Minidisk Microphone Question

Another good thing for volume modulation is an external preamp. Also to remember that line-in and mic-in are two different ports, and the impedences are different - so your source and your port does matter.

sadly, my minidisk only has a line-in, no mic-in. grrrr.

thanks for the suggestions!

how difficult would it be to record a show with one of these suckers? if i hid the mic inside a rucksack, would it still record?

xxx

It cost me about £80 a few years ago, although I never shopped around because I was in a hurry so I probably could have got it cheaper.

Its OK (for my ears, Mike's are much more discriminating) however the design of the microphones being to the sides (the ECM-719 looks similar) means that it picks up sound from all around you including audience chatter, not just from the band in front of you. You can also rest it on a flat surface, if there is no need to be stealthy.

I know some people who go to great lengths to hide binaural mics in hats, etc. This seems like a mighty pain in the arse, especially when you maybe have to also secrete a battery pack somewhere about your person.

> picks up sound from all around you including audience chatter

'were you recording this andy?'
'still am, joe...'

8)

Hmm. That could be the problem - line-in anticipates a hotter signal, so a mic signal might just not be powerful enough to create a good recording.

The thing about most small capsule condenser mics is that they need external power and that usually comes in the form of 1.5-2V phantom power from the mic-in socket; if you're using one into a line-in they'll require their own battery pack.

Another good reason to get a dynamic mic - they don't need batteries or external power sources.

have you tried playing around with the setting on your MD recorder? There should be a way to boost the recording level internally . . . little clip-on mics are always the best, but they shouldn't be bad. What are your mic techniques like? Are you getting the mic close enough? granted, it could all come down to not having a "mic in" thing.
Also, that mic you linked to via amazon is one that i've used before. it's pretty sensitive, so i wouldn't record from within your rucksack. the handling noise will overpower anything else you're trying to record. if you're trying to make a recording in a discreet way, there are stereo microphones that attach to your glasses...they're hidden inside the cord thingy that keeps your glasses on. of course, you look quite ridiculous, but whatever. the best microphone for taping interviews is probably a shotgun mic. they run around $300 & are usually phantom powered, so you won't drain on your MD battery. They aren't very discreet, however. so i guess it depends on what you favor more. i can give you names of good shotgun mics, if you need brands, etc.

gives some tips on being stealth-like with yer mics.