90 (missing something at that price?)
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831b (Info) 179,00
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831R (Info) 195,00

And there are also these...
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831cb (Info) 99,00
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831aW (Info) 109,00
audio-technica Mikrofon PRO45 (Info) 99,95

Also a AT831R Miniatur-Kondensatormic at this place at 195 Euro...
http://www.soundland.de/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/97116110/products_id/215984?osCsid=3dcfd4a8076e0ea38b043b8624a40d7f

Yeah, 200 Euro is uhm, about as much as I can pay right now. A bit steep for me actually. But for that price I've got it all, right? I can just plug it in to my minidisc and press REC?

L

[Ray76]

go to www.soundprofessionals.com and type in SP-PASM-2 in the search field.

Wow, that's an odd-looking fella. :-) Mic's on the sides? I though one would have something direct at the stage too?

How does one hold just a thing in a crowd? Need extra equipment? Or is it necessary to have a stand and put it somewhere around the soundboard if it's not too far in the back? After all, clip-mics have.....clips. :-)

Uhm, thanks for all your help, guys. Much appreciated. I've come across this place:

www.okmusic.de

Maybe some of these?
audio-technica Mikrofon AT829aW (Info) 54,90 (missing something at that price?)
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831b (Info) 179,00
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831R (Info) 195,00

And there are also these...
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831cb (Info) 99,00
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831aW (Info) 109,00
audio-technica Mikrofon PRO45 (Info) 99,95

Also a AT831R Miniatur-Kondensatormic at this place at 195 Euro...
http://www.soundland.de/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/97116110/products_id/215984?osCsid=3dcfd4a8076e0ea38b043b8624a40d7f

Yeah, 200 Euro is uhm, about as much as I can pay right now. A bit steep for me actually. But for that price I've got it all, right? I can just plug it in to my minidisc and press REC?

L

the mics are omni mics, meanig they have a 360 degree area around them, so no, you dont have to point them at the stage. Honesly, you need a preamp to plug those mics into, im not just saying that. if you want something from SP, I can order you something. Get some at mics from there, one of their preamps, and you will be good to go. I have the preamp for you, just get some mics from them. I will order for you to save you tax and import costs.

Ray

[Ray76]

go to www.soundprofessionals.com and type in SP-PASM-2 in the search field.

Wow, that's an odd-looking fella. :-) Mic's on the sides? I though one would have something direct at the stage too?

How does one hold just a thing in a crowd? Need extra equipment? Or is it necessary to have a stand and put it somewhere around the soundboard if it's not too far in the back? After all, clip-mics have.....clips. :-)

Uhm, thanks for all your help, guys. Much appreciated. I've come across this place:

www.okmusic.de

Maybe some of these?
audio-technica Mikrofon AT829aW (Info) 54,90 (missing something at that price?)
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831b (Info) 179,00
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831R (Info) 195,00

And there are also these...
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831cb (Info) 99,00
audio-technica Mikrofon AT831aW (Info) 109,00
audio-technica Mikrofon PRO45 (Info) 99,95

Also a AT831R Miniatur-Kondensatormic at this place at 195 Euro...
http://www.soundland.de/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/97116110/products_id/215984?osCsid=3dcfd4a8076e0ea38b043b8624a40d7f

Yeah, 200 Euro is uhm, about as much as I can pay right now. A bit steep for me actually. But for that price I've got it all, right? I can just plug it in to my minidisc and press REC?

L

and that price is just for ONE mic??SP gives much better prices. pm me if you want me to order you something.

Ray

[LSD]

I will order for you to save you tax and import costs.

That's extremely kind of you. :-) Just wondering: how can you do that? Gave a customs officer at bunch of country cds once? :-D

I've got Paypal, by the way. If you think that's good way of doing the money handling.

But uhm, maybe I should try recording with your "spasm-mic" first? I mean, it does record well? Not too "boxlike" sound? Hm, maybe a dumb question.... I just checked the threads with pictures of the sound rigs, my goodness, that looks pro! Way out of my league. I guess most recordings done with a clip-mic would not sound "up to standard" here at Tapers Section?

Anyway, I'd prefer a clip-mic or similar of some kind, I must admit. I can attach it to the shoulder strap on my bag. I think I'm willing to try the "spasmic" one, though. Is it attachable in any way?

About the OKmusic.de it does say the following on the webpage about the AT831b:

"Baugleich mit AT831R, jedoch inklusive des Netzteiles AT8530, sowohl mit 9-52V Phantomspeisung als auch 1,5V Batterie des Typs AA betreibbar. Mit einem Kabel 1,8m."

It's including something. But my technical German is not so good.

Sorry to take up your time with all this just for a mic. I do think I can pass on any good knowledge here to friends who are also looking for good mics, though.

L

[Ray76]

Ideally constructed, the  AT831R, is including the power pack part number AT8530, with which you can have 9-52V phantom powering and also have the possibility of powering with AA batteries. Again, this is ONE mic. you need a pair. My german is ok, but thats how i read it. The sp-pasm-2 is a preamp AND mic set, will be ok to tape with until you get a feel for taping, then of course you can buy the sound professionals microphones and plug them into it when you want better mics. My wife has used this mic/pream on her vocal and piano stuff and it does the job.

Ray

[tilomagnet]

You probably want two mics, to get a stereo recording. what are you recording in to, and which country are you in?>
the sp-cmc-8, sp-cmc-4, and sp-cmc-6 are all mics used here from them.

I use my minidisc (for now). An older model. Sony MZ-R37.

And I live in Denmark. So any shop within in the European Union would be prefered - to avoid having customs put a lot of fees on the thing.

I´m in Europe as well(Germany). I´ve ordered some SP-CMC-2 from SP recently. Everything went fine, they only took around 4 days to arrive, but shipping is expensive($30) and I also had to pay custom fees. On their site it says that they won´t mark packages as gifts etc., so I didn´t even ask. Maybe they will do it if you ask them, I don´t know.

If you want to buy in Europe, I would consider some OKM-2 microphones. I know several people who use them and made great recordings. There are three different types of them. The classic, pop and rock versions. It depends on what kind of music you want to record. They can be purchased for example here: http://www.my-minidisc.de
They are also often available on German ebay.

[Ray76]

You probably want two mics, to get a stereo recording. what are you recording in to, and which country are you in?>
the sp-cmc-8, sp-cmc-4, and sp-cmc-6 are all mics used here from them.

I use my minidisc (for now). An older model. Sony MZ-R37.

And I live in Denmark. So any shop within in the European Union would be prefered - to avoid having customs put a lot of fees on the thing.

I´m in Europe as well(Germany). I´ve ordered some SP-CMC-2 from SP recently. Everything went fine, they only took around 4 days to arrive, but shipping is expensive($30) and I also had to pay custom fees. On their site it says that they won´t mark packages as gifts etc., so I didn´t even ask. Maybe they will do it if you ask them, I don´t know.

If you want to buy in Europe, I would consider some OKM-2 microphones. I know several people who use them and made great recordings. There are three different types of them. The classic, pop and rock versions. It depends on what kind of music you want to record. They can be purchased for example here: http://www.my-minidisc.de
They are also often available on German ebay.

Sp mics are better than the OKM mics, from accounts ive gathered. Like I said, PM me LSD and well work something out.

Ray

[tilomagnet]

You probably want two mics, to get a stereo recording. what are you recording in to, and which country are you in?>
the sp-cmc-8, sp-cmc-4, and sp-cmc-6 are all mics used here from them.

I use my minidisc (for now). An older model. Sony MZ-R37.

And I live in Denmark. So any shop within in the European Union would be prefered - to avoid having customs put a lot of fees on the thing.

I´m in Europe as well(Germany). I´ve ordered some SP-CMC-2 from SP recently. Everything went fine, they only took around 4 days to arrive, but shipping is expensive($30) and I also had to pay custom fees. On their site it says that they won´t mark packages as gifts etc., so I didn´t even ask. Maybe they will do it if you ask them, I don´t know.

If you want to buy in Europe, I would consider some OKM-2 microphones. I know several people who use them and made great recordings. There are three different types of them. The classic, pop and rock versions. It depends on what kind of music you want to record. They can be purchased for example here: http://www.my-minidisc.de
They are also often available on German ebay.

Sp mics are better than the OKM mics, from accounts ive gathered. Like I said, PM me LSD and well work something out.

Ray

Yes, but the OKMs are certainly the best mics in that price range that can be bought in Europe.

[Ray76]

thats why i said for him to PM me and we would talk about SP.

[tilomagnet]

About the OKmusic.de it does say the following on the webpage about the AT831b:

"Baugleich mit AT831R, jedoch inklusive des Netzteiles AT8530, sowohl mit 9-52V Phantomspeisung als auch 1,5V Batterie des Typs AA betreibbar. Mit einem Kabel 1,8m."

It's including something. But my technical German is not so good.

Mostly what Ray already said, but it means that they(the AT831b) are identical to the AT831R, but the AT831b include the powering pack AT8530 and can be powered either with phantom power OR with batteries while the AT831R can be only powered with phantom power and NOT with batteries.

[Ray76]

About the OKmusic.de it does say the following on the webpage about the AT831b:

"Baugleich mit AT831R, jedoch inklusive des Netzteiles AT8530, sowohl mit 9-52V Phantomspeisung als auch 1,5V Batterie des Typs AA betreibbar. Mit einem Kabel 1,8m."

It's including something. But my technical German is not so good.

Mostly what Ray already said, but it means that they(the AT831b) are identical to the AT831R, but the AT831b include the powering pack AT8530 and can be powered either with phantom power OR with batteries while the AT831R can be only powered with phantom power and NOT with batteries.

Genau, du schlampe.  Ich Weiss, aber mein Gehirn und Hände stimmen nicht zu... Ich muss meine Deutsches mehr studieren

[tilomagnet]

 

[fandelive]

I was hoping it was the kind of mic that would pick up the sound in a venue much like one's own ears (in lack of a better explanation).

Go with the SP-BMC-12 and you're set! 

[LSD]

I was hoping it was the kind of mic that would pick up the sound in a venue much like one's own ears (in lack of a better explanation).

Go with the SP-BMC-12 and you're set! 

Hmmm. A pair. And even reasonably priced (but still in the US). I guess I'll have to ask for the European counterpart maybe then?

Even though I'm not a "Feinschmecker" I do wanna do some recordings that I can enjoy listening to afterwards. Still, I don't think most of the quite good audience recordings I've heard were done with those super mics on ten foot poles I see on this forum. :-D

Hmmmm....pondering...

L

[Ray76]

I was hoping it was the kind of mic that would pick up the sound in a venue much like one's own ears (in lack of a better explanation).

Go with the SP-BMC-12 and you're set! 

and run those sp-bmc-12s into my sp-pasm-2 and you will be good to go.
they work together.

i will ask 135 for it, shipped to you.

Ray

Hmmm. A pair. And even reasonably priced (but still in the US). I guess I'll have to ask for the European counterpart maybe then?

Even though I'm not a "Feinschmecker" I do wanna do some recordings that I can enjoy listening to afterwards. Still, I don't think most of the quite good audience recordings I've heard were done with those super mics on ten foot poles I see on this forum. :-D

Hmmmm....pondering...

L

[LSD]

Just a final stupid question...

How does such a "spasmic" react to a loud sound level? Is there a limiter thing on it or is the sound just distorted? I'm not used to used "good gear", y'know. The Sony mic hasn't distorted on me so far, but maybe I just haven't been close enough to the sound source...or because it just picks up things close to itself and the rest ends up "in the background".

Ray, something else....considering your avatar pic as well as the ones from the Songs:Ohia gig are you into Giant Sand as well? They still seem to be well-received in Germany.

L

[Ray76]

Just a final stupid question...

How does such a "spasmic" react to a loud sound level? Is there a limiter thing on it or is the sound just distorted? I'm not used to used "good gear", y'know. The Sony mic hasn't distorted on me so far, but maybe I just haven't been close enough to the sound source...or because it just picks up things close to itself and the rest ends up "in the background".

Ray, something else....considering your avatar pic as well as the ones from the Songs:Ohia gig are you into Giant Sand as well? They still seem to be well-received in Germany.

L

The mic has been used at shows before, not big acts but local acts(one punk band, a flamenco band and a jazz group. It is the low sensitivity version, so it can handle higher SPLs.
like i said, it can be used as a preamp for other sp mics or alone with the omnis that are built in. sure it isnt top of the line, but i guarantee it is an upgrade for you.

Let me know, as i am about to put it on ebay if you dont get it.

Ray

[LSD]

Let me know, as i am about to put it on ebay if you dont get it.

Very soon? I'm going to the Roskilde Festival Thursday to Sunday. Then again the week after Thursday to Sunday at the very nice Forma Niva Festival ( www.formanovafestival.com ). But I'll be home days in-between the two. Do you need an answer this week or can I wait till early next week?

Thanks.

L