At 10:32 AM -0400 6/10/04, Daniel De Granville wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>I am still trying to decide on a stereo microphone for recordings
>using a parabolic reflector. Many people at this list have
>recommended the Sony ECM-MS957 as a good option in terms of
>cost/benefit.
m-s in parabs? This was this recommended on this site? An omni or
omni pair is most common in the diy parab rigs. A couple more
62/P6s? For the same money as the MS-957, maybe a Shure MX-183 omni
lavalier for the parab? There's a model of this mic that comes with 9
volt battery power (The head/cable can also use the Trubitt/Dugan
modification to run on plug in power but its a small project). Use
two for stereo in the parab, but this is more controversial. There's
a long string on this.
>
>My doubt is, considering that I already own a Sennheiser ME62, will
>I be too disappointed with this Sony mic, in terms of sensitivity,
>noise level, etc? I was trying to compare both, but when it gets to
>noise level, both manufacturers seem to use different terms, and I
>do not know if they are comparable.
They are quite different. the 957 has ~25dB(A) noise if I recall
correctly. Also lower output compared to your 62 or an MX-183.
>
>Sennheiser uses "Equivalent Noise Level", 15 dB(A) for the ME 62,
>whereas Sony mentions a "Signal to Noise Ratio" of 89 dB for the
>ECM-MS957.
>
>Are these different things? If so, where can I find Sony's
>"Equivalent Noise Level" for this mic? Both the manufacturer's web
>site, besides B&H and others, do not mention that.
>
>Finally, is there a value beyond which a microphone can be
>considered as "low noise", or is this a purely subjective
>designation?
Any value of 10dB (A) and lower in the mic could be considered "low
noise" under most conditions. Values between 10 and 20 can be more
than adequate for many applications. You don't mention your
recorder/mic pre arrangement-- often a limiting factor in overall
noise produced. Also whether phantom power is a possibility? For
comparison, an MX-183 is ~ 21dB(A) noise with slightly higher output
than the me-62. Low noise, small condenser, omni's are expensive. See
MKH-20. Maybe a CAD M-179 would work (large, heavy)? Both mics need
phantom power. Allways on the lookout for low noise, cheap, omnis,
Rob D.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Daniel De Granville
>Pantanal, Brazil
>
>
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