microphone for a walkman

[hk_runner]

Could anyone recommend a microphone (which costs under $300) for a walkman?


Background:
My current mic ($200) is a Sony ECM-MS957 cardioid condenser stereo mic (using a 9V battery). The mic has got a five-pin canon output. It comes with a cord with a 1/8-inch plug that connects to the walkman. Unfortunately the mic picks up too much room reverberation and ambient noise. I have been looking for a better mic, but can't find anything on the web sites of major manufacturers (e.g. AT, SHURE).

Most of the mics I've found are either not of the right pattern (some are omni mics) or not suitable for connection to a walkman (i.e. they are studio mics that need to be plugged into the XLR socket of a pre-amp or mixer).


Requirements for the new mic:

Pattern: hypercardioid or shotgun (to avoid ambient noise and room reverberation as far as possible)

Type: a condenser mic is preferred

Impedence: I'm not familar with this. Just the right impedence for a walkman. (I've heard that most studio mics can't be connected to a walkman because of impedence mismatch.)

Power: the mic should draw its power from either an internal battery or a phantom box with batteries. (It may be used where there is no mains socket).

Cord: the cord should have a 1/8-inch mini-jack (for connection to a DAT walkman or MD walkman)

Mono/stereo: either would be fine, as only a single voice is to be recorded.

Noise: a minimum level of self-noise

Source: a person's speaking voice

Use: recording teaching sessions, interviews

Budget: $300 (I think this is more than reasonable for a mic for a DAT walkman).


Thanks.

 

[tubesrawsom]

and nice shure sm 58 witha cord tht converts from xlr to 1/4 cable will do fine

 

[Marik]

<and nice shure sm 58 witha cord tht converts from xlr to 1/4 cable will do fine>

Tubesrawsom,

This is a dynamic cardioid and does not fit requirements.

Hk_runner,

From top of my head I cannot think anything better than AKG C747. Normally, it costs over $600, but you can find it on Ebay well under $200. Have a look:

http://www.akg.com/products/powerslave,mynodeid,15,id,243,pid,243,_language,EN.html

You can find a battery phantom PSU, and you will need to convert it (or cable) to a mini jack--it is not hard.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Your Sony one point mic is very good, but it is a mid-side stereo mic, and ambient noise can be an issue. Frankly, room reflections will be picked up by any good mic.
Although I don't usually recommend it for studio applications, AKG C1000S may be the right mic for the job here. An inserted adaptor (PPC1000) converts it to hypercardioid, runs on 9v battery, then you need an XLR to 1/4" cable with a miniplug adaptor. I don't know what I/O's your walkman has, but the AKG will be looking for a mic input, not a stereo line in like the SONY. Good luck. BTW, the AKG is $150 at 8th street.-Richie