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[eyore]

And I take it that the following would also be incorrect?

MICROPHONE................>BATTERY BOX.............>MIC-IN ON RECORDER

as it would probably overload the recorder circuits by providing too much power?

I should add that my total knowledge of wiring up mics was to achieve the opposite (ie reducing the power as the mics were the wrong resistance and everything was recording TOO LOUD even with the controls set an low as they would go and that was many years ago) by wiring in (trial and error) a couple of resistors.
Any schematics of the battery box available  for us "technically/electronically  challenged" types?

[kirky]

That is correct...  You don't want to put the battery box in the MIC IN jack.  I don't think that you'll blow anything, as you're really only powering the mics (the resistors prevent the 10V from feeding back into the recorder), but I wouldn't try it.

I'll dig out my schematics when I find them.

You could use a volume attenuator between the mics and mic-in jack for what you are describing.  It sounds though as if there was some problem with what the microhones were outputing.  There's a difference between line level and mic level inputs, one that I don't fully understand to be able to speak to.

[SeaCastle]

And for the final question, what kind of microphone do you need for this to work? Could it work without a microphone?

[kirky]

SoundProfessionals sells microphones like many people use.  Something from their miniature binaural microphones section.  They are basically small (6mm in diameter) electret microphone capsules soldered to a wire with a 1/8" male stereo connector on the end.  Your recording device (through the MIC IN jack) will provide some power to those capsules so that they can record audio.  I make my own.

Without some sort of microphone, you're not going to be able to pick up any audio.  An induction pickup is a type of microphone, sortof, so if you're asking if you need an induction pickup AND a normal, microphone, the answer is NO.

Live audio, like a theater, or show, or ride is normally recorded on a normal microphone.  When using this, you will record what you hear, including the old guy in the back row with a hacking cough, and the baby in front screaming for momma!

Background Music Loops or attractions where a speaker is RIGHT THERE lend themselves better to recording with an induction pickup.  You need to be able to touch the speaker with the induction pickup in order to have any chance of recording usable audio from it. 

[eyore]

Quote:
including the old guy in the back row with a hacking cough, and the baby in front screaming for momma!

Ah, you have met us then

Thanks for the clear way you have described everything. Probably won't have time to sort it for this year, but maybe next time.
One last question.
When you say that you need to be able to "touch the speaker", do you mean the plate or the actual bit behind the perforated plate (ie the bit that's inside and speaker cabinet with the black paper. central cone and the magnetic bit at the back - the "actual" speaker" - that description in layman's terms, of course).
I realise that it should be as near to the magnetic bit as possible but find it hard to visualise speakers in the park being that accessable unless vandalised or attacked with a screwsriver and wrench while nobody is watching.
I've had very little success recording at home from the TV speakers, Hi-Fi or even the PC (phone's ok though).
 

[Horizons]

[delete] 

[eyore]

Thanks. I understand now.It picks up the magnetic changes SO the nearer to the magnet the better and, if you are lucky, the signal will be strong enough to be picked up CLOSE to it or from the cable but it's the luck of the draw and trial and error.
I can leave the tools and wrecking bar at home then

[SeaCastle]

SoundProfessionals sells microphones like many people use.  Something from their miniature binaural microphones section.  They are basically small (6mm in diameter) electret microphone capsules soldered to a wire with a 1/8" male stereo connector on the end.  Your recording device (through the MIC IN jack) will provide some power to those capsules so that they can record audio.  I make my own.

Without some sort of microphone, you're not going to be able to pick up any audio.  An induction pickup is a type of microphone, sortof, so if you're asking if you need an induction pickup AND a normal, microphone, the answer is NO.

Live audio, like a theater, or show, or ride is normally recorded on a normal microphone.  When using this, you will record what you hear, including the old guy in the back row with a hacking cough, and the baby in front screaming for momma!

Background Music Loops or attractions where a speaker is RIGHT THERE lend themselves better to recording with an induction pickup.  You need to be able to touch the speaker with the induction pickup in order to have any chance of recording usable audio from it. 

So you need a pickup AND a microphone you mentioned? Or can you just use induction pick-up with the battery pack to get an induction recording? I'm just trying to make some telephone pickup recordings (and maybe some binaural on the way  .)

[eyore]

I think I'm getting this now
That was a joke, right? (I hope)
Let's see if I've got this.
The induction mic will only work on mic-in and a battery pack won't work with an induction mic anyway?
 

[SeaCastle]

I think I'm getting this now
That was a joke, right? (I hope)
Let's see if I've got this.
The induction mic will only work on mic-in and a battery pack won't work with an induction mic anyway?
 

Unfortunately it was not. 

I've had no prior knowledge about any of this prior to whenever I joined Mousebits. I understand that you can only plug the pickup into the MIC-IN but you need a separate battery pack to power the induction pickup so it comes out better.

[Horizons]

No, you don't use a battery box for the induction mic.  Just plug it directly into the mic-in jack.

If you are going to make live recordings, you need a different mic.  You could just plug it directly into the mic-in jack, or, alternatively, use a battery box and plug the mic into the box, and the box into the line-in jack.

[kirky]

Correct, we don't want to be destroying Disney's speakers.  Usually, on the speaker grate is good, it gets you aligned correctly with the magnet mostly (if it's a traditional speaker) and will probably be the easiest/accessible spot, ALSO the most visible.

The speakers in the ground however are a bit tougher and as Horizons said, moving the induction pickup around the speaker enclosure and surrounding area will allow you to find the best spot.  Often the best location is a very small area, could be a band equadistant around the speaker, etc.  Moving even as little as 1/2 inch or so could make a huge difference.

I have not done any wire recording, BUT it would probably help get some of the music that comes from the speakers way up on poles, like around Boardwalk, or World Showcase, etc.

As we have mentioned many times, induction recording is a very time consuming process.  For an area music loop of maybe an hour in length, I'd plan on spending about 4 hours grabbing it.  You'll need to find a speaker that's accessible, and then listen to make sure it's pretty good quality.  Then attempt to record it and wait, and wait, and wait...  You're looking for a pause between songs.  That's the starting point, from there you record the whole thing until you hear the pause again and the same song starts.  That's your loop point.  You can stop and go home and hope you got the whole thing without any problems, or you can come back at another time and record it again.

[SeaCastle]

Thanks very, very much for the help, and sorry for the questions.

Now all that remains is for me to find a good cheapo recorder. 

[eyore]

Sorry Ozzietropics, the smiley face made me think it was a joke as it had been said that the induction mic is ONLY used with the mic-in socket and cannot be "boosted" with a battery pack.
The idea of an induction mic AND a stereo mic used together sounded a little unusual so, I though it was joke, sorry.
The battery pack is for the Line-in socket with a mic ONLY.
They are not interchangable and it's an either/or situation (either a boosted mic OR an induction mic - NOT both).
I'm in the same position as only having recorded using a small mono mic (on one of those voice recording cassette players they use in offices to take notes) or a lapel mic (and sometimes just ripping the audio from my camcorder videos) so all this is new to me too (but rather exciting).
I'm really appreciative that those experienced members have been so patient with us recording newbies.
Thanks guys.

[SeaCastle]

And you need headphones to plug into the headphone jack while recording with a pickup?