On Wed, 04 Dec 2002 11:39:05 GMT, Rob and Terry Bond wrote:

>Thanks for your response. Do you have any suggestions on a pair of
>cardiod mics for use in stereo recording? Mics that can operate both on
>battery and phantom power seem most flexible. Most of my expected
>recording will be of music being played through some type of PA system
>(i.e., relatively high volume levels). I've looked at the Rodes NT5 (a
>matched pair which I've found for $240 -
>http://www.rodemicrophones.com/usermanuals/nt5um.pdf), although
>unfortunately they are phantom power only (which means using a mixer -
>I've looked at the Behringer UB1204-PRO -$140 USD, or phantom power supply)
>
>Regarding using a pair of external mics, have you had noise problems
>caused by relatively long microphone runs connected to the electrically
>unbalanced mini-plug Ext Mic input on the camcorder? I had also been
>looking at the transformer coupled Studio 1 XLR-BP Pro, for this purpose
>(although it is more expensive than buying a mixer - although certainly
>more portable than a mixer).

Well, to take a different tack......;-)
I use the 908c for "almost omni" pickup
of music, and it does very well (and a
noticeable bit better than most camera
mics (of the built-in kind) in terms of
frequency response (width and smoothness),
stereo image breadth, and relative freedom
from picking up motor, zoom, and focus
noises. It can be run single-ended at
considerable distance from the camera
without problems, if good, low-capacitance,
well-shielded cords are used (you can
make these from Radio Shack cable and
metal-cased connectors). There is little
need for running balanced lines into a
single-sided system... BTW, the 908c
(and the built-in mics) are "MS" types,
which are crossed cardioids in the same
enclosure, and these do a good job (if
properly cased...) of giving a stereo
image. One problem, though: these mics
are easily overloaded, so if you are
in a VERY loud environment, they may
distort. When recording live amplified
music on a budget, audio from the 908c
on the camera can be mixed in post with
a Mini-Disk recording of the feed from
the mixing board (it will tend to be
"dry"; the camera sound will be "wet";
EQ and mix to taste...;-).