need info on PZM mics

[pchorman]

Can anyone with experience using these mics please fill me in, as I've never used one. Someone recently recommended a radio shack PZM for recording my band in the basement where we practice; thus far I've only used SM57's and 58's into a 4-track. Will a PZM be an improvement? What kind of frequency response do they offer? How much do they cost? Any recommendations?

I'm sure if I searched this forum back far enough I'd probably dig up a thread, but if you can save me that effort I'd appreciate it.

 

[Tekker]

I had heard on another thread that Radio Shack no longer makes the PZM. Anyone want to comment on this??

 

[pchorman]

yea, following my post I researched it more and found out that the shack no longer carries it. Apparently it was sold under license from Crown, the innovator of the concept. "Pressure Zone Mic (PZM)" is their trademark; boundary effect mic is the industry term.

I would still like to know how such mic's work out for band recording. From the info I've gathered on the internet, they're used in many recording studios and as stage floor mics but that doesn't give me a practical feel for how they might work in my application.

How do these rate against the basic SM57s for whole-band recording, anyone?

thanks again

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

There are SO many relatively decent, inexpensive mics out there...

...why would anyone even consider using an RS mic at all!?!?!?

Look at Rode, Shure, Audio-Technica - they all have low-priced condensers that will easily outperform the PZM or any other RS mic.

If you need some oddball connector or s-shaped battery or something, go to Radio Shack. You need studio gear - go to a dealer proper....

Bruce

 

[pchorman]

I read on a forum somewhere, maybe even in the tutorials or background info provided here, that this particular RS mic was built by Crown and was sold at an attractive price. I was in the shit shack just today and I saw mics for sale that are made by Shure, since you mentioned that Shure ranks among the better mfrs.

Anyway, if you say this type of mic is easily outperformed by lower cost and more conventional alternatives, that is the type of feedback I am looking for. have you used the PZMs?

 

[jaxjim]

pzm's

I've never worked with PZMs myself, but I know of some soundmen who do. The old RS PZM's are a little known secret. You have to modify them. RS mucked them all up by putting a 2 wire 1/4inch on them, but they're balanced from the mic to the battery.

Perfect for church choirs, because they can pickup a relatively large area with only one mic. great attached to the lid of an upright piano. If you ever get the chance to see the local broadcast of a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game, if you can hear every check into the boards and every scape of the skates like your on the ice with them the engineer is using PZMs. Also good for tele-conferencing if you don't have anyone hitting the table, because a PZM makes the whole table the mic.

They tend to have the frequency response of an omni-directional, since that's usually what's used. That might be why it was suggested to you, but probably not what you want for a small band, unless you just want to record the bass player farting along with the instrument you're micing.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I read on a forum somewhere, maybe even in the tutorials or background info provided here, that this particular RS mic was built by Crown and was sold at an attractive price. I was in the shit shack just today and I saw mics for sale that are made by Shure, since you mentioned that Shure ranks among the better mfrs.

Anyway, if you say this type of mic is easily outperformed by lower cost and more conventional alternatives, that is the type of feedback I am looking for. have you used the PZMs?

The RS mics made by Shure are a far cry from branded Shure mics (kinda like a Sears copy of a Strat) - the modest and ubiquitous SM57 will outperform ANYTHING that RS sells... and will be of more general usefulness...

I have used the PZM back in my 4-track days. You have to modify it for it to even be under consideration - simply powering it with 12-18 volts (special batteries that fit AA casing) improves the response. It CAN work in some applications, but it isn't an all-rounder. Even with the mod I found its top-end a bit harsh.

You can do far better than RS for mics.......... go to a real dealer and see if you can borrow a couple to try out...

Bruce

 

[mikeh]

I purchased a Radio Shack PZM a long time ago (they were reportedly better made back then - re: the Crown unit)). This was before the days of affordable condenser mics. Yes they did have a wider pick-up range then the standard dynamic mic.

However, I completely agree with Bruce, with the number of good low priced condensers out there you can do better then a RS PZM. Actually, unless there is a very specific need I could not justify the cost of a pro quality PZM versus a good condenser.

 

[mastahnke]

You didn't get a whole lot of info actually regarding PZMs. I have a real PZM from Crown. It lists for about 400$. I use it for Grand Pianos and overhead drums...sometimes. Pianos is best. In your case for using it with a four track, it would work, assuming you have phantom power. It will pick up everything in the room. If you are looking to just have one mic and basically one track, it would do the job, however trebble will cut through more than bass heavy instruments. Also, You want to place it near a wall and up kind of high. If you just want to record a practice, it would work. If you want to make a recording, try micing things individually.
MIKE

 

[Tom Hicks]

Why PZM?
The little condensor mike is hidden away in a recess so that sound can only approach it from a single point.So no weird echoes or phase problems from multiple reflections.The old RS PZMs can easily be changed to low Z for recording.
My band has one we use to record practices.We mount the plate on the ceiling and it sounds much better than a room mike.Radio Shack doesn't sell them anymore but the original maker Crown Itl. still does.If you get one,make sure its not one of those business conference models.They are optimised for voice and aren't full range.Just check the specs.Last time I looked at the Crown website they had a lot of different models.

Tom

 

[hixmix]

You can get a Crown PZM at Sam Ash for $69.99.

 

[barefoot]

Check out my post in "Studio Foam Behind Monitors" thread in the Studio Building forum. I explain how there is a –6dB step in the low frequency response of monitors due their finite baffle size. The same applies to the sensitivity of a PZM.

barefoot