Frequently
Asked Questions
Q. What is the difference between
the DRM85 and DRM85-C FlashMic?
A. The difference between these two models is only that
they have different microphone capsules. All other features
are identical. The DRM85 has an omnidirectional capsule
which means that it picks up sound in all directions equally.
The DRM85-C has a capsule with a Cardioid pattern which
means that sound directly in
front of the microphone will be recorded louder than sound
at the sides of the microphone.
Q.What
difference will there be in my recordings if I use the DRM85
or DRM85-C?
A. With the DRM85 the microphone can be held still in between
the interviewer and interviewee/subject and both voices
will be recorded at the same relative recording level.
If the microphone is pointed at the interviewee/subject
or interviewer the level will not change. (It will only
change naturally as the distance from the FlashMic to the
speaker changes.)
With the DRM85-C (Cardiod): as the microphone is moved from
pointing at the interviewer to pointing at the interviewee/subject,
the level of the recorded sound will change.
If the interviewer starts to move the microphone towards
the interviewee while they are still speaking -
this will have the effect of the end of the last few words
or question fading on the recording. More interviewing
skill is therefore required with the DRM85-C and for this
reason we would recommend the omnidirectional DRM85
for the less inexperienced user.
The DRM85-C (Cardiod) is very useful in excessively noisy
environments when carrying out 1 on 1 interviews as any
loud and distracting background noises from the sides of
the microphone will be recorded at a lower level.
However, in normal environments when speaking clearly and
close to the DRM85 Omnidirectional microphone the interviewers
and interviewee/subjects voices would be louder than the
background noise anyway.
Q.
What is the LI version for?
A. The DRM85LI and DRM85-CLI are the same as the standard
FlashMics with the added feature of a line input. When the
line input cable is not connected they work in exactly the
same way as the standard FlashMics. When the line input
cable is connected the microphone in the FlashMic is switched
off and the recording is of the signal from the line input
cable. This feature was added for the specific requirement
of recording a feed at a press conference where it is not
possible for the journalist to use their own microphone
for the recording.
Q.
How do I get the recordings onto my computer?
A. The FlashMic has a USB port. When this is connected to
a computer, using a standard USB A-B cable (supplied), the
FlashMic will appear as a ‘USB mass storage device’
in the same way that the a USB memory stick does. All of
the recordings will be in a folder named ‘AUDIO’.
Recordings can also be transferred to a computer using the
FlashMic Manager Software which allows remaining or converting
of the files as they are transferred.
Q.
How long can a record for on the FlashMic?
A. The FlashMic has 1GB internal memory. Depending on the
settings this memory can store a maximum of between 3 hours
and 18 hours 25 minutes of recordings. See the ‘Recording
Times’ page
Q.
The FlashMic can record MP2 files. What are these and why
does it not record MP3 files?
A. MP2 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer II) is widely used in broadcast
and works very well on speech and the spoken word. MP3 (MPEG-1
Audio Layer III) on the other hand is widely used in for
compressing music files for use on the internet and with
portable players MP3 players. More information of MP2 can
be found on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-1_Audio_Layer_II.
Q.
I have been asked to send someone MP3 files. How do I convert
my FlashMic recordings to MP3?
A. The FlashMic Manager software can be used to convert
recordings to .mp3 files as they are transferred from the
FlashMic to the computer.
Q.
Which is the latest Version of FlashMic Manager software
and is this included when I buy a Microphone?
A. Yes. Software CD is included in the box and customers
report it is excellent sound management software.
Latest version is V5.4.0 - download it as a zip file from
HERE if you need
latest upgrade.
Q.
Can I talk to someone about anything ?
A. YES - our phone number is 01423 781700
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