todd2 0 Posted January 8, 2009 This unit has a single channel microphone input so I tried using a cheap microphone I had sitting around (probably bought for a casette player). It really sucks. I have to speak loudly a few inches from it or tap on it to get any kind of output. Is there any passive microphone out there that will pick up ambient room sounds reasonably well (don't need high fidelity). Or, if not, a powered version. I'd like to avoid a powered microphone but perhaps that's unavoidable. What I'm looking for is something that will pick up noise like passing vehicles, vibrations, stuff that perhaps some mikes are designed against. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpion 0 Posted January 9, 2009 http://www.rcfp.org/taping/ Hit the links on the left side. Indoor recording then go for it! Outdoor recording? You better consult your attorney as you are about to make him very rich, and you are about to learn what "felony" means. Perhaps you can avoid all of this by posting large signs in your yard. Warning Audio Recording on premises. Sorry! Had to get the "legalese" out of the way so that those that read this post do not get in trouble, and say "they didn't know". Outdoor recording needs a lot of forethought before you start recording. Do not forget that you will be recording airplanes flying overhead, trucks honking their horns or what ever loud noises you have in your area. It is against the law to record conversations without all parties being informed. Thank you for calling blah blah blah this conversation may be recorded for quality assurance. Quality assurance? My derrier! The microphone has to run to somekind of "magic box" that gives you line voltage out. It has to be the same as what comes out of the red, and white rca plugs on your stereo equipment. Microphones themselves do not put out sound at this level. Here is what we use in the security field: 1. http://eclipsecctv.com/ECL-MIC_microphone.html or 2. http://www.louroe.com/kits.asp?model=ask4kit101 or 3. http://icrealtime.com/solutions/cameras.asp?cameraid=ICR150 The microphone is built in to the camera housing. The more sophisticated the recording then the more you will need equalizers, and notch filters. For distance recording then you will need something like this: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=001511 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_microphone _____________________________________________________________ Now! Would you like to see the really neat stuff??? How about the off the wall, and the stuff that microphones did not know that they could do this: There are hydro phones, and there are the microphones that you are requesting that are placed on a surface, or a wall, and it picks up the vibrations. There are pinhole mics where you drill a small hole, and you insert an "ice pick like" microphone. Spys, and cops listening in to another hotel room from another perhaps? http://scorpiontheater.com/record.aspx Tell me more of what you are looking for, and I can get you something more to your specifications! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveM 0 Posted January 13, 2009 This type of microphone works well with the AVTech DVR's: http://www.2mcctv.com/product_info-AudioMicrophone-KTCKPA1.html It can pick up voice for about 15-20 feet, so if you were to install it, say, on a second floor eave not directly above were a person would be talking you should be able to hear vehicles, door slams and general noises as well as someone hollering outside without being able to make out private conversations. This is not a waterproof model, but they are cheap! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted January 13, 2009 It is against the law to record conversations without all parties being informed. Ermmm... better advice would be to check your local laws, as they vary in this regard. In these parts, you can record all you want... but audio evidence is inadmissible in court unless there's notice given (oddly, the same doesn't apply to video evidence). As far as phone conversations, only one party has to be informed... so if YOU know you're recording your own conversation, the law is satisfied (the law is designed more with third-party wiretapping in mind). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpion 0 Posted January 14, 2009 As far as phone conversations, only one party has to be informed... so if YOU know you're recording your own conversation, the law is satisfied (the law is designed more with third-party wiretapping in mind). I stand corrected. Florida, among many states are two party states. There have been some attorneys who have taken their client out of Florida, and to a One party state, and recorded phone calls using this "loop hole". This is why I posted the link: http://www.rcfp.org/taping/ If you click on the link to the left titled State by State it will list all 50 states, and you can click on your state to get the info that you need. Florida All parties must consent to the recording or the disclosure of the contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication in Florida. Recording, disclosing, or endeavoring to disclose without the consent of all parties is a felony, unless the interception is a first offense committed without any illegal purpose, and not for commercial gain. Fla. Stat. ch. 934.03. These first offenses and the interception of cellular frequencies are misdemeanors. State v. News-Press Pub. Co., 338 So. 2d 1313 (1976). Under the statute, consent is not required for the taping of a non-electronic communication uttered by a person who does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in that communication. See definition of “oral communication,†Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted January 14, 2009 As far as phone conversations, only one party has to be informed... so if YOU know you're recording your own conversation, the law is satisfied (the law is designed more with third-party wiretapping in mind). I stand corrected. Florida, among many states are two party states. There have been some attorneys who have taken their client out of Florida, and to a One party state, and recorded phone calls using this "loop hole". This is why I posted the link: http://www.rcfp.org/taping/ If you click on the link to the left titled State by State it will list all 50 states, and you can click on your state to get the info that you need. Got one for Canada? Anyway, the important thing is, wherever the law is concerned, ALWAYS CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS. The great thing about the internet is how it allows discussions like these to cross international boundaries... but that's also one of the great dangers when it comes to this sort of thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites