Topic: dat recorder, help needed

[roskile]

hello all,

i have a few questions and hope you all might be able to help. first of all, i currently own a Sharp Portable MiniDisc Recorder MD-MT90(s), with Deluxe Audio Technica Cardioid Stereo Microphones (SP-CMC-2) and Mini Premium Battery Module (SP-SPSB-2M3). i really want to upgrade and switch to dat.

i have read that the sony tcd-d8 is a good model to get for live recording but would like to hear opinions on other models. also, any input on mics would be good.

found this on ebay, would it be a good deal on that package or overpayment?

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3278&item=3744654068&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
and i also am curious as to getting into a venue with the equipment..how do you do it without getting your stuff confiscated? im planning on attending a concert in a couple of months and hope to be setup by then...if its at all possible for this newbie here. :p

appreciate any help, thanks for you time.

regards,
roskile

[caymanreview]

have you looked into any other options besides DAT? dat is a dying medie imho. i would take some time to research other recorders... i.e. nomad jb3 & neuros hd recorders

[roskile]

i still would like to go dat.

[Brian Skalinder]

For stealthing and running mics/batt box directly into the DAT (i.e. not using an external ADC), I prefer the Sony M1 or D100.  The M1/D100 ADC is quite a bit better than the D8, IMO.

As for input on the mics, I think the ones you have now are good unless you have a fairly hefty budget to toss at some much more expensive mics.

There are a slew of posts about getting gear into venues, how to mount the mics on your person, etc.  Search the board for keywords like stealth, hat, crotch and you'll find quite a few posts.

[Sean Gallemore]

those mics are damn good for the price.

Like Ska. said, invest in an M1 or D100

[roskile]

Thanks for the replies guys, and the welcome.  hehe, can't wait to look up the crotch posts too. if you do get caught..for those that have gotten caught with your gear, do they usually let you take it back to your car and leave it..or do they just take it from you and that is the last you see of it? I'm kinda worried about that part, should i not stash correctly.

And I do have a couple more questions (sorry for being a pain).. Schwilly McSchwagsterovich, are you saying the mics I already have are good for the price? I've noticed that while using them and recording with my minidisc, any type of movement I do produces noise in the recording. Also, not sure if anyone might have a fix for this, but the mics have alligator clips. Only thing is they are not that great on the grip. Last time I tried, I wore a tshirt underneath a black shirt I had with small cutouts for the mics. They didn't want to stay gripped to my undershirt however.

When purchasing the DAT recorder, will I need to purchase an I/O cable for digital transfer to pc? I've seen this listed as an accessory at some websites, but haven't seen it listed with the inbox contents unless I have just missed it.

As for the mics, will they work okay plugged in directly to the DAT recorder, or would it be best to get a batter box/module similar to what I have for my minidisc recorder and have that as a seperate power source just for mics?

Last question (lol I can hear all the sighs of relief ;o) ), the batery module for my minidisc recorder allows to control the bass distortion. Am I right in thinking that this is something that is controlable on the DAT recorder itself? Or would this need to be purchased seperately as well?

Sorry for all the additional questions, hope you all don't mind.

Regards,
roskile

[Gordon]

And welcome to taperssection, the kind of place where a mod tells you to search for the word 'crotch' and he's serious   

[Gordon]

oh and they CAN NOT take your gear.  they can throw you out of the show if caught taping but can not take your gear.  same for on the way in.

[Sean Gallemore]

get those mics up high!  Like in a hat on your head.  That'll do the most for your recordings.

mics have to be run in line with the battery box (for power) and unless your DAT has a mic-in oade rebuild, I would suggest using the line-in on the DAT.

You battery box should have different settings to control the bass

[roskile]

Thanks for the info McSchwagsterovich. The show I plan on attending in a month wouldn't be something you were a hat to. In comparison to the mics I currently own(listed in my original post), What do you think of these?

INNOVATIVE SPECIALISTS - BINAURAL EAR MOUNTED MICROPHONES (TFB-2 CARDIOID)

Standard Cardioid:
Signal To Noise Ratio: >58 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
Dynamic Range: 76dB without battery module, 91dB with battery module
Frequency Response: 80- 18,000 Hz
Open Circuit Sensitivity: -51 dB (5.6 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
Maximum Input Sound Level: 105 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. (120dB with battery module)

Might be a bit easier for setup as they would be worn on the ear.

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http://www.soundprofessionals.com/mas_assets/full/ISI-SEHM-1.jpg

[Sean Gallemore]

definitely use the battery module, otherwise the mics will overload with a SPL of only 105 dB

[roskile]

One last question..okay 2 maybe 3:

1. Does the sony PCM-M1 come with a remote control?

2. And does it come with the cable to transfer recordings from Dat to PC?

If not, where would I be able to purchase these accessories?

I came across this website that has these cables, but not sure if I would need one of these and if it allows transfer from dat to pc.
http://www.oade.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=OADE&Category_Code=S7P

[Sean Gallemore]

One last question..okay 2 maybe 3:

1. Does the sony PCM-M1 come with a remote control?

2. And does it come with the cable to transfer recordings from Dat to PC?

If not, where would I be able to purchase these accessories?

I came across this website that has these cables, but not sure if I would need one of these and if it allows transfer from dat to pc.
http://www.oade.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=OADE&Category_Code=S7P

1. no but the D100 does and the remote will work with the M1

2. depends on who you buy it from.  Those cables on the oade page are the ones you'd need for transferring.  You'd probably want to call them and find out which one is best for your situation, or buy one used here.

[roskile]

Super, thanks again Schwilly McSchwagsterovich!! 

[mirth]

You're very helpful, Mr. McSchwagsterovich...