As you may have read, I replaced my Sony ECM-909a microphone (used with my video camera) with the SP-PSM-8. I really thought there would be a huge improvement in sound quality over the Sony mic. The Sony mic isn’t bad, but it sure doesn’t sound as good as Schoeps, DPA’s, or even AT mics.
Honestly, after I read this:
“Finally, an all-in-one handheld stereo microphone with built-in power that offers excellent sound quality and a wide dynamic range. If you have been using the Sony MS907 or similar stereo mic, this mic will make you want to list your old mic on Ebay! It sounds better (much better bass and highs), can handle loud sounds better, is more sensitive for those quiet situations, and will take care of everything in-between, too.”
I thought my mic problems would be solved and I wouldn’t have to take months (years) to sync up a better audio (since I’m so lazy).
Listening to the two Nana Grizol shows I filmed last week, I was disappointed with the sound quality of the mic. It sounds as if the mic was overloading, yet levels weren’t bad as I have an attenuator that I bought from Sound Professionals to lower the sound levels.
As you can see there is a volume control range. I’ve used it in the past to successfully control the levels with the Sony mic, but not now. I’ll have to post some samples on here of my disappointment.
I think I should call/get a hold of Sound Professionals and let them know of my disappointment. I hope I don’t need some secondary device to run inbetween the camera and the mic as then I just have more bulk. I was really hoping this mic would work! It appears that I can return it. At least, I don’t think I’ve had it for more than 30 days. I will have to check the receipt when I get home.
So, anybody that knows me, knows The Cure is my favorite band. They are playing coachella, but I can’t got to that since it is a Sunday night. Today, I find out that they are playing a warm-up show in Las Vegas on Friday April 17th. I wonder if Jen would let me go?
You should play this song while reading the post. It should give you an idea of how great i think Nana Grizol is. This song gets my toes tapping every time I hear it or if you see me driving while it is on, you’ll think I’m a bit nutty! Nana Grizol: Circles Round the Moon:Nana Grizol-circles-round-the-moon
Nana Grizol first came to my attention via Tullycraft’s awesome site. As you know, I really dig Tullycraft. Some of the songs that are highlighted in their blog/mp3 posts are quite good. That is where I first heard them. Then Tullycraft’s site choose their CD Love It Love it as their favorite album of the year. In the comments section, Nana Grizol (or someone in the band) mentioned a West Coast tour coming soon. I’m excited as it hits Seattle and Anacortes this week. I know Torsten wants to see them, so I’ll try and take him to the Anacortes show since the Seattle show might be too late–I also want to see if I can catch Hey Marseille at Neumo’s after Nana Grizel plays. That show is 21 and over.
I found a flyer for the Los Angeles show which will have to suffice for this post.
From earlier readings, you’ll know that I went to see Sleepy Eyes of Death at the Holy Mountain. Brian, another Seattle filmer/taper guy, not to be confused with the Brian who drove me (taper) was also their filming. I gave him my footage after the show as I knew he’d come through with something much sooner than I can or could. Here is a sweet little tidbit he put up on youtube.
It is very awesome. Can’t wait until he is done with the whole project.
So, my new microphone for the video camera arrived yesterday. I ordered it before my $50 Verizon card came through, but I was able to transfer the $50 from the card to the bank account so it is a mute point. First thoughts, it is bigger than I thought it would be especially compared to the Sony ECM-909a microphone I was using with the video camera. The diameter is the same as the sony, but the length seems about twice the size.
So, I put the two mics next to each other and it is about twice the length! That doesn’t bother me too much as when I film I usually have prior approval from the band. I’m hoping to be able to use it this week at the two Nana Grizol shows. Not hearing back from a band doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t allow filming, it just some times means they haven’t responded or simply been too busy. Sometimes the band isn’t even reading their messages, it is read by someone associated with the band and I’m guessing taping requests are just not taken as seriously. So, hopefully I can find a member of the band before the shows and be given the go ahead.
The cable that comes with it is an XLR to 1/8″ ra stereo mini-plug. I’m going to have darktrain from taperssection head over here and give me a quote on how much it would cost to have him make another bad ass cable like the others. I’m thinking a straight male stubbie would be perfect for this. I’ll be writing another post, possibly tonight, updating my cable situation from an earlier post I did.
As you can see the mic is also a bit tall. So, I want to use the old mic attachment that came with the Sony mic. The one problem is the end of the mic attachment is beveled in such a way that the mic doesn’t slide all the way through. I’m going to ask my buddy Lee if he can help me dremel that out or something. I’m sure there has to be an easy way to do that. I hope.
Wow. What a great show. Sometimes you hit a show and it is alright, the band was good, the music tight and everything is fine. Other times you hit a show and leave wondering what happened to the band that night. Tonight, was simply put, way too short! Seven dreamy blissful pop ditties and then it was over leaving me longing for more. Obviously the band is recording some new mateiral as only 3 songs from the incredibly good Dust and Stars were played: Set Fire, It Could Work Out, and Dust And Stars. The four others, I’m guessing are new since they don’t appear to be on their self-released 2007 ep that I picked up that night. Of course, I can’t really make out the titles since the cursive gold font blends in way too well against the cardboard back drop. But from what I can tell, none of the songs appear to be remotely close to the other four songs.
I’m going to work on getting some video up here. I’ve been trying to host videos on my own site, but appear to have all sorts of problems when I do that. I think it might simply be 1and1 hosting and I’m planning on jumping ships to Bluehost once I get the guts to transfer the site. Hopefully, it won’t be too painful and then I can embed video again.
I chatted with the band after the show and they were all really nice. They had even heard of Poulsbo before. Which is cool.
Come back to Seattle soon. I will definitely try and get back and enjoy the tunes again.
Back in October, I finally set up my Windows Home Server to back-up important files and to back-up my computers in case something went wrong. The installation was fairly painless although I had to find a set of drivers and I don’t think sound works on it, but all it does is sit in the closet, so I don’t really care if the audio part isn’t working. Windows Home Server makes a back-up each night for me while I sleep. Pretty tasty.
Yesterday, I got the chance to test Windows Home Server and found out it is for real. About 10 days ago my newish laptop developed a case of hingitius. I’m not sure how it happened, but the seam around the LCD part of the laptop was splitting open and the space kept getting larger. Mad props to Costco for the additional year of warranty. I got the laptop fixed for free. I backed up all my data, moved files across the network, and made sure everything was good to go before sending the laptop off. I knew that HP could re-image my machine, but thought they wouldn’t since the computer itself seemed to work fine. I got my notebook back yesterday and booted it up. Low and behold, it doesn’t offer me WinXP or Windows 7, the notebook boots straight to Vista Home Edition and is now re-imaged with all the crap that comes on a new laptop. I was sick to my stomach but knew I had my back-ups on my Windows Home Server.
I logged into the server from my main machine, looked in my back-ups, opened the last one that was created and grabbed the additional drivers from the back-ups and moved them over to a flash drive. Located where the Windows Home Server leaves the iso file for the restore disk and saw a text file that told me to use a newer version available from Microsoft. I downloaded that. Fired up imgburn and created an image.
Hooked the laptop up to a wired connection in the other room and started the restore CD up (after changing the boot options order). Restore CD starts up and it really is a cakewalk from there. I had it search for drivers on the flash drive, drivers were located and found, the process found my home server, I logged in, selected the right computer to restore and away it went. 35 minutes later, I had the computer back that I sent off to HP for repairs.
I encourage all users to have a back-up method in place. For years I didn’t and now I don’t know what I would do without it.
Oh man, I should just never pick up a The Stranger. The Stranger is a free Seattle magazine that goes into the What’s Happening around Seattle for a week. The newspaper doesn’t just talk about music; mostly what I pick it up for, but movies, places to eat, escorts (if you are into that), and editorial pieces. Saturday, on my way back from Sleepy Eyes of Death, I picked up the latest issue. Little did I now that I’d be kicked in the head with a new band that I really want to see this week.
If you’ve noticed there are a couple of newspaper cut-outs to go with this piece. I was perusing what The Stranger is recommending for the week and stumbled upon Reporter. Apparently Reporter are a band from Portland that I should know about! When the words “dark dream pop” and “Slumberland’s current roster” are used to describe a band, I immediately pay attention.
Included in this weeks issue is a review of the CD, by the same guy that wrote the Stranger suggests piece. After reading the review I decided I needed to try and see this band or at least here some of their songs. I surfed over to their myspace page and have been mesmerized by “Set Fire” and “It Could Work Out”. The other songs are also quite catchy. Next stop, Amazon.com to see if the CD could be purchased via download as I refuse to do anything Itunes related.
Yes. The Cd is available for download and it was only $9. Cheap. I’ve been listening to the songs non-stop and think I will try and hit the show tomorrow night. I’ll have to OK it with the powers that be, but hope it is OK. It’s is cheap. I also need to myspace them and see how cool they are with video.
I found the flyer for the show online as well. Good stuff.
Dang it. It is snowing right now. That totally jeopardizes tonights show. Ugh. Stop snowing! I want to go because I have permission to film now. I got this message back from the band:
Hey Steve
that would be cool if you wanted to record us! just be forewarned that i don’t think we’re gonna sound anything like a “dreampop” band live. we’ve changed our sound a wee bit since our last record. anyway see you tonight!?
xo
alberta
