Newbie: MIC for SONY WM-D6C

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rayr0683

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Hello All,
Im a recording newbie. Please dont laugh at me having a Sony Cassette Recorder, but I really love analog. I have all Reel to Reels at Home, and Vinyl Front end for my system. All of my Tape Decks have been fully calibrated, and restored/modifications where necessary, and Biased for TDK-SA Tape, which I still have plenty of. My WM-D6C was recently fully gone through, and new parts and adjustments all performed, by an Expert Service Center for these, and other Mobile Recording units.

So,my question for help is, can someone recommend a decent microphone, or phones that would work well with my WM-D6C for recording Ambient Nature Sounds, outdoors, but the Mic would not be left in bad weather or anything. I know that several Stereo Sony ECM Mic's have been recommended for this unit, namely the ECM-909A. But I also looked into the CORE Low Cost Binaurals.....also Church Audio, but these are more expensive....I looked at the Audio Technica Pro24 Mic as well. Some of thesee have the proper 3.5mm Headphone Jack style end on the mic cable. Also, would work with the Plug In Power of my Mic Input. I dont know if I necessarily have to get a seperate Preamp, Mic, and use the Line Input. Id like to be able to use the Mic Input. I would need a Mic that is sensitive enough to record low, or distant sounds. I didn't want tospend alot of money right now for a Mic, and wanted the best bang for the buck Mic that would work with my Sony WM-D6C. If I like all this, and later upgrade to any digital unit, then I may also upgrade the Mic. But for now, please help me with a good Mic that might fit my recording purposes.

I may like to try recording some local rock concerts that come to town, sponsored by local Classic Rock Radio Stations here in Philadelphhia. I realize that this would be much louder, and maybe Id use the -20 DB attenuator on the Sony WM-D6C for music recording purposes. I really appreciate any help, or advice. I do have Guitar Center, and Sam Ash stores near me locally, unless Internet Prices and Options are much better. As for the size of the Mic, something near the Audio Technica Pro24 would be a good size, and the smaller Binaurals like CORE sells would be really small and convienent. I just didnt know how sensitive they are, for recording some of the distant sounds. Than You Very Much, Ray
 
I assume ECM 909A is discontinued, because I can't find any specs or pricing on it. I've had very good luck with SONY ECM-MS957. It's a battery powered mid-side stereo mic that will do everything you are asking for. They are about $250 new, and you can find used ones on ebay for about $150. It is head and shoulders above the usual run of $100 camcorder mics. Good luck-Richie
 
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MIC for SONY WM-D6C

Hi Richard,
Thanks for answering my post with some advice. I have only read about the ECM-909A.....I'll look into this Mic on Ebay or elsewhere. Im glad that you took time to answer me. I know alot of digital fans will overlook my question. But it is very important to me, as I dont really know what to get, and dont want to make a big mistake. Thanks, Rich
 
Yo Ray! I learned about the 957 because my brother, who is a major league bootlegger, has been using it for years with stunning results. I picked one up to use with a KORG PXR4 Pandora, and have been using it for about 5 years without a hitch. On one occasion, it tipped off a balcony and fell over 20' to a concrete floor! The grill was creatively dented, but the mic still works just fine. What's not to love? It splits the difference between the $100 cheapies that suck, and the $500+ versions that are too expensive to use in a lot of field situations. Just one point- it is a mid-side stereo mic with an onboard MS Matrix decoder. This means that your left and right channel gain need to be *the same*, or you'll get to hear all the annoying noise that is being phase cancelled. I also use it in the studio occasionally, because it is that good. It took me quite a while to figure out how to get from a 3.5mm stereo plug to 2 XLR jacks! -Richie
 
Sony 957 Mic

Hey Richie!
I dont know if your familiar with the Sony WM-D6C...but it only has a Record Level Knob, it adjusts both channels at once. It doesn't have seperate level controls .....also there is only one set of LED Meters...so you cant look at Left and Right Levels.....its just the level of both. The LED's are Signal Meter and Battery Level, depending where you put the switch. So, I wont be able to independently adjust the L and R levels to equal settings. But the machine was calibrated and fully gone over. So, I hope that means all is well. Do you forsee any problems with this unit, due to this?? Wow...it can take a beating and keep on ticking.....20' Fall.....thats pretty damn good.
Thanks, Ray
 
No problem at all. The levels are already set with equal matching gain. They should be very compatible units.-Richie
 
Another forum

Hey Richie,
I was wondering about differing opinions, and tried this forum. BUt truely, this doesnt seem like a very friendly, helpful forum for newbies. Theree is one called TapersSection.som, I founf that many of the Top Memners found it no problem to stop and help newcomers, and they provided many suggestions with Mics, Batt. Boxes, Preamps, etc...and Manufacturers, that make their own MIcs, with very good Bang for the Buck Prices, and Performance. But you have been helpful. And you may enjoy taking a look at the other Forum. Ray




Richard Monroe said:
No problem at all. The levels are already set with equal matching gain. They should be very compatible units.-Richie
Click to expand...
 
Well, I don't know if you are still out there, but actually, this is Homerecording.com, not Remoterecordingwithawalkmanonsteroids.com. It's not that people here aren't helpful, many are, and some of them have strong opinions based on years of experience. Some just have strong opinions. I'm betting that some of the people who spook around on the analog forum have considerable helpful advice for someone doing cassette recording with a small unit. What little I know comes mostly from my brother, who's been using a souped up Walkman for years.
We can only share the knowledge we have, and some of us will be happy to make it up for you if we don't have it. The one thing I can say for sure is that my bro has been using a 957 into a Walkman pretty much like yours for years, and has produced some shockingly good bootlegs.-Richie
 
Cool

Its cool then, You can now spook around and help someone else in need. I found some nice binaurals. Ray



Richard Monroe said:
Well, I don't know if you are still out there, but actually, this is Homerecording.com, not Remoterecordingwithawalkmanonsteroids.com. It's not that people here aren't helpful, many are, and some of them have strong opinions based on years of experience. Some just have strong opinions. I'm betting that some of the people who spook around on the analog forum have considerable helpful advice for someone doing cassette recording with a small unit. What little I know comes mostly from my brother, who's been using a souped up Walkman for years.
We can only share the knowledge we have, and some of us will be happy to make it up for you if we don't have it. The one thing I can say for sure is that my bro has been using a 957 into a Walkman pretty much like yours for years, and has produced some shockingly good bootlegs.-Richie
Click to expand...
 
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