Re: MD: Recording quiet sounds with mic
Calvin wrote: > I use my Sony MD MZ-55 to record voices softly speaking (poems etc.). No > background noises. I find the noise of the pre-amp to be a real problem. > At first, I thought it was the mic, but I changed it for a much better > one and I still have the same problem. I have tried plugging the mic > into the line-in/optical input. It's less noisey, but the level is too > low (even using an audio module from Sound Professionals). Any ideas > would be most welcome? I was frustrated in my attempts to try other miking methods of a piano (with a single stereo mic). Whenever I brought the microphone too far away from the piano, I had to boost the level up which had the effect of introducing what I thought was the MD preamp noise. I even bought a decent mic preamp and the problem still persisted. Turns out the noise was was a quiet fan in the auditorium! That may seem silly, but I'm in that auditorium 4-5 hours everyday so I was automatically tuning out the normal room noises. I didn't realize the room wasn't actually silent. Fortunately I was able to return the preamp. Perhaps this could be the same for you. Try plugging your ears with your fingers, get used to the quiet, then open your ears again and see if they sound the same. -- John - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Recording quiet sounds with mic
Try turning off the automatic volume control. In very quiet situations with the SOny units, the AGC, (automatic gain control) will ramp up the amplification until the noise the input ICs make. You can avoid that by manually setting the level. You can also run the mike into a low noise pre amp and then into the the MD recorder. IT looses some of the portability and clandestine properties of a portable though. Calvin Walker wrote: > Jim, > > Thanks, but that's not what I want. Guess I'll have to abandon MD for recording. > > Calvin > > > Talk louder > > > > Calvin Walker wrote: > > > > > > Hello All, > > > > > > I use my Sony MD MZ-55 to record voices softly speaking (poems etc.). No > > > background noises. I find the noise of the pre-amp to be a real problem. > > > At first, I thought it was the mic, but I changed it for a much better > > > one and I still have the same problem. I have tried plugging the mic > > > into the line-in/optical input. It's less noisey, but the level is too > > > low (even using an audio module from Sound Professionals). Any ideas > > > would be most welcome? > > > > > > regards, > > > Calvin > - > To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word > "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Jim Coon Not just another pretty mandolin picker. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If Gibson made cars, would they sound so sweet? My first web page http://www.tir.com/~liteways - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: MD: Recording quiet sounds with mic
Hi Calvin What sort of "audio module" are you using? You should be able to get hold of a low noise pre-amp which could boost the mic signal to line level for a reasonable price (well, depending one what you call reasonable). Also, what is the self-noise of the "better" microphone, compared to the sound level you're recording? If it's say 15dB, and your source is 50dB, then 20dB of completely noise free amplification will lift the microphone's self-noise to an apparent level of 35dB, which will sound relatively loud. You probably need to select the location, microphone, and amplification VERY carefully to get good results! I found this table, which may help you judge how difficult your task is: Ballpark figures for the dB-SPL level of common sounds. SounddB-SPL Jet engine at 3m 140 Threshold of pain130 Rock concert 120 Accelerating motorcycle at 5m 110 Pneumatic hammer at 2m 100 Noisy factory 90 Vacuum cleaner80 Busy traffic 70 Quiet restaurant 50 Residential area at night 40 Empty movie house 30 Rustling of leaves20 Human breathing (at 3m) 10 Threshold of hearing (good ears) 0 Cheers Jonathan Oakley > -Original Message- > From: Calvin Walker [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: 30 January 2001 10:18 > I use my Sony MD MZ-55 to record voices softly speaking > (poems etc.). No > background noises. I find the noise of the pre-amp to be a > real problem. > At first, I thought it was the mic, but I changed it for a much better > one and I still have the same problem. I have tried plugging the mic > into the line-in/optical input. It's less noisey, but the level is too > low (even using an audio module from Sound Professionals). Any ideas > would be most welcome? - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: MD: Recording quiet sounds with mic
I don't know if the unit has the function, but make sure the mic setting on the recorder is on "High Gain", or something to that effect. Also I don't know if it is true, but in my experience I found that certain mics (those especially designed for MD's) give the correct type of output signal the MD wants. Hope it helps. Cheers. Gerard Naude E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Recording quiet sounds with mic
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === Jim, Thanks, but that's not what I want. Guess I'll have to abandon MD for recording. Calvin > Talk louder > > Calvin Walker wrote: > > > > Hello All, > > > > I use my Sony MD MZ-55 to record voices softly speaking (poems etc.). No > > background noises. I find the noise of the pre-amp to be a real problem. > > At first, I thought it was the mic, but I changed it for a much better > > one and I still have the same problem. I have tried plugging the mic > > into the line-in/optical input. It's less noisey, but the level is too > > low (even using an audio module from Sound Professionals). Any ideas > > would be most welcome? > > > > regards, > > Calvin - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Recording quiet sounds with mic
Talk louder Calvin Walker wrote: > > Hello All, > > I use my Sony MD MZ-55 to record voices softly speaking (poems etc.). No > background noises. I find the noise of the pre-amp to be a real problem. > At first, I thought it was the mic, but I changed it for a much better > one and I still have the same problem. I have tried plugging the mic > into the line-in/optical input. It's less noisey, but the level is too > low (even using an audio module from Sound Professionals). Any ideas > would be most welcome? > > regards, > Calvin > - > To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word > "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Jim Coon Not just another pretty mandolin picker. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If Gibson made cars, would they sound so sweet? My first web page http://www.tir.com/~liteways - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
