Microphone for portable mini disc recorder

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 14 Nov 2007 1:55 pm

I just got a mini disc recorder off ebay and I need to get a microphone for it. It has to be one that plugs in or uses batteries. Anybody have suggestions and also where to get one. I don't know what to search for on ebay. Thanks for your help.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 14 Nov 2007 5:27 pm

If it's a Sony, they make about the best one I know of. Here's an example. I think they were going for 75 a couple years ago.

EJL

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 14 Nov 2007 5:32 pm

The recorder is a Sharp. But, I guess any brand of stereo powered microphone would work.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 14 Nov 2007 9:03 pm

Sorry Mike. I don't think the Sony is "powered" per se. I remember one we used just plugged in and wasn't powered.

I'd have to research it more I guess.

EJL

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 14 Nov 2007 10:10 pm

The Sharp Mini-Disc recorder has plug-in power built in, just like the Sony.

If you can spend a few bucks for something that sounds really good, here are some amazing mics that are about the size of a pencil eraser, but sound huge:

http://www.core-sound.com/mics/1.php

For a little less money;

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-b ... y/110/mics

Either of these sets of mics will be something you will keep after you've given up on the Mini-Disc and moved on to a more up-to-date digital recorder. Not that the Sharp doesn't sound good, it does. It's just that if you want to work with audio on your computer, you can only do it with real-time playback on the Sharp Mini-Disc. You have to bring it in as analog thourgh a sound card or audio interface. A newer recorder like the Zoom can connect directly to a computer, and give you uncompressed digital audio to work with. Much easier.

I still have a big stack of Mini-Discs that I need to digitize someday.

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 15 Nov 2007 5:00 am

I have been enjoying my Sony minidisc recorder for years now. I bought the Sony stereo mike at the same time. runs on a AA battery. it works great when placed properly.
I am looking for a number ...ECM -MS907 is printed on it.
if I remember it did not cost much; less than 100.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 15 Nov 2007 6:37 am

I use a Sony Stereo ECM -MS907 , think I paid around $60 off EBAY new. ..it's very fine and runs well over 4 hours or more on a AA.

It's fairly small and you can put it in your pocket and loose it if you have big pants

tp

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 15 Nov 2007 7:26 am

Tony, that was my cost as well. very nice stereo quality. it even cam with a small clip stand, foan mike cover, and cloth cinch bag.
I get more than four hours out of the batteries.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 15 Nov 2007 9:26 am

Hi Mike,
Be sure to get a mike with a cord that puts at least a few inches between the mike and recorder.

If not, you'll have an annoying click, due to the mechanical action of the recorder.

Sony had a mike shaped like a "T" that was very bad for this reason.

Digital recorders, such as my Edirol R09, of Jimbeaux's
Zoom don't have this problem because they have no moving parts.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 15 Nov 2007 10:22 am

The cord on the Sony ECM -MS907 mentioned above( good catch Joey) is about 4 or 5 feet long. I mentioned 4 hours battery life only because thats when I changed the battery, I didn't want to take any chances . I think over 5 hours is realistic. Also remember to get a HI QUALITY extension cord for the mic so you can get it off the stage while you are ON the stage ! And it does indeed come with a small mic holder and a foam cover. $60 is a pretty good deal for a neat little stereo mic .

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 15 Nov 2007 10:41 am

yeah Tony! the cord is long enough. the mic is amazing. it has a true stereo effect. I was recording a jam and a violin player paced side to side. when I listened to the recording later I could hear him left channel thren right channel then left channel etc....made me smile.
it is a good little mic for minidisc.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 15 Nov 2007 3:12 pm

The Sony is very popular, but I've read that this one is comparable.

http://www.minidisco.com/Audio-Technica ... ategory=29

Brad

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 16 Nov 2007 2:49 am

The mic that Brad links I have used as well, my band mate has one. The only real difference that I could tell between the two is that the Sony has the little 90/120 degree switch. Other than that they may be made by the same guy ( OR GAL) in China ! For the money both are really fine I would say.

tp

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 16 Nov 2007 3:46 am

A friend loaned me one of those Sony mics and it works really well. I am curious as to what that 90/120 switch is all about. I'm checking in to the audio technica mic though. I'd like to a/b them before I buy one or the other.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 16 Nov 2007 10:31 am

The 90/120 Switch is for the directional angle of coverage.

90 degrees vs 120 degrees

90 is more directional, 120 is wider.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 16 Nov 2007 10:46 am

Mike, I have a Sony ECM-717 stereo that can be powered or use batteries,I think that I paid about $120.00 for it years ago it's small and will clip on anywhere,You can probably get one on Ebay for very little, I now use it with my Zoom H-2 it's a good mic,Stu

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 16 Nov 2007 1:29 pm

Mike , get the one you can save $5 bucks on, you won't ever notice a difference between them.

good luck

tp

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 16 Nov 2007 2:54 pm

Tony,

I've been window shopping and the price difference between the Sony and Audio Technica are basically the same.
I found while doing a live c.d. recently that where you place the mic is most important and doing a good mastering job is the trickiest part.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 17 Nov 2007 2:52 am

Hi Mike, I've found that while recording a new CD the "Playing" part is the trickiest !

tp