Topic: AT-853 / u853 cards comparison w/samples

[Ziggz]

Thought I'd run both and see how things turned out. On this night I'd give the edge to the older 853's. Note this was done in a noisy cafe where the music was competing with a cappuccino machine and 3 chicks guzzling down wine and TALKING REALLY LOUD.

AT-u853 -> SP bb -> M10
AT-853 -> CA-9100 -> R09HR

http://www.mediafire.com/?e2s2gkfho15ss

[Javier Cinakowski]

The CA9100 is an unfair advantage IMO...

[Duconlajoie]

I don't hear any difference  , but i am not experienced, if some of you could learn me 

[hi and lo]

In the words of Raymoda (but actually used in the proper context) "This comp is totally invalid!"

Much appreciation for your efforts, but the use of two different recorders and a CA 9100 make it impossible to draw conclusions of significance.

Regarding the use of the CA 9100, well... I will keep my thoughts of the merit of this piece of equipment to myself. It's a difference to say the least.

[Belexes]

The CA9100 is an unfair advantage IMO...

Agreed. Also two different decks although I'd think that would be less of a factor.

[SmokinJoe]

Unfortunately I can't get to the mediafire samples from behind my company's firewall at lunch time, so I haven't listened yet.  I'll try to remember to listen when I get home.  As someone who owns AT853's and U853's, and a SP Battery Box and an ST9100, I'm going to prognosticate before I listen that the U853's > BB are thicker sounding compared to the AT853's > ST9100 which has a brighter high end.  We'll see if I'm correct when I listen tonight, or if I'm full of shit (it's been known to happen).

In my opinion, the difference in the U vs "older style" caps is less of a difference than the battery box vs preamp.  When I had my U853 miniguns I ran them at a Trey show, with ST9100 preamp for one set and battbox for the other set, and it was a distinctly audible difference.  I really hate it when someone "disses" a comp because they aren't 100% scientifically comparable, but I think in this case it really is too big a variable to ignore.

[acidjack]

^^ Yes, and also, admittedly not having A/B'd them, I feel like the M10s internal analog circuitry and the R-09HR's aren't identical sound-wise either (well, in fact, we know they aren't, since no two different model machines are likely to be identical).   I'd probably assume the M10 sounded a smidgen better/maybe a bit brighter and clearer, but that's purely anecdotal. 

[Gutbucket]

Anecdotal prognostications

Excellent name for a conceptual-prog-rock album!  ..or an obtusely obscure art-school college backup band!

[OOK]

I have listened to both sample.....and although there is different equipment involved in terms of preamp and recorder  I like th eolder 853's better...There is definately better high end... the U853 almost sound muffled in Comparison.  I would have expected the church pre to liven things up a little but the highend roll off of the U853 compared to the older 853's is totally noted....Thanks for your effort...

OOK

[SmokinJoe]

Anecdotal prognostications

Excellent name for a conceptual-prog-rock album!  ..or an obtusely obscure art-school college backup band!

99% of your fans wouldn't be able to spell it... not a good marketing strategy.  Same with "Engelburt Humperdink" and "John Cougar Mellencamp" (I probably just mispelled those).  Look at all the people who write "Greatful Dead" and "The Beetles"... best bet is to stick with a short name like "moe."    Actually, that doesn't work either, nobody really understands the period.   "Cher", "Elvis" and "U2".  That's about the longest name the average wookie can remember.  If you want to get somewhere as a band, you need a really simple name.   

What's this thread about again?  Oh, yeah.  AT853's.  I like 'em.  I'm down to 3 pair at the moment, having recently sold some.  Just don't put your cell phone and your preamp in the same pocket while stealthing, or you get that funky noise.

[Gutbucket]

99% of your potential mainstream fans wouldn't be able to spell it... not a good marketing strategy.

FTFY 

You are right of course.  But disregard for good marketing and the potential to attact large audiences is partially what makes conceptual-prog-rock and art-school college backup bands obtuse and obscure!  If you can spell it, you can be part of the small and highly exclusive fan base, a big part of the attraction.

[BlindGuyEars]

I haven't been keeping up with SP mics. Do the newer version of the 853 still need a preamp that has been modded for slightly less sensitivity? I think I recall this from a few years back, Chris Church modifying his preamps to work better with 853's.