rush_tech Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 I've been asked to look at buying some microphones for a our languages dept, to use when they do there speaking exams, exam board has gone all 21st century on them and now want .mp3. I was wondering what type other people are using? I suppose they need to be quite decent? Thanks in advance
Andrew_C Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 We use AT8004 mics and Marantz solid state recorders. We've discussed these in a previous thread.
adamchapman Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 We've bought a Coomber realtime CD recorder (to save the hassle of copying via usb then burning a CD) This box is simple to use - so teachers like it! - and it does what it says on the tin. Microphone wise, I ususlly lend them 2 Shure SM58s from the school recording studio. They seem to do the job. Although if budget allows, a decent condensor mic should cost £80 upwards from Musical Equipment for Schools & Education at Music Village Education I'd recommend a pair of AKG C1000 or AKG C3000 for the best quality
localzuk Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 I've had a go with one of these: "Edirol" Edirol R-09HR Recorder with 4GB SD Card at Studiospares The sound quality was superb, usability simple and they're nice and small for storage etc... A complex recording set up is not necessary for language exams - we used dictaphones at the school I went to as a kid, hardly a fancy piece of kit...
Andrew_C Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 I'd recommend a pair of AKG C1000 -- for the best quality Sorry, but no; not nice at all. Really harsh sounding. More seriously for a moment, if buying Sure 57s or 58s don't get them from E-Bay. It is rife with knock-off, poor quality, Chinese **** copies! Both these mics are cardioid pickups, and are really designed to be used close to the mouth. They can be used, but you will probably need two, one for teacher, one for student. With an omnidirectional mic, you would only need one.
localzuk Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 Sorry, but no; not nice at all. Really harsh sounding. We're not talking about recording an opera here you know... Just people speaking in a foreign language. A C1000 would do the job just fine. We have a few and they work fine.
Andrew_C Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 We're not talking about recording an opera here you know... Just people speaking in a foreign language. A C1000 would do the job just fine. We have a few and they work fine. Funny, I had worked that out. However, Adam says "I'd recommend a pair of AKG C1000 or AKG C3000 for the best quality", which the 1000s are not. I've no experience of the 3000, so I can't comment on those.
Busybub Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 We use ... and Marantz solid state recorders. Flashy git!
dhicks Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 I suppose they need to be quite decent? Nope. TTS EasiSpeaks are just fine. Cheap, robust, easy to use. £120 for 5 plus charger. Record directly to MP3, recorder acts as a USB storage device when plugged into PC. -- David Hicks
Andrew_C Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 They LOOK hideous! We recorded about 300 orals this year, not sure I'd be happy using those... The blurb says they look 'attractive', so does Whiny Amehouse
dhicks Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 They LOOK hideous! They have a new "senior school" version out that's black instead of garish yellow. Also, sticking them in a cheap microphone stand off eBay helps make the whole setup look a bit more professional. -- David Hicks
adamchapman Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 (edited) I know that SM58s are cardioid dynamic microphones they are probably one of the best known in the business! I use these for the simple reason that they are very solid in their design and will quite happily be dropped and played with by MFL teachers in a classroom environment. Their Condensor counterparts might not be so forgiving. Yes I might of said 'best quality' - maybe I should have said better quality. Anyway, as long as the exam board can hear what is being said clearly ... what difference does it actually make what gear we are using? Edited July 6, 2009 by adamchapman
Andrew_C Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 My point is that the OP may not understand the significance of the polar pattern of the mics. You could say a Nueman U87 is a good mic; if left like that how does anyone decide if it is appropriate? Before you all go off Googling them, they are very good, but VERY expensive. An SM57 is a good, well known, robust mic, but it wouldn't be my choice if spending £50+ for recording oral exams. There are more appropriate choices.
Haptic Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 be sure to give us a shout if you require a quote for any of the above as we have many routes in the Audio world,
rush_tech Posted July 7, 2009 Author Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) Cheers for the replies guys!! I think I'm even more confused now:confused: Maybe I was a little unclear in my original post, They are planning on using their laptops to record the exams using maybe audacity, Then exporting a mp3 so the mics would need to fit in the 3.5mm jack. Would this sony one be OK [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Hand-held-Microphone-with-UniMatch/dp/B00005QBVD/ref=sr_1_39?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246969566&sr=1-39]linky[/ame] Edited July 7, 2009 by rush_tech
Andrew_C Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Probably fine, but it is a directional mic. Thus it will pick up teacher or student well, and the other not so well. I'd be inclined to use an omni, but YMMV. More info 1
rush_tech Posted July 8, 2009 Author Posted July 8, 2009 I'll take a look at that one! Not too hot on microphone technology:)
rush_tech Posted July 8, 2009 Author Posted July 8, 2009 (edited) I think I'm going to go with this one. I've seen them on dabs(no stock) but I thought I'd ask on here first. I think they might be old model so may be hard to find. Maybe quote for this [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-FV320-CE7-FV-320-Microphone/dp/B00005QBVC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247043811&sr=8-8]one[/ame] aswell Edited July 8, 2009 by rush_tech
nicholab Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 You where recommended two very good mics the c1000 and the c3000 these are professional mics and you ignored this advice. Why? The c1000 is a cardioid with hyper-cardioid adaptor it can either be phantom power or power with a 9v PP3. I have used these for vocals and guitar great mic.
rush_tech Posted July 8, 2009 Author Posted July 8, 2009 You where recommended two very good mics the c1000 and the c3000 these are professional mics and you ignored this advice. Why? The c1000 is a cardioid with hyper-cardioid adaptor it can either be phantom power or power with a 9v PP3. I have used these for vocals and guitar great mic. I haven't ignored any advice I have looked at all the mics that have been mentioned and the main reason as with a lot of things in education is budget. We do not have the budget to go spending that much on a microphone and we need 4
Andrew_C Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 The c1000 is a cardioid with hyper-cardioid adaptor it can either be phantom power or power with a 9v PP3. I have used these for vocals and guitar great mic.See my comment above; however, the fundamental problem is that they are overkill at about £100 each.
nicholab Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 Suppose I used to having good kit. I was used to having a mic trunk with 4x414 7x535 3x CM-700 2x m201 m88 md 422 and md441. The C1000 is one of my all time favourite though.
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