Some microphone ideas

[El Ciego]

I've mentioned the excellent results I've gotten by using condenser "stealth" microphones in binaural pairs from Core Sound in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA. These are great for indoor stealth recording but aren't suitable for all applications.

Parabolic mics are very expensive for good ones. The same can be said for "shotgun" microphones. I did find a shotgun condenser microphone that looks pretty good for the money. DAK Electronics offers a shotgun mic for around $75.00 including shipping. This mic features a windscreen, two different mounts,, and an O-ring mounting system that prevents vibration noise from being picked up by the sensitive microphone transducer. DAK calls it "2007 Audio Telescope," and it can be seen at
http://www.dak.com

Crown Audio made a pressure zone microphone (PZM) that sold in its day for around $300.00 retail. Surprisinly, RadioShack started selling the same model, made by Crown but bearing the RadioShack brand, for around $80.00. Since most people who bought it didn't know what the hell to do with it, these can be found on ebay and at used electronics vendors. The PZM is an active microphone which uses one "AA" (U.S. size) battery; the inline control box has ON/OFF/STANDBY positions, and the generous 5 meter cable is tipped with a 1/4" standard headphone plug. Although not exactly "stealthy," this microphone is fairly easy to use and is very, very sensitive. Sorry, I don't have RadioShack's catalog number for this one.

Sony made a small capsule stereo condenser mic for use with their minidisc recorders. The mic requires phantom power, normally provided by the recorder. However, a battery box is fairly simple to construct, and mics such as this and the Core Sound/Big Squid microphones mentioned above can be used with such a device. Yes, ready-made battery boxes are available, but Core's price is way too high for what is essentially an 1/8" jack, battery holder, plastic box and a short length of cable tipped with a 1/8" plug.

Scrounge! Professional-grade microphones show up quite frequently in used electronics stores, pawn shops and on Internet auction sites. Every good pro audio engineer I know has a bag full of microphones, because no single mic is good for every application.

A word about FM wireless "bugs" (illegal for use in the U.S. anyway). Most are garbage with very limited range. If someone could point me to a European vendor of higher-quality microtransmitters, I'd be very interested. Most models available on the U.S. consumer market are overpriced and don't perform all that well. Range is the big issue, or I should say the lack of range. Your mileage may vary.

Miniature electret condenser microphone capsules are readily available for around $40.00 or less. You can wire these any way you like, including planting them inside common household objects or even motel/hotel equipment. A friend of min wired a microphone and transmitter into a Gideon Bible and bribed a hotel maid to plant it in place of the original bible in a bedside table drawer! The motel was known to be frequented by prostitutes and their clients, and some of the audio he captured before the battery died was absolutely hilarious! Sadly, he never recovered the equipment, but the audio he was able to catch more than compensated him for the $80.00 loss, at least in his opinion.

Again, if you're really dedicated to this glorious quest, you may want to experiment with different microphone/amplifier/recorder or transmitter combinations. IMHO there is no "one size fits all" solution for every recording situation. Also, basic skill in electronics assembly (i.e. soldering, etc.) will allow you to build your own super-snoop devices.

[dad1]

Here's a how-to video for a laser microphone:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/767822/la ... ne_how_to/

[mjj9994]

Dad -

Some great tech advise and ideas. The laser listening device is way cool... but unfortunately, you have to either be in a straight shot with the window... or figure out the angle so you are at the reflected end of the beam. Great gouge on the mic dynamics and applications though!

I am with you on the 'wireless is crap' experience. I have gone through a few different setups and have yet to find one that is less than $200 and decent (although nowdays the 'professional' hip-type clip on wireless rigs are running about $150-300, and I would guess you get pretty decent range from them.. but they are a bit larger...around the size of a pack of cigarettes).

Thanks.

- Mark

[yeppie]

Thanks for the great link - did you ever try that?

[El Ciego]

When recording sex sounds, the procedure will fall into one of two categories: Either the sound will be recorded within a few feet of the lovemaking, or it will be through a wall or closed door. Each of these two applications will require a different microphone type and mic technique.

Most of the recordings I have posted to this forum have been of the first type. Stealth/secrecy was maintained in some cases, but the microphones I use (Sennheiser, God bless the Germans) are tiny and unobtrusive.

I have never really tried to capture the kinds of sounds posted to "Neighbor Sex" or "Motel Sex" sections, but I think I will have a brilliant opportunity to record such sounds soon.

I will keep you all posted and will upload something hot n' tasty for your enjoyment in a few weeks.

[dad1]

I haven't tried to rig up the DIY laser mic. I think for this sort of application it would at least require an IR laser.

Like the other poster said, geometry isn't going to cut you any slack in the field.

I think it could only be practical in a house-next-door type setup.

And yeah, wireless is fussy. It's picky with range and line of sight.

Has anyone here ever experimented with hiding piezo wire in rooms?

[Rograd]

What's pietzo wire?