..a 'plug and play' system that I can set up to pick up, and possibly amplify, outside sounds that I can leave on 24/7 like a security camera that just passively transmits the outside noise, to the inside of my house.
Well..
Sounds like (heh..) you don't mind a 'hardwired' system? (vs wireless..) If so (and 'hearing' Clear - and both far and wide, in 360˚ - is Important to ya..) then I'd personally suggest going with a 'Pro-grade' Omnidirectional Mic / Audio I/O device, ie:
- Best Omni-Mic (
for the bux - a
Very close second, performance-wise, to the 'Top of the line' Sennheiser (the MKH8020 - Best out there) which is north of $1K (!) so probably a non-starter..) will be the Audio-Technica AT 4022:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...a-at4022-small-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
..
Why you want something like this (vs the 'baby monitors') is that a) Their freq. response is pretty 'low-end', and the Mics in them will be rather 'directional' (ie: a 'Cardioid' mic, where the sound-gathering field is pretty wide, but.. Fairly 'blind' to the rear..) whereas an Omnidirectional mic will pick up, Everywhere, just as it's name suggests.. And that Mic, in particular, will pick up nearly
Everything (it's one of the 'low-end Pro'-popular ones for 'field recordings' by Foley artists / samplers, etc..) and Very clearly..
..and b) a Hardwired-mic means no 'local power' to deal with (for those 'Monitors' - either a hassle with batts. or AC + a 'wall wart' adapter, etc, out-to where you'd want to put them..)..Since I'd imagine that the ideal spot would be 'Top of the Tower', pointed in the general direction of the 'Inlets' to the inner-core, there, and thus, the 'cable run' would certainly be well under 100', tops, getting an 'XLR' (mic-cable) for that run should also be pretty-economical (less than 'running power' out to the baby-monitor, etc)
- Then, a receiver / Audio I/O device, ie:
www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ScarSG3--focusrite-scarlett-solo-3rd-gen-usb-audio-interface (PS - pretty much about the same pricing on Amazon, et al, but at least with SW, I can parse the Links..
which Will supply the '48V Phantom Power' that the Mic needs, and Output can be to a pair of 'powered speakers', or to your Home-stereo Amp / or the Mac (or even iPad
Input, via USB, there, where you can record / edit / enhance, etc, all kinds of time-sucking fun stuff..
IF, however, you want to go 'further out', Away from the 'inner core', well.. I also have some 'Pro-grade Wireless T/R suggestions' (ie:
https://www.svsound.com/products/soundpath-tri-band-wireless-audio-adapter and + the Mic, of course..) but then you have to Run Power to that Transmitter, and other considerations.. But, I'll only expand on that if you "need" to go wireless, vs the 'solider' wired-solution, above.
Lastly, well.. Sure, this is all a 'bit pricey', so.. Not sure how This Mic would work: (Amazon-search Item B07CG5KMD2 if that link doesn't parse..) but it purports to be more 'designed for this-type of an application. However, the down-side is, a) Power to it (12V DC) and b) Doubt it will be Anywhere's
Near as sensitive / long-range-reaching as the Mic, above..
..Then again, I suppose you could 'buy 4x of those' / share Power off One 'powerpack' (with enough current for all 4) and Make an 'Omnidirectional pod', pointing one in each cardinal direction, but.. Then, too, you're into 4x 'line-ins' (and would have to buy the 'next model or two, Up' with that Input device, that can take-in 4x Line-Inputs) + the adapters from those 'RCA' connectors > 1/4" In, etc.. So, what you might "save" on the First idea - you might blow in time / complexity, etc, etc..
That's just my verbose .02
jd
