need your advice on stereo mic purchase.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:59 pm

hi all,
i own korg mr1 portable recorder. the stereo mic that came with it is not that great. i need to buy a high quality stereo mic that will compliment the mr1.

greatly appreciated

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:01 pm

Well, if you're looking for seriously high quality, check out the Peluso SR14 stereo ribbon microphone. Truly gorgeous and realistic ribbon sound. Perfect for stereo field recording.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:36 pm

kittonian, thanks for the input. i am afraid to have a ribbon mic as a portable unit...the risk of destroying it is very high. it looks like a serious mic though.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:39 pm

i've never used one before, but i've heard good things about the rode nt4. you may wanna check it out.

-dave

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:08 am

How much do you want to spend?

The NT4 is pretty good value in the medium-price range. At the lower end, you could consider the Sony ECM-MS957, but it's not in the same class sonically as the NT4.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:17 am

Another option that would be inexpensive and probably pretty convenient is this Rode Video Mic. It has battery power and an 1/8" stereo output plug so connections are easy. The mount is a camera cold shoe. It is a big step up from you basic consumer video camera internal mics.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:16 am

Well...you know my opinions on the Pelusos, especially if they're now getting into rebadging ribbon mics...

For a quality (and I mean *quality*) stereo mic, you'll need to look into the Schoeps line.

I've used the Rode NT4 with my MR1000 and the two did not get along at all. I got a NASTY hiss out of it for the entire recording (which I did not get with any other mic. And yes, I did check the cable and it was fine). However, if you do get it to work well, it does have that nifty 1/8th" plug with it too. In general, I like the sound of this mic!

I have yet to try many other stereo mics out there, but I would maybe suggest trying the SP LSD 1.

The Rode NT4 (if it works okay with your unit) would likely be the best choice for affordable but high quality. Just make sure you borrow one or buy it with a good return policy first.

Cheers-

J.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:38 pm

Cucco wrote:

Well...you know my opinions on the Pelusos, especially if they're now getting into rebadging ribbon mics...

J.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion but to publicly state "rebadging" is just false. Peluso doesn't "rebadge" anything. They are all hand-built in Virginia. Believe me, I know something about this since I've been working directly with John Peluso for almost 6 years now.

The only thing Peluso has made overseas is the metal work. And just as an FYI, most all manufacturers, audio or not, have their metal work done overseas because it is prohibitively expensive to have it done here in the USA.

Tom Reichenbach of CineMag makes the custom transformers. The capsules, testing, etc. are all done by hand in Virginia.

Also, there are some very big people using Peluso microphones these days and you'll be seeing some endorsements coming out shortly. Don't be so quick to dismiss something that you know so little about. These are fantastic microphones with an amazing customer service policy/record.

-------------------------

On another note, and in response to the original poster of this thread. You do not need to be worried about the Peluso SR14 when it's taken on location. It's not an extremely fragile ribbon mic of yesteryear, where, if you looked at it wrong it would break. These are well-made and well tested and you can be sure that they will last for a very long time.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:09 pm

kittonian wrote:

Cucco wrote:

Well...you know my opinions on the Pelusos, especially if they're now getting into rebadging ribbon mics...

J.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion but to publicly state "rebadging" is just false.

So, you're suggesting that the Peluso and this mic:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/new-product-alert/45885d1196383637-ppa-r-2-stereo-ribbon-mic-r2_pop.jpg

Have nothing in common at all?? Sure...okay...whatever you say.

kittonian wrote:

Peluso doesn't "rebadge" anything. They are all hand-built in Virginia. Believe me, I know something about this since I've been working directly with John Peluso for almost 6 years now.

Fine. I again ask, where are ANY pictures of this guy at work? Where are any pictures of a factory where he "builds" things? Why do all of his mics look identical to other Chinese counterparts?

kittonian wrote:

The only thing Peluso has made overseas is the metal work. And just as an FYI, most all manufacturers, audio or not, have their metal work done overseas because it is prohibitively expensive to have it done here in the USA.

That is utter BULL SH*T and you know it. Raw brass in 2" diameter is roughly $20 a foot. A lathe ain't that expensive either. Neither is paint. Most high-quality mic manufacturers make this themselves or have a local machinist make them for them. My father-in-law is a machinist and has made more than his fair share of brass turnouts on a lathe. This particular job would take about 8-10 minutes per mic body.

kittonian wrote:

Tom Reichenbach of CineMag makes the custom transformers. The capsules, testing, etc. are all done by hand in Virginia.

Cinemag makes transformers for all sorts of folks. I don't care.

I want to see pictures or some other empirical evidence that he MANUFACTURES his own mics, not just tweaks Chinese mics.

kittonian wrote:

Also, there are some very big people using Peluso microphones these days and you'll be seeing some endorsements coming out shortly.

I don't give a rat's a$$ who uses them. This means exactly nothing to me.

kittonian wrote:

Don't be so quick to dismiss something that you know so little about. These are fantastic microphones with an amazing customer service policy/record.

I do know something about them. I've gutted a few of them and seen the same kind of stuff I see in similar chinese mics. In fact, I've seen the same backplates in chinese mics. As for service, I've had exactly one conversation with Mr. Peluso and he was less than cooperative.

kittonian wrote:

On another note, and in response to the original poster of this thread. You do not need to be worried about the Peluso SR14 when it's taken on location. It's not an extremely fragile ribbon mic of yesteryear, where, if you looked at it wrong it would break. These are well-made and well tested and you can be sure that they will last for a very long time.

All ribbon mics are fragile. Peluso hasn't figured out a way to stop wind blasts from destroying his ribbons just as Royer hasn't with theirs. Let the AC from a poorly placed air handler hit it and ....goodbye ribbon.

My biggest gripe here is that you often times are seen advising Peluso microphones and defending them against the attack that they are rebadged. Here's my problems:
1 - you sell Pelusos, so doesn't that make a bit biased, or at the very least a spammer since you haven't paid to advertise on this forum? I'm an authorized dealer for a few products myself, but you don't see me hocking my wares on this site. Sure, I put my cables in my signature block...but there's no prohibition against this. Instead, I could tell every person that inquires about a cable how great mine are...I don't.

2- Instead of you having to constantly defend Peluso, why don't you encourage him to provide some evidence on this forum that what I say is incorrect.

Again, I have NO evidence to prove that he does not rebadge his mics - only my belief. However, since they LOOK identical to many other mics on the planet (which DO originate from PRC and don't try to hide/cover that up), I find it hard to believe that this is just coincidence.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:28 pm

wow, you are so wrong that it borders on stupidity and i don't believe for a second that you've actually spoken to john because he is always cooperative and such a kind person.

i wish you the best with your cables.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:41 pm

Then prove me wrong. it shouldn't be hard to do.

if you do, I'll shut up and even apologize to you and John both.

Until then, you may say what you wish. IMO, it's "stupid" to just believe what you're told without any evidence to back it up.

Back it up.

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