[Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s?

[Bob McGraw]

Likewise, I'm a retired pro audio engineer, studio and live music.  The 
CM500 is a very good headset and plugs directly into the rear of the 
K3S.  Turn on the bias.   They are available from Sweetwater Sound (no 
connection to me) for about $60.  I also use the Koss SB40 ($29 on 
Amazon) which has a dynamic mike.  One has to be careful with the 
mike-to-mouth placement as it is a dynamic mike (no bias required) and 
thus is prone to proximity effects or boosted low end.  Taking a 
different approach I use a Shure SM-58 ($100) on a boom.  I did make my 
own XLR-3 to Foster 8 pin cable. Very easy to do and connects to the 
front panel MIC connector.  No bias required.  I also have used a 
Behringer XM8500 ($29) with very similar results as the SM-58.  The 
SM-58, or its like in wireless form,  is a very popular stage vocal mike.

One factor I've observed and stressed is "proper microphone technique".  
That is proper placement of the microphone with regard to the mouth.  I 
find many hams have been taught incorrectly in this regard or perhaps do 
not understand the relationship that exists.  One needs to experiment 
with a specific mike and their voice in order to attain desired 
results.   Many dynamic microphones will have proximity effect which 
will make them bottom heavy or bassy.  Simply back the mike away from 
the mouth to correct the concern.  Many microphones have extended high 
end response.  This produces lots of lip and mouth and breath/nasal 
sounds.  Again, correct placement above the mouth, or to the side or 
below the mouth usually corrects the concern. And of course, proper 
adjustment of microphone gain and any compression is mandatory with each 
mike.

Jim, K9YC recommendations for TX EQ is an excellent starting point.  In 
my case, I've tweaked the numbers a wee bit to suit my voice and my 
microphone choice.

Listen to your signal by recording it and then playing it back from the 
various SDR remote receivers around the country.    That way you know 
how your station sounds.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 11/2/2022 9:44 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> Message: 18
> Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2022 17:48:31 -0700
> From: Jim Brown<jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
> To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s?
> Message-ID:
> 	<d131a529-cdd5-9340-f807-39055813fc4b at audiosystemsgroup.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> I strongly agree with Rick's advice. I'm retired from pro audio, did
> lots of live recording, still have some great pro mics, but I've been
> using the CM500 since around 2009. I can't think of a better choice. I
> find the headphones comfy enough for a long weekend contest, and they
> sound great!
>
> 73, Jim K9YC