Topic: Help Me Pick Some Mics Please

[leegeddy]

Cool!  For non stealthing purposes would you agree that Octava MC012s would be better than cmc-4s or cmc-8s?

Does anybody have any samples of shows recorded with them (im mostly doing loud rock in small clubs)?  Can you guys recomend any good manufacturers?

Thanks

Audio Technica AT853 w/hyper caps. Soundpro's CMC-4 uses these mics w/cardioid caps.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mkim/MP3/primus2004-03-10-sample.mp3

marc

[AT853rxwh]

Are those the cards or hypers?

[Alpha Murdock]

hmmm ... well i am at this point torn between the superlux mics and the Studio Projects variety.  Studio Projects seem to run $100 more and I have not seen anything bad written about em.

Anyobdoy know where I could grab some samples of either one of these?

Thanks!

[Chuck]

I've owned two different pairs of the Oktava MC012 microphones and have had great experience with them. I bought one pair with all the different capsules from a distrubuter in Russia. He does his own quality control.

I bought the second pair from Guitar Center when they had the two for one sale. I found the quality control to be excellent. I actually modified both pairs and sold one pair to someone on this forum. My experience was that the newer pair from Guitar Center was more consistant in the parts that were in the microphones than the ones I got from the guy in Russia. Although they all sounded the same.

I have owned many microphones though the years and I think the Oktavas are an excellent microphone for the money. They have interchangable capsules and make good ambient recordings. Call me an Oktava fluffer. I own other microphones and prefer to use the Oktavas in many situations.

[Alpha Murdock]

I would normally take the oktabas but price is the only issue.  Not long ago I could have gotten a pair for $99 and now I cant score a pair for less than $250.  

For $250 I can get a pair of luxes with all the extras.  That being said I have heard a bunch of recording w/ Octavas that are just great.

Dunno.  Still torn.  Im going to go bang my head against the wall!!!

[Swampy]

Im going to put in another vote for the Superlux mics! I ran them for 7 months, and I really liked them! Best sub 400 dollar mics IMO!!!

[Alpha Murdock]

 :afro:

sorry ... wanted to use that afro smiley.

Do you think the superluxes would be good for loud rock in small clubs?

I see you use ECM8000s now.  What do you use those for?

[Chanher]

even though I'm a biased oktava fan, the appeal of a superlux kit is obvious, it's a great starter kit.  while the oktava's and superlux's are two completely different microphones, the difference is not outrageously startling.

[Swampy]

:afro:

sorry ... wanted to use that afro smiley.

Do you think the superluxes would be good for loud rock in small clubs?

I see you use ECM8000s now.  What do you use those for?

ECM 8000s are omnis I use for "studio" work... I havent used them much in the field, but I hope to this summer... Definitely check out the Superluxs though.

[jpschust]

as per the studio projects lets look at what you get for your money:

factory matched pair of both omni and cards
shockmounts
screens (albeit that blow, but a starter set)

for all this from any other company this would be really damn expensive.

[Kindguy]

If it was me. I'd save another 100 to 150 bucks & pick up some used AKG 391's. Go ahead & save yourself an upgrade step for not much more money. The AKG's will keep you happy for a while IMO.

[Alpha Murdock]

Thanks a bunch everyone for the information.  I have a lot of stuff to check out here .., a lot of tapes to listen to.

I am buying these to actually tape my own band.  We do a decent amount of touring (100+ shows per year at this point - nationwide) and it would be nice to document some of those performances.

It gets kind of boring and lonely on the road weeks at a time and I have always enjoyed taping.  It will keep me busy (read as: will keep me from drinking too much before we play!).

I will probably just use my old ECM-909 + JB3 for now until i find a good deal on a set of mics that I intend to be attatched to for a while.

Thanks again everyone for the input.  Ill be watching the yard sale like a hawk

[jimmc]

Another good option in that under $300 price range is the Nakamichi CM300's.  I picked up a mint pair on ebay a few months back for $215 shipped and you dont have the quality issues that some Oktava's seem to have.  Just my 2 cents to get you to think about going "old school".
Also, Mark here on the board runs Nak CM300>oade w/ mod UA-5 > D8 and I just listened to his moe. 4/2/04 show and it was killer.
Nakamichi - a great mic for the price.
Jim

[Alpha Murdock]

thas strange ... why do all of the naka michis on ebay seem to come in a set of 3?

are these powered with batteries insyead of phantom powered?

[jimmc]

Yes, the naks are powered by a round 9v that can be purchased at Rat Shack. A lot of them come in 3's since they were also sold that way back in the day. Also, the Nakamichi MX100 pre-amp had inputs for L, R & center.  I only have a pair, but Mark that I mentioned above has 3, but normally only uses 2.  Ebay is hit or miss w/ the Naks as far as pairs or set of 3's go.  There were some in the yard sale a week or so ago.
Feel free to ask any other questions.
Jim
+T for the upgrade bug.