At 10:41 AM -0400 8/20/10, ScottFraser wrote:
>
>
><<Does anyone have experience using ECM-50 mics for binaural
>recording? I've come across a pair in good condition on a local web
>site and thought I could snap them up. >>
>
>Twenty five or more years ago I used to use a variation of this
>model, the ECM-150 IIRC (unbalanced, battery powered,) for a lot of
>quasi-binaural recording. Quasi because the mics were mounted on a
>pair of headphones, not a true replica of human pinnae. Although I
>loved the imaging, I found the noise level to be quite high & for
>all but very robust sound sources, ultimately unacceptable.
>
>Scott Fraser
>
Hi Myles--
The noise and sensitivity specs on the old ECM50 data sheet suggest
to me that Scott is right. Before snapping these mics up, there are
some electret capsules worth looking into, maybe with a cost-savings
too. Tips in Community FAQ:
https://docs.google.com/View?id=3Ddcvd49w8_23fbw2vqg2#Very_Small_Microphone=
s_with_Low_Self-Noise_Performance
For phantom powering, the WL-183's are popular (a few places still
sell the MX183's).
https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/type/www/audio-reports/Shure-WL183s/index.htm
PIPmics and Sound Professionals can make-up a phantom package for you.
However, for on-the-move binaural recording you don't need a recorder
with very low input noise. One can pick-up a Sony M10 pocket recorder
that will power MM1 mics on the recorder's mic jack for about the
same cost as getting electret mics with the phantom option. Much
lower profile, greater ease in the field. Rob D.
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