Sony PCM-D50: What microphones are people using? at DVinfo.net

Barron Thompson · February 16th, 2009, 02:20 PM

and what cable adapters if any.

Allan Black · February 16th, 2009, 04:27 PM

The D50 mics are surprisingly very good, they'll take a huge SPL. I use them at 120degree spread for location sfx. Recorded a 4 piece street band on spec, 120d handheld and it worked well; used Sony 7506 cans to balance.

I've got the matching Sony XLR adaptor with 48volts and the RODE NTG-3 sounds great along with the NT4. Strangely enough one recording with the RODE SVM didn't sound that good, have to try again.

Cheers.

Barron Thompson · February 16th, 2009, 05:02 PM

Y'know Allan, after I posted this thread, I should have acknowledged what every user seems to say which is that the internal mics are great. So.. on their own, I have a question about recording dialogue for two people. If the PCM-D50 is out of the frame, but as close as possible to the talent, can you dial down the gain (or do something else) to record their conversation with a minimum of background noise? Would it be best positioned low to record "up" or would off to the side ok?
And yes, the XLR adapter is a solution with phantom powered mics albeit a pricey one.

Allan Black · February 16th, 2009, 06:33 PM

Get a speech level and position the D50 by listening on good headphones. Up or overhead facing down smack in between the talent probably sound best, maybe favour the quieter speaker.

I'd experiment by pointing the D50 cardioid mics straight ahead or at 90d, depending on how far the talent are apart. You shouldn't get too much out of phase to worry.

Put the D50 limiter on, low cut 75Hz on, and adjust the volume to read average -12dB, as per the manual. I favour mono for the final mix.

Of course the closer the mics are the less background noise but if it's too loud either have the talent speak up, or relocate to a quieter spot.

Cheers.

Barron Thompson · February 16th, 2009, 08:21 PM

Thanks Allan. I'll give those a try when my recorder arrives.

Gary Nattrass · February 17th, 2009, 03:06 AM

If using an external mic I have the Sony 957 which has a 1/8" jack on it so is easy to interface:SONY ECMMS 957 Microphone | GoSale

February 16th, 2009, 02:20 PM	#1
Barron Thompson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 67	Sony PCM-D50: What microphones are people using? and what cable adapters if any.

February 17th, 2009, 03:06 AM	#6
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	If using an external mic I have the Sony 957 which has a 1/8" jack on it so is easy to interface:SONY ECMMS 957 Microphone \| GoSale __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

February 16th, 2009, 04:27 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,927	The D50 mics are surprisingly very good, they'll take a huge SPL. I use them at 120degree spread for location sfx. Recorded a 4 piece street band on spec, 120d handheld and it worked well; used Sony 7506 cans to balance. I've got the matching Sony XLR adaptor with 48volts and the RODE NTG-3 sounds great along with the NT4. Strangely enough one recording with the RODE SVM didn't sound that good, have to try again. Cheers.

February 16th, 2009, 05:02 PM	#3
Barron Thompson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 67	Y'know Allan, after I posted this thread, I should have acknowledged what every user seems to say which is that the internal mics are great. So.. on their own, I have a question about recording dialogue for two people. If the PCM-D50 is out of the frame, but as close as possible to the talent, can you dial down the gain (or do something else) to record their conversation with a minimum of background noise? Would it be best positioned low to record "up" or would off to the side ok? And yes, the XLR adapter is a solution with phantom powered mics albeit a pricey one.

February 16th, 2009, 06:33 PM	#4
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,927	Get a speech level and position the D50 by listening on good headphones. Up or overhead facing down smack in between the talent probably sound best, maybe favour the quieter speaker. I'd experiment by pointing the D50 cardioid mics straight ahead or at 90d, depending on how far the talent are apart. You shouldn't get too much out of phase to worry. Put the D50 limiter on, low cut 75Hz on, and adjust the volume to read average -12dB, as per the manual. I favour mono for the final mix. Of course the closer the mics are the less background noise but if it's too loud either have the talent speak up, or relocate to a quieter spot. Cheers.

February 16th, 2009, 08:21 PM	#5
Barron Thompson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 67	Thanks Allan. I'll give those a try when my recorder arrives.