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Re: question on Audio Technica ATR55 +LS 10 or ATR55 +Tascam DR08co

Subject: Re: question on Audio Technica ATR55 +LS 10 or ATR55 +Tascam DR08co
From: "Steve Duncan" swduncan
Date: Tue Aug 24, 2010 8:56 am ((PDT))
The Rode M3 is 10mv, 21db self noise (Rode's spec) and is <$150. It's a car=
dioid, so not as directional as the NTG-2, but it has an on/off switch and =
is cheaper.

Steve Duncan | www.swduncan.com

OHi Laurent--
> Welcome to the list and to field recording.  I'm
> not sure how you came to making the mic and
> recorder decision at the same time, but its very
> prudent on your part!
>
> We have a couple of mic/recorder matching tables
> in the list Community FAQ. I'll walk the
> ATR55+LS10 or ATR55+Tascam DR-08 would be a good
> combination initially. You don't need a preamp.
>
> In following the steps here:
> http://tinyurl.com/34ojchb and accessing
> Raimund's chart of input noise measurements for a
> number of recorders, one can determine that the
> Tascam DR-08's input noise measurement is -106dBu
> (A weighted).  This is at the low end in terms of
> noise performance. The Olympus LS-10, at a rating
> of -122 dBu (A weighted) has a much "quieter" mic
> pre. Folks have been picking-up Sony M10's for
> value/dollar with -122 dBu (A weighted) input
> noise.
>
> The ATR55 isn't on the linked miclist. A web
> search produced a sensitivity rating  of  "-45
> dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa"  Inserting that into this
> chart:
> http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-transferfactor.htm
> -45 dB translates into 5.6 mV/Pa. Mics rated
> under 10mV/Pa are not recommended for nature
> recording. I can't find a self-noise rating for
> the ATR 55 but a search of the "self-noise" and
> "ATR55" produced numerous descriptions of it
> being "disappointingly noisy." Likely, its self
> noise is in excess of 24 dB(A). As reasoned in
> the (C) paragraph, mics with over 24 dB(A) are
> not recommended for nature recording if you can
> afford some options costing a little more.  You
> probably should look into other mic options.
>
> Off the top of my head, the Sony M10 and the $250
> Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic are two possibilities to
> research [
> http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=3DNTG-2
> 18 dB(A) self noise 15 mV/Pa sensitivity ].  The
> Rode Stereo Video Mic used to be rated at 18
> dB(A)? self-noise and as stereo and
> super-cardioid, was a popular choice.  I think
> Rode "upgraded" this mic to a noisier capsules
> :-(, however.
>
> It would be great if someone on the list who has
> used gear like this can create a short list of
> the most promising, low-cost shotgun mics to
> consider?  If so, I'd be happy to add their
> response to the FAQ for future users. Rob D.
>
>  =3D =3D =3D
>
>
>
>
>
>






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