Edirol R-1; best mic?

[arensky]

What stereo microphones do you all use with your Edirol R-1 or R-9 mp3 recorders? I'm seeking an affordable but quality microphone.

[m]

What stereo microphones do you all use with your Edirol R-1 or R-9 mp3 recorders? I'm seeking an affordable but quality microphone.

How much $$$ you want to spend?

[richard black]

The R-09 has got mics built in! They're not bad, but the mic amps on that model are noisy and you'll get noise also if you use an external mic via the 'mic' socket - of course you'll be fine if you also use and external mic amp via the 'line' input. The R-09HR, which is a completely different model, is very, very much better in this regard.

I haven't used the R-1.

But the usual recommendation for mics for that sort of kit, over many years and still good advice, is the Sony 957 (there's some prefix to that but that number will find it, I think).

I use a Royer SF-12 stereo ribbon and custom-built mic amp with my Edirol R-09 and R-09HR (yes, I own both). Expensive, but well worth it.

[arensky]

How much $$$ you want to spend?

Uh, not more than about $500, hopefully less. But for a professional tool, price is not the most important thing.

[m]

For your price range the Royer will be way out of reach, but the Sony 957 is a good advice. Being a stereo mic you will find it easy to use, with minimal setup effort.

[arensky]

Thanks for the advice you guys. I'll examine the Sony 957 at my earliest convenience.

[arensky]

For the Sony 957 is a good advice. Being a stereo mic you will find it easy to use, with minimal setup effort.

Went on Amazon, they were on sale ($188    ) and it's on the way. Some of the customer reviews mention that it's extremely sensitive to loud dynamic levels. How far from the piano should I place it? I'm hoping that your guys' expertise and experience will save me some time in trial and error experiments.