Author Topic: Help Me Pick Some Mics Please (Read 9038 times)

Alpha Murdock · « **on:** May 03, 2004, 12:28:26 PM »

Hey Everyone ...

I have a pair of Sonic Studios DSM-6/L mics that i have been using for a while and I think its time to change out some parts of my rig. I have become more and more unsatisfied with these SS Mics over time and I am consudering moving on to a Cardoid setup.

I just purchased a JB3 w/o an external preamp or a/d converter which im sure you all know sounds like shit. I have decided to add a Digimod UA-5 to my chain so I will have:

??Mics?? > UA-5 > JB3 (A setup that seems pretty popular around here.

So now onto the mics. Let me preface this by saying I dont have much money at all. The UA-5 will take a good chunk out of my upgrade budget but I think it is important. So I am picking between the SP-CMC-4 and SP-CMC-8 mics.

- I really like what I have heard out of the CMC-8s but are they really worth the price difference over the CMC-4 in everyone's opinion? Are the CMC-4s a step don quality wise from my DSM mics?

- Is there another pair of mics in the $300 range that I should be considering (anything that will whoop the ass of these quality-wise maybe)?

I should mention that I am not necesarilly looking for stealth mics (I am going to be using these mostly to tape my band's hows while on tour though ... So it would be nice to have a setup that didnt take up tons of room in the van.

Thanks!

Sean Gallemore · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2004, 12:42:07 PM »

Octavas are small and cheap, Superluxes as well.

If you go with the SP mics, I recommend you get the phantom power mod done so the mics can be directly plugged in and powered by the UA-5.

Alpha Murdock · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2004, 02:13:56 PM »

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

Chanher · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2004, 02:23:06 PM »

I have the at831 sp-cmc-2's and a pair of oktava's too. For loud rock I prefer the oktava's. that's just my opinion though. The only loud rock tapes I've made are crummy local cover bands with shitty sound systems in shitty venues.

but the oktava's did a good job of reproducing the awful sounds.

ChrisV · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2004, 02:58:58 PM »

Yeah, if you are going strictly non-stealth I'd recommend either the Okatava's or Superlux....I own a pair of the Superlux mics and am happy with them(upgraded from SP AT831's).

Alpha Murdock · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2004, 05:47:27 PM »

Cool! Any oposing opinions here I should know about?

1) Does anybody here know of any good cheap octava retailers? (is there a difference between the mc012s and the mk012s?)

2) Would Oktavas > UA5 > JB3 be an upgrade to my current SS-DSM setup in everyone's opinions?

Rawk!

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2004, 05:52:35 PM »

Quote from: Alpha Murdock on May 03, 2004, 05:47:27 PM

1) Does anybody here know of any good cheap octava retailers? (is there a difference between the mc012s and the mk012s?)

MC012 and MK012 are the same thing. Cheap retailers = Guitar Center, though quality control may or may not be an issue.

Quote from: Alpha Murdock on May 03, 2004, 05:47:27 PM

2) Would Oktavas > UA5 > JB3 be an upgrade to my current SS-DSM setup in everyone's opinions?

Without a doubt.

jpschust · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2004, 05:55:19 PM »

why not get the studio professionals c4's

get more, better mics for your 300 bucks than the oktavas

Alpha Murdock · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2004, 06:15:36 PM »

Quote from: Brian Skalinder on May 03, 2004, 05:52:35 PM

MC012 and MK012 are the same thing. Cheap retailers = Guitar Center, though quality control may or may not be an issue.

Thanks for the input. What exactly is meant by quality control?

Does anybody know what a good price would be for a pair of these suckers?

Alpha Murdock · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2004, 06:27:29 PM »

Quote from: jpschust on May 03, 2004, 05:55:19 PM

why not get the studio professionals c4's

get more, better mics for your 300 bucks than the oktavas

so ...

studio professionals c4 > oktava mc012?

plucks · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2004, 08:16:09 PM »

how bout the ADK SC-1 or SC-T mics?
They are quite affordable and kick ass!
Otherwise, some Audix M1290/1245 mics could do you well if you can plunk down some more cash.
Remember, mics make the biggest difference in your recordings and it's best to invest in these.
If you buy an unmoded UA5 you can always save some $$ by doing one of the mods yourself.

good luck

Jason B · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2004, 08:45:58 PM »

Quote from: plucks on May 03, 2004, 08:16:09 PM

ADK SC-T mics?

bingo

teajay · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2004, 09:02:48 PM »

once again, my pointless and biased vote for the sc-t's!

I really dig them, and even though they aren't sold as "matched" mine came withing 0.3db of each other i think it was, wither way, well within 1db...

travis

John Kelly · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2004, 09:17:57 PM »

Quote from: plucks on May 03, 2004, 08:16:09 PM

how bout the ADK SC-1 or SC-T mics?
They are quite affordable and kick ass!
Otherwise, some Audix M1290/1245 mics could do you well if you can plunk down some more cash.
Remember, mics make the biggest difference in your recordings and it's best to invest in these.
If you buy an unmoded UA5 you can always save some $$ by doing one of the mods yourself.

good luck

Well I wouldn't go with the 1245s due to their poor low frequency pickup, but the 1290s are awesome. They're about twice his budget, though...

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2004, 09:32:54 PM »

Oktava - historically, anyway - is known to have quality control issues. Different components making up the innards of mics off the same production line, specs that aren't nearly as consistent as other manufacturers, etc. Some have had fine experiences picking up Oktavas inexpensively at Guitar Center, others have encountered problems, and some have chose third-party vendors who provide their own quality control - at a price significantly higher than GC.

FWIW, you won't get any one answer as we all have different experiences and speak to those mics with which we are most familiar. For my money, I trust Jonny's recommendation on the Studio Projects C4s and would give them a go. They're new to most of us here, but Jonny has had good things to say - and that's good enough for me. That said, I've also heard and enjoyed the SC-Ts and Superlux mics. Best bet is, if you can (i.e. have broadband), try to download some samples with each of the mics you're considering.

leegeddy · « **Reply #15 on:** May 03, 2004, 09:44:52 PM »

Quote from: Alpha Murdock on May 03, 2004, 02:13:56 PM

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 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 03, 2004, 10:21:43 PM »

Are those the cards or hypers?

Alpha Murdock · « **Reply #17 on:** May 03, 2004, 11:34:17 PM »

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 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2004, 11:36:18 PM »

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 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 03, 2004, 11:51:34 PM »

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 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 04, 2004, 12:42:32 AM »

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 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 04, 2004, 12:48:49 AM »

: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 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 04, 2004, 12:59:45 AM »

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 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2004, 08:18:36 AM »

Quote from: Alpha Murdock on May 04, 2004, 12:48:49 AM

: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 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 04, 2004, 09:00:15 AM »

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 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2004, 09:02:40 AM »

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 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 04, 2004, 11:42:42 AM »

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 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 04, 2004, 08:36:55 PM »

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 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2004, 11:17:04 PM »

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 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 04, 2004, 11:27:45 PM »

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.

Alpha Murdock · « **Reply #30 on:** May 05, 2004, 12:34:05 AM »

could you post some clips if it isnt too much of a hassle ... i know these were really popular mics (see them in a lot of taper info on shows i get).

jimmc · « **Reply #31 on:** May 05, 2004, 01:13:56 AM »

Unfortunately I dont have any way to post clips, but check this link.

http://199.190.225.157/rgroove/archive/Moe%2011-15-03/

It is Mark's moe show from Ithaca, NY last year and it will give you a good idea of how Nak's sound w/ a oade warm mod ua-5. I think the quality is great for the price.
Jim

jpschust · « **Reply #32 on:** May 05, 2004, 09:59:25 PM »

why not go to the archive and just start searching by source?

Alpha Murdock · « **Reply #33 on:** May 05, 2004, 11:22:39 PM »

just ound it ... thars what im doing!

John Kelly · « **Reply #34 on:** May 05, 2004, 11:42:39 PM »

Quote from: jpschust on May 05, 2004, 09:59:25 PM

why not go to the archive and just start searching by source?

How exactly do you do this?

jpschust · « **Reply #35 on:** May 06, 2004, 02:10:09 AM »

in the search field at archive.org just plug whatever you want in- neumann, akg, etc

Author Topic: Help Me Pick Some Mics Please (Read 9038 times)

jpschust

Jason B

jpschust

jimmc

jimmc

jimmc

jpschust

jpschust