What microphone for recording sound effects ?

Posts: 10
Joined: 2007-07-03

Hello everybody, i will try to do my best because i'm french and i I'll try not to make mistakes.

I've got a portable recorder, the Boss Micro BR, and i would like to know what microphone i can use to record precise sound effects (birds, doors, hands clapping...) I don't need a very professional mic. What should i use a cardioid ? A hyper cardioid ?

Maybe you know somme cool microphones.
I hope you can help me ! ;-)

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Submitted by Flo on Sun, 2007-07-22 12:44. login or register to post comments

madilicious

Posts: 92
Joined: 2007-07-01

Salut Flo, Since your

Salut Flo,

Since your portable recorder is not phantom powered, you should go for a condenser microphone that operates from an internal battery as well. There are dozens to choose from in the market, but if I were you, I would go for something like the RODE NTG-2 condenser shotgun microphone. Super-cardioid, lightweight and easy to carry around, very good value for money, and reliable performance.

Personally, I wouldn't choose the Rode NT4. It is a stereo microphone and I think it's too sensitive for your needs. I've used it a lot and I like it a lot, however, for you, it's going to be too heavy and quite inconvenient to carry around with the Boss.

As far as the polar pattern is concerned, I believe a directional mic would be more appropriate. The actual type depends on your taste, your recording needs (and your future needs), and the spaces you are going to be recording at, among other things.

bonne chance,

Stamatia.

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Sun, 2007-07-22 16:17 login or register to post comments

dm

Posts: 1
Joined: 2007-07-03

HI FLo If i am right your

HI FLo

If i am right your Boss doesn't support condenser mics that need fantom power.
Thus, this limits you to a few options and self power mics.
If you don't really need the most "pro" solution try the Sony ECM-MS907
an X-Y stereo microphone but with somehow poor sound.
Alternative check the Rode NT-4(X-Y) or the M3 (Cardioid) which is probably one of the
best solutions for you.

As for the mic' polar pattern, it is really depends on the sound
you are after which time. However for everyday sounds like the ones you said a Cardioid
would be fine.

For such sounds i believe the best option is to capture in Mono
this would give you much safer sound results and better panning control
afterwards in your sequencer.

best
dm~

www.movement.gr

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Mon, 2007-07-23 06:35 login or register to post comments

Flo

Posts: 10
Joined: 2007-07-03

Thank you madilicious and

Thank you madilicious and dm, i really appreciate your help.

Is the RODE M3 sensible to the manipulation ? And does it deliver sufficient power, like line-in power ? Because if I amplify the signal, there is a hiss in the sound, that's one of my biggest problem, the signal of the mic must be high.
(and i'm quite sure the Sony ECM-MS907 doesn'tt deliver enough power)

The Rode NTG-2 looks pretty cool but i'm afraid it's too expensive.

I've also found the AUDIO-TECHNICA ATM33a. What do you think ?

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Mon, 2007-07-23 09:59 login or register to post comments

Flo

Posts: 10
Joined: 2007-07-03

Any ideas ?

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Mon, 2007-07-23 10:00 login or register to post comments

madilicious

Posts: 92
Joined: 2007-07-01

Hello again, On what setting

Hello again,

On what setting do you have the PAD switch of your Rode M3? It features a -10 or -20 dB reduction in sensitivity (attenuation). You should start with 0dB selected first, check the quality of sound you are having, and then make the appropriate adjustments on the PAD switch- if needed.

I don't know how high you want your gain to be, but every microphone has a gain limit, after which, hiss appears. If you add amplification on top of an already high gain, I'm afraid hiss is inevitable.

The Audio-Technica one you mention would be more suitable to record instruments or vocals, and as a result it is more appropriate for musicians or music related recordings. If you're more into music (which I would think you are- judging from the fact that you own a Boss), then this mic would be a wise choice.
Personally, I really trust the technology of Audio-Technica; They have never let me down.

Always happy to discuss mic issues!

Stamatia.

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"There is no bigger arrogance than reprobating as inexistent anything we cannot conceptualize" Michel Eyquem de Montaigne.

Mon, 2007-07-23 14:13 login or register to post comments

Flo

Posts: 10
Joined: 2007-07-03

I don't own the Rode M3, i'm

I don't own the Rode M3, i'm sorry if I express myself bad. And i'm not into music at all, i know that the boss Micro BR is for the guitarists but i use it only as a portable recorder.

My work is more like sound design.

About the mics, my questions are stil the same concerning the Rode M3 and the audio-technica one, are they sensible to manipulation and do they deliver enough power ?
Is it a problem if I use the Audio-tecnica ATM33a for recording sound-effects considering it is made for voices and instruments ?

Thank you again !

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Mon, 2007-07-23 16:32 login or register to post comments

madilicious

Posts: 92
Joined: 2007-07-01

I'm sorry I got it wrong in

I'm sorry I got it wrong in the previous post Flo!

I think now I understand what you're asking...
Personally, I wouldn't choose the Audio-Technica mic if I wanted to record sfx. Between those two, I would go for the Rode M3.

I think both of them are equally sensitive(=sensible en français), but I believe the Rode M3 would be better for you. It takes a battery, features the very useful -10 and -20dB PADs and a high pass filter, and you can also use it to record instruments.

Hope this helped..

Stamatia.
P.S. Don't worry about your command of english...It's very good! Besides, tu parles anglais beaucoup meilleur que je parle français!

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"There is no bigger arrogance than reprobating as inexistent anything we cannot conceptualize" Michel Eyquem de Montaigne.

Mon, 2007-07-23 18:24 login or register to post comments

Flo

Posts: 10
Joined: 2007-07-03

Ok thank you very much

Ok thank you very much !
Finally, I bought the Rode NT3, it's a cool one ! It does what i want !

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Sat, 2007-07-28 14:30 login or register to post comments

madilicious

Posts: 92
Joined: 2007-07-01

Hey Flo, Glad it all worked

Hey Flo,

Glad it all worked out for you in the end!

c u online,

Stamatia.

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"There is no bigger arrogance than reprobating as inexistent anything we cannot conceptualize" Michel Eyquem de Montaigne.

Thu, 2007-08-02 20:08 login or register to post comments

clandestine

Posts: 34
Joined: 2007-10-21

Hi, we recently purchased

Hi, we recently purchased the Boss BR900 CD and decided to use the Rode NT 4 stereo microphone and it has performed well for recording percussion in the studio. For outdoors it also has a wind shield.
It is worth spending a little extra on a decent mic as this will really make the difference with your recordings.
Regards 'C'

More free wav samples & production ideas here:
http://www.mr-largo007.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

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Hi, more free wav samples & production ideas here:
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Sun, 2007-10-21 10:49 login or register to post comments