Topic: good starter stealth mics?

[fleckfan]

first post - been reading through some old threads and have a few questions.

I've had an iriver 140 (now a "160" thanks to a hd upgrade) for a few years and have only made one attempt to record a show using a dinky voice mic just for fun.  The sound was fair but super low since I didn't have/know about a preamp.

anyway, I am looking into getting some modest starter gear <$600 (for everything except iriver).  There is one show in particular that I really want to tape in a few months but it will have to be stealth due to the venue.  What are some decent quality stealth(able) mics that can be had for a good price?

I was thinking a good setup would be mics > ua5 > iriver, but is the ua5 unnecessary since there are levels in the rockbox recording feature?  Could I get by with something a bit less expensive?

any recommendations as to the best place to find gear outside of here and ebay would be appreciated as well.   thanks!

[jlykos]

Stealthing with a UA-5 may be a bit difficult.  I do not stealth too much, but I like the dpa 4060 / 4061 > battery box setup a lot.  You can run this directly into the iRiver and adjust the levels using the internal iRiver preamp.  You should be able to find a used setup like this for around $600.

[fleckfan]

i hoped to utilize the digital input ability of the iriver.  wouldn't that be compromised if i ran the mics directly in?  or is there even much need to worry about a digital signal?

[jlykos]

Don't worry about the digital signal.  There are only a very few digital mics on the market; Sennheiser and Neumann make some, but not for stealthing and they are very expensive.  The digital input would be for if you put an external A/D converter in front of it.  That may fall outside your budget.  You can get the dpa > battery box setup for now and get an A/D converter (the Sony SBM-1 comes to mind) later.

[Semayat]

The SP CMC-2 are great too...check the soundprofessional site

Bye
Semayat

[fleckfan]

I've pretty much narrowed it down to these choices:

sp-cmc-4u (atU853)
sp-cmc-8 (at943)
sennheiser mke2 (maybe)

plus ps-2 and cables for power.

Thanks for the suggestion Semayat, but I think I want to purchase some omni caps first.  I like that the at's have switchable caps, and I like the size of the mke2's and the 943's.  That said I think I'm leaning toward the 943's at this point.


Another option would be, assuming it's still available, this bundle:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=75474.0 (ps2, gsa omni's)

or this one, which is still up:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=74132.0 (943's and batt box)

I'd love to hear any advice about which way to go.  Thanks!

[George]

If you go with the sp mics, make sure to get a 3 wire battery box to avoid distortion when recording a loud concert with ample bass.

[Semayat]

I've pretty much narrowed it down to these choices:

sp-cmc-4u (atU853)
sp-cmc-8 (at943)
sennheiser mke2 (maybe)

plus ps-2 and cables for power.

Thanks for the suggestion Semayat, but I think I want to purchase some omni caps first.  I like that the at's have switchable caps, and I like the size of the mke2's and the 943's.  That said I think I'm leaning toward the 943's at this point.

Oh yeah you do it in the best way...I assumed you wanted some good starter mics, but your choice seems to be good pro starter mics 

If you go with the sp mics, make sure to get a 3 wire battery box to avoid distortion when recording a loud concert with ample bass

I think a batt box with bass roll off is enough....am I right?

I just order the CMC-2 with a batt box with bass roll off, please don't ruine my pleasure 

Bye
Semayat

[divamum]

I love my CMC8s - great mic for the money - I have run them with an iRiver (both with and without an external pre) and been very happy with the results.

[Rick]

I'd say AT853 with 3-wire BB  And what do you know, I've got a pair for sale 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=76208.0

[Semayat]

I'd say AT853 with 3-wire BB  And what do you know, I've got a pair for sale 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=76208.0

Yeah, i've seen that...good deal. If I had the money 

Bye
Semayat