Topic: Retired taper looking for mics.

[ts]

Friend of mine is thinking of getting back into the game. He tried a few years back but postponed the endeavor. Back then I almost had him on pair of Busmans. His budget is south of 700 for a stereo pair of cards. He will also use them to mic his son on a grand piano.

So, that said, I'm thinking:

- MBHO 440
- Busman BSC1
- Rode NT5
- Beyer MC 930 (would need to up his budget a little)

A modular system is not necessary but might be nice.

Thoughts? I'm thinking the HO's.

Thanks!

[mfrench]

Line Audio CM3 sub-cards. $300'ish pair, with the upgraded shocks.
http://www.nohypeaudio.com/lineaudioproducts.htm
www.nohypeaudio.com JP Gerard

Acoustic orchestra samples:
https://archive.org/details/pso2017-03-19.pso2017-03-19_cm3pair_m.o.edit_2448flac
https://archive.org/details/pso2017-03-19.pso017-03-19_cm3pair_m.o.edit_1644flac

[Fried Chicken Boy]

For the price, the Busmans are pretty hard to beat if he's looking for interchangeable capsules. 

There are a lot of options and flexibility with the HO's but, if they need to be serviced, they do have to be sent to Germany on your own dime.  I've heard a couple of friends grumble about the inconvenience of that. 

The Line Audio have a solid reputation.  I don't have any experience with them but I do like the recordings I've heard. 

I'd also recommend Audio-Technica microphones.  Often overlooked and underrated, they punch far above their weight and there are loads of recordings with them on the LMA.  In addition to a number of fixed pattern SDC mics, they also make a multi-capsule model called the 4051. 

If he doesn't mind buying used, he can find all of those mics within his budget, including the Beyer MC 930 stereo set (great mics, IMHO).  Perseverance in the Yard Sale here, on eBay, Guitar Center's used listings, Reverb.com, etc, and he should be able to find what he wants at a good price.  Good luck and keep us posted. 

[pohaku]

For the price, the Busmans are pretty hard to beat if he's looking for interchangeable capsules. 

There are a lot of options and flexibility with the HO's but, if they need to be serviced, they do have to be sent to Germany on your own dime.  I've heard a couple of friends grumble about the inconvenience of that. 

The Line Audio have a solid reputation.  I don't have any experience with them but I do like the recordings I've heard. 

I'd also recommend Audio-Technica microphones.  Often overlooked and underrated, they punch far above their weight and there are loads of recordings with them on the LMA.  In addition to a number of fixed pattern SDC mics, they also make a multi-capsule model called the 4051. 

If he doesn't mind buying used, he can find all of those mics within his budget, including the Beyer MC 930 stereo set (great mics, IMHO).  Perseverance in the Yard Sale here, on eBay, Guitar Center's used listings, Reverb.com, etc, and he should be able to find what he wants at a good price.  Good luck and keep us posted.

The AT4051 is the cardioid model of that microphone.  The AT4053 is the hyper and the AT4049 is the omni.  Caps are interchangeable.  Also note that there are generation iterations (original, a and b) which while physically compatible, are probably not the same sound wise.  So be careful if you are buying singles to form a pair.  Great mics.  I have pairs of each of the "a" line and a pair of the original 4051s.  These typically go for @ $250 each or so used.

[jnorman34]

Great advice above.  Line audio is a wonderful choice, and the audio technica mics (4051, 4021) are excellent bang for buck mics.  I have owned and used both extensively and you can't go wrong with either.

[ts]

Thanks everyone. Just an update. He had me poke around the yard a few years ago and he ended up having me verbally commit to a couple sellers and he never followed thru, so his yard days are over, unless he wants to create his own account. His options are to purchase new or try his luck on eBay. I'm just trying to offer him some suggestions. Right now he is using using a loaner pair of Altec Lansing Nak clones from me>battery operated>M10. He's ready to try some nicer mics, but not willing to go over 700. Also don't think he will buy from any overseas vendors. Good suggestion anyway on the Line Audio.

[mfrench]

FWIW,... J.P. Gerard at Nohypeaudio was great to deal with, if your friend isn't into overseas transactions.  He is in Belgium, true. But, the transaction was great, and delivery was barely longer than in-states.

[ButchAlmberg]

I second the Line Audio CM-3's

[voltronic]

Get the Line Audio CM3s.  One of the best purchases I've ever made.  As others have said, JP at Nohypeaudio is a pleasure to deal with, and you're getting mics that were individually hand-assembled by one person at a very low price.

More links to samples may be found at Team Line Audio.

[2manyrocks]

For piano recording, the CM3s are very nice.  I suggest your friend take a listen to the recording of a small console piano in this thread:  https://www.gearslutz.com/board/remote-possibilities-acoustic-music-location-recording/862926-upright-piano-stereo-recording.html

There is a nice recording of a grand piano in the huge CM3 discussion thread at Gearslutz buried in the first 1/3 or 1/2 of the thread, but I'm too lazy to dig it out. 

[acidjack]

I'd recommend against the MBHOs for quality, not sound reasons. Simply not as user-friendly of mics to have repaired if something goes wrong, and they seem more fragile / prone to issues than other brands.

[ts]

My final advice to him is Line Audio for piano and dust off his old AT shotguns for concert taping. Now he needs a pre or a decent all in one.

[F.O.Bean]

I agree with what everyone else's has said! Cm3's are great mics for the $$, if subcards are your thing or goal. I'd also suggest the MBHO's too! Those were awesome mics when I ran them. Don't let the servicing persuade you, because HO's are great mics and I had mine for 4+ years and I never had a issue ever!

[voltronic]

None of us have asked where the grand piano recording is happening.  If it's going to be in a concert hall with good acoustics, then yes the CM3s will work nice, but a pair of omnis is going to be better as long as you can properly place them.  Omnis are always my favorite sound for grand piano.  Don't use them if recording inside a home, though.

You could almost stay within the $700 budget and get a pair of CM3s and also a pair of OM1 omnis.  I haven't seen any OM1 samples on this board, but head over to the Gearslutz threads for that (again, linked through Team Line Audio).

[ts]

None of us have asked where the grand piano recording is happening.  If it's going to be in a concert hall with good acoustics, then yes the CM3s will work nice, but a pair of omnis is going to be better as long as you can properly place them.  Omnis are always my favorite sound for grand piano.  Don't use them if recording inside a home, though.

You could almost stay within the $700 budget and get a pair of CM3s and also a pair of OM1 omnis.  I haven't seen any OM1 samples on this board, but head over to the Gearslutz threads for that (again, linked through Team Line Audio).

Mostly in home. Recitals are usually recorded by someone else.