Mic. comparison cd/DVD, digital recording, mic. membranes

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:00 pm

Hello recording.org,

I am a relative newcomer to the field of recording and hope you can help with some questions I have:

- I am considering building an (intended) superb microphone, yet before I choose transducer technology & practical design (condenser, ribbon, other ...?) I would like to compare the sound of different microphones. So I was wondering if anyone here at recording.org knows of a CD or DVD with focus on how different microphones sound (e.g. as a function of capsule size, various brands, ribbon mics, omni/cardioid characteristic etc.)?

- Related to ribbon microphones: I am interested in sources for ribbon membrane material as well as tips on which magnet material(s) may contribute to an open, effortless, transparent, warm, natural sound. Please suggest ....

- I am also interested in "layman's" literature (I have a generalist type of electronic engineering background) on digital recording, e.g. harddisk recording. More specifically I would like to store/save 4 channels of a raw 1 bit DSD-like signal, each of the channels at approximately 11 MHz (up to 45 Mbit/s). Any suggestions on how this can be done, and where I can read about it?

- I am also looking for sources of superb raw membrane material e.g. gold on plastic, gold foil (2 - 5 µm thickness), or other materials ... ? If you have suggestions for other superb materials I am very interested in hearing them. And not least who/where I can contact to buy it.

- And finally if somebody here knows of superb microphone capsule sources I would appreciate tips on who to contact. I would need the capsules to be supplied with some technical specifications.

In general I am looking for (very) payable solutions, my contribution being the execution of electronics and acoustic design.

Since I am also looking for a possible collaboration on this, should you feel inspired by what I write above, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Best regards & Happy New Year!

Jesper Mønsted (Denmark)

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:13 pm

AKG and Earthworks each publish CDs with various audio samples recorded with their several microphones. The AKG is available direct from the manufacturer. I got the Earthworks disc from a Sweetwater salesman.

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:10 am

Thanks for the suggestions on Microphone cds. I made a google search for the Earthworks cd but didn't find anything that looked relevant - do you by any chance have an URL for Earthworks?

Regards,

Jesper

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:25 pm

www.earthworksaudio.com
Gentle:
Directing these types of inquiries to this website are a bit confusing. Most of the folks here are the end-users of the gear you are describing.
Manufacturers of this type of gear tend to be very secretive about the logistics, outsourcing, and manufacturing processes they employ. They seldom want to share their knowledge earned from years of R & D with the general public. Having said that, here are some suggestions for sources you might try:
AES (Audio Engineering Society) at www.aes.org. This group regularly publishes papers from its members, many of whom are employed by manufacturers. They detail their R&D findings on materials, components, etc.
DPA (Danish Pro Audio) www.dpamicrophones.com. These guys are GOOD, they're very educational, and they're in your backyard.
Sony Professional Audio www.sony.com/professional. These guys practically invented 1-bit audio technology.

I would have suggested many other manufacturers
(AKG,Sennheiser/Neumann, Shure, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, E-V/Telex, etc.), but from personal experience, I can tell you that you are probably going to hit a "brickwall", especially with the German companies.
In any case, I wish you the best of luck on your quest!

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:44 pm

Hi Moonbaby,

Thanks for you reply .... found Earthworks and a search on Neumann's homepages led me to Kostas Metaxas webpages where sound comparisons between neumann, earthworks, AKG and other mikes are downloadable. The link is

http://www.metaxas.com/pages/masnewfiles/recordings2.htm

They were recorded with an analog stellavox real-to-real taperecorder. Very interesting differences, I would say...

Thanks,

Jesper

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