K3 Microphone selection
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I too have been wanting a new microphone. I only want a desk microphone (I
am absolutely not interested in a mobile mic) and I only want a microphone that has a flat frequency response. One of the benefits of the K3 8-band equalizer is that I can modify the audio spectrum to my desires. Okay I could take some non-flat response and accommodate, but why do that. I won't go there. I think what I want rules out most Heil communication microphones. I probably need a studio microphone with push to talk. I have an external PTT switch so the PTT feature isn't absolutely critical. So now I am looking for a quality affordable flat frequency response desk microphone with PTT if there is one. Given these constraints are there some affordable microphones out there. Of course it would be nice if I didn't have an interface problem but I know how to use a soldering iron. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA K3/100 SN508 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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> I think what I want rules out most Heil communication microphones. I
> probably need a studio microphone with push to talk. I have an external PTT ... Well if you want studio microphones, Heil is a possibility, you just need to be on the 'pro' side of the website, and not the 'communications' side of it: <http://www.heilsound.com/pro/products/> The PR-40 has a range of 28Hz to 18kHz -- although I don't know what good that does on the amateur bands. Mark AD5SS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Mike Scott-7
I have more experience with mics in the audio world than the ham world.
Finding a mic with a flat response isn't so easy. If it is a mic built for vocals, it will most likely have a presence peak. Without it, any directional mic starts to sound very muddy due to proximity effect. I believe some of the studio mics are flat. Rode NT-1 comes to mind. About $200 and flat response. Of course, it has no PTT and should be hung in a shock mount. I don't know how well it do in an RF field either. With my K2 and TS-830s (both sold) I've used a couple of "vocal mics" as ham mics, with good results. I've used the standard SM-58 and it's fine. I've also used a small diaphragm mic (Audio Technica ATM-31) and it worked a little better. The ATM-31 sounds very similar to an SM-58 bit with a bit more lower mids (to beef up my thin voice) and better articulation (condenser vs. dynamic). In live band performances I found the ATM mic worked a bit better with my vocals than the SM-58 did. For informal demo recordings, the ATM absolutely blows the SM-58 away on vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, drum overheads, etc. Or course, there's no PPT switch on these mics. I wired up a foot switch which I like better anyway. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Scott Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:48 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone selection I too have been wanting a new microphone. I only want a desk microphone (I am absolutely not interested in a mobile mic) and I only want a microphone that has a flat frequency response. One of the benefits of the K3 8-band equalizer is that I can modify the audio spectrum to my desires. Okay I could take some non-flat response and accommodate, but why do that. I won't go there. I think what I want rules out most Heil communication microphones. I probably need a studio microphone with push to talk. I have an external PTT switch so the PTT feature isn't absolutely critical. So now I am looking for a quality affordable flat frequency response desk microphone with PTT if there is one. Given these constraints are there some affordable microphones out there. Of course it would be nice if I didn't have an interface problem but I know how to use a soldering iron. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA K3/100 SN508 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hi All,
Some microphones, perhaps like the ones Kieth is referring to, have features/characteristics that really justify the cost. But I think you will find that many of the microphones today are overpriced. If you want to try a simple experiment to see if you can prove this hypothesis, go down to Radio Shack and spend a couple of bucks on one of their electret elements. Then dig out some sort of housing for it (you probably have something you could use in your junkbox), and wire it up. For very little investment you can have a microphone that will get you excellent reports. If you don't have something to use for a housing, just go to any hamfest, and I bet you find something that will work nicely. I listened to a demonstration recently between a Heil Pro Set and a home made unit with a Radio Shack element. It was certainly impressive, and I couldn't find anything to really criticize about the home made version. It sure made me wonder why I spent all this money on the ones I have. Actually, years ago I made up a microphone using a Radio Shack element, and got good reports from it. I think it was when I had my Omni 6+. But I never got to actually hear myself. Now I realize that I probably did sound pretty darn good! This has also been apparently proven using some of the inexpensive VOIP/computer microphone/headset combinations. I haven't tried that approach yet, but I'm planning on doing it. This could be an easy experiment that doesn't require much effort. And my K3 lets me hear myself, so I should be able to get some idea of how well it works. Anyway, this might be worth doing even for the curiosity value. And for those of you who are unhappy because the K3 doesn't come with a microphone, this could be a quick and easy fix for your concern. Dave W7AQK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 7:40 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone selection I have more experience with mics in the audio world than the ham world. Finding a mic with a flat response isn't so easy. If it is a mic built for vocals, it will most likely have a presence peak. Without it, any directional mic starts to sound very muddy due to proximity effect. I believe some of the studio mics are flat. Rode NT-1 comes to mind. About $200 and flat response. Of course, it has no PTT and should be hung in a shock mount. I don't know how well it do in an RF field either. With my K2 and TS-830s (both sold) I've used a couple of "vocal mics" as ham mics, with good results. I've used the standard SM-58 and it's fine. I've also used a small diaphragm mic (Audio Technica ATM-31) and it worked a little better. The ATM-31 sounds very similar to an SM-58 bit with a bit more lower mids (to beef up my thin voice) and better articulation (condenser vs. dynamic). In live band performances I found the ATM mic worked a bit better with my vocals than the SM-58 did. For informal demo recordings, the ATM absolutely blows the SM-58 away on vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, drum overheads, etc. Or course, there's no PPT switch on these mics. I wired up a foot switch which I like better anyway. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Scott Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:48 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone selection I too have been wanting a new microphone. I only want a desk microphone (I am absolutely not interested in a mobile mic) and I only want a microphone that has a flat frequency response. One of the benefits of the K3 8-band equalizer is that I can modify the audio spectrum to my desires. Okay I could take some non-flat response and accommodate, but why do that. I won't go there. I think what I want rules out most Heil communication microphones. I probably need a studio microphone with push to talk. I have an external PTT switch so the PTT feature isn't absolutely critical. So now I am looking for a quality affordable flat frequency response desk microphone with PTT if there is one. Given these constraints are there some affordable microphones out there. Of course it would be nice if I didn't have an interface problem but I know how to use a soldering iron. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA K3/100 SN508 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Mike Scott-7
On Thu, 1 May 2008 18:47:42 -0700, Mike Scott wrote:
>I too have been wanting a new microphone. I only want a desk microphone (I >am absolutely not interested in a mobile mic) and I only want a microphone >that has a flat frequency response. See the discussion of microphones and transceiver equalization in http://audiosystemsgroup.com/HamInterfacing.pdf and supporting tutorial material in http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf I work in the world of pro audio, and own a lot of good mics. I use an EV RE-16, because that's the most suitable one that I own. EV RE-10, 11, 15, 18, 20, and 27, Shure SM53 and SM54, AKG D202 and D224 would all work equally well. BUT -- these are hand held professional mics. They come with a stand adapter, and you put them on a stand. I use a floor-mounted boom stand, because I have a lot of them and it works for me. There are many good desk stands to choose from. Atlas/Soundolier is a good brand in the US. In general, communications mics do NOT have anything approaching flat response. See the two weblinks for a discussion of why this is true. I'm a serious contester and occasional DX-chaser, so I tweak my audio for maximum punchiness without distortion. My K3 is set for HIGH mic gain at the front panel input, the RE16 is wired directly between the input and the connector shell, and the mic gain is at 25. I have the EQ set for -6dB on the first four bands. +3dB on the highest band. On-the-air testing with my signal down in the other guy's noise tells me it's nice and punchy. My K3 is only four days old, and I haven't had strong signal reports on the audio yet, so I may tweak those settings before I'm done. I have several RE16s, and I've used used them quite successfully with my K2, FT1000MP, TS850, and Omni V. I had to modify the K2 audio system a bit to get enough gain for the RE16, and I also added a lot of low cut. All of the mics listed above are directional, so they reject at least half of the noise in your shack (like the fans in your power supply). If your shack is quiet, you could do quite well with mics like the EV635A. Note that very few pro mics come with switches, and those that do have a lot of proximity effect (bass boost when used close-up). Bass boost is the LAST thing you want in a ham mic. I own about 40 mics, and none of them have switches. Furthermore, any mic with a PTT switch is going to be a communications mic, and will have the extreme EQ (see the pdf). The K3 has excellent VOX, and it's easy to hook up a foot switch for PTT. Why do you need/want a switch? BTW -- Heil Sound puts cheap electret capsules in pretty packages and sells them for a lot of money (FAR more than they're worth). The only real value-add I've seen from Heil is the excellent physical construction of their headset/boom mics. BUT -- we've experienced RFI problems at N6RO with Heil headsets that have built-in electronics. :) 73, Jim Brown K9YC http://audiosystemsgroup.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I have had great results with the cheapest condenser mics I can find on
the K3 http://ei6iz.com/ I have also had similar good results with a 'desk' mic that came free with a gateway PC about 10 years ago. The k3 supports a very wide range of microphone types so I would suggest trying what you have to hand first. Those cheap computer mics use the same electret condenser elements that the 'brand name' ham manufacturers use 73 Brendan EI6IZ -- Don‘t complain. Nobody will understand. Or care. And certainly don‘t try to fix the situation yourself. It‘s dangerous. Leave it to a highly untrained, unqualified, expendable professional. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I agree, Brenden. You will find the same advice re inexpensive headsets and
ham gear in that RFI tutorial, the link to which I posted yesterday. That tutorial includes generic instructions on how to connect them to your radio. Several years ago, I bought four different models of Plantronics headsets at a hamfest near Chicago. I put connectors on them and then made adapters for my ham gear and computer sound cards. All four worked well with all the gear. I paid $20 for the lot of them. Headsets like this sell new for about $25 in the US. You can simply buy the one that fits your ear/head most comfortably. 73, Jim K9YC , On Wed, 21 May 2008 09:12:56 +0100, Brendan Minish wrote: >I have had great results with the cheapest condenser mics I can find on >the K3 >http://ei6iz.com/ >I have also had similar good results with a 'desk' mic that came free >with a gateway PC about 10 years ago. >The k3 supports a very wide range of microphone types so I would suggest >trying what you have to hand first. >Those cheap computer mics use the same electret condenser elements that >the 'brand name' ham manufacturers use _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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