Topic: recommendations for dynamic omnis

[Hank H.]

Hi,
I'm looking for dynamic omnis for AB-stereo recordings of natural sounds, atmo etc. Something comparable to the old Beyer M101.
Did anyone ever use two Sennheiser MD21 for stereo? Would be insanely expensive though.

Condensers might be an alternative, although I'd prefer dynamics, since they're more robust outdoors.

Thanks!

[Gutbucket]

In contrast to most true external voltage polarized condensers, electret condenser omnis are more robust and many are inexpensive.   I'd suggest looking at those.  I've had some saturated with rain an even submerged and continue to work without issue.  Compared with dynamic microphones they are typically considerably more sensitive but check the self-noise on the smaller capsules.  They will not require very low noise preamps with huge amounts of gain like dynamics. They will require low-voltage powering from your recorder, a low-voltage supply preamp or external battery supply. 

Among others, Jon's company Niant may make something suitable, although I'm not sure if he has a mic tailored to the high sensitivity / low noise requirements of nature recording.

[John Willett]

The old (and discontinued) Sennheiser MD221 was much better than the MD21 for what you want to do.

However, dynamics are pretty insensitive and most modern dynamics are designed for close speech.

Personally I would use a condenser, if would want something that is fine in damp conditions, then go for the Sennheiser MKH 20 or 8020.

If in the dry, then the Gefell M 221 would be my choice.

[fotoralf.be]

In the late 1960s, Sennheiser had a model MD 211 dynamic omni in the size and shape of a small-diaphragm condenser mic. They are very good and, extremely robust - the data sheet says they can be fed up to 1 V of audio for talk-back purposes! They turn up quite regularly on ebay.

Another nice one would be the old Grundig GDM 321 (there's also a cardiod 322), supposedly made by AKG - also a regular on ebay, at least here in Europe.

Ralf

[Gutbucket]

the data sheet says they can be fed up to 1 V of audio for talk-back purposes!

Wow.  I've used speakers and headphones as makeshift microphones, but never heard of using a dedicated microphone as a speaker!

[pohaku]

Beyer M101 still show up in eBay from time to time.  I have two pairs picked up that way.  Does take some patience.  That said, a condenser would probably be better for recording quiet sounds.