Best stereo handheld microphone?

[amundsen]

Hello,

Which one among the following stereo microphones would you recommand?

- Sennheiser MKE 44-P?_
- Audio Technica AT-822 or AT-825?
- BeyerDynamic MCE82?
- Shure VP-88?
- Other one?

Thank you for helping.

Amundsen

[Clueless]

I think the RODE NT-4 is cool (though, to be honest, I always put it on a stand and play music into it).

[amundsen]

Originally posted by Clueless
I think the RODE NT-4 is cool (though, to be honest, I always put it on a stand and play music into it).

The NT4 specs do not indicate it is possible to hold it in the hand...

[Clueless]

Well, I guess it depends how large your hands are. I can certainly hold it in my hand (and have done so when experimenting with recording conversations in stereo). What's the key spec that makes something hand-holdable or not?

[amundsen]

Originally posted by Clueless
What's the key spec that makes something hand-holdable or not?

Well, maybe the fact it doesn't capture manipulation noise while recording.

Handheld microphones are specifically built to support this (please have a look to the specs of listed microphones).

[fifthcircle]

Don't remember the number right off-hand, but Sanken makes a pretty darned good M-S mic that you can easily mount in a Zeplin for hand-held/boom/set use...

--Ben

[nkf]

Originally posted by fifthcircle
Don't remember the number right off-hand, but Sanken makes a pretty darned good M-S mic that you can easily mount in a Zeplin for hand-held/boom/set use...

That would be true for the Neumann RSM191 too, which is a fantastic stereo microphone. Sometimes I use it or the KMR81i handheld with a short boom and the microphone mounted in the elastic suspension for sampling purposes.

[inaudio]

VP-88 gets my vote - I did a chinese funeral band walking down the streets of SF and it came out great! I didn'e even use a boom for that one. But then it is the one i own so i am only familiar with it from your list.

[amundsen]

Originally posted by inaudio
VP-88 gets my vote - I did a chinese funeral band walking down the streets of SF and it came out great! I didn'e even use a boom for that one. But then it is the one i own so i am only familiar with it from your list.

VP-88 has interesting features especially the choice of AB or MS output. However, I remember it as a microphone with very low output and indeed the specifications show a sensitivity as low as 0,5 mV/Pa. How is it possible? Any comment?

By the way, I have the opportunity to buy a Sony ECM-MS5, which is also a MS with included matrix.
The specifications are interesting (high sensitivity and low noise) and the original high price (around 1 700 US$) seem to confirm it as a mid high range microphone.

However it seems an older model (discontinuated for long). Would this mean it's not that good?

Any opinion related to the ECM-MS5 mike is welcome, especially about its sound color and its stereo imaging. How does it compare to the AT-822 or AT-825?

[inaudio]

VP-88 has "normal" condenser output level; not too low for any use in my experience.

When I was shopping I compared it directly with the Sony and the Sony sounded thin and nasal compared to the VP-88's richer, flatter sound. As the Sony was more expensive and sounded worse I never looked back.

Purely personal experience! I've used the VP-88 in many situations, and exceept for a bit more noise in the side capsule I think it is a fine mic. Not "the best" but very useable.

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