Sony PCM-D50: What microphones are people using?
 

and what cable adapters if any.

The D50 mics are surprisingly very good, they'll take a huge SPL. I use them at 120degree spread for location sfx. Recorded a 4 piece street band on spec, 120d handheld and it worked well; used Sony 7506 cans to balance.

I've got the matching Sony XLR adaptor with 48volts and the RODE NTG-3 sounds great along with the NT4. Strangely enough one recording with the RODE SVM didn't sound that good, have to try again.

Cheers.

Y'know Allan, after I posted this thread, I should have acknowledged what every user seems to say which is that the internal mics are great. So.. on their own, I have a question about recording dialogue for two people. If the PCM-D50 is out of the frame, but as close as possible to the talent, can you dial down the gain (or do something else) to record their conversation with a minimum of background noise? Would it be best positioned low to record "up" or would off to the side ok?
And yes, the XLR adapter is a solution with phantom powered mics albeit a pricey one.

Get a speech level and position the D50 by listening on good headphones. Up or overhead facing down smack in between the talent probably sound best, maybe favour the quieter speaker.

I'd experiment by pointing the D50 cardioid mics straight ahead or at 90d, depending on how far the talent are apart. You shouldn't get too much out of phase to worry.

Put the D50 limiter on, low cut 75Hz on, and adjust the volume to read average -12dB, as per the manual. I favour mono for the final mix.

Of course the closer the mics are the less background noise but if it's too loud either have the talent speak up, or relocate to a quieter spot.

Cheers.

Thanks Allan. I'll give those a try when my recorder arrives.

If using an external mic I have the Sony 957 which has a 1/8" jack on it so is easy to interface:SONY ECMMS 957 Microphone | GoSale