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Re: Sony M10 pip vs Mixpre-D

Subject: Re: Sony M10 pip vs Mixpre-D
From: "kronseth" kronseth
Date: Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:25 am ((PDT))
Hallo John!
Thanks for tips. I guess I figured I=B4ve reached the limits of what to exp=
ect from this little capsule. They=B4re performing quite well anyhow, and h=
ave replaced my bigger and heavier mics 10 times the price.
I will however continue to look for silent <12mm capsules. If anyone knows =
of any, I=B4d be interested. I=B4m not particularily eager to go back to la=
rger mics for field-work. For one specific project I=B4m working on though,=
 the selfnoise is the most important part.
Thanks also for the feedback on the voltage, I=B4ve tried both with the bat=
tery-box and the Pip on the M10 with no distinct difference, so I=B4ll take=
 your word for it!
Quite happy though with the M10 and em172=B4s. 200grams, tiny as a phone an=
d always ready to go. Dragging around nice sounding recording-gear suddenly=
 became fun, and I=B4m quite surprised of the sound coming out of this chea=
p setup!

Best
Anders


--- In  "John Crockett" <> wrote:
>
> Hi Anders
>
> In theory there should be no audible difference between the Mixpre and th=
e PCM-M10 when used with the EM172s. The noise you are hearing is coming fr=
om the microphones, not the preamps.
>
> To get a significantly lower noise floor you need quieter, more expensive=
, phantom powered microphones like the MKH 20 or the AT 4022. For the money=
, the EM172s are pretty good!
>
> My own experiments have shown no improvement using different battery volt=
ages. Your 9 volt battery box should be fine, although I think you could re=
duce the resistor value a step or two (6.8k or 5.6k - I'm using 6.8k) to gi=
ve the mic capsules a little more voltage and current. That won't likely re=
duce the hiss any, however. At least I did not find it to make much differe=
nce.
>
> John Crockett
>
> naturalcontemplative.com
>
> --- In  "kronseth" <anderslangstrand@> w=
rote:
> >
> > Thanks for feedback everyone!
> > I too have a feeling, as John says, the Mixpre-D won=B4t help the selfn=
oise of the system. Running some tests, it seems there is no apparent noise=
 until I reach twelve-one o=B4clock on the Mixpre
> > when it shows up at about -112 db in Spoundtracks spectrum. I guess tha=
t=B4s fairly goood and as low I can expect on this cheap setup.For everythi=
ng, except those dead-quiet recordings, it is more that sufficient.
> > I=B4ll do some more tests with a different voltage, and see if that hel=
ps.
> > Thanks again!
> >
> > --- In  "rock_scallop"<john_hartog@> w=
rote:
> > >
> > > Hi Anders,
> > > I have a feeling, based on some experience with the combination, the =
EM172's and the PCM M10 are a pretty good match - fairly balanced noise wis=
e. The use of a separate preamp will not help with the mic self noise of th=
e EM172, as is evidenced by your tests with the Mix-pre. Would using quiete=
r mics with the Mix-pre into the PCM M10 be practical or would the M10 inpu=
t noise compromise any benefits?
> > >
> > > John Hartog
> > > rockscallop.org
> > >
> > > --- In  "kronseth" <anderslangstrand=
@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hello again!
> > > > I=B4m back with another amateur issue:-)
> > > > I recently purchased a PCM M10, and I=B4m currently using the EM172=
=B4s, wich I guess most of you are familiar with. I=B4ve been recording rea=
lly quiet soundcapes,(no traffic for miles, mainly distant sounds etc.) wit=
h the the mics feeding the recorder directly into the Mic-in on the M10. Af=
ter some experimenting I figured maybe I could put my Mixpre-D in front of =
it, to squeeze out som more hiss-free dbs.
> > > > Been running the capsules from a stereo diy battery-box, (9v batter=
y, 1 uf capacitor, 10k resistor), into the Mixpre, and the from the Mixpre-=
D (tried both the xlr=B4s and the tape-out). Tried both line-ins and mic-in=
 here. In these circumstances the hiss from the Mixpre comes apparent when =
dialed beyond 12 o=B4clock.
> > > > I=B4ve tried calibrated the M10 to -20 from the tone-generator of t=
he Mixpre.
> > > > I=B4m starting to suspect that running the EM172=B4s directly into =
the mic-in on the M10, at low sensitivity and a bit of gain is as quiet I c=
an come with this setup, leaving out the Mixpre all together. Anyone has an=
y input or experience with this?
> > > > Any feedback appreciated!
> > > > Best
> > > > -Anders
> > > >
> > >
> >
>








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