The AT815st according to Audio Technica's web page is a discontinued model =
as you say, as regards performance I don't think it is a particularly quiet=
microphone. They quote a S/N ration of around 72dB for this mic while they=
quote a S/N ratio of 78dB for the AT3032. They also quote the same S/N rat=
io of 72dB for the newer BP4027.
Have a look at Rob's microphone pages where he has a fairly comprehensive l=
ist of microphones and their self noise figures. I notice he has recently p=
roduced a separate list of mics with <17dB self noise which would be a good=
place to start:
http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-reports/MicSpecCharts/Mics_16dBA.htm
Looking down the list the Rode Stereo Video Mic is listed as having 15dB of=
self noise. I know that there are a few who use the Shure VP88 stereo mic =
but it does have quite a high self noise figure of 24dB!
The Sennheiser 418S is an excellent quality low noise short gun stereo mic =
but would set you back around =A3880 new from the UK and it is widely used =
and respected microphone. You would have to add on the cost of a windshield=
and mount to that if you don't have anything suitable so would push the pr=
ice up a fair bit. But it would be far superior to the Audio Technica micro=
phones especially in the world of nature recording where you can tend to us=
e a fair bit of gain to capture the sound.
Using two mono mic's or an M/S rig can produce excellent stereo and of all =
the examples I hear from members of this group it is the dual mono or M/S r=
igs that I like the sound of.
If you are after capturing singing birds say in stereo then something like =
the 418 would be a good choice of a point and shoot microphone. Otherwise t=
here is the stereo Telinga not cheap, but it does give you 'acoustic' gain =
which is noise free! Don't get me wrong the 418 would not be bad at capturi=
ng a stereo sound-scape, it would not quite have that same openness you can=
get from the other rigs that are around.
You can make up a stereo bar with something like Rode shock mounts and moun=
t two short gun mics or two mono mics. As money is of a concern I have done=
this and OK it may not be as compact as having a stereo mic or a M/S rig i=
nside a Rycote style wind jammer it is a lot cheaper and very easily hand h=
eld or attached to my tripod. I find I it easily breaks down for transport =
and takes moments to either install the two K6?ME66's with Rycote softies o=
r two AT3032's. I have fashioned a handle that I leave permanently attached=
with a couple of short tails taped off onto the handle. The Rode mounts us=
e an elastic suspension and will accommodate any mic in the 20mm diameter r=
egion. I am looking into fashioning a 'barrier' type device that I can atta=
ch to each AT3032 while on my stereo bar as an experiment.
Hope some of the above is of use to you.
Phil
----- Original Message ----
From: artsonics <>
To:
Sent: Monday, 26 November, 2007 11:44:34 PM
Subject: [Nature Recordists] Stereo mics
Well as no one seems to have replied to an earlier post regardi=
ng the
Sennheiser MKH 418 I assume no one on this group is using one so now I
am looking at the AT815st which some members have mentioned using.
While doing a search for info on this stereo mic it appears AT have or
are about to release a new stereo mic as the BP4027. Further web
searching has proved a bit confusing as on some sites it turns up as
the AT815 and others a newer model. On bhphotvideo site they have this
listed as the AT815st. I am wondering if its a new model. It is
considerably cheaper than the Sennheiser 418. Does anyone have any
experience with this or seen any reviews. I know several on this group
prefer to use dual mono mics rather than single point stereo and I can
understand the flexibility that setup offers but unless anyone can
explain how to adapt a standard Rycote single mic suspension and
windscreen to take two mics I have little option unless I buy a stereo
suspension.. ..it seems the cheaper way to go....but would the 418 be a
better mic than the AT815/BP4027? perhaps someone could recommend a
good stereo mic.
thanks all
clint
___________________________________________________________
Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http:=
//uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html
|