Topic: Recommendation for microphones for a Sony minidisc player

[hegedulany]

Hi Everyone

I'm very new at recording so please forgive the 'basic' questions I may ask.

I have a minidisc recorder (MZ-R70) and use it to record classical string music. I do have a microphone (Sony ECM-MS907) but would like to see if I can upgrade to something of a higher recording quality level.

Does anyone have any recommendations? If there's somewhere else I can read about this, please point me in the right direction. Also please let me know possible places to purchase a microphone.

Thanks!

[run_run_run]

Hi Everyone

I'm very new at recording so please forgive the 'basic' questions I may ask.

I have a minidisc recorder (MZ-R70) and use it to record classical string music. I do have a microphone (Sony ECM-MS907) but would like to see if I can upgrade to something of a higher recording quality level.

Does anyone have any recommendations? If there's somewhere else I can read about this, please point me in the right direction. Also please let me know possible places to purchase a microphone.

Thanks!

What do you want to spend? The AT 853s sound great and there around 200ish

[beefstew]

I was actually thinking of buying a Sony ECM-MS907 to use with my MD recorder and i want to see how it performs b4 i go and buy one.

can u post a sample of music that u recorded with it?

Hi Everyone

I'm very new at recording so please forgive the 'basic' questions I may ask.

I have a minidisc recorder (MZ-R70) and use it to record classical string music. I do have a microphone (Sony ECM-MS907) but would like to see if I can upgrade to something of a higher recording quality level.

Does anyone have any recommendations? If there's somewhere else I can read about this, please point me in the right direction. Also please let me know possible places to purchase a microphone.

Thanks!

[Javier Cinakowski]

I would recomend the Microphone Madness HLSC (sennheiser MKE40) over the AT's becasue the AT's tend to distort with any loud music when just plugged into the MD recorder.  The mics I mentioned wont distort at all.  They are $235 new and sound better than any mic I have used, except maybe the AT853's, but it is a close call and the AT's distort.  my $0.2

[hegedulany]

What do you want to spend? The AT 853s sound great and there around 200ish

I've been told that I probably need to spend about $200 to get a decent set of microphones. Does that sound correct? Are there any alternatives that deliver good quality for less? I'm happy to save and wait a little longer if I have to obtain something of good quality.

[hegedulany]

I would recomend the Microphone Madness HLSC (sennheiser MKE40) over the AT's becasue the AT's tend to distort with any loud music when just plugged into the MD recorder.  The mics I mentioned wont distort at all.  They are $235 new and sound better than any mic I have used, except maybe the AT853's, but it is a close call and the AT's distort.  my $0.2

Thanks for that recommendation. I won't be recording anything that involves loud music. I'm looking for a microphone that will capture the resonance of a hall or church and record very clearly the sound and nuances in tone.

In size, how big are these sennheiser and ZT microphones? The Sony microphone I mentioned that I use is very visible when I record.

[Javier Cinakowski]

I would recomend the Microphone Madness HLSC (sennheiser MKE40) over the AT's becasue the AT's tend to distort with any loud music when just plugged into the MD recorder.  The mics I mentioned wont distort at all.  They are $235 new and sound better than any mic I have used, except maybe the AT853's, but it is a close call and the AT's distort.  my $0.2

Thanks for that recommendation. I won't be recording anything that involves loud music. I'm looking for a microphone that will capture the resonance of a hall or church and record very clearly the sound and nuances in tone.

In size, how big are these sennheiser and ZT microphones? The Sony microphone I mentioned that I use is very visible when I record.

If you are not recording anything lound I would highly recomend the AT853's(SoundProfessionals).  They sound freaking fantastic and are very small.  The Sennheisers are the same size.  FWIW, you might consider an omni directional microphone if you want to"capture the resonance of a hall or church and record very clearly the sound and nuances in tone."  Omnis are much better for this.  The MicMadness(Sennheiser MKE2's) are a fantastic sounding microphone that is for the price very compairable to the DPA4061. 

[divamum]

The Sennheisers are comparable to 4061's or 4060s?  For classical (read: unamplified), I'm not sure if the '61s would be sensitive enough (Moke?  Any input?)   

Iin general, are there any clips out there anywhere recording classical with Sennheisers ... or even side-by-side comparisons (of any music) between Senn and AT (and/or DPA)? Everybody I've read who talks about Senn say they have a "distinctive sound" but never having HEARD them I don't know what this means....  would be interested in knowing what colour differences they pick up.

[divamum]

If you are not recording anything lound I would highly recomend the AT853's(SoundProfessionals).  They sound freaking fantastic and are very small.  The Sennheisers are the same size.  FWIW, you might consider an omni directional microphone if you want to"capture the resonance of a hall or church and record very clearly the sound and nuances in tone."  Omnis are much better for this.  The MicMadness(Sennheiser MKE2's) are a fantastic sounding microphone that is for the price very compairable to the DPA4061. 

Do you mean AT853's or do you mean CMC8's, as in the rig in your signature?   Just curious.   

Edited to add:  aren't 853's p48? Or do they come as 1/8" as well?

[Javier Cinakowski]

Do you mean AT853's or do you mean CMC8's, as in the rig in your signature?   Just curious.   

I have the 853c(CMC4) caps for my AT943(CMC8) bodies.

aren't 853's p48? Or do they come as 1/8" as well?

yes the 853's from AT are phantom powered.  The AT853's from sound pros are 1/8"  They are both AT853's, its just that Sound Pros mods them with a 1/8" cable. This is how I understand it anyway

[divamum]

What are the benefits of the 853 caps? I have CMC8's (omnis) and have been very happy with them... what is the difference in adding the 853 element?  Again, just curious

[Javier Cinakowski]

What are the benefits of the 853 caps? I have CMC8's (omnis) and have been very happy with them... what is the difference in adding the 853 element?  Again, just curious

The 853 caps have flatter response and sound better than the 943 caps.  The only downside is the 853s are bigger.

[divamum]

What are the benefits of the 853 caps? I have CMC8's (omnis) and have been very happy with them... what is the difference in adding the 853 element?  Again, just curious

The 853 caps have flatter response and sound better than the 943 caps.  The only downside is the 853s are bigger.

Even flatter than the cmc8's?  Eeenteresting... Do you have any comparison rec's by any chance? I'd love to hear the diff between the 8's and 853's in case I ever want to add the extra caps....

[Javier Cinakowski]

Even flatter than the cmc8's?  Eeenteresting... Do you have any comparison rec's by any chance? I'd love to hear the diff between the 8's and 853's in case I ever want to add the extra caps....

do a search, i am just repeating what ive read here. 

[hegedulany]

Thanks all for the microphone recommendations. Much appreciated in starting me off in looking in the right direction. I'll start saving the pennies towards these items 

Next question - apart from Sound Professionals which I've read a lot about on this site, does anyone else have any other places they trust to buy their gear from at reasonable prices?