Minidisc stereo mics

Subject: Minidisc stereo mics
From: richardw
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 08:57 PM

I have recently bought a Aiwa minidisc recorder. However, while touring in SE Aisa the recoridngs I tried with the Pioneer stereo mic that came with it had a LOT of background noise. In one case I could even hear the folks at the table behind us while the mic faced the stage.

Any ideas on how to limit the angle of pickup other than an expensive and large shotgun mic?

Any suggestions appreciated. Richard Wright

Subject: RE: BS: Minidisc stereo mics
From: Nemesis
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 09:05 PM

My musical colleague uses one of these extensively and I am about to the plunge (it really does speed up rehearsals!!!)

I think the best thing about the mini-disc appears to also be the worst thing: excellent sound recording quality :) - including ALL the background noise :(

I would be very interested if any one can come up with a solution or even partial to this. An American musician with his own studio (so, I guess he'd probably have more than half an idea) recorded all the crap at a session we were at even after liaising with the professional sound engineer there over location - so, any ideas welcome too!

Subject: RE: BS: Minidisc stereo mics
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 23 Oct 01 - 04:03 AM

I have a sony player and,finding out the price of their stereo mics, I consulted a p.a. man I knew, who suggested a camcorder mic. I bought one for about £30 and it's great! the best thing is I saved about £100. It's directional enough to cut the background noise while leaving enough to give atmosphere.Siting still has to be done with care. The only problem I've had is finding a stand, as without one it picks up vibration through the table.

Subject: RE: BS: Minidisc stereo mics
From: Hawker
Date: 23 Oct 01 - 07:37 PM

I also recoiled in horror at the price of a Sony mic for my minidisc player, I consulted a whizzkid who suggested a computer microphone, This is very sensitive to background sounds, so I made it a little fabric hat, it cut down the background a little and may be worth a try?
I used mine to make a CD for a school children's project and it has come out very well.
Hope this helps!
Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Minidisc stereo mics
From: Julie B
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:05 AM

Ned,
What's the make and model of your camcorder mic?
Julie

Subject: RE: BS: Minidisc stereo mics
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:20 AM

Try a "directional" microphone, do you have a Sony Centre near you? If so get one of there catalogues.The best quality mics are a brand called Sennhesier(sp?) Though used with a domestic quality machine this could be overkill! (Sony UK 0990 111999).

Subject: RE: BS: Minidisc stereo mics
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:42 AM

Does your recorder have a manual volume mode ? If you are using automatic volume control, the mechanism will do it's best to pick something when the level of sound that you are recording is very low. This means that relative silences will be amplified exessively which usually produces some hiss. AVC also tends to smooth out all the dynamics in whatever you're recording. Try using non AVC if you're recorder has it. I have an old SONY minidisk recorder and use a tiny single point stereo mic that I bought for about £20 from HENRY's RADIO, Edgware Road, London. I get some great his-free recordings using manual volume settings. If you are trying to record from a distance, the Camcorder style ultra-direction mic (as already suggested) is probably the best solution. These are usually mono though, so use it with a mono to stereo adapter (or if you're handy with soldering iron swap the jack plug for a stereo one with the output wired to both channels). If not you'll end up with no sound on one channel. A Stereo jack has another section after the tip, before the "ground" section.

Subject: RE: BS: Minidisc stereo mics
From: Melbert
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 05:04 PM

I use a Sony MDR with a Sony ECM-MS907 steromic which has two switch-settings for angle of "sensitivity), the settings being 90 degrees and 120 degrees.

I've used it for recording pub sessions in Ireland and have been very happy with the results.