Sony ECM-MS908, the one for me? at DVinfo.net

Oskar We · February 9th, 2005, 02:25 PM

So i just bought a NV-GS400 cam and now i´m looking for a mic to use with it.

I want a small microphone that works great when shooting documentarys (you know like following a guy and interviewing him while his walking around in a mall or something)
I´ll be handling all things on my own (no crew) and there fore i want a microphone that i just can attatch to the cam and then know that it will be a good sound. No fuzz!

I´ve been thinking about the Sony ECM-MS908 because it looks like a good mic when shooting documentarys: if i´m shooting an interview while walking i just have to attatch the mic on to the camera and turn it to 90° and if i´m doing an interview with a person that´s just sitting down i take a longer cable and put the mic right infront of the person. Or is it not that great for these situations?
Perhaps there is a better mic?
(I don´t want a mic that´s to expensive, $200 the most)

Would be great to hear from you guys that have tried the MS908!

Jack Wheeler · February 9th, 2005, 04:16 PM

I have the mic and have used it to improve the recording in my PC series Sony cam.

Right from the first playback, there was a dramatic, dramatic difference. I cannot imagine not using an external mic anymore.

For a budget mic, I recommend it. I have a 3m accessory cable and it is fine. You do need to consider that this version does not come with the table stand.

Oskar We · February 9th, 2005, 04:20 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jack Wheeler : I have the mic and have used it to improve the recording in my PC series Sony cam.

Right from the first playback, there was a dramatic, dramatic difference. I cannot imagine not using an external mic anymore.

For a budget mic, I recommend it. I have a 3m accessory cable and it is fine. You do need to consider that this version does not come with the table stand. -->>>

I already have a mini-table stand so that´s done.

How is the difference between 90 degrees and 120 degress recording with the mic? Or isn´t there a difference?

I´m thinking about the situation that i described; if you´re in a mall or something (noisy place) and talking to a person, does the 90-setting work well? (Does it filter sounds from the sides in a good way?!)

Ty Ford · February 10th, 2005, 06:54 AM

Sorry,

I'm not getting the degree idea. what are yuou turning 90 or 120 degrees?

Ty Ford

James Connors · February 10th, 2005, 07:47 AM

i have the 908c (camera shoe mount version) as i bought it before i had a camera with XLR input (i constructed a 4.5" long converter that sticks half a mile out tho!) and its a nice little mic. have had some good sounds from it, mainly because i'm shooting very loud music and inbuilt mics on sony's distort to hell straight away.

i used it in conjunction with a shure sm58 the other day, and combined the sound was quite interesting. now if i'm lucky i just use it as a backup to the desk feed (no audience applause etc)

Jack Wheeler · February 10th, 2005, 11:18 AM

I can't address the degree difference, as I haven't run any comparisons. Although I is clearly audible, the spacial sound and soundstage, when monitoring with headphones.

Glenn Chan · February 10th, 2005, 08:36 PM

The microphone is M/S stereo design, so the setting I believe changes the direction the side microphones are pointed. It should increase the stereo seperation you get???

If you own the mic, probably run some recording tests on stereo sounds (and sounds from directly in front with background noise). Monitor on speakers (properly placed, with your head and the 2 speakers forming an equilateral triange) and not headphones to get a proper sense of stereo-ness.

From what I remember of hearing this mic (the non-camcorder version), it sounds very good (but my memory can definitely be wrong). It will pick up vibrations from the camera though, depending on your mic mount.

February 9th, 2005, 02:25 PM	#1
Oskar We New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 14	Sony ECM-MS908, the one for me? So i just bought a NV-GS400 cam and now i´m looking for a mic to use with it. I want a small microphone that works great when shooting documentarys (you know like following a guy and interviewing him while his walking around in a mall or something) I´ll be handling all things on my own (no crew) and there fore i want a microphone that i just can attatch to the cam and then know that it will be a good sound. No fuzz! I´ve been thinking about the Sony ECM-MS908 because it looks like a good mic when shooting documentarys: if i´m shooting an interview while walking i just have to attatch the mic on to the camera and turn it to 90° and if i´m doing an interview with a person that´s just sitting down i take a longer cable and put the mic right infront of the person. Or is it not that great for these situations? Perhaps there is a better mic? (I don´t want a mic that´s to expensive, $200 the most) Would be great to hear from you guys that have tried the MS908!

February 10th, 2005, 06:54 AM	#4
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Sorry, I'm not getting the degree idea. what are yuou turning 90 or 120 degrees? Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

February 9th, 2005, 04:16 PM	#2
Jack Wheeler New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16	I have the mic and have used it to improve the recording in my PC series Sony cam. Right from the first playback, there was a dramatic, dramatic difference. I cannot imagine not using an external mic anymore. For a budget mic, I recommend it. I have a 3m accessory cable and it is fine. You do need to consider that this version does not come with the table stand.

February 9th, 2005, 04:20 PM	#3
Oskar We New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 14	<<<-- Originally posted by Jack Wheeler : I have the mic and have used it to improve the recording in my PC series Sony cam. Right from the first playback, there was a dramatic, dramatic difference. I cannot imagine not using an external mic anymore. For a budget mic, I recommend it. I have a 3m accessory cable and it is fine. You do need to consider that this version does not come with the table stand. -->>> I already have a mini-table stand so that´s done. How is the difference between 90 degrees and 120 degress recording with the mic? Or isn´t there a difference? I´m thinking about the situation that i described; if you´re in a mall or something (noisy place) and talking to a person, does the 90-setting work well? (Does it filter sounds from the sides in a good way?!)

February 10th, 2005, 07:47 AM	#5
James Connors Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 223	i have the 908c (camera shoe mount version) as i bought it before i had a camera with XLR input (i constructed a 4.5" long converter that sticks half a mile out tho!) and its a nice little mic. have had some good sounds from it, mainly because i'm shooting very loud music and inbuilt mics on sony's distort to hell straight away. i used it in conjunction with a shure sm58 the other day, and combined the sound was quite interesting. now if i'm lucky i just use it as a backup to the desk feed (no audience applause etc)

February 10th, 2005, 11:18 AM	#6
Jack Wheeler New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16	I can't address the degree difference, as I haven't run any comparisons. Although I is clearly audible, the spacial sound and soundstage, when monitoring with headphones.

February 10th, 2005, 08:36 PM	#7
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	The microphone is M/S stereo design, so the setting I believe changes the direction the side microphones are pointed. It should increase the stereo seperation you get??? If you own the mic, probably run some recording tests on stereo sounds (and sounds from directly in front with background noise). Monitor on speakers (properly placed, with your head and the 2 speakers forming an equilateral triange) and not headphones to get a proper sense of stereo-ness. From what I remember of hearing this mic (the non-camcorder version), it sounds very good (but my memory can definitely be wrong). It will pick up vibrations from the camera though, depending on your mic mount.