Sony ECM-MS908C Stereo Video Microphone with Switchable Pick-Up Angle

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Product Details

Product Manual [711kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 14 x 10 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000095S9N
• Item model number: ECMMS908C
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 15, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Sony's ECM-MS908C is a quality stereo microphone for your video camcorder. Coming with the microphone are a shoe attachment and extension arm, making it ready to plug-and-record. The one-point stereo design matches many stereo camcorder formats, although it is essential you check for compatibility. This one-point stereo design microphone delivers stereo sound with a single mic.

A key feature of this microphone are the mid/side (MS) capsules. The mid capsule picks up monophonic sound while the side capsule picks up left/right difference sound. By subtracting and adding the two capsule signals you can achieve left and right channels, thus stereo sound. The MS capsules also allow you to vary the pick-up from the left and right channels according to camera zoom, weather and setting, and the shooting situation. Choose 90 degrees for close-ups and noisy recording situations and choose 120 degrees for wide shots and quiet environments. With these sort of options, you are sure to capture superb sound quality.

The included oxygen-free copper (OFC) Litz cord provides minimum loss and minimum noise disruption. The gold-plated plug gives the mic maximum conductivity and, like the Litz cord, minimum noise disruption. To further enhance your audio recordings, Sony has also included a windscreen.

This video microphone is for advanced amateur use. The stereo sound takes advantage of the two-channel sound tracks on many of today's top video recorders: DV, Digital8, Hi8, 8mm, VHS, S-VHS and VHS-C formats. Make sure you check your camcorder for proper compatibility

What's in the Box
Sony ECM-MS908C microphone, Litz cord, mini-plug, windscreen, microphone holder with camera shoe, pouch and user's manual.

Product Description

Sony offers ECM-MS908C stereo microphone for video recording designed for advanced amateur use. Video camera shoe attachment fits beautifully on most camcorders. Extension arm holds the ECM-908C away from the camcorder body, reducing the transmission of mechanical noise. Stereo sound takes advantage of the two-channel sound tracks on many of today's top camcorders: DV, Digital8, Hi8, 8mm, VHS, S-VHS and VHS-C formats all offer the option of stereo sound. The microphone features compact design for easy portability. One-point stereo design gives you a single mic for stereo recording - it is like having two microphones in one.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT for your camcorder!, July 21, 2005

By	Martin Modrzejewski (Selkirk Manitoba Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excellent mike but NOT for mounting on your camcorder. Anytime you touch your camcorder to adjust exposure, zoom in-out, manual focus,etc the sound of your finger tips will be recorded on tape. Be warned. The Sony ECM-HS1,which I have used for over three years, is a much better choice. No camera handling noise is recorded, sound quality is not at par with the MS908C, but much better than the internal mike. Just leave it in the 'Shotgun' full time for best results.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This mike gets used more than all my other mikes, January 14, 2006

By	Thomas D. Kehoe (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this mike 3 years ago. Much of my videos are interviews. I bought a six-foot extension cord at Radio Shack and use this mike handheld. Viewers remark that in my videos you can hear what the people say, with full, clear sound. If I have to cut in an interview someone else did using a camera-mounted mike, the sound is suddenly tinny, distant, and weak. I also own a camera-mounted Canon shotgun mike. I use that if a handheld mike isn't possible, but it's substantially worse sound. I also own two Sony wireless laveliers. I rarely use those, they're too much trouble to deal with. As for built-in mikes, some camcorders have acceptable mikes and others are horrendous. This Sony mike is my first choice mike in nearly every video. Simple to use, pro sound. I never use this microphone mounted to the camcorder. Thus I should have bought the Sony ECMMS907, which is the same microphone but with a small stand instead of the camcorder mount. But the subject is almost always holding this mike so I usually don't need a stand.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Instrumental Mic, Best Bang-for-Buck Value Out There, September 14, 2005

By	Kevin Peterson (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I should start out by saying that my primary uses for this mic have been for instrumental recording. I generally record directly to a Sony MD player if I am recording a practice session with it, but I have recorded a few concerts as well and have run it through a mixer with great results. Individual voices come through very well. The only disadvantage to it is that you can only use 3.5mm cable with it, which works great for recording to MD but means you need adapters to work with any other type of recording equipment. If this is a major concern, you may wish to look at the more pro-sumer like equivalent, the MS-957, which will allow you to use either 3.5mm or XLR cable. However, I find these mics more than acceptable for most of my uses, and have been pleasantly surprised by these two mics that I picked up.