Topic: Need advice for cheap stealth mics

[redbook]

Hi all,

Newbie here, just adquired a D8 and wanted to complete the rig with cheap mics (100$ or less) to get used to taping world.
I looked for some cheap Core, but I'm surprised about the low prices on Sound Professionals.

- I will be taping in STEALTH MODE
- I will do loud bands (both open and small venues)
- Reduced budget (100$ or less)

Any advice? 

Thanks! 

[Humbug]

At that budget, Sony ECM-717. Anyone else got any suggestions?

[Sanjay]

I got some Giant Squids with a battery box for under $100, and no matter what anyone else says, I was very happy with the results.  Tim Reynolds 6/23/04 on the archive is an example of these, another was Robert Randolph and the Family Band 6/24/04 also on the archive.  If your looking to go cheap these are my opinions and darren the owner will help you with any questions and customization you need.

[pfife]

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=26796.0

[hexyjones]

You might do well to get one of these Radio Shack stereo mics off Ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41466&item=3756411399&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

dont buy this one...It's way over the money...dont pay more than 15.00 bucks...seems like a few of these go off each week...

These can be easily disassembled and fit into a hat.

I have only used the Sony ECM-909 stereo mic...but I always perfered my Realistic Stereo mic to the Sony....

[redbook]

Thanks everyone for your replies

Humbug "At that budget, Sony ECM-717. Anyone else got any suggestions?"
Are these really stealth? Where can a buy these ones?

"hexyjones: You might do well to get one of these Radio Shack stereo mics off Ebay..."
Are these good? I'd prefer to go to a "securer" way (Core, SP, Sony...) than some cheap mics.

"pfife"
What are you selling exactly? Because the mics are cheaper in SP? Feel free to contact me trough PM and discuss this

"sirchek: I got some Giant Squids with a battery box for under $100, and no matter what anyone else says, I was very happy with the results"
Interesting. Which of these do you recommend? (stealth, loud bands, more open than close
venues)http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-micline1.html

To all:
- Are the cheap Core good? I've heard positive things about them
- What about the SP family?

Thanks! 

[Sanjay]

I used the omni squids with bass rolloff for loud bands in the open, and I was always impressed with the results, I would recommend the omni's and get the batt box with bass rolloff, I think they are the better quality of the two capsules anyhow. 

[hexyjones]

I have Neil Young and Crazy Horse (is that loud enough?) show from Troy NY '91...taped FOB stealth with the Realistic Stereo Mic and a Sony D5...

One Neil-head called it the "best sounding 91 show" he had heard...

As I said - I have only used the Sony ECM909 - but I would always perfer the Realistic...The ECM 909 was a bit weak in the bass and higher treble....

Dont count these mics out...the Realistic PZMs are bringing over twice their original price these days...

If I have time I'll try to post some sound clips of the RS mic sounding good...

[Sean Gallemore]

ecm-ms907

[hexyjones]

Arent some of those sony stereo mics MS? (Mid-side)

Seems like I took the 909 apart once and it was one capsule facing forward...and one behind it perpendicular to the front...

[Sean Gallemore]

regarless, they are still the best mics under $100

[Ed.]

regarless, they are still the best mics under $100

even better than my dynamic audio's i have for sale for way less than $100?

[jk labs]

regarless, they are still the best mics under $100

even better than my dynamic audio's i have for sale for way less than $100?

Probably not.



The funny thing is that most of the "no-name" binaurals are all based on the same Panasonic capsule.
It's major drawback is a high selfnoise (and if not modded, it saturates at high SPL). 

Not sure of the noise specs of you Sony but in general the larger the diameter of the diaphragm the lower the selfnoise.... 
 

[Ed.]

i think i was told once that the giant squids use the panasonic capsule, but the dynamic audio's don't.  but i don't know what they use.  i have to say i've made some nice recordings with them...but i'd never choose to go back to them after upgrading.

[fandelive]

I'd suggest a pair of Giant Squids Omnis w/battery box & bass roll-off filter too.
You'll get nice results. I personnally don't like the rendition of high frequencies with Sony mics and the ECM-MS907 is not stealthy enough and has too much shuffle noise.

you might want to check out this site and listen to some samples :
http://infos.0db.net/micros/compare/indexe.php3

and there's even a comparison between giant squids omnis & Sony ECM-717 here :
http://infos.0db.net/micros/compare/autres.php3