advice concerning minidisc recorder sampling...

[Elkie]

right, so ive got a minidisc recorder, and a microphone (like a vocal mic, similar to a shure sm58, i dont know the technical terms haha)

how do i go about connecting them together in order to record samples?
do i need to get some sort of pre amp or a way to supply the power to the mic, or do i just plug the mic into the minidisc recorder with an xlr to minijack lead?

i find it kind of hard to beleive the minidisc recorder will supply the mic with enough power for loud enough, good quality recordings...

thanks for your help!

[Citrus Boy]

normal mics aint powered dude. Only top end condenser mics you find in recording studios use 48v phantom power supplies.

it should work fine if you're plugging it into a socket that says "mic" next to it.

[heimlich]

I have successfully used a Sony MZ-N707 MD and SP-TFB-2 Binaural Microphones in the past. That setup worked fine. The Sony MZ-N707 sends power to the microphone. I can't remember off hand whether or not I tried a dynamic microphone like the one you suggested. Grab the manual for you MD and check to see if it has a powered microphone input or if it is only line level. The MiniDisc Portal could offer some good information.

[shnyde]

I'm gonna possibly pickup a Sony MZ-N707 MD on the cheap, what mics would you guys reccomend though for field recording? the ones stated seem to be vocal mics and i want something to record sounds in public places/tunnels and possibly the odd human voice chattin shit

[futures_untold]

Have you read and understood this? ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphones

My guess is that if one is trying to record ambient sounds, an omni directional or hyper cardoid mic would work best. Some mics have selectable patterns, so consider the uses vs features when buying a mic.

Re: Minidisk

Most minidisks I've used simply accept a 3.5mm 'mini jack' connection. If one were to use a condenser mic like the SM58, one would need a cable with an XLR connection at one end, and a 3.5mm mini jack connection at the other. This is unlikely to be stocked in shops, so a simple work around is to buy a cable that has XLR to 1/4in jack connections on it, and then to use a 1/4in jack to 3.5mm mini jack converter.

[renegatus]

MiniDiscs are pretty damn good for field recording I find. My missus swears by them too, pretty much. She's recorded plenty of stuff and some of it has been out on radio, good quality.