Thanks for all the excellent advice. I seem to be homing in on a workable,
compact solution, which would mean using the Minidisc player as the recorder
and forgetting the PC. I have an old pair of National Panasonic WM-2244-N
microphones (bought as a pair, reference RP-8135). They are "low impedance"
500ohm dynamic, and seem to work OK with the MD player, providing I set
"high sensitivity". That would avoid the need for pre-amps and electrical
power, since the MD player will record happily for long enough on its
internal battery coupled with a piggy back alkaline AA.

My only concern would be whether the mikes would be sensitive enough when
placed, say, 40 feet from the centre of the choir and orchestra. Might it
help to make the mikes more directional if I place some kind of cones around
them?? Or an umbrella behind??

Thanks for any more thoughts.

Steve

steve wrote:

Thanks for all the excellent advice. I seem to be homing in on a
workable, compact solution, which would mean using the Minidisc player as
the recorder
and forgetting the PC. I have an old pair of National Panasonic WM-2244-N
microphones (bought as a pair, reference RP-8135). They are "low
impedance" 500ohm dynamic, and seem to work OK with the MD player,
providing I set
"high sensitivity". That would avoid the need for pre-amps and electrical
power, since the MD player will record happily for long enough on its
internal battery coupled with a piggy back alkaline AA.

My only concern would be whether the mikes would be sensitive enough when
placed, say, 40 feet from the centre of the choir and orchestra.

With a choir *and* orchestra you have the potential for some serious use of
dynamic range so when they go full pelt mic sensitivity may not be a
problem. if you are placing the mics 40 feet away I assume that means the
choir + orchestra is about that width? if it is less you can bring them in
closer.

Might it
help to make the mikes more directional if I place some kind of cones
around
them?? Or an umbrella behind??

Definitely not, you would almost certainly introduce unwanted side effects.

Ian

steve wrote in message
...
Thanks for all the excellent advice. I seem to be homing in on a
workable,
compact solution, which would mean using the Minidisc player as the
recorder
and forgetting the PC. I have an old pair of National Panasonic WM-2244-N
microphones (bought as a pair, reference RP-8135). They are "low
impedance"
500ohm dynamic, and seem to work OK with the MD player, providing I set
"high sensitivity". That would avoid the need for pre-amps and electrical
power, since the MD player will record happily for long enough on its
internal battery coupled with a piggy back alkaline AA.

My only concern would be whether the mikes would be sensitive enough when
placed, say, 40 feet from the centre of the choir and orchestra. Might it
help to make the mikes more directional if I place some kind of cones
around
them?? Or an umbrella behind??

If your MD recorder is anything like mine (relatively boggo Sharp), it's
possible to monitor the signal with a half decent pair of headphones and
alter the recording level as you go along to get something reasonable.
Obviously some bits will be louder than others, so you'll want to check
you're not going to get clipping when you set it up.

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 21:35:21 -0000, "steve"
wrote:

My only concern would be whether the mikes would be sensitive enough when
placed, say, 40 feet from the centre of the choir and orchestra. Might it
help to make the mikes more directional if I place some kind of cones around
them?? Or an umbrella behind??


40ft back may be a sensible recording position if the stage is 40ft
wide. If not, get closer. Rather like speaker placement in a
listening room. Putting them in the right place is almost more
important than what they are :-) Especially if you're after any sort
of stereo experience.