Freesound Forums

Hi all.

Until date, I have been using my Zoom H2's built in microphones, but I find it difficult always walking around with that thing in my hand so I'm looking for a set of small clip-on microphones, binaural/cardoid.

My budget is 200$. I will mainly be recording nature ambience.

What would you recommend? Binaural or cardoid and why?

Preferable a shop in Europe or at least shipping to Europe.

Thank you.

Luftrum
www.luftrum.com

Luftrum
Hi all.

Until date, I have been using my Zoom H2's built in microphones, but I find it difficult always walking around with that thing in my hand so I'm looking for a set of small clip-on microphones, binaural/cardoid.

My budget is 200$. I will mainly be recording nature ambience.

What would you recommend? Binaural or cardoid and why?

Preferable a shop in Europe or at least shipping to Europe.

Thank you.

Luftrum
www.luftrum.com

Luftrum, you may want to check this thread:
http://www.freesound.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1981

Sound Professionals binaurals (cherished by freesounder Digifish) are cheap and can shipped to the EU

Regards
D

PS, the track 'Silent colors' at your website sounds real good, congrats! And one can almost feel the rain

Thank you dobroide. I had Sound Professionals in mind too when it came to shopping, and after your link I definitely know I will shop there. Thanks!

Luftrum
Thank you dobroide. I had Sound Professionals in mind too when it came to shopping, and after your link I definitely know I will shop there. Thanks!

Note, these use the Panasonic WM61-A capsules, and it is easy to make your own...

various sites showing people building stereo/binaural mics from a set of Panasonic WM-61A capsules. I decided to have a go myself.

Step 1. Buy some WM-61A capsules on eBay ($15 for 10 seems OK).

Step 2. Note how small the contacts are and realize life will be much easier if you buy some cheap headphones and steal the cable. That way you end up with a nice fully formed right-angle plug but more importantly perfectly tinned/shielded wires ready to use (no cutting, wire stripping or fiddling - the key to a stress free build). $10 for some Sony cheapies, selected due to the low price and right-angled plug.

http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/11-binaurals.jpg
http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/12-binaurals.jpg

Step 3. De-solder the headphones (BTW: I dunked the unsoldered ends of the cable in a cup of boiling water to help straighten out the kinks from the knots) slip your shrink-wrap up the cable and and re-solder on the capsules. I didn't even need to apply any more solder, just hold the two together, briefly touch with the tip of the iron and zap! done. The shield-wire goes to the tabbed capsule connector..this is too easy, surely something is wrong ;D

http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/13-binaurals.jpg

Step 4. Test they are working.

http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/14-binaurals.jpg

Step 5. Shrink-wrap the capsules.

http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/15-binaurals.jpg

Step 6. Compare to Sound Professional binaurals misc...(normal sensitivity models)...they sound identical...job done.

http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/16-binaurals.jpg

Took 15 minutes, total cost ~USD $20

NOTES:

1. To hear the mics made in this tutorial search for wm61-a

2. Next step, use another two capsules to make a stereo hydrophone...

digifish

Wow! i'm impressed. Thanks a lot for this one digifish, I might consider making my own now.