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I was recording at the edge of a stream over cobblestones (of sorts) on the day in particular. Well, I tried this mic out, tested my recorded results, and I can now say I like it *very* much. and observed the following elements:Setup:- Rotated the Sony ECM957 mic capsule forwards in order to get better bass pickup. It's certainly noisier than Rode NT1-A mics (billed as the quietest mic in the world by the way), but it did a *wayyy* better job than I was expecting, considering I'm more accustomed to much quieter studio mics. 2KHz to 10KHz seemed to become a bit narrower, hovering between 120 and 90 degrees only. However, bass pickup has fairly nice pickup a touch lower down the far side of the mic facing away from me (I had the switch facing me). Makes for much quieter preamps than the stock ones. It was also much quieter than I'd expected.
I typically record on a Marantz PMD661 (Oade Brothers with Super MOD). I do a lot of field recording and studio work both. 120 to 2KHz kept an average width around 120 degrees, but with lots of peak movement between 90 and 130 degrees. Very quiet results indeed).- Rode NT4-DXLR stereo XLR mic cable (separate left and right XLR 3-pin connectors to one 5-pin stereo XLR connector - really hard to find this cable (cheap or otherwise) - finally found at markertek for good price).Recording:Flash card in the Marantz recorder using 24-bit/96KHz quality. I noticed that 0Hz to 120Hz had the widest stereo width, roughly 120 to 140 degrees of width, or a little more at times.
This mic has descent stereo width coming off the top of the mic at 90 to 120 degree angles to the mic, but bass pickup seems rather thin at those points. 10KHz to 20KHz stayed pretty tight around 90 degrees, even though the mic's switch was on 120 degrees. Had width switch set to 120 degrees.- Marantz PMD661 recorder (from Oade Brothers with the Super MOD for field recording. Aimed back of mic at water at about 45 degrees to the ground. I wasn't sure I'd like a set stereo width pattern for field recording (I'm used to setting up whatever alignment I want for a given situation, either indoors or outdoors (ORTF, MS, XY (90-140 degree), etc).
I'll have to investigate all of this further with more tests and see if my conclusion needs adjusting as well. I set 0 to 120 range to pure mono, since the ear doesn't perceive direction under about 110 or 120 Hz (bass frequencies, in other words).Conclusion:Looks like this mic, with minor adjustments to the one-off stereo recording, seems to narrow the stereo pattern as the frequencies get higher. Used Ozone to adjust all widths above 120Hz to hover around 120 degrees. I tried to angle the mic over the water and stones such that the bass, mids, and highs balanced smoothly in my headphones. Set record level knob at about 7.5 to 8.0 - fairly high in other words for extra sensitivity - manual level (turned off auto-leveling feature in recorder).Results:Transfered wav file to computer. Either way, with just minor adjustments, I widened the stereo pattern just slightly with the plugin and ended up with a finished recording that contained a very nice width to the sound.
I got this mic strictly for field recording. And, it may also have a little to do with angling the capsule forwards. I'm sure some of this has to do with how I angled my mic for a smoother pickup of the water sounds, rather than just aiming the stronger stereo region of the mic directly at the water. I also tested the result in mono and nothing perceptively disappeared.
I have to admit that I expected a much louder noise floor on this mic. Studied stereo widths in these default bands: 0Hz to 120Hz, 120Hz to 2KHz, 2KHz to 10KHz, and 10KHz to 20KHz. I wasn't entirely sure of what type of stereo image it was giving me, though, so I did some analysis with different stereo imaging plugins (Ozone phase correction section) and software (wavelab, samplitude, speclab, etc). Again, the mic did quite a nice job with just plain stereo imaging for my purposes and produced a very nice stereo nature recording, given the minor adjustments.
Tested this with Rode NT1-A mics. Opened in wavelab and dropped in Ozone plugin. After listening for a while, I viewed a spectrum analysis of the mono setting and didn't notice any comb filter bands occurring, so that was a relief. I'll certainly be using it as one of my two main field recording setups consistently.
A setting of 1 so far does much better. I hope that I am able to get a recording to share of the concerts that we do with all the members. I was very happy to get a very good recording of my choir for review and practicing the music. I want to try and use a setting that is a little higher or move the mice closer to the group.The recorder that I am using is the BookSense by GW Micro. I am experimenting with the sensitivity setting for the microphone in my digital recorder. The highest setting is too sensitive for this type of recording. I am including this for any other blind people who use this recorder.Over all I am glad to have this mice and may get another soon.
An earlier reviewer remarked about the super sensitivity of this microphone, I agree. I do a weekly podcast, Get Fit Pod, from my home studio. On remotes I use the Sony PCM-D50 recorder. In the past I have been unwilling to use microphones without an XLR connector, but the small plug connector on this microphone works well with the recorder. The combination is great and I would recommend it for any remote podcasting situation. While the recorder has a built in stereo microphone, it is awkward to use.
Just a note, I have not used this microphone with any other mixer or recorder. Occasionally I have the need to do remote podcasts and interviews. You really need to use the windscreen at all times and be careful not to move the microphone too quickly or touch the cord; it will distort your sound. To solve this problem I purchased the ECM-MS957 stereo microphone. It works just great with the recorder. My experience with it is limited to the Sony PCM-D50.
Check out my podcasts at itunes, or at getfitpod.comSony Professional Portable 24-bit Linear Audio Recorder
If your maximum manual setting is 30, record with this on 12-16, that's it, trust me on this, it's that good.Check out a picture I posted with my microphone and the Bose Quite Comfort 2 headphones. My new minidisc recorder (Sony MZ-RH10) works great with this mic, I also use the Bose Quiet Comfort 2 headphones that way outside interference doesn't affect recordings, plus, it's a great way to check how your recording sounds AS YOU RECORD. First of all, this is not just a vocal mic, granted it works excellent for vocals, but you can record anything with this. By the way, everyone tells me the same thing, "Where can I get a pair of those headphones.", trust me, they sell them online, just expect to pay $300. I use the microphone to record vocal overdubs (rap artists) acoustic guitar, traffic, sirens, concerts, and nature sounds.The included wind mic is great when you record a storm and it's windy because the wind goes away, or your hear just a low frequency rumble which is actually quite pleasing. Excellent at recording thunderstorms.Always use the manual setting when using a microphone like this, people these days like using AUTOMATIC settings, but when you are in a room with 20 people drinking, and you only want to record the person with the guitar in front of you, this mic works great. I have used them for a long time, and I can't go back to using regular headphones. Regardless of what reviews tell you, they are perfect headphones as long as you are not stupid and fall asleep with them on.Get this mic now, and while you are waiting for it to come, get a AA Lithium battery, if a standard AA normally lasts 2000 hours, imagine what a Lithium will get.Please use Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) Rechargables for all your portable recording equipment, and please make sure that it says MADE IN JAPAN on the back, this microphone is MADE IN JAPAN.I seriously recommend this over the 907 model for many reasons, #1 being quality of recordings, #2 being the pop filter works on this one #3 is the battery life 2000 hours vs 200 hours on the 907.That's about it, this is the only mic I will use until I can find a better one, right now, this beat out a $1000 Neumann microphone, how, I don't know, but this mic is perfect in every way.
I like the capsule adjustment as I can record sounds above me without turning the mic. It all gets picked up.
Once I figured out the sensitivity adjustment, I got louder recording levels. Remember to set it to max if you are recording ambient sounds outdoors.
I have taken this mic from the tropics of Puerto Rico to the London Underground and it has worked superbly. Also, watch your breathing.
Super sensitive mic. Remember to hold it still and don't let the cable rub against clothing.
I was trying to record nature sounds and picked up the cars on the road and dogs barking 1/2 mile or more away. Doesn't need phantom power which is nice.
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