JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Microphone and Vocalist Forum Sony Condenser Mic

Hi all, this is my first post. Looks like a great forum you've got here.

A while ago I bought a Sony ECM-MS907 electret condenser mic, based mostly on a reccomendation from a guy at Guitar Center. I've tried to use it to record vocals on my Korg D4 workstation, but it doesn't pick up almost anything. The vox are almost completely inaudible. Looking around the net, it seems like this is supposed to be a good mic. Any ideas why it isn't working for me?

Thanks

Josh

Hi Josh,

The microphone you purchased is a general purpose inexpensive mic. In the Microphone for vocals area unfortunately you always get what you pay for.
A $79 mic typicaly will not have a lot of gain but heres some things to check.

First, I recommend you check the battery in the mic make sure it's a good one and the polarity is correct. Condenser mics depend totally on the batterys condition ..hense bad battery no output.

Then check your Korg D4 and make sure you don't have an attenuator or pad in the line. Make sure the gain is fully open.

If this still does not solve the problem you need to get a better microphone. For extremely limited budgets I recommend a
Shure SM58 for Vocals or SM57 the no pop screen version of same as a good starter mic and it can also be used for live performance.

It's extremely well made and very tough and will last forever. Known the world over as an industry standard.
especially in the Live Vocal arena.

Street price around $150 if you check around and in it's price range hard to beat.

If you have more to spend let me know and I will advise.

Thanks Larry.

Josh,
I have a Sony condenser mic similiar to yours. I'm not sure of the model off hand but I have one other suggestion. Check to see if your Korg D4 has a phantom power setting. I have a Boss BR-900 and any CONDENSER mic I run with it I have to turn the phantom power on. Otherwise I will get NO signal at all. I went through the same thing and it can be discouraging. Larry's suggestions are also very good! Another great vocal mic for the price is the RODE NT-1. It will be slightly more than the SM-57 and 58 but it will be much warmer on your recordings for vocals. I picked mine up used for $125. Hope this helps! Good Luck! Nate

Hi Just to reinforce what Larry said
I have checked out the kind of mic you have as the model is not one I have come across. It would seem ok but not ideal for the purpose you are using it for. It does not require phantom power as it has a 1.5v battery. replace the battery checking polarity first. If that does not work then try another mic (even a cheap karaoke mic) to see if it is your system or the mic that is giving you problems. I suspect that Larry has probably hit it on the nail. You were probably given bad advice this is a gp mic not specifically designed for vocals. Invest in a decent mic. The sm58 is probably the most popular vocal mic BUT NOT MY FAVOURITE. Shop around there are other makes and models that are similar in price and performance.

Actually, that mic can't use phantom power without rewiring it.
Pretty much a mic that's, maybe, good for non-critical speech.
Fairly low output.
Frequency response is pretty bad
SPL is really low
High Impedence unbalanced output
Extreme variables, ie +-4dB, +-20%

I'd take that mic back to GC and stick it in the salesperson's ear.
Jeez, the Nady Starpower 1 mic at eight bucks is probably a better mic though not a condenser and not a MS mic.



Can't believe I mis-spelled speech.....

Hi DakLander
Yeah we sometimes learn the hard way. We all have made similar mistakes in our time. I certainly have!!!!!
Hi stairwellsongs
I would have said the same thing as DakLander "take it back" but you said you bought it some time ago. Chances of a refund or exchange are slim. Worth trying though.

For what it is worth, I own a Nady Starpower (SP-5), and I would recommend it to anyone, at least for a budget. I am also told it is comparable to the SM-58. When I strike oil (and learn to sing) I will buy a big Neumann condenser or something but until then, this will do.