Location recording mic?

[zzzms]

I'm looking to buy a reasonably good stereo mic, or a matched pair, to do some outside location recording, mostly ambient street sounds. I'll be recording to a Tascam DR-40, and I have a budget of £200-ish, of course I'd like to spend less... Any tips would also be welcome as this is something I've never tried before.

 

[moresound]

What is wrong with the on board microphones on the Tascam?

 

[Tomm Williams]

Not interested in an omni like a EV635?

 

[elbandito]

the 635 is pretty awesome, I must say.

as for stereo mics, what about the NT5 from Rode? Audio Technica also makes a nice one, but it's much pricier. I used a pair of Rode M3's for a long time but they were pretty big... I'd recommend something smaller, lighter and - I hate to say it - more expensive. You'll also need to make sure you've got great wind protection.

What's your budget looking like and what have you got your eyes on at the moment?

 

[Bobbsy]

The "industry standard" mic for this sort of recording is the Sennheiser MKH416--but this costs a lot more than your budget.

HOWEVER, back in the days when I was carrying a 416, my back up mic was a Rode NTG-2. It's a lot cheaper (not sure what the price would be where you are but hopefully not too far out of your budget) and, to most ears, the sound (and the off axis rejection) was very similar to the Sennheiser.

FYI, there's also the NTG1--the mic is identical to the NTG2 but the 2 features a battery compartment so you can plug it into cameras and recorders without phantom power. That's one of the reasons I used the NTG2 but, if you know you will always have phantom, the NTG1 will be fine.

 

[Bobbsy]

Not interested in an omni like a EV635?

The EV635a was already kicking around as an interview mic when I got my first job in TV in about 1972. I'd hardly describe it as "pretty awesome". Rugged so you can throw it into your equipment case and have it keep working forever, yes, but not the greatest mic in the world.

The top end of its frequency response is around 13kHz--it's designed as a voice mic (for close miking), not for general duties. The output level is also pretty low so you have to be sure of the mic pre amps on your recorder.

For location sound, you want some kind of condenser, probably a short shotgun--not a dynamic omni.

 

[elbandito]

The EV635a was already kicking around as an interview mic when I got my first job in TV in about 1972. I'd hardly describe it as "pretty awesome". Rugged so you can throw it into your equipment case and have it keep working forever, yes, but not the greatest mic in the world.

The top end of its frequency response is around 13kHz--it's designed as a voice mic (for close miking), not for general duties. The output level is also pretty low so you have to be sure of the mic pre amps on your recorder.

For location sound, you want some kind of condenser, probably a short shotgun--not a dynamic omni.

I suppose I should have been clearer in my post. When I say the 635 is "pretty awesome", I'm not really speaking about it in terms of practical field recording use. I use them at home, strictly - on my vocals, as drum OH and on guitar cabinets. For all of these sources, I really enjoy this mic.

For the OP's purposes though, an omni condenser mic mightn't be such a bad idea. Less worry with breezes or stereo setups, no need for a pistol grip or a rycote... *shrug*

I'd like to know more about what he/she/they are trying to capture and why.

 

[elbandito]

The "industry standard" mic for this sort of recording is the Sennheiser MKH416--but this costs a lot more than your budget.

HOWEVER, back in the days when I was carrying a 416, my back up mic was a Rode NTG-2. It's a lot cheaper (not sure what the price would be where you are but hopefully not too far out of your budget) and, to most ears, the sound (and the off axis rejection) was very similar to the Sennheiser.

FYI, there's also the NTG1--the mic is identical to the NTG2 but the 2 features a battery compartment so you can plug it into cameras and recorders without phantom power. That's one of the reasons I used the NTG2 but, if you know you will always have phantom, the NTG1 will be fine.

Another mic to consider - which I've heard nothing but great stuff about - is the AT4073. Google it up and see if it suits your needs. It's considerably cheaper than the 416 and ppl really seem to like it.

 

[Tomm Williams]

My suggestion of the EV 635 was based on the OP's statement of recording "ambient street sounds" which (To me) doesn't sound like anything above 13k is much of a concern. He also stated a desire to spend as little as possible, 635's can easily be found under $100.00

 

[moresound]

What's in the street?

 

[zzzms]

Many thanks for the replies.
The reason I'm wanting to record some 'ambient streets sounds' is for a project that I've been working on that involves very long, evolving sounds. Whilst working on it during the summer, with the window open, I noticed that the sounds from outside kind of tied things together some what, and made things a little less 'alien'. There are also a number of specific samples that I want, such as train announcements and and the like, for other as yet unknown purposes...I have strange ideas, sometimes!
I have very little experience of mics, besides SM58's for vocals, as I DI everything, and so I come here for a little advice to fill my hole of ignorance. The reason(s) I want to use mics over the built-in ones is purely for experimentation purposes and flexibility - I could use the mics for other purposes in my studio set-up, and I'd probably have the DR-40 in my pocket!
Again, many thanks for the replies. I'm off to research your suggestions. Cheers!

 

[Tomm Williams]

No such thing as strange ideas----------just creativity jumping out.

 

[elbandito]

I'd definitely recommend some small diaphragm condenser mics. They're easy to carry around in the train station, you can set up a stereo pair in your window before you go out for the day, take them out to the woods and get the sound of the leaves crunching under your feet. They'd also fit right in with your home recording setup, being useful for recording acoustic guitars and other stringed instruments and percussion of all kinds.

 

[zzzms]

I've done a spot of research and have a selection of mics that I would welcome any feedback on:

RØDE Microphones - M3
RØDE Microphones - NT5 Matched Pair
C 1000 S

My personal preference would be the Rode M3's or AKG CS1000's due to them having additional battery power, but I also like the idea of the matched pair of Rode Nt5's as they are, erm, matched! But what is most important is how they sound...and that's where you guys can, hopefully, help.

Many thanks.

 

[John Willett]

I've done a spot of research and have a selection of mics that I would welcome any feedback on:

RØDE Microphones - M3
RØDE Microphones - NT5 Matched Pair
C 1000 S

My personal preference would be the Rode M3's or AKG CS1000's due to them having additional battery power, but I also like the idea of the matched pair of Rode Nt5's as they are, erm, matched! But what is most important is how they sound...and that's where you guys can, hopefully, help.

Many thanks.

From your list, the only ones I would go for are the NT5 - I would not use the others.

The other advantage of the NT5 is that they can use the accessory omi head from the NT55 if you ever want an omni mic.

Definitely the best of the bunch by a long way.