Multi-Pattern Mic for Field Recording?

column17 · 1st November 2007

I have a friend who picked up a portable zoom recorder with an jack for an external mic and he's asked me what multi-pattern mic I'd suggest for doing field recording. I have no experience in this area so I figured I'd turn to you guys for recomendations.
He's looking to do mainly ambient recordings and would like to spend no more than $300-500 (closer to $300 would be better). A good Omni is what he's mainly after but he wants the ability to be directional when needed. The recorder does have phantom power so that shouldn't be a problem. This is going to be mostly hand-held although I suppose a hand-held boom with a shock-mount might be a good idea?

Anybody have any reccomendations?

springer · 1st November 2007

Having been thru the portable recording experience myself, I found the main issue was the signal strength vs. the inadequate small-unit preamps. If the source is loud enough, any old SDC (small diaphragm conndensor) will do nicely. I recommend SDC's because of their better off axis response and don't block the audience view as bad. If the source is critical and softer like woodwind quartets, then you will need a higher sensitivity and higher quality mic. Problem is most of the higher quality SDC's are low in sensitivity. If it has to be Multi-Patterm there isn't much outside the LDC (large diaphragm condensor) world.
The only one that has both that I have found was the AKG c480-ULS. It has a +6db switch that increases it's sensitivity WAY up and allows me to capture quiet sources without maxing out my units preamps. Plus it has interchangeable capsules that allow it to go from cardiod (rejects sound from the rear) to omni. And it is considered a fairly flat mic that will not color or distort the sound coming into it.
Good Luck - some things take a lot of "doing" to get right...

tnjazz · 2nd November 2007

Let's start with this: stereo or mono?

column17 · 2nd November 2007

Since the unit he got has build in stereo he'd like to start with a mono mic that can do cardiod and omni. An upgrade on the stereo might come later but he doesn't want to spend too much $$$ all at the same time.

In his price range I've found:
CAD E70/Astatic CTM-1000A
Shure KSM 141
Rode NT55

Do you guys have any experience with any of these mics or have better suggestions that I'm missing?

He mostly want's to record ambiance (city sounds/forest sounds/etc.) to mix in to his mellow electronic tracks. He's told me he mainly wants something that's clean sounding and reliable. I'm thinking he'll probably get a mini boom so he can use a shock-mount but some sort of internal shock mount to reduce handling noise would be good too. (not sure if you can find that on an omni though).

column17 · 6th November 2007

bump... anybody have any experience with these mics? If so do you think they fit the application or no?

Robobo1 · 6th November 2007

I've been researching portable recorders (not mics) quite a bit recently... I think you may find that the pres on that Zoom device are too noisy to use with an external mic. You may (believe it or not) have better results using the on board mics.

This is all second-hand, of course... I have not heard this machine. I plan on buying the Sony PCM-D50.

videoteque · 6th November 2007

I confirm, today we tried a Zoom H4 and a Senheisser shotgun. With the shot gun the level was low in gain H (noisy). Internal mics were much louder in gain M (medium).

Were we missing something??

jozzafunk · 10th February 2009

I've used the Rode NT5's for all sorts, from recording aircraft take offs to foley in a studio to a string trio and have always been impressed - they were fantastic on the trio. The NT55 are by all accounts slightly more defined and quieter - for the money excellent sound quality, compact and a good case. Extra definition would probably deal to that flatness some folk complain about.

Shadow_7 · 11th February 2009

Slightly out of your budget for NEW, but used SM81's can be had for under $500. Which are well suited to battery powered field recorders IMO. Since they don't generally provide a full 48V phantom power, and these mics don't require it. Plenty of gain and low noise for the SM81's as well. The stock windscreens kind of suck, but you can sew a fur sock around them for under $20. You still might want the beefier foam in either case.

But yeah, the onboard mics of the H4 are pretty good. I've heard of them being inserted into panty hose to help cut down the wind noise outdoors. Never done that myself though.

1st November 2007	#1
column17 Gear Head Joined: Jul 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 55 Thread Starter	Multi-Pattern Mic for Field Recording? I have a friend who picked up a portable zoom recorder with an jack for an external mic and he's asked me what multi-pattern mic I'd suggest for doing field recording. I have no experience in this area so I figured I'd turn to you guys for recomendations. He's looking to do mainly ambient recordings and would like to spend no more than $300-500 (closer to $300 would be better). A good Omni is what he's mainly after but he wants the ability to be directional when needed. The recorder does have phantom power so that shouldn't be a problem. This is going to be mostly hand-held although I suppose a hand-held boom with a shock-mount might be a good idea? Anybody have any reccomendations?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Multi-pattern tube mic?	therodstu	Low End Theory	27	20th July 2007 02:45 AM
Multi pattern mic reccommendation	BobSchwenkler	So much gear, so little time!	4	28th February 2007 07:26 AM
which multi pattern LDC mic under 1000€ ?	djanogil	So much gear, so little time!	7	14th May 2006 06:54 PM
Affordable but Good Multi-Pattern LDC Mic Suggestions?	pmdundee	Low End Theory	11	29th November 2005 02:52 AM

1st November 2007	#2
springer Gear maniac Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 293	Having been thru the portable recording experience myself, I found the main issue was the signal strength vs. the inadequate small-unit preamps. If the source is loud enough, any old SDC (small diaphragm conndensor) will do nicely. I recommend SDC's because of their better off axis response and don't block the audience view as bad. If the source is critical and softer like woodwind quartets, then you will need a higher sensitivity and higher quality mic. Problem is most of the higher quality SDC's are low in sensitivity. If it has to be Multi-Patterm there isn't much outside the LDC (large diaphragm condensor) world. The only one that has both that I have found was the AKG c480-ULS. It has a +6db switch that increases it's sensitivity WAY up and allows me to capture quiet sources without maxing out my units preamps. Plus it has interchangeable capsules that allow it to go from cardiod (rejects sound from the rear) to omni. And it is considered a fairly flat mic that will not color or distort the sound coming into it. Good Luck - some things take a lot of "doing" to get right...

2nd November 2007	#3
tnjazz Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,809	Let's start with this: stereo or mono?

6th November 2007	#5
column17 Gear Head Joined: Jul 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 55 Thread Starter	bump... anybody have any experience with these mics? If so do you think they fit the application or no?

6th November 2007	#6
Robobo1 Gear addict Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 329	I've been researching portable recorders (not mics) quite a bit recently... I think you may find that the pres on that Zoom device are too noisy to use with an external mic. You may (believe it or not) have better results using the on board mics. This is all second-hand, of course... I have not heard this machine. I plan on buying the Sony PCM-D50.

6th November 2007	#7
videoteque Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Near Rome, Italy Posts: 829	I confirm, today we tried a Zoom H4 and a Senheisser shotgun. With the shot gun the level was low in gain H (noisy). Internal mics were much louder in gain M (medium). Were we missing something??

10th February 2009	#8
jozzafunk Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Wellington NZ Posts: 164	I've used the Rode NT5's for all sorts, from recording aircraft take offs to foley in a studio to a string trio and have always been impressed - they were fantastic on the trio. The NT55 are by all accounts slightly more defined and quieter - for the money excellent sound quality, compact and a good case. Extra definition would probably deal to that flatness some folk complain about.

11th February 2009	#9
Shadow_7 Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 595	Slightly out of your budget for NEW, but used SM81's can be had for under $500. Which are well suited to battery powered field recorders IMO. Since they don't generally provide a full 48V phantom power, and these mics don't require it. Plenty of gain and low noise for the SM81's as well. The stock windscreens kind of suck, but you can sew a fur sock around them for under $20. You still might want the beefier foam in either case. But yeah, the onboard mics of the H4 are pretty good. I've heard of them being inserted into panty hose to help cut down the wind noise outdoors. Never done that myself though.