Tech: Recording sessions w/ minidisc

Subject: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:04 AM

I have a sony MZ-R500 minidisc, Can anyone tell me the best microphone to use for recording pub sessions??

Thank you for your help

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,UB Dan
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:34 AM

Hey Mickey, are you just using 1 mike to capture a session with several participants, a few participants, or just yourself...I only ask because I have heard people refer to a solo act show as a session. Also, is the session being set up for recording or are you just capturing whatever happens. This may affect how much control you have over the players and their arrangement...Most sessions that I have seen have been several people sitting in a circle with a very dynamic flow...no set pattern of who gets what lead etc...This type of set-up would be much different from a small group specifically coming in to be recorded.

If there are no monitors than you should be able to use a condensor mike...and you will probably want something that is omnidirectional. It might also be worth it to see if you can hook up a compressor of some sort to keep the sound pretty even (Alesis has a pretty inexpensive one - NanoCompressor) ...Unfortunately, I don't have any specific recommendation...but I'm interested to see what some of the more informed suggest. (you might also want to check out some of the other recording threads)

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Ella at other office at work (on the mother
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:50 AM

Hi Mikey...

Well... a friend of mine uses a normal small computer microphone, one of the little clip ones... As he discovered that the mini disc ones were expensive. He has not had any problems with that one at all, as far as I know.

Ella

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:57 AM

Thanks for the help

I am just wanting to record in a very informal setting. I play myself so I simply want to switch it on and leave it. I have tried a cheap stereo tie pin mike but the recording volume was very low even though I had the levels turned up full.

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:59 AM

Hi Ella

Would the computer mike have the power to record for a minidisc

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: IanC
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:04 AM

Hi

I've recently changed form my old (mono) Sony Walkman Professional to a cheap Aiwa minidisc recorder.

I've tried computer mikes and the quality is quite poor. I finally settled on a £25 tiepin mike with a battery inline. Quality on this is much better, but I haven't had chance to test it much "in the field".

Hope that's some help.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: clansfolk
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:16 AM

SSony do a few very nice mics for minidisc I have used one and find the very good.

Otherwise a pair of condenser mics fed to the minidisc via a small mixer.

Better still if your at a session that uses a p.a. ask the chap in charge in you can plug into the tape out on the mixer desk/amp.

Lets face it whatever you use the quality is going to be better than those 50/60s field recordings we used to make! and we forgive them because of the nostalgia reward they give us.

Happy recording

Pete

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:49 AM

I'm intending to buy a minidisc soon, and wondered which of the bewildering array to get. Another thread recommended the MZ-R70 which is superceded now by the MZ-R700 which seems to be about £170. Can anyone give an idea of how the quality changes between the R500 & the R700 & upward? Anyone recommend a cheap but good alternative?

Clansfolk - what's the name or number or whatever of the sony mic you've found good?

Kris

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 01 May 01 - 05:03 AM

Don't get the MZR500, I spent yesterday afternoon changing mine. It won't take a mike. It has an optical line in input but none for a mike the 700 does. Mine should be here soon hopefully and then I can start playing

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: Bernard
Date: 01 May 01 - 07:22 AM

It's worth noting that, for a session, stereo recording isn't strictly necessary. You can, therefore double the recording time on your discs by using the mono recording option.

The information is in the manual, so I won't waste space on that here. I have the MZ-R70K, which they are selling off cheap now that the new one is out. I've not looked into the difference too closely, in case I convince myself I should have waited!!

A cheap tieclip condenser mic will probably be more than adequate - I'm assuming that your reason for recording the session is to learn the tunes afterwards?

If not, ignore everything I've just said!!

;o)

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: IanC
Date: 01 May 01 - 07:51 AM

Bernard

I wouldn't advise recording in mono to double the recording time. Stereo as such isn't too useful in a session, but the flatness resulting from mono recording can sometimes result in a lack of atmosphere.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 01 May 01 - 07:59 AM

How important is the mike and it's location? Obviously you wouldn't want to have beside a set of pipes, are there any 'rules' for this? Apparently new minidiscs like the MZr500/700 have this MDLP thingy which means that you can record in stereo for double the time and in mono for 320 minutes on a single disc.

Jesus I'm such a nerd

Mj

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 01 May 01 - 08:07 AM

What shops are selling of the 70s for cheap, Bernard? Any chains or just local to you? I reckon I could justify buying one immediately if I can convince King that it will save us money......

Kris

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: Bernard
Date: 01 May 01 - 01:59 PM

KB - erm, it's one of our wholesale suppliers, ackshirley... Special offer of £109 +VAT which is around £128.10 (not got me calc'later handy!)... I went mad and bought two...

However, I know that the Sony Centre in Exeter is doing them for about £130 (+ P&P), and they had been doing them for £99 a few weeks ago. Maybe other Sony Centres are doing similar deals. Nearly 50 squid off the original price...

Simple answer is shop around, or ask me nicely and I'll do you one at cost - plus pigeon seed. Have to be a bloody big pigeon, though...

Ian - as regards mono v. stereo - it's purely down to taste. Being able to put 128 minutes continuously on one disk instead of 74 minutes... atmosphere isn't that important if you just want a reminder of the tunes.

'Horses for courses'!!

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 01 May 01 - 02:14 PM

I've been using a minidisc recorder for a couple of years now. I take it to every music event and keep it going all the time. I use a Sony EGM-16 tie-clip mic where portability is important. I put the recorder in an available pocket and clip the mic to my shirt pocket or collar or neck (depending upon the sort of shirt I am wearing). If I am planning to stay in one place for a while I use a Sony ECM-MS907 and a small stand. I'm very happy with the sonic results of both mics. The files sound great played on my home MD deck or on a homemade CD.

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: Tim Salt
Date: 01 May 01 - 05:37 PM

Having started a previous thread on this subject I recently bought the Sony ECM-MS907 for £89. I have already used it at a couple of sessions and I am very impressed by the results. Before I bought this I used a cheap mic from the PC (okay but by no means great) and a Vivanco stereo tie pin which cost £30 (very unimpressive).

As for the long play v standard play argument I endorse everything Bernard has already said. If it's just to learn some new tunes mono and therefore long play is fine but if you want to record something worth listening to later go for 74 mins and stereo.

Tim

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 02 May 01 - 06:03 AM

Hi

Thanks for all yere help Where can I find the Sony EGM-16 tie-clip mic. I've looked around but to no avail. Also does anyone know how much it costs (roughly)

Cheers

Mj

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 02 May 01 - 06:07 AM

Cheers Bernard - there's a Sony shop in Reading, so I'll drop in there tommorrow & have a poke about.
Just a thought - all this session recording that people ar doing - do you ask whether people mind you recording - or would that make people self-concious etc - what's the etiquette?
Kris

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 02 May 01 - 06:14 AM

I normally don't ask but I'm usually playing in the session anyway and I know the rest of the guys well. I think if you are there as a spectator or are new it is polite to ask. Novbody seems to mind anyway

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: IanC
Date: 02 May 01 - 06:36 AM

I normally ask if anybody minds if there's anyone new around. Seems polite.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 02 May 01 - 09:07 AM

The sessions I record are mostly old-time music sessions in the States at places like Clifftop where recording is a part of the tradition. If it is more a performance than a session or if it is a venue other than a campground or party I will politely ask.

Subject: RE: Help: Recording sessions w/ minidisc
From: Bernard
Date: 02 May 01 - 12:45 PM

Just make sure no-one is playing who has an album or two on sale - you could be on dangerous copyright grounds!

Sully (Tony Sullivan) frequents sessions round our way, but he doesn't mind people recording for their own use. Needless to say (why do people say that!?), offering copies of the recording for sale is a definite 'no no' - unless it's just to the people who were there, and the others don't mind (ask their permission!), and you only cover the cost of the media.

I suppose I'm trying to say 'it just depends...'!!