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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: jsimpson on January 18, 2007, 11:07:02 AM
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Being a poor college student I can't technically afford an R-09 or H120, but I do have an iPod! Haha.
I bought the Belkin TuneTalk and some Binaural Mics from TheSoundProfessionals and an external USB power supply from APC. Haven't used it yet, my first chance will be next week at a local band show. But my main wonder is, is this a good setup for what I've got so far?
I'm mainly, well, ONLY, going to record loud concerts so I gotta know if what I have can withstand what I need. Either way, I'll find out within the end of next week, just wondering if you dudes approve.
Thanks,
Jsimpson
Update: 4-30-07
Sample:
This sample was taken when I FIRST got the setup done. It was my first recording so it came out pretty bad, but the mics I had weren't using bass roloff and I have done no post-prod. I was on a balcony about 30 feet from the stage so semi-quiet. I still think it turned out nicely.
PS- Autogain was on, I forgot to turn it off. Apparently it's better for loud situations when it's off.
Download link:
5.5 MB (.MP3 format)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UX2IGMV4
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Doesn't matter what anyone else here thinks of your gear - what matters is what you think of your gear, and whether it suits your purposes / budget. Try a search for Belkin, there've been a couple discussions about the Belkin product, and if I recall the results were mixed.
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Being a poor college student I can't technically afford an R-09 or H120, but I do have an iPod! Haha.
I bought the Belkin TuneTalk and some Binaural Mics from TheSoundProfessionals and an external USB power supply from APC. Haven't used it yet, my first chance will be next week at a local band show. But my main wonder is, is this a good setup for what I've got so far?
I'm mainly, well, ONLY, going to record loud concerts so I gotta know if what I have can withstand what I need. Either way, I'll find out within the end of next week, just wondering if you dudes approve.
Thanks,
Jsimpson
You should really think about a battery box ether from Sound Professionals or Church Audio ( me ) this would improve your chances of getting a good recording if your belkin has a line input use it. Mic inputs for most recorders will distort. But before you go out and buy anything try it first! I am pretty sure it will distort because you really do need a battery box. But you don't learn if you don't try. Also you don't have to "buy" a battery box they are very VERY simple to make if you need help let me know I will show you how.
Chris Church
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What does the battery box do? I have the APC usb charger so my iPod won't die when I'm recording. I guess the battery box is probably for powering the mics?
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Even though the belkin deal is feeding enough to power the mics, they will handle appx. 20db more with a battery box in the signal path.
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What does the battery box do? I have the APC usb charger so my iPod won't die when I'm recording. I guess the battery box is probably for powering the mics?
Yes, the battery box powers the mics. The power that the Belkin provides to the mics is between 1.5v-5v. A battery box provides much higher voltage (9v). The more voltage, the louder you can record before the mics distort. Give it a try at a loud show, if it doesn't work, then you might need a battery box. Besides the mics being underpowerd, the mic input of the Belkin device might overload too. That is why the best solution is a battery box plugged into the line input of the Belkin (if it has one). With 9v and line-input, you can record just about any loud band you want.....
Good luck and have fun. I started with similar equipment as you.. This is a great hobby, enjoy it!
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Yeah, I have this setup as of right now, so where should I go for the 'battery box' and which should I buy?
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It does look like the Belkin has a line-input, so that is good.
I would get a one of Sound Pro's, or Churches battery boxes. However, since the thing has a line input, I would get the Church Audio ST9000 preamp . It has a knob to adjust levels and with give you more control and gain.
Any battery box will get the job done though. Seach ebay for Church-Audio......
(or PM him).
I would try the gear without a battery box first, it may just work for you....
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Well you could spend $60
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-SPSB-1
or a kind soul on here could tell you how to go up to radioshack and DIY for under $10
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http://cgi.ebay.ca/STEREO-MICROPHONE-PREAMP-4-MINIDISC-DAT-MP3-RECORDERS_W0QQitemZ9724138312QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3281QQcmdZViewItem
look at this item and make Chris an offer!
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Thanks a lot you guys! I'll PM ChurchAudio and see what he wants to do.
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If you're planning on sticking with some clip on mics then this is the route to take. You can plug some DPA's into this thing and have a great time up front and pull a great tape "out of your hat" while you're doing it
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Doesn't matter what anyone else here thinks of your gear - what matters is what you think of your gear, and whether it suits your purposes / budget...
Word.
As long as you enjoy recording and enjoy the results, who cares what you're using. It's both a fun & educational learning process to use your gear and find out what makes a difference to your ears rather than just swallowing other's opinons. How you use it can be as important as what you use. After a few tries you can compare and make changes if necessary - in technique, gear, whatever. Compare with your previous results and with those of others, trust your ears & you can make well informed decisions.
Your 'only loud concerts' comment is why a batt box is suggested. Try recording some not so loud stuff as well, just as a test, as well as some loud (possibly distorted) stuff. Play with settings and levels, learn to make the most of what gear you have and feel like a master.
Have fun.
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Thanks!
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DIY batt box - 2nd post down: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11254&hl
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Did I mention that I need this to be stealthy? I'm guessing the mic's I bought are pretty hefty in size for stealthing. Can anyone point me to some good mic's that are small enough for recording in a stealth-like James Bondesque environment?
Thanks!
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Did I mention that I need this to be stealthy? I'm guessing the mic's I bought are pretty hefty in size for stealthing. Can anyone point me to some good mic's that are small enough for recording in a stealth-like James Bondesque environment?
Thanks!
Take a look at Sound Professionals or me Church Audio.. We both have good qualty mics for sale.
Chris Church
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Hi man.
Did u try tape with Belkin?
Have some sample?
What u think about this? Good?
Just bought one with some mics and battery box and I'd like to know your experience.
Thanks
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I'd like to know too! I have a similar setup.
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I use my MD to stealth (it's just so damn small!) and don't tape enough to justify the upgrade to a Hi-MD. I'm buying a copy of this Belkin unit soon, though, to use for field recording in a podcast that I do (ClothTalk (http://www.scouthistory.net/blog)) and was wondering how well it would work as a bit bucket for when I do open shows to minimize transfer time and everything else.
Please post samples of this setup when you get some. I'd love to hear how it sounds.
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Sample:
This sample was taken when I FIRST got the setup done. It was my first recording so it came out pretty bad, but the mics I had weren't using bass roloff and I have done no post-prod. I was on a balcony about 30 feet from the stage so semi-quiet. I still think it turned out nicely.
PS- Autogain was on, I forgot to turn it off. Apparently it's better for loud situations when it's off.
Download link:
5.5 MB (.MP3 format)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UX2IGMV4
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I'm thinking the autogain killed you. Were your mics powered by any chance?
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Nah they weren't. I know for a fact that the autogain and self-powered mics killed me, but it came out better than I expected given the gear and circumstances I was taping in.
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Was the file in your post just above here a different file? It sounded better then the other you posted earlier. It did have a pulsing effect to it though. Please excuse the non-technical description.
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nah, they were both the same.