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Microphone for recording with Sony MZ-RH10 Minidisc

Courtaj

Courtaj

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 3, 2008
701
0
Edinburgh, U.K.
Dear all,

Hoping someone can recommend a mic for field recording with a portable minidisc (Sony MZ-RH10: mic input has phantom power).

I want to record ambient audio and voice with the same mic (not necessarily at the same time) and after editing, to mix the audio under edited video i.e. becoming part of short video clips (ultimately destined for web and DVD).

For the sake of portability I need a mic that'll plug straight into the MD with no pre in between. In addition, something that could be adapted to fit onto a camcorder accessory shoe would be useful.

These will be entirely non-professional projects. I'm happy to spend between US$100 and $200 (that's £50-£100, I'm in the UK) and while I know you get what you pay for I'm looking for something that'll do the job since it's just a hobby and I suspect no one will bother putting headphones on to listen to my work with critical ears!

Many thanks,
Andrew.

EDIT: I should add that I like the idea of a stereo mic, so long as it has decent separation without avoiding what happens directly ahead altogether, but expect this will push the price up a little. Recommendations for mono and stereo mics are welcome!
 
Loge said:
Something like this works very well with minidisc recorders, just plug in and go. I use it to record band rehearsals. Don't know about its use with camcorders.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11035340
Click to expand...

By the way, is this okay for use with MDs that supply phantom power? Specs say the mic draws its own power from a battery. I don't want to order one from Amazon for a trial only to blow it out!

Andrew.
 
I use the MZ-RH1, which works fine with that mic - I didn't think that the portable minidiscs had phantom power. The ECM-MS907 is listed as an optional accessory for the MZ-RH10, so I would think it would work, but check your minidisc manual first.
 
Loge said:
I use the MZ-RH1, which works fine with that mic - I didn't think that the portable minidiscs had phantom power.
Click to expand...

The MZ-RH10 mic input is "plug-in power" equipped, which according to the manual means "the microphone can be operated even when its power is turned off since power is supplied from the recorder itself" - I guess that means it's phantom power!

Loge said:
The ECM-MS907 is listed as an optional accessory for the MZ-RH10, so I would think it would work, but check your minidisc manual first.
Click to expand...

Good point - you're absolutely right. I should have taken a look.

Cheers,
Andrew.
 
An interview with myself.

Courtaj said:
Thanks, Loge.

Any recommendations for mono mics worth a look at anyone? Also, are there any directional mics around in this kind of price range?

Cheers,
Andrew.
Click to expand...

So no-one has any recommendations for mono or directional / shotgun (or semi-shotgun, whatever) mics in the £50-£100 (US$100-$200) ballpark that would rock my MD world (i.e. preferably run off phantom power)?

Andrew.
 
Courtaj said:
The MZ-RH10 mic input is "plug-in power" equipped, which according to the manual means "the microphone can be operated even when its power is turned off since power is supplied from the recorder itself" - I guess that means it's phantom power!
Click to expand...

No, unfortunately it doesn't have "phantom power" -- it has "plug in power", something very different.

Sony's term, "plug in power", typically means ~2.0 vdc present on the 1/8" mic input jack on many of the Sony MDs which can used to power some electret microphones, usually with a mini 1/8-inch (3.5mm) phone plug. There are commercially made "plug in power" mics (by Sony and others) and many people build home brew versions.

"Phantom power" is 48 vdc, typically used to power "pro" condenser mics as explained here, usually with a 3-pin XLR connector. You can find a few condenser mics that will operate on maybe ~9 vdc (or some at ~18 vdc, etc.) but most will require 48 vdc.

Bottom line: If you want to use the "pro" condenser mics (that require phantom power) with the MD you'll need a phantom power supply or a mixer with phantom power, or find a condenser mic that can run off internal batteries, etc.

You'll find more about this subject (and other MD-related subjects) at MiniDisc.org.

Re: mics. The Sound Professionals offer a good many mics designed to work with the MD via its 1/8" jack inputs. I use their in-ear binaural mics with my MD together with a home built "battery box" for recording projects that don't require ultra-fidelity and in situations where I don't want to lug 10 pounds of equipment. The quality isn't bad, but S/N limitations can come into play. However ambient sound levels are usually so high that doesn't matter.
 
Brilliant - thanks for taking the time to set me straight. I'll have a look over the links you've supplied - cheers.

Andrew.
 
I have an RH10 - which I never use these days, but I have the aforementioned MS907. If you want something which is pretty decent all-round for decent recording that mic is possibly one of the best fit for the task. I also have (had? I might have given it away) a DS70P which was handier to just leave plugged into the machine. Both produced what was to me surprisingly good quality for low-end consumer devices. Separation isn't a big part of these mics though, although sounds panned to the extremes will register of course - you may have to look into the binaural solutions linked above for a proper 'headspace' effect, or separate mono mics plus a portable preamp and mixer if you want to start playing with 'proper' stereo.
 
Sesshi said:
I have an RH10 - which I never use these days, but I have the aforementioned MS907. If you want something which is pretty decent all-round for decent recording that mic is possibly one of the best fit for the task. I also have (had? I might have given it away) a DS70P which was handier to just leave plugged into the machine. Both produced what was to me surprisingly good quality for low-end consumer devices. Separation isn't a big part of these mics though, although sounds panned to the extremes will register of course - you may have to look into the binaural solutions linked above for a proper 'headspace' effect, or separate mono mics plus a portable preamp and mixer if you want to start playing with 'proper' stereo.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I've got myself a MS907 now and am pretty happy with it so far - good value for money and all that.

By the way, if your RH10 is looking for a new home (you mention you never use it) let me know, as I'd be interested in a back-up for the right price (assuming you're in the UK).

Cheers,
Andrew.
 
I never use it but I thought I'd hang on to it in commemoration of the last - and rather pathetic - gasp of Minidisc. If I'd kept my MZ1 I'd have had a nice start and end :D
 
Field Microphone

There is a great Field Microphone. http://www.martelelectronics.com/119.html
Courtaj said:
Dear all,

Hoping someone can recommend a mic for field recording with a portable minidisc (Sony MZ-RH10: mic input has phantom power).

I want to record ambient audio and voice with the same mic (not necessarily at the same time) and after editing, to mix the audio under edited video i.e. becoming part of short video clips (ultimately destined for web and DVD).

For the sake of portability I need a mic that'll plug straight into the MD with no pre in between. In addition, something that could be adapted to fit onto a camcorder accessory shoe would be useful.

These will be entirely non-professional projects. I'm happy to spend between US$100 and $200 (that's £50-£100, I'm in the UK) and while I know you get what you pay for I'm looking for something that'll do the job since it's just a hobby and I suspect no one will bother putting headphones on to listen to my work with critical ears!

Many thanks,
Andrew.

EDIT: I should add that I like the idea of a stereo mic, so long as it has decent separation without avoiding what happens directly ahead altogether, but expect this will push the price up a little. Recommendations for mono and stereo mics are welcome!
Click to expand...
 
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