I bought my microphone from Bradley broadcast and Pro Audio. The
Audio-Technica AT8004 is one of their top selling microphones along
with the Shures. At online discounters, the microphone sells for $99
with no tax and free shipping. Bradley broadcast sells mono XLR to
mini cables along with the windscreens for the AT8004. It is necessary
to have a mono cable because the microphone is stereo and the speaker
will nearly always sound off center with a stereo cable. The mono
cable solves the unbalanced stereo problem. The microphone has
windscreens in I believe red, gray, white, orange, and green. I
originally got a gray windscreen for understatement, a professional
look and not to freak out the video guys who don’t want distracting
elements in their shot. I have since obtained an orange windscreen to
bring a little flair to the recording experience and a white
windscreen for an Apple and Steve Jobs look with the black microphone.
If anyone wants to hear the recordings made with the AT804 on the BPP,
let me know on the list and I can post download links to this public
audio. Folks can hear for themselves how the microphone sounds with
the cable from Bradley Broadcast. Realize though that all of the
recordings were made in large open public spaces in front of
audiences.
Kelly
On 4/18/15, Neal Ewers <neal.ewers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Or, if you want a cardioid microphone which will pick up less room ambience,
you could go with the Shure Beta 58A which I have and love.
The problem will be on any of these microphones to get the correct cable to
adapt from a XLR plug to a stereo or even mono mini jack. I have looked high
and low and have found cables, but when I use them, there is always
something slightly off in the bass response or some other problem. It
obviously can be done, but according to my research, finding a cable like
this already made which actually maintains the same exact frequency of he
original XLR is allusive.
Neal
-----Original Message-----
From: studiorecorder-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:studiorecorder-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kelly Pierce
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2015 7:00 AM
To: studiorecorder@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [studiorecorder] Re: Microphone recommendation
About 10 years ago with the help of Tim Cummings in Boston, I became an
enthusiast of the Audio-Technica AT804 omnidirectional dynamic microphone.
It has great sensitivity and captures voices colorfully and in great
fullness. The microphone has been since discontinued and the AT8004 has
replaced it. The major difference with the new model is that the microphone
is longer. It is a dynamic microphone so no power, battery or amplifier is
needed. The microphone is sensitive and can pick up subtle changes in human
voices. Given that it is more sensitive than most other dynamic microphones,
the AT804/8004 can be placed two to three feet away from the speaker s
mouth, avoiding capturing any breathing or mouth noises. Even at this
distance, the speaker s voice is highly intimate and highly personal.
I have used this microphone with the BPP and the results have been
fantastic, given that I am recording in 16-bit audio with only 44.1k
samples. A couple of the recordings have been broadcast on radio with the
producer commenting on the quality of the recording. One of the recordings I
would not have made if it were not because of the portability of the BPP. My
other recorders are either somewhat fragile or are bigger and heavier than
the BPP. The microphone looks handsome and it gains me instant respect with
a politician s handlers.
As stated earlier, the internal microphone of the BPP has a distinct noise
floor. It is often not easy to bring any unit, including the BPP, close to a
speaker s mouth. People are more comfortable having a microphone on a stand
close to their face than having a recording unit shoved at them. I have
used the BPP internal microphone to record classes and group experiences for
the purposes of having a record of the event and to take notes for a report
or study. The recording was for my personal use. The BPP was sitting on a
table or hanging on my neck. This was really convenient and much less
intrusive than pulling out a broadcast quality microphone with a long cord
and working to get good placement with a stand. I would not use the
internal microphone of the BPP to make recordings for future generations to
be listened to
50 years or more in the future, as with historical interviews or oral
history recordings.
The microphone uses a XLR connection. It will be necessary to buy a mono
cable that is XLR on one end and has a mini plug on the other. I would also
recommend a windscreen.
Kelly
On 4/17/15, Neal Ewers <neal.ewers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say it's the best internal
microphone. It is a bit noisy for my taste, when compared to even
things like the Edirol recorders, but if you are comparing it with the
other book players on the market, then yes, it is the best.
Can you get external microphones that are quieter? Yes, but the nice
thing about using the internal one is that you don't have to carry an
extra microphone around.
Neal
From: studiorecorder-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:studiorecorder-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Harry Brown
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2015 4:45 PM
To: studiorecorder@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [studiorecorder] Re: Microphone recommendation
Hi Bryan,
I'm not rob, but you've got the best internal microphone in the world
of internal microphones on the bookport plus, and I would use the
internal microphone.
Harry
On 4/17/2015 12:23 PM, Bryan Bashin wrote:
Hi Rob and others,
A slightly off-topic question, but I hope you'll oblige. I have an
APH Bookport plus and want to use an external microphone for some
quality oral interviews. Might you suggest microphones which work
especially well with
the Bookport? Again, this will be for quality voice interviews in a
quiet
location.
Thanks so much,
Bryan
