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From: pmr@drutx.UUCP (Rastocny)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Stereo condenser (or other) microphones for use in portable recording
Message-ID: <2668@drutx.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 1-May-85 23:45:09 EDT
Article-I.D.: drutx.2668
Posted: Wed May  1 23:45:09 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 3-May-85 02:44:47 EDT
References: many
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 40

[]

I'm surprised that nobody's mentioned the Crown/Radio Shack PZM ($40 with power
supply module).  I've been using a pair of these since last November with some
surprising results.

+s:
	* Excellent bandwidth (20Hz-18KHz) and pattern (hemisphere),
	* Low cost ($40 each, plus two 6V camera batteries $4 each)
	* Good dynamic range (I've yet to overload them)
	* No mic stands required
	* Small and unobtrusive (Where's the mics?  Those things on the floor?
	  You've got to be kidding! :-)
-s:
	* Require at least 25 square feet of hard surface to operate properly
	* Placement prone to environmental obstacles (church pews, chairs, etc.)
	* Come with fixed-length (hard-wired) 18' cables
	* If raised off of the floor, must be placed against a 5'x5' board
	  (definitely a hassle and ugly to boot)

Of course, there are a few things you could do to coax these otherwise noisy
mics to life:

	1) replace the aluminum electrolytic DC blocking capacitor in the supply
	   module with a metalized polyprop.,
	2) shield the entire supply module (read rebuild it in a metal box,
	   preferably with a good regulator),
	3) operate them at 12 Volts instead of 1.5 (a MUST!),
	4) replace the transformer, and
	5) replace the mic cable.

Like I said, I'm getting some amazing results for a total investment of under
$100.  They are a hassle on carpets and in cramped quarters like small churches,
but I'm learning to work with them and they sound great.  Some day I'll have a
pair of Schoeps, but for now...

		Yours for higher fidelity,
		Phil Rastocny
		AT&T-ISL
		ihnp4!drutx!pmr