Yes, the plate mic, same thing! You're quite right, George, about the risks of professional gadgetry at sessions. What I had in mind was hanging the 'plates' on the wall nearby - that would make it safe enough what comes to liquids, and the minidisc to the hands of a trusted friend at a different table.

AKG makes cheaper BL mics also, but with (hyper)cardioid polarity instead of omnidirectional, and that makes them somewhat more difficult to position, doesn't it. Has anybody seen other makes (I know there are Sennheisers 'round, but even more expensive)?

Sony Walkman really has proved to be handy when 'taking acoustic notes', in fact we did that at a couple of sessions in Dingle Co Kerry some three years ago (Yes, the players were asked first. And now mentioned, I ask meself who's got the cassette now, I'd like to listen to it too, after all these years ...)

AKS