--- In Walter Knapp <>
wrote:
>
> Posted by: "George Paul"
> >
> > Questions for the microphone experts:
> >
> > 1. What is the latest thinking on how good the Audio Technica
3032 omni is?
> >
> > Walt Knapp put two of them in a Crown SASS unit for me. I have
just come back from my
> > first field test and will post the results in a couple of days.
The recordings sound good,
> > but I have no reference to compare them to.
>
> I've only compared them to the MKH-20 in the SASS.
>
> Compared to the MKH-20 they are not quite as detailed or clear a
sound.
> This would be most noticeable when recording quiet ambiance, or
trying
> for extra reach from the SASS. In both cases you would not be able
to
> clearly record as quiet a ambiance with them compared to the MKH-
20, nor
> reach out quite so far into quiet soundfields. In louder sites the
> detail from them is not quite as crisp and well defined as MKH-20
as well.
>
> Note these differences are small, they perform quite well,
particularly
> considering the price. Those that are not experienced with
recording
> with a MKH-20 SASS might not even notice the difference.
>
> Note there is a new MKH omni due out from Sennheiser that might be
> better than the MKH-20's. Don't know yet.
>
> I guess the bottom line is that the AT3032 may be a good
alternative to
> MKH for the SASS. For those that can't get their hands on the MKH.
>
> > 2. What happens when mics don't perform well in humidity?
> >
> > I will be taking the AT 3032s to a humid environment in three
weeks. If they don't do well
> > down there, what will I notice?
> >
> > stop working completely?
> > click?
> > fungus growth?
> >
> > How will I know they are not working right?
>
> They will continue to perform normally if working right, humidity
> problems you can hear. Be sure and monitor your recording as you
go. And
> learn whats the normal sound of the mics before you go on your
trip.
> Crackle, sputter or hum sorts of sound are probably the most common
> indicators of humidity problems. It may simply sound like the self
noise
> got louder. If bad enough you'd not want the recording from them.
>
> Generally if they develop humidity problems they will return to
normal
> once they dry out. On the SASS the windscreen should help keep them
dry
> if it's kept dry. Would not hurt to have along some silica gel just
in case.
>
> Not a lot for fungus to live off of in the mics, that's a very
> infrequent problem and then usually it's in windscreens. Frequent
use in
> humid environments could increase stuff depositing in the mic. But
> nowhere near what one smoker can do to a mic.
>
> Compared to MKH mics they are more vulnerable. MKH use a low
voltage RF
> frequency to polarize the mics rather than higher voltages. The
higher
> the voltage used in polarization the more likely humidity will be a
problem.
>
> I don't remember anyone reporting humidity problems, but I'm sure
they
> have not been used in the field enough yet to be sure. Time will
tell
> how durable it is in the field.
>
> Walt
>
Thanks Walt: I am sure the entire group benefitted from this.
I will post my two newest recordings soon and people can listen.
They were of some loud environments -- the Mountain treefrog, and the
Casque headed frog.
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