Posted by: "pga7602"
> Walt,
> Thank you for your detail instructions on how to modified the SASS.
> Your intructions have really helped me in getting my ideas
> together.
> After going through your sample recordings, I noticed that there was
> a big difference in the background sound coming from the MKH and the
> AT3032. The MKH had a more realistic sound, and the background was
> much quieter. I apologize for this crude describtion and not
> knowing enough about sound engineering to explain myself any
> better.
There are differences in both self noise and sensitivity between the two
mics.
The MKH-20 has a self noise of 10dBA, the AT3032 is 16dBA.
The MKH-20 sensitivity is 25 mv/PA, the AT3032 is roughly 20 mv/PA
The sensitivity difference means for the same final sound level you
would use more gain on your mic preamp. This gain increases not only the
wanted signal from the mic, but the self noise of the mic. And the
AT3032 has considerably more self noise to start with. (though it's
still within the range of a fairly good nature recording mic.) This is
primarily the difference you are hearing. There are also some
differences in the polar response and the general flatness of the
frequency response of the two mics that contribute.
It's basically you do get extra quality for the higher cost of the MKH
mics. The AT3032 will get you good recordings in sites that don't go too
low in ambient sound, the MKH will allow you to record in even quieter
sites. (and there are even rare spots that are too quiet for the MKH too)
The last bit of sound quality costs a lot to get. It does boil down to
get the best mics you can afford. They are the most critical component.
Walt
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