Test recording with MS mics comprising AKG CK93 mid mic and AKG CK94 side mic. Recorded with Sound Devices Mixpre-3 with same gain on both mics. Sounds of birdsong in Norfolk village garden, then a car arrives and driver gets out and closes gate (footsteps).

AKG CK94 ambient test

Test recording of bats with Sennheiser MKH 8050 and MKH 8030 MS pair, at 25% speed.

Bats - MKH 8050 and MKH 8030

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 stereo shotgun mic to an MKH 8050 + MKH 8030 MS pair. The test recordings are of the midday chimes at Norwich Cathedral, recorded within the belfry. This recording is of the MKH 8018 with the M and S outputs mixed 50:50 (once different sensitivities were accounted for). No editing or limiting etc. Recorded at 96kHz with a Sound Devices 788T See other file for the MKH 8050 + 8030 comparison.

Cathedral bells - MKH 8018

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 stereo shotgun mic to an MKH 8050 + MKH 8030 MS pair. The test recordings are of the midday chimes at Norwich Cathedral, recorded within the belfry. This recording is of the MKH 8050 and MKH 8030 pair with the M and S outputs mixed 50:50 (once different sensitivities were accounted for). No editing or limiting etc. Recorded at 96kHz with a Sound Devices 788T See other file for the MKH 8018 comparison.

Cathedral bells - MKH 8050 and 8030

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 stereo shotgun mic to an MKH 8050 + MKH 8030 MS pair. The test recordings are of the sea recorded around 4m from the breaking waves at Cley beach. Norfolk. This recording is of the MKH 8018 with the M and S outputs mixed 50:50 (once different sensitivities were accounted for). No editing or limiting etc. Recorded at 96kHz with a Sound Devices 788T See other file for the MKH 8050 + 8030 comparison.

Cley beach - sea - MKH 8018

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 stereo shotgun mic to an MKH 8050 + MKH 8030 MS pair. The test recordings are of the sea recorded around 4m from the breaking waves at Cley beach. Norfolk. This recording is of the MKH 8050 + 8030 pair with the M and S outputs mixed 50:50 (once different sensitivities were accounted for). No editing or limiting etc. Recorded at 96kHz with a Sound Devices 788T See other file for the MKH 8018 comparison.

Cley beach - sea - MKH8050 and 8030

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 stereo shotgun mic to an MKH 8050 + MKH 8030 MS pair. The test recordings are footsteps walking in a full circle of the mics on Cley beach, Norfolk, starting and finishing on axis. This recording is of the MKH 8018 with the M and S outputs mixed 50:50 (once different sensitivities were accounted for). No editing or limiting etc. Recorded at 96kHz with a Sound Devices 788T. See other file for the MKH 8050 + 8030 comparison.

Cley beach - walking in circle - MKH8018

Test recording comparing Sennheiser MKH 8018 and MKH 8050 + 8030 MS pair. The test recording was at Holt station (North Norfolk Railway), and comprises three clips with short silences between, comprising: i) Grange class loco Betton Grange 4-6-0 arriving at the station with a train of carriages; ii) the signal box bells; and iii) the same train departing. This recording is with the MKH 8018, recorded into a Sound Devices 788T at 96kHz. See other file for the MKH 8050 + 8030 recording.

Steam train arrival and departure - MKH8018

Self-noise test of Sennheiser MKH 8018 mid mic capsule: recorded with  Sound Devices 788T at 96kHz, with 100Hz HP filter (to minimize residual bass frequencies - e.g. from traffic - reaching the recording location). 76dB gain.

Self-noise test: MKH 8018 mid mic capsule

Self-noise test of Sennheiser MKH 8018 side mic capsule: recorded with Sound Devices 788T at 96kHz, with 100Hz HP filter (to minimize residual bass frequencies - e.g. from traffic - reaching the recording location). 76dB gain on recorder (max) plus 7dB in Reaper, to match sensitivity of MKH 8018 mid mic capsule (see separate recording).

Self-noise test: MKH 8018 side mic capsule

Test recording comparing Sennheiser MKH 8018 and MKH 8050 + 8030 MS pair. The test recording was of scythe sharpening in a field near Reepham, Norfolk. This recording is with the MKH 8018, recorded into a Sound Devices 788T at 96kHz. See other file for the MKH 8050 + 8030 recording.

Scythe sharpening - MKH 8018

Test recording comparing the low-frequency response of a Sennheiser MKH 8018 and MKH 8050 + 8030 MS pair. The test recording was of car exhaust (a slight revving then idling). This recording is with the MKH 8018, recorded into a Sound Devices 788T at 96kHz. See other file for the MKH 8050 + 8030 recording.

Exhaust low-frequency test - MKH8018

Test recording comparing the low-frequency response of a Sennheiser MKH 8018 and MKH 8050 + 8030 MS pair. The test recording was of car exhaust (a slight revving then idling). This recording is with the MKH 8050 + 8030 MS pair, recorded into a Sound Devices 788T at 96kHz. See other file for the MKH 8018 recording.

Exhaust low-frequency test - MKH8050 + 8030

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices 788T at 76dB gain (i.e. its maximum gain). For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 1 - 788T 76dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices MixPre-3 (1st generation) at 76dB gain (i.e. its maximum gain). For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 1 - MixPre3 76dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Tascam FR-AV2 in 32-bit float mode. Gain in post was adjusted to match recordings with the 24-bit Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 788T recorders at their maximum gains (both 76dB). For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 1 - FR-AV2

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices 788T at 56dB gain, with 20dB gain then added in post. For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 2 - 788T 56dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices MixPre-3 at 56dB gain, with 20dB gain then added in post. For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 2 - MixPre3 56dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Tascam FR-AV2 in 32-bit float mode. Gain in post was adjusted to match recordings with the 24-bit Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 788T recorders set with 56dB gain, and with 20dB gain added to them in post, giving a total of 76dB). For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 2 - FR-AV2

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices 788T at 36dB gain, with 40dB gain then added in post. For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 3 - 788T 36dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices MixPre-3 at 36dB gain, with 40dB gain then added in post. For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 3 - MixPre3 36dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices 788T at 6dB gain, with 70dB gain then added in post. For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 5 - 788T 6dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Sound Devices MixPre-3 at 6dB gain, with 70dB gain then added in post. For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 5 - MixPre3 6dB

Self-noise recording test of a mechanical stopwatch, using a Rode NT1 mic (for its very low [4dBA] self-noise), into a Tascam FR-AV2 in 32-bit float mode. Gain in post was adjusted to match recordings with the 24-bit Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 788T recorders set with 6dB gain, and with 70dB gain added to them in post, giving a total of 76dB). For comparison with other test recordings in this series.

Self-noise test 5 - FR-AV2

Test recording of a 1kHz tone, a coin spinning, a burst from a hammer drill (drilling into concrete) 300mm from the mic (an MKH 8020), and also the quiet background noise of a few birds tweeting and the distant rumble of a military jet. Recorded into a Sound Devices 788T with 20dB gain. For comparison with the other test recordings in this series.

Dynamic range test - 788T

Test recording with the Tascam FR-AV2 (in 32-bit mode) to compare it with the Sound Devices MixPre-3 (first generation), for which listen to the separate recording. The test was to compare a dual-ADC 32-bit float recorder to a 24-bit recorder with a recording of extreme variation in sound level, so covers quiet countryside at Kelling Heath Halt on the North Norfolk Railway on which increasingly intrudes the sound of an approaching steam loco (a massive WD 2-10-0 class engine, ‘The Royal Norfolk Regiment’), which then passes inches from the mic (a Sennheiser MKH 8018), set at the front edge of the platform, and then fades into the distance.

Steam train test 1 - FR-AV2

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 (mid - or shotgun mic - capsule only) to the MKH 8060 (for which see separate recording). The test recording is of voice and clapping around the mics at a distance of around 15ft (5m), outdoors. The odd passing car and birdsong provide additional interest!

Garden MKH 8018 mono

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 to the MKH 8060 + MKH 8030 (for which see separate recording). The test recording comprises garden and street sounds in a quiet Norfolk village, with various additional noises deliberately created: shoveling gravel, a spade ringing and being dragged, a wheelie bin being, er, wheeled etc.

Garden MKH 8018 MS

Test recording comparing the MKH 8060 + MKH 8030 to the Sennheiser MKH 8018 (for which see separate recording). The test recording comprises garden and street sounds in a quiet Norfolk village, with various additional noises deliberately created: shoveling gravel, a spade ringing and being dragged, a wheelie bin being, er, wheeled etc.

Garden MKH 8060 and 8030 MS

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 (mid - or shotgun mic - capsule only) to the MKH 8060 (for which see separate recording). The test recording is of steam loco 'Britannia' (a 4-6-2 BR Standard Class 7) entering the cutting at Kelling Heath on the North Norfolk railway.

Steam loco MKH8018 mono

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8060 to the MKH 8018 (mid - or shotgun mic - capsule only: for which see separate recording). The test recording is of steam loco 'Britannia' (a 4-6-2 BR Standard Class 7) entering the cutting at Kelling Heath on the North Norfolk railway.

Steam loco MKH8060

Test recording comparing the Sennheiser MKH 8018 to an MKH 8060 + MKH 8030 MS pair (for which see separate recording). The test recording is of steam loco 'Britannia' (a 4-6-2 BR Standard Class 7) entering the cutting at Kelling Heath on the North Norfolk railway.

Steam loco MKH8018 MS

Test recording comparing an MKH 8060 + MKH 8030 MS pair to the Sennheiser MKH 8018 (for which see separate recording). The test recording is of steam loco 'Britannia' (a 4-6-2 BR Standard Class 7) entering the cutting at Kelling Heath on the North Norfolk railway.

Steam loco MKH8060 and 8030 MS

Clip from recording with Clippy EM172 mics into the Tascam FR-AV2 (in 32-bit mode: 48kHz), as part of tests of compact travel sound-recording kit. Mics clipped to side of small shoulder bag, placed on wall. Ambient sound recording in the Place des Palais, Avignon, France: Oct 2025.



FR-AV2 and Clippy - test 1 - Place des Palais

Clip from recording with Clippy EM172 mics into the Tascam FR-AV2 (in 32-bit mode: 48kHz), as part of tests of compact travel sound-recording kit. Mics clipped to side of small shoulder bag, which I was wearing at the time of the recording. Ambient sound recording in the Place des Palais, Avignon, France: Oct 2025.

FR-AV2 and Clippy - test 2 - Place des Palais

Clip from recording with Clippy EM172 mics into the Tascam FR-AV2 (in 32-bit mode: 48kHz), as part of tests of compact travel sound-recording kit. Mics clipped to window baskets high up in a townhouse. Ambient sound recording in Place de la Principale, Avignon, France: Oct 2025.

FR-AV2 and Clippy - test 3 - Place de la Principale

Clip from recording with Clippy EM172 mics into the Tascam FR-AV2 (in 32-bit mode: 48kHz), as part of tests of compact travel sound-recording kit. Mics clipped to side of small shoulder bag, placed on wall. Sound recording of water wheel in the Rue des Teinturiers, Avignon, France: Oct 2025.

FR-AV2 and Clippy - test 4 - Rue des Teinturiers

Clip from recording with Clippy EM172 mics into the Tascam FR-AV2 (in 32-bit mode: 48kHz), as part of tests of compact travel sound-recording kit. Mics clipped to side of small shoulder bag, placed on rocks by the river. Ambient sound recording at Pont du Gard, near Avignon, France: Oct 2025.

Norfolksoundman

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