Spring is coming in Coastal BC and the Bewick's Wrens and blackbirds
are starting to sing and chatter. I need a new microphone for this
season and have been considering an ME66 but I've also been intrigued
by this microphone:
Audio-Technica AT897
Element: Condenser
Phantom Power Requirements: 11 - 52V, 2 mA typical
Polar Pattern: Line + Gradient
Battery Type: 1.5V AA/UM3
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Battery Current/Life: 0.4 mA/1200 hours typical
Open Circuit Sensitivity: PHANTOM: -40 dB (10.0 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
BATTERY: -41 dB (8.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
Switch: Flat/roll-off
Impedance PHANTOM: 200 ohms BATTERY: 300 ohms
Low Frequency Roll-off 80 Hz, 12 dB per octave
Maximum Input Sound Level: PHANTOM: 129 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
BATTERY: 115 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
Weight: 5.1 oz (145 g)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 77 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
Output Connector: XLRM-type
Dynamic Range (Typical): PHANTOM: 112 dB, 1 kHz at Max. SPL BATTERY:
98 dB, 1 kHz at Max. SPL
I've read loads of stuff about the ME66 and even tried one out on a
birding trip. I was impressed but the price even on ebay is $350 or
so including a windscreen. I could get the Audio-Technica for $260
but I am unsure of its self-noise specifications. Does anyone have
experience with this microphone? I'm also interested
since it is a little lighter than the ME66/K5 combination and
sometimes I like to backpack into good recording locations where
there is no dang dogs or highways.
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