Does anyone have experience with pin microphones? What are your thoughts?

Andrew

Is this an Australian term? - I've never heard of a pin microphone, here in the UK?

I don't think too many people even know about them, and there aren't many models, either.

Ricsonix.com (http://web.archive.org/web/20060428080959/ricsonix.com/site/index.htm) (expired page, pulled from the Internet Archive)

Pin Mic (http://www.atscomms.com/Sales/Products/Mics/Pin_Mic/pin_mic.html) (much better and more comprehensive page)

(not to be confused with a cheap and nasty "tie pin" microphone)

Andrew

You'll be hearing more about these in the near future....stay tuned.

Something to do with our fun loving audio friends at Rode? :-P

Andrew

By the way, I have two of the original Ricsonix Pin Mics, the company has since sold the rights of the product to a major manufacturer. If you'd like to hear what the original mic sounds like in a real-world example, all these clips in the following link are Ricsonix Pin Mic Continental Mills - Bread Machine Mix Handling Tips (http://krusteaz.com/brands/krusteaz/bread_tips/)

You can see the white button on her apron. It would have been nice to put a second button on the opposite side to even it out aesthetically. You can see that this is a perfect example of why the pin mic rocks. You can hide them in plain sight - and you don't have to worry about clothing rustle on fast moving subjects. Ok she's not moving that fast :)

Brilliant stuff. There's nothing wrong with that audio at all.

BTW, does the pin mic look anything like the one in this image?

Andrew

While that seems interesting, I think I prefer the idea of the Countryman B3 and B6.

B6 Omni .1" Diameter Lavalier - Countryman Associates, Inc. (http://www.countryman.com/store/product.asp?id=5&catid=10)

I have one and can vouch for the fact that they sound incredible and can be hidden nearly anywhere.

I've only worked with the Ricsonix pin mic on one occasion, disguised with almost any pin or broach, hides in plain sight better than the B6. Sounded good too. I recall reading that Rode bought the patent or something to that affect.
FYI: Although I didn't work on the film "Borat", Sacha Baron Cohen worn a Ricsonix pin mic with the 'Kazakhstan' flag. BTW, A funny f---ing movie.