Other External Microphones

[Jerry Bromenshenk]

As described in the first Topic, we've found two relatively flat frequency response microphones at a price that should be affordable. Use of other external microphones may not provide the recording sensitivity and quality that is required. If you use any external microphone other than the two we've recommended, please add that to the notes when you create a report using the app.

For audiophile experts, please let us know about other microphones that meet or beat the specifications of the Dayton and Rode microphones at an affordable (e.g., less than $100) price.

Advertisers - if you post here without our permission, your posts will be deleted. If you have a product that may meet or beat the two recommended microphones, please send us an email with microphone specifications and costs.

[[email protected]]

So, what are the two microphones you have found suitable?

[Jerry Bromenshenk]

The Rode Smart Lav and the Dayton Measurement microphones described in the First Topic. This Topic is a place for audio experts to recommend additional microphones.

[[email protected]]

The dayton looks like it would be hard to insert into a hive, so I bought the Rode and taped it to a piece of flat molding so i could insert it into a hive.

[Jerry Bromenshenk]

Whatever works. The smaller the insert, the less bees hand on it.

[yellowcyclist]

I bought some cheap white cotton gloves and used the fingers to cover the black Dayton but the bees attacked the cotton more than the naked mic! Always expect the unexpected! The material was too open and fluffy, perils of internet shopping.

[Jerry Bromenshenk]

I recommended the silver Dayton microphone for this very reason. You bought the other one, which also may not be adjustable for record volume. Your experience - fuzzy gets attacked is the same reason you should remove any foam wind guard from a microphone to be inserted into a hive. The other lesson I learned years ago, don't photograph Africanized Honey Bees using a Black SLR. And never buy and use a black, horsehair, bee brush. The light-colored, synthetic bristle brushes are far less likely to be attacked.

[Redstepchild]

Wrap the microphone with window screen. Leave a gap that way bees aren't able to touch the microphone. Fiberglass window screen us like 7$ a roll. The bees can walk the screen but not reach the sound device. If you left it in there, they will propolis the screen, but you just slip a new one on. Save the old propolis screen for a bait box in spring.

[Jerry Bromenshenk]

Tell us how that works.