Freesound Forums

Hello there, this is my first post here and hope someone can answer my query please.

I want to start doing field recording and it looks like the Soundman OKM Studio mikes and Marantz PMD 620 recorder would be a good affordable combination.

Would there be any point though in buying a battery preamp (eg one of the FEL ones) rather than just relying on the Marantz on-board preamp? Would there be that much less noise on the recordings to justify spending an extra £100?

I'm recording with OKMs and the PMD 620 sometimes and I'm pretty happy with that. Yes, my OKMS are noisy. On mic in they are also extremely sensitive. When I bought them there was a line in adapter included (A3). It adapts the mic signal to line in, and provides power to the mic if needed. The FELs would do the same.

I suggest you try if mic in makes you happy or not. I could try the A3 with the PMD and report the results. (I have'nt done this yet and I would need to find the adapter first....)

-afaict

Thank Afaict, that seems like sensible advice.

I had read elsewhere here that OKMs are pretty noisy, which is a bit of a shame, but it doesn't look like there are many other choices unless you want to spend quite a lot more money eg Sonic Studios DSM mics.

afaict
I'm recording with OKMs and the PMD 620 sometimes and I'm pretty happy with that. Yes, my OKMS are noisy. On mic in they are also extremely sensitive. When I bought them there was a line in adapter included (A3). It adapts the mic signal to line in, and provides power to the mic if needed. The FELs would do the same.

I suggest you try if mic in makes you happy or not. I could try the A3 with the PMD and report the results. (I have'nt done this yet and I would need to find the adapter first....)

-afaict

Hello,

did you find the A3 adapter to use it with the Line In?

I'm looking for a preamp to use with my PMD-620, just wondering if this one could be ok.

Kind regards,

JM.

Hello,
yes, I found the adapter.. but I didn't use it. I can do a test, if you want to know.

Let me just make sure (because you are not the person who asked the original question):

- the A3 is for OKMs only.
- if you use OKMs on Mic in, you'll have the small amount of current you need to feed the OKMs on virtually all recorders (1 or 2 volts, I don't remember)

So: you only need the A3 for very high sound pressure levels. Let's say over 100db. Here the OKMs (depending on the version of course) would show distortion on mic in and without the A3.

Hope this helps.

-afaict

well actually I don't plan to buy OKM mics, so that won't be for my needs.

Thanks anyway!

JM.