Topic: please help with noobie mic selection

[Krispy D]

Hey all,  I have recently aquired an interesting colection of older mics and know that they have some use for taping shows (and that there not the best by a long shot) but prob better than what I have know.  I was hoping for some feedback by anyone that has any experience with these mics or has heard anything about them.  I currently use an inexpensive (spelled cheap) single point stereo condencer direct to the mic in of my md (sony mz-n10).  This setup produces surprisingly decent recordings.  the only downfall is they are a little thin in the mids. 

on to the mics in question:

2 sony ECM-260F electret condencer mics (cardioid)
     these two mics have been used together to produce stereo images
1 audio technica ATM11 electret condencer mic (cardioid)
1 audio technica AT811 electret condencer mic (cardioid)
     I believe these two mics were used together as well
1 audio technica ATM63HE Hypercardioid, dynamic, lo Z
1 sony ECM-290F electret condecer, cardioid
     This mic has a switch on it with one setting for 'M' and one for 'V'

I hope someone out there can help me.  Once I'm done with this mic selection I need to pick power supply and all that jazz so if anyone has any ideas let 'em fly...

Thanks
~Kris~

[hhf32]

Well, seeing as you only have a pair of one type of mic...I'd go with the Sony's unless what your running right now is better.
What is the make/model number of the single point mic your using? Also, a bttery box would probably improve your sound versus just the mic in power supplied by the Minidisc. What are you looking to spend for mics?

[Krispy D]

Honestly, If I can make a decent recording with the mics I have I'd like to save my money for a stand and a battery box at this point.  The sonys are the only pair but I think the at's are the same mic just ones newer?  Any idea on that or am I just wrong?  (ATM11 and AT811). 
The mic I'm using now is an older (80's) realistic (rat shak) stereo condencer electret running off a 1.5v AA bat.  I think it is an older AT nock off cause it looks and feels just like the audio technica mic (forget the model sorry) that has a thin barrel and a bulbous, oblong head.  It is hard wired with two 1/4 inch mono plugs. 
If what  I have does work ok what would you recomend for a battery box?  I think I need variable output cause I can't change levels on the fly with the md but what about bass rolloff? do I actually need It? It seems like a lot of people don't use it.

[bluegrass_brad]

A quick internet on the Sony's doesnt really bring up much info, other than that shows sourced with the ECM-260f are out there, looked like it was mstly Phish shows.  So at least you know that it has been used for field recording.  Maybe you could track down one of the shows recorded with it and see how it sounds.  Just google Sony ECM-260F.

[Krispy D]

with a little more research I think that the two AT mics are the same with different finnishes.  If I record with these out off phase with they cancell each other out and show me the difference?  any tips?  any help?  I really don't know what I'm doing at this point...anybody out there have any good experience with testing mics and the such?

[Unitmonster]

I think the old "taping the stereo at home" test is your best bet.  Set the mics up on the coffee table, crank up some tunes and record with both setups.  Playback with a pair of good headphones and you should be able to test for audible differences from the AT mics.  At the current quality level you're looking at you probably don't need to expect matched pairs or anything.