Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ucdavis.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ucdavis!ccrse From: ccrse@ucdavis.UUCP (Steve Ehrhardt) Newsgroups: net.audio Subject: Re: Microphones Message-ID: <107@ucdavis.UUCP> Date: Mon, 30-Sep-85 19:22:58 EDT Article-I.D.: ucdavis.107 Posted: Mon Sep 30 19:22:58 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 4-Oct-85 01:40:35 EDT References: <137@butler.UUCP> Distribution: na Organization: University of California, Davis Lines: 56 > STEREO MICROPHONES: > > I am seeking an advise on shopping for a pair of good but inexpensive > (contradictory? If so, interpret this as not-too-expensive) microphones. > I am currently using a single unit "stereo" mike from Radio Shack (10 yrs old), > but sound quality from it is less than adequate for live recording of > piano and flute music. > > I would appreciate your advises on: > > 1. What to look for > 2. Who sells them (most stereo shops carry expensive receivers, > speakers, etc., but cheap microphones.) > 3. Brands & ratings > 4. Approximate costs (real costs, i.e., not the list price) > > By the way, I am an ordinary music lover who occasionally would like to record > my own music, so I do not need $1,000 device. I'll try to offer a little help, but it would help to know what kind of equipment you use for your recordings and under what circumstances they are usually made. 1) What to look for depends in large part on what you're recording, where and with what. Primarily, you're looking for frequency response suitable for the instruments you're recording, and a pickup pattern (how much sound of what frequency is picked up at a given position relative to the instrument) suitable for the type of set up you typically encounter. Graphs of frequency and polar (pickup pattern) response are usually provided with microphones, and will provide you with a rough guide. The mic should also be compatible with, or adaptable to, your recording equipment (impedence, etc.). 2) Usually, music shops are where such things are found, though I've seen a few stereo shops that have carried such items. 3) In the price range I think you'll be looking at, AKG and Electro Voice are usually fairly good buys. If a cardioid pickup pattern is desireable for one/both, you might take a serious look at the AKG D320B. It seems to be more versatile than most mics in its class - important if you can't afford different mics for each use. You also should definately investigate the Crown PZM mics. They're a little difficult to figure out good placement for, but they do seem to work well for piano, in particular. The ones you should look for are the "Sound Grabber" or the PZM 180, depending on your budget and equipment. 4) By my standards, "good" mics start at about $160 (retail) and go up from there (fast!). These can usually be had for $100-120 and up, if you're prepared to haggle. The D320B and PZM 180 can both be had, at discount, for around $110-120 each, and retail for about $180. The Sound Grabber goes for around $80. I hope that this helps you out. Others on the net can probably provide more technical info than I can, and all of the above is intentionally a bit general, so no flames please! Also, if you find a mic that you think will work well for you, check to see if your local music store might have a used one available. Used mics are usually a good buy. Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com