Audio-Technica 853
Audio Technica markets this microphone as a hanging mic primarily used for reinforcement and broadcasting. The AT853′s that I used were custom mics produced by the Sound Professionals.
I thought that these mics were outstanding for the cost. Though not as small as most mics marketed for “stealth” recording, they offer many more options for the field recorder. Most notably is the option of interchangeable mic elements. I believe that every polar pattern with the exception of figure of 8′s is available for these. The Sound Professionals also sell a special “T” adapter for these allowing them to be mounted on any standard microphone stand. The adapter is flexible, but not especially suited for stereo placement other than A/B stereo (spaced omni-directionals). It (the stand) just doesn’t hold its form very well, and if your trying to achieve an exact setting of your mics of say 110 degrees with a space of 15cm (ORTF stereo), you will be hard pressed to keep it there. The mics seem to be quite rugged with the exception of the alligator clip, which after time would become worn to the point where the mic would not stay in the direction it was originally pointed in. Performance wise, they cooked. If anything, I thought that they lacked definition in the extreme of both ends (highs and lows). One of my biggest complaints with any microphone is coloration of the sound. I did not find the AT’s to add any significant artifacts here. My use of these mics also included a battery box with 7 bass roll-off settings also offered by the Sound Pros, though this is not needed. Any deck that provides “plug in power” will be sufficient to run these, but a battery box is Recommended I believe that with the battery box, this brought the total up to $260. I thought that they easily out performed other mics that I have played with in this price range.
Specifications:
Signal To Noise Ratio: 67 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
Dynamic Range: 118 dB, 1 kHz at Max. SPL
Frequency Response: 30 – 20,000 Hz +/- 10dB
Open Circuit Sensitivity: -43 dB (5.6 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
Maximum Input Sound Level: 115 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
The Sound Proffesionals True Fidelity In-Ear Binaural microphones
I thought that these mics would be good for a goof. Just another pair of cheap omni’s.
Oh, how wrong I was…..Before telling you how great these mics sound (they do sound very nice), let me first point out that these are the only mics that I’m aware of, or that are readily available with accurate binaural recording in mind. Sure, other manufactures use the term, but in order to be true to the practice, binaural recording should include the pena of your ear. This is the outer part. It is very important in regards to how sound is harnessed and directed into your inner ear where all the hearing mechanisms are located. If you’re not familiar with this method of stereo recording, check out my FAQ on mic placement. It is the accurate reproduction of “how you would hear it if you were there” that binaural recording strives for.
Man, can these mics deliver!
As you can see from the illustration, these omni-directional micro elements are mounted in a soft plastic molding that fits the inner ear. That’s right, these mics mount at least 2cm inside your ear! It makes all the difference in the world when this is done.
Playback of any recording made with these is most desirable when headphones are used. The direct separation of the channels from left headphone > left ear / right headphone > right ear completely immerses the listener into a wonderfully accurate soundscape. The stereo image is wide and clear and the sound is rich and deep. They sound pretty decent when played over loudspeakers as well, but headphones really make a good binaural recording shine. I can’t think of much that I don’t like about these. At under $70 for a pair, you really can’t go wrong. They make an outstanding low profile recording package.
I would highly recommend some sort of battery module with these. They are sensitive and can brickwall the built-in preamp on a DAT or MD deck w/little volume from the PA.
Some notes from the Sound Pro’s web site:
- Signal To Noise Ratio: >62dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
- Dynamic Range: 74dB, w/o battery module, 94dB w/ battery module
- Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Open Circuit Sensitivity: -35 dB (5.6 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
- Maximum Input Sound Level: 105 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. (120dB when powered by our battery module)
