Topic: Cardioid recommendations for stealthing

[colargol]

Hi!

I've been taping with Core Sound Cardioids for years now, but would like to try something "better". A lot of people on TS seem to prefer Schoeps mics, and I'm considering this, but I would like to hear if there are other, more affordable mics out there that would increase the quality of my recordings. So, basically, any ideas for cardioid mics that would:

• be small enough to work in a lot of stealth situations
• not require a whole load of batteries for every show
• cost somewhere between usd250 and usd 2000 for a pair
• not overload easily, but work well for not-so-loud shows too
• preferably not need phantom power, or otherwise work easily with edirol r-09 or similar

Any help appreciated...

-Colargol

[su6oxone]

You can find DPA 402x sets on ebay occasionally for around $2500.  That is if you mostly stealth.

Hi!

I've been taping with Core Sound Cardioids for years now, but would like to try something "better". A lot of people on TS seem to prefer Schoeps mics, and I'm considering this, but I would like to hear if there are other, more affordable mics out there that would increase the quality of my recordings. So, basically, any ideas for cardioid mics that would:

• be small enough to work in a lot of stealth situations
• not require a whole load of batteries for every show
• cost somewhere between usd250 and usd 2000 for a pair
• not overload easily, but work well for not-so-loud shows too
• preferably not need phantom power, or otherwise work easily with edirol r-09 or similar

Any help appreciated...

-Colargol

[(Evan)]

Just wondering...how exactly do you stealth with those DPA compacts? Where do you put them?

[schoepsnbox]

MK4>Nbox 

[Dede2002]

In the $ 250 field, I have to say HLSC-1 (Sennheiser/Microphone Madness). Fits all your needs.

[edtyre]

BEST mk4>nbox or dpa 4023>aerco

The best sound i captured before i moved on to schoeps
was with the at853rx>phantom adapters>aerco (way under 1000 used)
or a ps2 instead of aerco for just loud rock shows (under 500)

[Sunday Driver]

In the $ 250 field, I have to say HLSC-1 (Sennheiser/Microphone Madness). Fits all your needs.

I don't know about that- I thought about getting some mke40s, but I think the mics are more geared towards vocal pick-up with a lot of midrange bass, but very little "low" bass. The mids sound very warm, and they may be slightly more detailed than the AT 853s, but that lack of low bass turned me off. The U853s are much more balanced, but they do lack some depth and detail compared to higher end mics like the Schoeps mk4. I've come to realize that when you deal with mics that are less than $300, they all seem to have their individual shortcomings.

Another pre-Schoeps option is some MBHO actives, which could be stealthed with some thought.

[shaggy]

I know you want recs outside of Schoeps but let me tell you, I thought alot about this over the years; nothing beats a pair of mk4vs for the said situation.  All other options will leave you with some sort of mechanical contact issue with your head (except the DPA 4021s).

[Dede2002]

In the $ 250 field, I have to say HLSC-1 (Sennheiser/Microphone Madness). Fits all your needs.

 I've come to realize that when you deal with mics that are less than $300, they all seem to have their individual shortcomings.

I have to agree.
They all have their issues.
I don't find the MKE40 (HLSC-1) to be light on the bass side. Not earthshaking bass, but no light ( to my ears). Considering the fact that most amplified live music tends to present a criminal amount of bass, that's not a bad thing really.
Take care

[nicegrin]

For about 250 dollars I´d strongly suggest a pair of AT 853s or 943s.
If you stealth and want clean and nice sounding recordings I´d reccomend the hypercapsules.
Don´t forget to add low sens mod for louder stuff.
Good luck!

[colargol]

Hi!

Thanks everyone for good advice... My nbox is ordered, so I'm heading towards the nbox team, I suppose :-)

-C

[Ekib]

Keep your Core-Sound's. You will only regret trying to find something better . I know people who did and spent an awful lot of money and really , it didn't sound better...but worse.
I have heard the MM Highline and they're a joke compared to Core Sound Stealthy Cardiod. They have way too much bass . The biggest problem for example at rockshows are the double bassdrums. Core Sound picks those perfect.

They're my favourite mic's ever...and I will NEVER change them.

[heyitsmejess]

church audio ca-14.
under your budget, but great sounding mics

[Ekib]

church audio ca-14.
under your budget, but great sounding mics

Heard good things about those indeed !
But I haven't heard a recording so far.

[Belexes]

Keep your Core-Sound's. You will only regret trying to find something better . I know people who did and spent an awful lot of money and really , it didn't sound better...but worse.
I have heard the MM Highline and they're a joke compared to Core Sound Stealthy Cardiod. They have way too much bass . The biggest problem for example at rockshows are the double bassdrums. Core Sound picks those perfect.

I have owned or do own the CSB's, MM's (card), AT943's, AT853's, CA-14's.

CSB's were a good mic and it seemed when I got them in the mid-90s that it was the go-to mic for about $250 that everyone seemed to flock towards.  I wanted to try the Sonic Sense DSM's, but didn't have the $. In 2004 I moved to the AT series and have not regretted it one bit and for my setup saw improved stealth recordings.  Now I am on a Church Audio kick with the CA-14's.  I don't think I'll ever go back to the CoreSounds.  Good mics for a time, but a wealth more of  and IMHO better choices on the market.

You stated that the MM's had too much bass. Do you mean the omni's?  Some people here have complained there was not enough bass response for the cardioid, but that wasn't my experience all.  I found the MM's to have a lot of detail with that Sennheiser sound.