ECM-MSD1 Sony High Grade Stereo Microphone / Filming A Bar Band at DVinfo.net

Peter Bock · February 19th, 2004, 10:02 AM

Hi,

I recently purchased a DCR VX2100 and I'd like to get opinions on this microphone. Is this a significant upgrade to the standard microphone?

This would be used to film is a rock band playing in a small bar. I don't have the ability to take an audio feed from a mixer, and I'm looking for the least cumbersome setup.

Also, should I leave the audio settings on auto, or will that lead to problems?

Any opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Pete

Mike Rehmus · February 19th, 2004, 05:22 PM

Probably not an appreciably better sound solution. It is designed to mount on your camera and that doesn't resolve the basic problem of having a microphone mounted on the camera.

There are no easy nor inexpensive solutions to club sound. Either you do it very close to 'right' (whatever that may be) or you might as well stick with the on-board microphone.

Auto is rarely good enough for quality sound recording.

Peter Bock · February 19th, 2004, 09:59 PM

OK - I've also given some thought into purchasing a minidisc player to record live concert audio. I'd like to get one that could take an output from a soundboard or simply plug a mic into it and record. Can anybody suggest a minidisc recorder that is suitable for recording rock bands at small to medium sized venues? I'd like to keep my budget in the $200 range.

As far as my on board camcorder sound goes - what deciblel level should I be targeting to get the best overall sound without distortion? -10db or so?

And, I'd still like to hear how the Sony ECM-MSD1 microphone stacks up against the on-board DCR-VX2100 microphone.

Thanks...

Richard Iredale · February 28th, 2004, 07:50 PM

I bought a used Sharp MD-MT15 on eBay last fall. It works so well, I bought a second unit last month. Both cost about $65.

I don't know much about new machines, but traditionally, Sony Minidisc recorders required one to stop the recording in order to change the record level. The Sharp units can do it while recording.

With a digital recording, the output will be perfect up to the point the record level hits 0db. Beyond that it will sound horrible. So the trick is to select a recording level where peaks never quite reach 0db.

February 19th, 2004, 10:02 AM	#1
Peter Bock Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4	ECM-MSD1 Sony High Grade Stereo Microphone / Filming A Bar Band Hi, I recently purchased a DCR VX2100 and I'd like to get opinions on this microphone. Is this a significant upgrade to the standard microphone? This would be used to film is a rock band playing in a small bar. I don't have the ability to take an audio feed from a mixer, and I'm looking for the least cumbersome setup. Also, should I leave the audio settings on auto, or will that lead to problems? Any opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks, Pete

February 19th, 2004, 05:22 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Probably not an appreciably better sound solution. It is designed to mount on your camera and that doesn't resolve the basic problem of having a microphone mounted on the camera. There are no easy nor inexpensive solutions to club sound. Either you do it very close to 'right' (whatever that may be) or you might as well stick with the on-board microphone. Auto is rarely good enough for quality sound recording. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

February 19th, 2004, 09:59 PM	#3
Peter Bock Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4	OK - I've also given some thought into purchasing a minidisc player to record live concert audio. I'd like to get one that could take an output from a soundboard or simply plug a mic into it and record. Can anybody suggest a minidisc recorder that is suitable for recording rock bands at small to medium sized venues? I'd like to keep my budget in the $200 range. As far as my on board camcorder sound goes - what deciblel level should I be targeting to get the best overall sound without distortion? -10db or so? And, I'd still like to hear how the Sony ECM-MSD1 microphone stacks up against the on-board DCR-VX2100 microphone. Thanks...

February 28th, 2004, 07:50 PM	#4
Richard Iredale Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 67	I bought a used Sharp MD-MT15 on eBay last fall. It works so well, I bought a second unit last month. Both cost about $65. I don't know much about new machines, but traditionally, Sony Minidisc recorders required one to stop the recording in order to change the record level. The Sharp units can do it while recording. With a digital recording, the output will be perfect up to the point the record level hits 0db. Beyond that it will sound horrible. So the trick is to select a recording level where peaks never quite reach 0db.