Stereo mic?

[Haku]

Does anyone know of a good, cheap stereo mic that I can use with my H140? (UK based) or have a spare mic that comes with the H120/H140?

I did some recording of the thunder a couple of days ago with the mic that came with my H140 and it came out really well, but in mono, if I can get another mic the same I can make a short adaptor cable to plug two in and get a stereo recording - I know the mic is good enough for recording things like that so it would save time researching stereo mics.

[framesaver]

Good cheap option is the Skytronic 173.623 Stereo Mic:

http://www.wle-shop.co.uk/modules/sh...odcode=173.623

[Haku]

That's perfect, thanks for the link. I understand the H140 has 'phantom' power so I won't need to use the battery.

Looking at the price of the one you have I can appreciate why Elwood traded the Caddilac for a mic.

[Shift]

Originally Posted by Haku

I did some recording of the thunder a couple of days ago with the mic that came with my H140 and it came out really well, but in mono, if I can get another mic the same I can make a short adaptor cable to plug two in and get a stereo recording.

Can't you record in stereo with the external mic provided?

[framesaver]

Yes it would be a stereo recording, but from a mono source, so both channels would record exactly the same audio.

And yeah Haku, you probably won't need to use the battery module as I think the iriver supplies 2.5v to power the mic, though it probably wouldn't do any harm to try it out as well. Using the battery as well may allow you to run the deck with a lower gain still, resulting in less hiss, I'm not sure. If you find out, let us know.

[CrisRose]

does anyone have any other recommendations? maybe something more around the £25 mark?

would be cool if i could get one that doesn't need power

the H140 can power stereo mics fine can it?

[framesaver]

Yeah the deck powers mics fine, though I've yet to do any testing with a plug-in-power mic under loud circumstances, so I'm still not sure what dynamic range you'll get plugging straight into the iriver.

The skytronic one above will work without the power box if you like and the sound quality is very good for such a budget option. I've not seen too much around £25, but a little more and you're into these options which all run without their own power supply:

From minidisco.com...



You would need an extension cord too though, as you don't want to pick up the hard drive spinning...

[Haku]

I think I'll wait a while before getting that mic actually, went to order one only to find out halfway through the ordering process that they want over £8 for postage! does it come in a lead-lined box or something? tried another store and they also want almost £8 for postage, that's just ridiculous.

[Mr.Anderson]

Originally Posted by Haku

I understand the H140 has 'phantom' power so I won't need to use the battery.

From were did you get that information? I am quite sure that you will need a special battery powered phantom-power unit to use phantom-mics with the iRiver H1x0.

Take a look at this link http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cg...ld/item/IHP140

[SRGilbert]

Originally Posted by Mr.Anderson

From were did you get that information? I am quite sure that you will need a special battery powered phantom-power unit to use phantom-mics with the iRiver H1x0.

Take a look at this link http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cg...ld/item/IHP140

That's what I always thought until I looked at that link. It states

"iRiver 40 GB Music Recorder
Finally.....the first mass storage (40 GB) digital audio recorder with a high quality, stereo microphone input with "plug in power" to power small Electret condenser microphones (and other mics that do not require phantom power)."

Now I don't know what to think!

[Mr.Anderson]

Originally Posted by SRGilbert

high quality, stereo microphone input with "plug in power" to power small Electret condenser microphones (and other mics that do not require phantom power)."

Now I don't know what to think!

This means that it can power "Electret condenser microphones" (which are mics which generally provide good results compared to the price - they do require a little bit of power to work). H1x0 can handle all other mics that do not require phantom power, hence it can NOT power phantom powered mics!

I hope that rewrite made it clear

[mozkill]

The website for "Outward Sound" has good information on this topic also.

[Haku]

So if I get that suggested mic I'll have to use the AA battery pack?

[framesaver]

No, the pack is just there for decks that can't supply plug-in power (even if they do have an amp). I've even seen them run into a line-in on an MD - The signal is pretty weak, but useable.

[Fishmonger]

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cg.../item/SP-TFB-2

I bought these Binaural mics and they work like a charm with my iHP 140.

Binaural mics are stereo mics that are made to fit inside your ear while recording to best simulate what you would hear naturally. They are made to be played back in headphones, the binaural effect isn't as noticeable on regular speakers.

They are your best bet IMHO. I bought the Low Sensitivity, records 17db - 105 DB without the external battery pack. 20DB is the sound of whispers from 5 feet away. 120 DB is the sound of a amplified rock concert.

70 Bucks, well worth the money.

[badseed]

If you're prepared to spend a bit more money, I highly recommend the Core-Sound (www.core-sound.com) range of Binaural microphones. I've got a pair with a bass roll-off filter on it as well, so I can stand next to a stack at a loud show (ie Tool) and still get clean recordings, well below 0db.

I'm at the point now where I think my ihp-120 is the weak link in the recording process, so I'm consider getting an old creative mjb2, which is apparently much better, and does not have that noticeable 'gap' in recording which the ihp's bestow upon us every so often.

But aside from the 'gaps' in the recordings (ooh, and the WAV file limit), I get generally very good results. The problem, as always with live sounds in pubs/clubs/halls, is the quality of the live sound engineer. You cannot correct their mixing errors, no matter how much you EQ & master the WAV files.

[Saidas]

I hope this isn't a really lame question, but I wound up with an extra mic that comes with the H120 so now I have two. Is it possible somehow to use these two to create a stereo recording? Thanks

[Haku]

I was thinking about trying to acquire another mic that comes with the H series to do just that, by creating a special adaptor lead to plug both mics into the player so one acts as left and the other as right, ending up with a stereo mic without having to rewire the two mono mics.

Anyone got a spare H series mic they want to sell?

[Haku]

A board member is sending me their spare mic, thanks Saidas! so when it gets here and I get my replacement iHP-140 (Aria are still closed due to moving premises, if I get it by the end of the week I'll be lucky) I shall set to and make a special Y lead to try turn them into a stereo mic.

Will post results when I've got the bits & made the lead.