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
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.
Quote from: jsimpson on January 18, 2007, 11:07:02 AM
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
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?
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.
Quote from: jsimpson on January 18, 2007, 05:51:32 PM
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!
Yeah, I have this setup as of right now, so where should I go for the 'battery box' and which should I buy?
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....
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
http://cgi.ebay.ca/STEREO-MICROPHONE-PREAMP-4-MINIDISC-DAT-MP3-RECORDERS_W0QQitemZ9724138312QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3281QQcmdZViewItem
look at this item and make Chris an offer!
Thanks a lot you guys! I'll PM ChurchAudio and see what he wants to do.
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
Quote from: Brian Skalinder on January 18, 2007, 11:09:15 AM
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.
Thanks!
DIY batt box - 2nd post down: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11254&hl
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!
Quote from: jsimpson on January 18, 2007, 09:50:57 PM
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
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
I'd like to know too! I have a similar setup.
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.
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
I'm thinking the autogain killed you. Were your mics powered by any chance?
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.
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.
nah, they were both the same.