A dynamic microphone has no noise, as we generally speak of "inherent
noise". The noise comes in combination with the input preamp. There are very
common electrets today which make less noise than a dynamic microphone in
combination even with a very good preamp. Sound much better, too.
Klas.
c At 12:02 2003-08-30 -0500, you wrote:
>Syd wrote:
>
>>Local (Brisbane, Australia) sound recording specialists, Musiclab, advise
>>that:
>>
>> "Sennheiser has just released a range of their Evolution dynamic
>>microphones in retail blister packs at very competitive prices - German-made
>>microphones at Chinese-made prices.
>>
>> "There are three mics in the range. Each is a cardioid pattern and
>>comes packed with a 5m XLR-XLR mic cable. The e815S and e816S also feature
>>a silent ON/OFF switch.
>>
>> e815S - general purpose mic. RRP $119 - special price $79
>> e816S - vocal stage moc. RRP $219 - special; price $149
>> e817 - lead vocal mic. RRP $269 - special price $117
>>
>>(End of Musiclab advertisement)
>>
>>[NOTE: I wonder if there is a typo. error in the last special price.]
>>
>>Those prices are of course in Oz dollars - currently worth about 65 cents
>>US, each.
>>
>>I don't imagine too many Naturecordists with condenser mics are going to
>>race out and buy any of these dynamic mics., but at a couple of hundred
>>dollars Australian, as against a couple of thousand for Sennheiser MKH
>>series, they ARE cheap, and may be worth considering for someone with a
>>limited budget, starting out in nature sound recording. It seems likely
>>that they would have the usual Sennheiser reliability.
>>
>>For some years from 1968, all my recording was done with just two mics; a
>>uher and a Grampian, and I think both were dynamic. Didn't require any
>>power supply, anyway. And I got some excellent results - either with a
>>parabolic reflector or using a long cable to get close to the subject.
>>
>>So :
>>
>> (a) this confirms (though no confirmation was needed) what Walter and
>>others have been saying that recording equipment is designed and made for
>>the music industry; and
>>
>> (b) it would be a kind thing, were someone with technical knowledge to
>>get the specifications and comment on the probable usefulness of these mics
>>for nature recording, for the benefit of the technically-challenged (like
>>me) and for those starting out in nature recording.
>>
>>Cheers
>>
>>Syd Curtis in Australia
>>
>
>
>Hi Syd--
>
>We're always on the lookout for good deals on low noise field
>recording mics for my classes. As you suggest, a dynamic mic with
>low enough noise for general field recording is unlikely. Some manufs
>don't even bother listing the noise specs for dynamics. But there are
>some good mics creeping into the lower price range; we've been
>testing a few that seem to show promise.
>
>Either for an extra set or as a first set of mics, the Rode NT-1A
>large condenser is what I now recommend. $200 each. I been using two
>in surround arrays with my MKH-30/40 since May. I keep thinking there
>must be a hitch, but their overall sound compares very favorably and
>the NT-1A is quieter. Even though they are large condensers, they
>have a wider than usual polar pattern and their off-axis coloration
>is much less than I expected. Moisture-wise, they have made it
>through couple of rainy nights. They are larger but not bulky and
>were quite easy to mount in 4" PVC homemade shock mounts. They come
>with some shock mounts which I found too rigid for field use. I've
>had no additional problems with wind. The biggest drawback I've
>experienced is getting dealers to ship sequential pairs which Rode
>says will provide pretty good chances of getting closely matched
>characteristics. There have been some very slight differences
>between the mics I've compared by ear. I haven't tried a sequential
>pair yet.
>
>They run on phantom power only. With Evert's help, we figured out how
>to modify the $80 Audio Buddy stereo mic preamp to run on 4X9volt
>batteries so we're looking at about $500 for a pair of field ready
>mics. The comparison testing I did was promising so I took a pair
>into the field and, so far, they've not let me down. I had hoped to
>put together this info on our website along with all the mic
>characteristic info I started compiling, but I've run out of time.
>
>Below is the link to a comparison stereo sound file. It has the $1200
>MKH-40 on the Left channel through a $700 MP-2 mic pre and on the
>Right channel is the $200 Rode NT-1A going through the $80 Audio
>Buddy. $2000: $300. The test situation could be better but if you
>listen to the captured qualities in the various sound sources, its
>useful. A->D was a RME Multiface @ 24bits originally. Sorry, its a
>4mb file.
>
>
>http://www.uwm.edu/PSOA//Film/Danielson/MHK40>MP-2(L)NT1-A>AB(R)FLT.mp3
>
>There are a few more related tests if you look around on the directory level:
>http://www.uwm.edu/PSOA//Film/Danielson/
>
>
>For quality on a budget, this combination is the best field ready
>package I've had experience with.
>Best,
>Rob Danielson
>
>
>
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>
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Telinga Microphones, Botarbo,
S-748 96 Tobo, Sweden.
Phone & fax int + 295 310 01
email:
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