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Author Topic: binaural recording equipment  (Read 46078 times)

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Gringrinnyghost

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binaural recording equipment
« on: July 15, 2011, 03:48:14 AM »
Can some of you Binaural recording experts here point me to some equipment to start my own Binaural Recordings, Thanks! - GGG
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Gringrinnyghost

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2011, 07:19:28 PM »
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eyore

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2011, 07:49:13 PM »
Strange, there was quite a discussion on here some years ago when I asked the same question as I had thought that binaural mics were just two ordinary mics  :-[
I was soon put right and there was a fairly detailed discussion on how they worked and the equipment needed.....but I can't find it!!!!!

I think this was the page that I was directed to for more info. http://www.pugetsoundman.com/articles/stereo/binaural.htm
It'll give an idea whilst others get to read what you asked.  ;)

I had intended trying this but the cost of the mics, battery box etc was far more than I could afford for what use I could make of them :(
It was getting into silly figures.
This is a great site too but you need to register. Fantastic sound samples there but still under construction.
http://www.boundlessliving.com/allaround/index.php
« Last Edit: July 16, 2011, 08:02:06 PM by eyore »
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Gringrinnyghost

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2011, 12:01:24 PM »
I was thinking on a stereo digital audio recorder with stereo line in support and in ear binaural mics
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kirky

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2011, 02:52:25 PM »
I made my own...

Picked up a set of cheap headphones at the shack.  I disassembled them and soldered on a microphone instead of a speaker.  Pointed the speaker out at the world, instead of in towards my ears.

I think the headphones cost about $7 and the mic capsules were about $1.65 each at the time.

Something like this:  http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/PUI-Audio/POM-2244L-C33-R/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsYQxPYEnGVuL%252bd%252bkvNNR2z1%2fSN7UTuM5w%3d

I don't see the ones I got there, they were panasonic mic capsules, great range.  I made my own battery for the mics too, in my experience, you need to make sure the mics have enough power otherwise it's easy to overload them.  Makes setting your recording levels easier too.  The battery box cost about $5 in parts too, really, it's a couple of caps, a few resistors a mic plug and a 9v battery hookup.  It's not super pretty, but it works and it's way small.

While the price is right in a DIY situation, here's some pitfalls:

1.  Each mic has a different sensitivity. I wouldn't just buy two and think you're done.  I'd buy 10 and try to match them up...
2.  Wind noise can be an issue.  I've made a couple sets of these and have been experimenting with how to eliminate wind noise and I'm still working on it (not actively but next time I do some recordings I'll try something new).

I think if you want to power the device with the recorder, you would use mic in, if you build/buy a battery pack for your mics, you would use line-in.  It's been a while, a lot of my knowledge has faded.
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needmagic

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2011, 03:38:06 PM »
Check out soundprofessionals.com, they have an excellent range of in-ear binaural microphones.  I purchases a pair around two years ago and take them everytime I visit DLRP.  The sensitivity is excellent - I can't fault them.  I've used them with two Olympus records and recently with a Zoom H1.  One of the best recordings I made was of Phantom Manor and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - they picked the onboard audio up with no problem (and suffered from little wind noise).  I hope this helps.
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eyore

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2011, 04:13:51 PM »
These are pretty cheap from there
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-BMC-1
Shame I didn't know you could get them for as little as that.
Doubt they'd arrive in time for this year's visit.  :(
Do you actually NEED a power source?
I've never quite understood why you would when my stereo lapel mic doesn't.
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needmagic

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2011, 05:14:55 PM »
Some recorders mic sockets come with power - the Zoom H2 will be Ok  ;)
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kirky

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2011, 05:19:41 PM »
I'm not smart enough to understand why, but it DOES help.

I've found with Disney attractions, there is a large difference in the volumes used.  The best example I can think of is EEA, where during the initial movie you might want to pick up the deafening explosion from the Big Bang yet capture the subtle noises in the jungle afterwards.  Without a battery pack for your mics, you might either rely on AGC (big no-no) or have to adjust the levels while you're recordig (another big no-no).

The 1.5v coming out of the mic jack just doesn't give you the ability to reproduce attractions accurately.  My battery pack provides 9V (maybe it's 10 due to the capacitors) and does great.  I also use my recorder as an audio source for my videos and have been very happy with the results.  I've done a few weddings (not professionally, just for broke friends) and not having the mic overload during applause, etc have been a life saver (and makes the brides happy even though they don't realize it).

Do you need a pattery pack?  No...  But you will wonder how you got along without one once you do.  I found the price tough to justify, which is why I made my own, but if you are serious about live recordings, then they are a must for me.  They DO NOT work for induction mics and ALD recordings.

Quote from: needmagic on July 17, 2011, 05:14:55 PM
Some recorders mic sockets come with power - the Zoom H2 will be Ok  ;)
I was typing while you answered..  Yes, mic power is probably there, but not sufficient in many cases.  As I mentioned, there's a HUGE difference between 1.5v and 9v.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2011, 05:50:52 PM by kirky »
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needmagic

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2011, 05:30:48 PM »
Thanks for the advice .... I think I know what my next purchase might be!

During the last three visits to DLRP I've been trying to capture the Santa Fe exterior loop - I used the binaural mic this year which really helped ... that extra power could make all the difference next visit!

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dolbyman

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2011, 06:28:30 PM »
I use soundman OKM AI microphones

http://soundman.de/en/intro_en.html

with an A4 adapter

so far I've been using an iriver mp3 recorder, but switched to a zoom h1 (that supports uncompressed 96/24 recording)
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kirky

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2011, 07:11:21 PM »
What does that use for a battery?  I can't seem to locate anything...
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dolbyman

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2011, 07:18:00 PM »
the a4 adapter uses ... those little flashbulb batterys .. you can find those in most photo isles
the zoom H1 uses one AA battery
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eyore

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #13 on: July 17, 2011, 07:26:34 PM »
Looks like that model may now be discontinued in the UK (no longer available) :(
Any thoughts anyone on this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BINAURAL-EAR-MOUNTED-ELECTRET-CONDENSER-MICROPHONE-/270504397416?pt=UK_Music_Instruments_Microphones_MJ&hash=item3efb518a68
They also do a battery pack (looks nice and small and light but a 1.5v battery). Which one?

They do express delivery (I go to DLRP in just over two weeks). I may just be able to persuade my wife to let me indulge.
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Gringrinnyghost

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Re: binaural recording equipment
« Reply #14 on: July 17, 2011, 07:40:32 PM »
I was thinking of getting either for Microphones:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-TFB-2 or http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/MS-TFB-2

and I am still debating on a digital audio recorder.
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