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I'm working on a classified project for NASA to evaluate the possibility of detecting, remotely, whether it is possible to detect, the sound of a tree falling in a forest on earth from outer space. The classified orbital height will be 262,000 miles, embedded in a classified location on a large orbital body code-named "luna" (don't tell anybody!).

I was thinking about using a Shure M58 feeding a new Mackie Onyx desk. Then, for gain, building a daisy chain (I love daisies, that reminds me of a song...daisy, daisy, ...) building a daisy chain whereby the output of one channel is fed into the *MIC* input of the next channel, and so forth, until there are 1000dB of gain (16 times 60 dB). Would this combination work? I chose it because every conference room has Shure Mics and Mackie mixers. And I read that Mackie preamps are the best bang for the buck (a Federal, NASA, and Government requirement, not to mention regulation, for processing the bid procurement process for procuement).

Or would I have better results with a different Mic and Preamp? Maybe a Ribbon mic and a bunch of Avalon preamps? Or just one Avalon preamp (I've heard they are very good)? I don't know if I can use a Condenser mic--condensation turns to ice during launch, and that can impact the integrity of the foam insulation, leading to a loss of foam integrity, denigration of outer body beyond design and test specifications, leakage of hull properties, and ultimately, severe structural hull malfunction of purpose. So maybe I shouldn't use a condenser mic.

Anyway, I have to make a recommendation TODAY! So! Please! Help! Me!

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pmolsonmus Thu, 04/01/2004 - 05:29

Behringer has a brand new product line out for this very purpose. It looks just like the Avalon but comes equipped with a 1000db pad with 8 (count 'em) different mic simulation patterns including cardoid, hypercardoid, omni, figure 8, polar, lunar, autumnal and vernal. The great thing is its only $185 USD. It is slated for release today. It comes rackmountable and the ad says you're guaranteed pro results!

Phil

anonymous Fri, 04/02/2004 - 19:42

I agree. Impedance, impedance. Think wireless here. And to conform to traditions of govt waste, you should try the new Digidesign "Halliburton" ICON. It's 16 channels of a Pro Control midi-interface desgised as a real-live totally-awesome faux console that cost a kee-razy amount of money!!!. It has KNOBS!!!! It's awesome!! No, it's DAW-sum!!! Plus it's personally autographed by Dick Cheney. As I only see G W Bush speaking into Shure 57, America's first choice in microphones, my chain would start there. 57, launched into orbit, transmitting thru a Nady wireless to your mothership, into a real live toob preamp like the bee ringer soopertoob deluxe ($29.99 at your local Radio Shack), from there I'd really smack it with a Distressor on "Nuke" to bring up the cosmic ambience (thinks about it , isn't outer space just a really big room, and "Nuke" is for room sounds, sayso in the damn manual if you don't believe me , well it does) into my Halliburton ICON where I'll process it silly with some awesome-dawsum plugin magic and feel cool pushing faux knobs and faders. I'm so jealous. You're gonna have so much fun. Really.

realdynamix Sat, 04/03/2004 - 05:18

Sebatron wrote: how are you guys gonna get that diaphram to move seeing there's no air out there? :?

:lol: I gotta little tire compressor in my trunk, saved my butt many times. Will this help? I dunno how long the battery will last but it should put some air up there...I've never been there like you guy's, but I'd like to go sometime. :)

--Rick

anonymous Sat, 04/03/2004 - 07:48

It's really not that important if the diaphragm moves or not. It's more about herculean efforts, Americans working together to fight terror, and spending lots of dough. If the diaphragm moves, great, if not, well then at least we attempted something noble and Digidesign made a lot of money. It's bigger than me and you. Think inside the box. Think digi.