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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: ShanonHeller on March 06, 2025, 08:12:42 PM

Title: Which equipment do I need to record stereo sound?
Post by: ShanonHeller on March 06, 2025, 08:12:42 PM

I'd like to record video of cityscape from first-person view, and I'd like to capture the ambient sound of people, birds, etc., and for it to be immersive.

I don't have any knowledge of audio recording, I've done some research, and I know that I need to record separate channels for my left and right ears.

My question is what would be the “best” (good enough) devices for this purpose? I came across this Roland CS-10EM and few other alternatives are the SonicPresence SP15, Soundman OKM II. They're similar in their usage: I'd wear them in-ear and probably with windscreens.

I'm wondering what my alternatives are. I know the recorder such as Zoom H1n and Tascam DR-07X can record stereo, but would it be as good as these in-ear ones? I look at these recorders and I see the mics are right next to each other and I don't know if there are any separation at all between the left and right channel.

Thank you!

Title: Re: Which equipment do I need to record stereo sound?
Post by: rocksuitcase on March 07, 2025, 02:29:41 AM

Welcome. To address only your specific question: In my opinion you are going to get more immersive sound with external mics, probably in ear ,or on ear, worn, but that may be something like wearing them in a hat, etc. The Tascam and Zoom recorders are OK in their internal mic, but I would think not the best for your purposes.

As for mic selection, look into binaural mics also. Ambeo, Sonic Studios (used only I think these days but I could be wrong) or if money is no worry the Neumann head!
  https://www.adorama.com/nmku100.html?utm_source=inc-google-shop-o

Title: Re: Which equipment do I need to record stereo sound?
Post by: Niels on March 07, 2025, 02:44:32 AM

I'd suggest a pair of Clippy's with dead mouse wind protection,  attached to either side of you body (hat, lapel etc) - combined with a recorder of your choice.
The Roland mics you mention are not really good outside. It is difficult to protect effectively against wind.

Title: Re: Which equipment do I need to record stereo sound?
Post by: Bernd Out on May 30, 2025, 08:55:52 PM

For between $100 - $300:

Shure MV-88+
Sennheiser MKE-440
R0de Vid MicX

(https://edge.rode.com/images/page/112/modules/4174/R%C3%98DE_Stereo_VideoMic_X_BACK_WITH_WINDSHIELD_CHORD_1080x1080.png?w=480)


These show up on Reverb, eBay, and the used bins at Sweetwater and Guitar Center, if you're budget conscious and have thoughts of testing until you find a sound that you like.

I highly recommend this book on film sound.
Michael is a tenured film professor and delivers concise and well-directed instruction on "getting it right"

I'd lend you my copy, but it's inscribed and signed.

https://www.amazon.com/Location-Postproduction-Sound-Low-Budget-Filmmakers/dp/036735425X

Title: Re: Which equipment do I need to record stereo sound?
Post by: goodcooker on May 30, 2025, 09:12:35 PM

Sound Professionals makes a pair of in ear binaural microphones that (they say) make very realistic recordings. They work with low plug in power requirements so for sound gathering at low volumes you would be able to simply plug them into any recorder that provides Plug In Power on it's input (which is just about all of them).

https://soundprofessionals.com/product/SP-TFB-2/?srsltid=AfmBOorwX1n8t-btVqB-WTTPaYlQcA6t5Fp6DdDOYzTvFcj-wk-AgFWm (https://soundprofessionals.com/product/SP-TFB-2/?srsltid=AfmBOorwX1n8t-btVqB-WTTPaYlQcA6t5Fp6DdDOYzTvFcj-wk-AgFWm)