Sony ECM-MS957 Stereo Microphone with Rotating Mid Capsule

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Product Details

Product Manual [1.02mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.3 x 12.3 inches ; 1.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00001WRI0
• Item model number: ECMMS957
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This Prosumer-model microphone is for advanced amateur and professional use, and is ideal for instrumental recording, thanks to Sony's sensitive Electret condenser microphone. The one-point stereo design--a single mic for stereo recording--is like having two microphones in one. This mic is ideal for portable DAT or MD digital recorders, with frequency response up to 18,000 Hz and a dynamic range of 90 dB, and is a great complement to digital recording systems. The mid/side capsules create a natural stereo panorama. The midcapsule picks up monophonic sound while the side capsule picks up left/right-difference sound. Subtracting and adding the two capsule signals yields separate left and right channels, and permits electronic adjustment of the pickup angle. The mid/side switch also selects the pickup angle between the left and right channels. Choose 90 degrees for a single voice or instrument or 120 degrees to pick up many voices and instruments arranged across the stage. The rotating midcapsule adjusts the stereo pickup pattern for the widest range of recording situations. A Cannon XLR connector from the microphone body to the supplied cable provides a secure, reliable, low-noise connection, while the oxygen-free copper Litz cord ensures superlative conductivity, minimum loss, and minimum noise. The L-shaped stereo miniplug fits most portable recorders. Supplied accessories include a detachable cable, stand, holder, windscreen, and carrying case.

Product Description

The Sony ECM-MS957 Stereo Microphone for Digital Recording is equipped with a stereo condenser microphone for live ambient recording. Compatible with both balanced and unbalanced inputs, this model has flexible image and positioning capability.This is a "prosumer" model for advanced amateur and professional use. It is suitable for instrumental recording thanks to Sony's sensitive Electret Condenser microphone design. With one-point stereo design - the ECM-MS957 has a single mic for stereo recording - it is like having two microphones in one. This model is ideal for portable DAT or MD digital recorders with frequency response to 18, 000 Hz and 90 dB dynamic range to complement digital recording systems. Mid/Side (MS) capsules allow for natural stereo panorama. Mid/Side (MS) switch selects pickup angle between left and right channel; choose 90? for a single voice or instrument or 120? to pick up many voices and instruments, arranged across the stage. Rotating Mid capsule allows the user to adjust the stereo pickup pattern for the widest range of recording situations. Cannon XLR connector from microphone body to supplied cable provides secure, reliable, low-noise connection. Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) Litz cord gives superlative conductivity, minimum loss, minimum noise. L-shaped stereo mini-plug fits portable recorders. Supplied accessories include detachable cable, stand, holder, windscreen and carrying case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great mike, but hypersensitive, January 26, 2004

By	Iver E. Peterson "ipeterso" (Lawrenceville, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this mike for use with my minidisc recorders, mainly to record choral concerts at church and in other places. It has a nice stereo directionality and separation choices, but I advise you to watch your record levels or mike sensitivity setting because the sound levels tended to overload on loud passages or with percussive music like piano when used with my recorder's default (high) mike sensitivity setting.
It's very solid and well made. I'd rather have a boxed carrying case instead of the soft pouch provided, but that's a quibble.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SONY STEREO CONDENSER MIC ROCKS!, September 29, 2005

By	A. LOWE "happs01" (LA, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have taken this mic from the tropics of Puerto Rico to the London Underground and it has worked superbly. Once I figured out the sensitivity adjustment, I got louder recording levels. Remember to set it to max if you are recording ambient sounds outdoors. Super sensitive mic. Remember to hold it still and don't let the cable rub against clothing. Also, watch your breathing. It all gets picked up! I was trying to record nature sounds and picked up the cars on the road and dogs barking 1/2 mile or more away. I like the capsule adjustment as I can record sounds above me without turning the mic. Doesn't need phantom power which is nice.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TIPS AND OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, June 29, 2006

By	D. J. GIAMMARINO "U.S. Navy Veteran" (Tempe, Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First of all, this is not just a vocal mic, granted it works excellent for vocals, but you can record anything with this. My new minidisc recorder (Sony MZ-RH10) works great with this mic, I also use the Bose Quiet Comfort 2 headphones that way outside interference doesn't affect recordings, plus, it's a great way to check how your recording sounds AS YOU RECORD.

I use the microphone to record vocal overdubs (rap artists) acoustic guitar, traffic, sirens, concerts, and nature sounds.
The included wind mic is great when you record a storm and it's windy because the wind goes away, or your hear just a low frequency rumble which is actually quite pleasing. Excellent at recording thunderstorms.

Always use the manual setting when using a microphone like this, people these days like using AUTOMATIC settings, but when you are in a room with 20 people drinking, and you only want to record the person with the guitar in front of you, this mic works great. If your maximum manual setting is 30, record with this on 12-16, that's it, trust me on this, it's that good.

Check out a picture I posted with my microphone and the Bose Quite Comfort 2 headphones. By the way, everyone tells me the same thing, "Where can I get a pair of those headphones?", trust me, they sell them online, just expect to pay $300. I have used them for a long time, and I can't go back to using regular headphones. Regardless of what reviews tell you, they are perfect headphones as long as you are not stupid and fall asleep with them on.

Get this mic now, and while you are waiting for it to come, get a AA Lithium battery, if a standard AA normally lasts 2000 hours, imagine what a Lithium will get.

Please use Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) Rechargables for all your portable recording equipment, and please make sure that it says MADE IN JAPAN on the back, this microphone is MADE IN JAPAN.

I seriously recommend this over the 907 model for many reasons, #1 being quality of recordings, #2 being the pop filter works on this one #3 is the battery life 2000 hours vs 200 hours on the 907.

That's about it, this is the only mic I will use until I can find a better one, right now, this beat out a $1000 Neumann microphone, how, I don't know, but this mic is perfect in every way.