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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: JapanRecording on May 05, 2012, 05:07:50 AM

Title: Using Interview Microphone with Roland R-26
Post by: JapanRecording on May 05, 2012, 05:07:50 AM
Hi. I'm new here.  I read the thread "Good All-Around Interview Microphone?" http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=143039.0 (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=143039.0), which is relevant to my immediate situation.  But since the mics recommended seem to be dynamic mics, that raises a slew of questions regarding my situation.

For starters, I plan to buy a Roland R-26 recorder and use the R-26 with an omnidirectional handheld mic for field recording of interviews. The Roland R-26 has XLR inputs as well as phantom power. But the online specs for the R-26 don't mention a mic preamp, so if I connect a dynamic mic to the R-26, am I also going to need to lug around a separate mic preamp?  What do people typically do in this situation with a portable WAV recorder like the R-26 and a dynamic mic to boost the mic signal?

If I need to carry a preamp, too, what is a good, portable, lightweight single-mic preamp under say $250.

Also, no one seems to mention the Shure SM-58 microphone, also a dynamic mic, for doing interviews on location.  I'm curious: is there some reason the SM-58 is not particularly good for handheld use doing interviews in the field, whereas other dynamic mics are better?  If so, what is the reason?

Finally, I'm curious about one other thing: Do people ever hand-hold a condenser mic for interviewing?  The Roland R-26 has phantom power, so a condenser would seem like an option.  If not, why not?  If so, what would be a good choice for a hand-held condenser interview mic under $300. 

Thanks!


Title: Re: Using Interview Microphone with Roland R-26
Post by: rastasean on May 05, 2012, 11:07:49 AM
dynamic microphones don't need pre-amps. whatever mic you choose, you should practice reducing the handling noise as much as possible. the sm58 isn't a top mention because there are other ones ideal for interviews but it would work and the sm58 is often used for musical stuff.