joecrabb Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Hi all, So I'm looking for suggestions for a specific use microphone. A client is looking to set a permanent installation outdoors to record a rocket launch. What I'm asking for suggestions about is an extremely rugged mic (weather issues) that can handle super high SPL's and still get a good signal with up to 1000' cable runs. I'm not sure yet if building a small shelter over the mic(s) is an option or not to help with the weather. Current thoughts are a mix of Shure sm58's and sm27's at various distances from the launch area. Any thoughts? thanks Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) EV 535a or RE-50 EV RE20 Senn MD421 or any of many others, depending on the objectives... are you serious ?? this does not sound like a production sound recording situation, and you may not be familiar with the appropriate tools for this kind of project, which might be specialized. in general: Dynamic mic's are more rugged, and large diaphragm dynamics are typically capable of higher SPL's; Neodymium dynamic's have a bit more output signal (for long runs), and depending on the purpose of this setup, directional mic's may, or may not be appropriate. Edited April 23, 2014 by studiomprd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Strong possibility of significant output level loss with a 1000 ft cable run. Think very low capacitance cable. Research on output level loss on long cable runs is suggested. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecrabb Posted April 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Senator: Yes I'm serious. Absolutely I agree that this is a specialized situation requiring a specialized mic. That's why I asked for suggestions. I realize that dynamics are best for high SPL's (thus the 58's), I just want to know if there's anyone out there who has worked with something that I don't know about that's ideally suited for this purpose. In other words...exactly the reason that this forum exists. Eric: Yeah, the 1000' run has me worried also, I've never tried anything approaching that distance that wasn't a line level signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) JC: " I realize that...That's why I asked for suggestions. " then you really need to supply more information, more specifics... " requiring a specialized mic. " or mic's ?? to get the right answers, you need to ask the right questions... " exactly the reason that this forum exists. " not necessarily... as this is a production sound for movies, TV, video forum, not an acoustical engineering forum... Edited April 23, 2014 by studiomprd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berniebeaudry Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 If the cable run length is a problem you could insert a line amp (battery powered) just after the microphone. We do this all the time in sports arenas when we need a cleaner signal over a long run. As already noted, dynamic mics would be a good choice for this. Looking into mics that are typically used on drums in general and on bass drum in particular might give you specs that could deal with the low frequencies and volume encountered at a rocket launch. I would think you would need to provide some shelter from the weather for any product I can think of. Talk to the manufacturers directly as well to see what they think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) BB: " insert a line amp (battery powered) just after the microphone. " there is way too much 'it depends' here... battery units in a permanent installation ?? the right mic's actually may produce fairly robust line level (almost) signals, (but that, of course depends!) this application may require specialized and or instrumentation grade products... http://www.mouser.com/new/Analog-Devices/adi-admp411-microphone/ Edited April 23, 2014 by studiomprd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Thomas Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I'd maybe talk to DPA (or their parent company Bruel and Kjaer, who make acoustical measurement equipment). Mics such as the 4006 can take very high SPL, although I can't attest to their weather-proofing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 RT: " or their parent company Bruel and Kjaer " DPA was spun off from B+K, they are no longer connected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Still the DPA is supposed to be able to handle 150dBspl - iirc. That's a lot for any mic. It's not particularly robust, though. Another option would be digital mics, as they allow for longer cable runs, but you'd need high quality cables. They also have the limiter built right into the mic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinewave Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 http://www.mixonline.com/news/audio_dpa_microphones_capture/ http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/Mic-University/Technology-Guide/~/media/PDF/MicUni/Louder.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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