Sound Recorders & external mics - What am I doing wrong?

cardiff_gareth

cardiff_gareth

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So I bought a Sony ICD-PX312 voice recorder after one was recommended to me. The sound quality is excellent and I can't wait to use it properly BUT then when I plug the external mic in, it goes horribly wrong.

I bought this external mic: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073GX85TF/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 as I thought there's no point buying an expensive one if it doesn't well with what I want to try and do.

I plug it in and it says choose input on the screen so I hit external mic so it's set right and then press the record button to produce a sample I can listen back too and nothing. There's a hint of crackle on the loud speaker as it plays the file it just made but there is no voice?

I've tried adjusting the volume on the side in standby, recording and playback but nothing. I've tried adjusting the mic sensitivity in the settings also but again nothing. I even tried choosing Audio in instead of mic in and again this doesn't make a blind bit of difference!

Tried the mic on my phone and it worked no issues so I know the issue lies with the sound recorder.

Help!
 
Count the number of rings on the jack and compare to what jack is suggested on the external mike in the handbook, some have three some have four


1397508256022.TRRS2.png
 
Last edited:
Thanks. My external mic has 3 black rings on it. The manual P45 https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/res/manuals/4267/42670671M.pdf says the recommend certain Sony external mics that, when I have Googled them, have just 2 rings on them?

But then the manual says when you connect a stereo microphone (not supplied) to the IC recorder and the recording mode is set to “SHQ” or “HQ” mode, you can record sound in stereo?
 
You need to find a mike with a TRS connector not a TRRS connector
 
You could test it if you have a cable to connect your phone to the aux socket in your car? Connect one end of the cable to the phone and the other to your recorder. Play some music on the phone and it should record
 
Hmm, decisions!
I could send it back as it said it was for recorders and clearly it doesn't work with mine so I can return it as 'item not suitable' but then again the mic works on my phone when plugged in and using a sound recorder app so I think i'll keep it and see if I can find an adaptor. That way I can use it on either or.

Now to try and locate an adaptor....!

Thanks for all the help Jim, appreciate it :)
 
cardiff_gareth said:
Thanks. My external mic has 3 black rings on it. The manual P45 https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/res/manuals/4267/42670671M.pdf says the recommend certain Sony external mics that, when I have Googled them, have just 2 rings on them?

But then the manual says when you connect a stereo microphone (not supplied) to the IC recorder and the recording mode is set to “SHQ” or “HQ” mode, you can record sound in stereo?
Click to expand...
3 black rings is usually for headphones and mic, which is why it works on your phone, 2 black rings means stereo, one black ring for mono. It’s easier if you think of it in practical terms (at least that’s how my mind works)
 
Thanks Phil, makes sense to me!

So called Maplins as they're local ti see if I could get an adaptor there - nope!

Next call was to a local music store that supplies musical instruments as well as all the bits that go with them. They also are the 'go to' people here for sorting sound out for concerts etc. The man knew exactly what I wanted and said what you guys had said with the 3 bands for mic and headphones etc. They also didn't have anything in stock BUT! he's calling me in the next few days to let me know if he's managed to make up a suitable lead.
 
Buddy I know little about these types of recorder,but have some knowledge of mics etc,I make music play in bands have studio bla de bla. If your mic is a condenser,most need phantom power, to work There might be a simple switch on the recording device to activate this???

It's a bit of a long shot but it could so easily prevent recording and be why the mic works on one device ,but not another. As I say I'm not terribly familiar with these small digital recorders,you might need a dynamic mic for the recorder you have choosen,if said device can't supply phantom power ????? .

with regards to leads etc,speak to the guys at studio spares,not only will you get superlative info but they sell just about every lead imaginable and every part needed to make just about any lead They'd also be the guys to advise on mic choice, i'd asume a few quid wouldn't get you much quality wise,but as I say this areas is not something I am familiar with at all the above mic might even be digital.

I'd definitely be asking musos about this rather than photographers as you have done ,i'm sure you'll get sorted although I am very unfamiliar I do have concerns about how that mic will record and it's quality. Gareth mics are a bit like lenses,they see (hear) different fields of view,or to put it another way,they have different pick up patterns,hypercardiod omni figure of eight cardoid, to name some it's worth having a read up here mat

As with the visual world picking up the right tool, the right mic or lens can help a hell of a lot. You wouldn't want a wide angle lens to isolate a distant subject ,no more than you would put and omni infront of a drummers mouth to record voice


worth having a look at a company called rhode mate they make some awesome mics good prices SE another. If the mic is digital I know nothing of them mate,i'm a bit old school, ;)

hope this might be of some help

stu
 
Stuart Philpott said:
Buddy I know little about these types of recorder,but have some knowledge of mics etc,I make music play in bands have studio bla de bla. If your mic is a condenser,most need phantom power, to work There might be a simple switch on the recording device to activate this???

It's a bit of a long shot but it could so easily prevent recording and be why the mic works on one device ,but not another. As I say I'm not terribly familiar with these small digital recorders,you might need a dynamic mic for the recorder you have choosen,if said device can't supply phantom power ????? .

with regards to leads etc,speak to the guys at studio spares,not only will you get superlative info but they sell just about every lead imaginable and every part needed to make just about any lead They'd also be the guys to advise on mic choice, i'd asume a few quid wouldn't get you much quality wise,but as I say this areas is not something I am familiar with at all the above mic might even be digital.

I'd definitely be asking musos about this rather than photographers as you have done ,i'm sure you'll get sorted although I am very unfamiliar I do have concerns about how that mic will record and it's quality. Gareth mics are a bit like lenses,they see (hear) different fields of view,or to put it another way,they have different pick up patterns,hypercardiod omni figure of eight cardoid, to name some it's worth having a read up here mat

As with the visual world picking up the right tool, the right mic or lens can help a hell of a lot. You wouldn't want a wide angle lens to isolate a distant subject ,no more than you would put and omni infront of a drummers mouth to record voice


worth having a look at a company called rhode mate they make some awesome mics good prices SE another. If the mic is digital I know nothing of them mate,i'm a bit old school, ;)

hope this might be of some help

stu
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, will have to check a few musical websites. I saw Rhode sell a conversion cable so took a look and found an eBay seller selling the same cable so took a punt on it

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/282059628080

Short story is that it still doesn’t work and it didn’t change anything so I have to admit defeat and buy a new mic that’s TRS in the first place.
 
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