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General
Product Information
Visit
our Binaural
vs Cardioid FAQ if you are wondering which type of mics would be better
for your recording situations.
Visit
our MP3
Samples to hear sample recordings made with our microphones.
Note:
In certain recording situations, you may need a separate power source
for your microphones. Visit our Battery
Module FAQ for more info on why you would want to use a battery module.
If you are planning on recording loud sounds (like an amplified rock concert,
for example), please read the Battery
Module FAQ for details on making recordings of loud sounds.
Binaural
recordings are two channel recordings created by placing two Omnidirectional
microphones in your ears (or as close to the ears as is practical). Using
this technique, the location information contained in the frequency, amplitude
and phase responses of the left and right channels closely match the cues
required by the human auditory system to localize sound sources. Positioned
in this way, Binaural microphones accurately capture sonic information
coming from all directions and will produce extremely realistic recordings
when using headphones for playback.
These microphones
can also be used in a standard stereo configuration by placing
them approximately 12" to 24" apart, away from your head. This configuration
provides excellent stereo imaging for listening through loudspeakers or
headphones.
Battery
modules (power supplies)
In certain recording situations, you may need a separate power source
for your microphones. Using these mics with a battery module will allow
you to utilize the line input of your recorder instead of the mic
input (in loud recording situations). In addition, the higher voltage
supplied by the battery/filter module increases the dynamic range of the
microphones and allows recordings to be made with high sound pressure
levels without distortion or clipping. Since the battery module and microphones
are purchased separately, one battery module can be used for several different
mic sets. Visit our Battery
Module FAQ for more info on why you would want to use a battery module.
All of our Binaural microphones are compatible with any of our battery/filter
modules.
Interchangeable
elements
Aside from superior specs and performance, some of our microphones have
optional interchangeable mic elements available, each with it's own pickup
pattern: Cardioid, Hyper-cardioid, Omni-directional and Mini-shotgun.
Each additional element is sold separately, and two are needed for a stereo
set. Mic elements are available here.
The Hyper-cardioid
and Mini-shotgun elements allows you to make excellent recordings from
greater distances than even the cardioids will allow. When compared to
an Omni directional element, a recording made with unidirectional microphones
will sound as is if the microphones were much closer to the sound source.
This can be a great advantage when making recordings from a distance.
They will also do a great job of reducing unwanted audience noise from
the sides and rear.
Cable and connector details
The microphone cables are terminated in a standard 1/8" gold plated
stereo mini plug, unless otherwise noted. All of these electret condenser
microphones require a power source to turn them 'on'. There are two common
ways to power them. The first is to plug them into any device (Stereo
USB adapter; Digital recorder, DAT, MiniDisc, Camcorder, or other) that
supplies a bias voltage of between 1.5 and 12 Volts DC (commonly known
as "plug-in-power") at the microphone input jack. This configuration
allows you to use the microphones directly into the recorder when recording
less demanding subject material (where the sound level will not be extremely
loud or bassy). However, for optimum performance in loud situations, these
mics can be used in conjunction with one of our battery modules that supplies
these microphones (or any similar microphones from another manufacturer)
with the optimum bias voltage of 9-12 volts D.C. This additional power
allows the microphones to reproduce the louder sound waves without overloading,
causing distorted sound. This powering scheme works with most electret
condenser microphones, but not all. Those that don't work this way are
noted in the detail area of each item.
Sound
Quality
The Sound Professionals Binaural microphone systems have an extended frequency
response and a very natural and accurate sound, providing deep, solid
bass, smooth midrange and clean highs. They have a very wide dynamic range,
and will handle very high sound pressure levels without distortion or
clipping. (See details above for more info). When combined with one of
the battery modules, they are designed to operate into a nominal impedance
of 10K Ohms.
Warranty
Information
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