Author Topic: Audix M1290 (or M1280)??? a true upgrade? (Read 7854 times)

MJ · « **on:** June 19, 2008, 11:10:03 AM »

I am a stealth taper and currently use AT853s > Church Audio Pre
or DPA4061s > Church Audio Pre or Church Audi Mic > Church Audio Pre.
I usually tape loud rock concerts at venues of various sizes (100% indoor).
Now I am thinking about upgrading my stealth gears and especially looking for better sounding mics.

After reading threads here and there, I started thinking of getting Audix M1290 or M1280 seriously.
But is this going to be a truly upgrade if I tape shows with M1290 (or M1280) along with Oade mod UA-5?
Is there anyone out there who tried out Audix mics? What is your opinion? And which mod of Oade Mod UA5
should be pick up for Audix mics?

Please help me out of here. I have read so many threads and my eyes started getting dry. Any suggestion or comment or extra info will be highly appreciated.

Koichi

stantheman1976 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2008, 09:02:24 AM »

Search the Live Music Archive for Audix to get a basic idea of what the mics sound like. I've never used them to tape concerts but I've used the 1245's in a church enviornment to mic various instruments and used them as overhead mics for choir and have been pleased with how well they perform. I would have little fear buying Audix gear.

JasonSobel · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2008, 09:26:15 AM »

I used the Audix m1290's for a short while (I had both the card and hyper caps), and was pleased with how they sounded. I would have kept them, had I not switched to the Gefells. As stantheman1976 says above, search for recordings on the archive, there are plenty of them there. Here's one of mine with the Audix, and I think its a great example of how they can sound:
http://www.archive.org/details/clubdelf2005-04-21.m1290.flac16

I can't provide any input regarding which UA-5 mod sounds best with them, I always ran the mics with a V3.
Many people also compare the Audix micro's sound with the sound of AKG's. I think that's a fair comparison, in that they have a relatively flat frequency response, without emphasizing any portion of the audible range.
and to answer one of your other questions, yes, I definitely think the Audix mics would be a nice upgrade relative to the AT's you've got now.

bluegrass_brad · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2008, 09:40:18 AM »

I have the 1290's and have all three sets of caps and I really like them alot. I also have some AKG 460's, but I think after running the Audix's a few times that I like them better. I had an active AKG set-up, but didnt use them enough, so I let them go to Todd French who I knew would get some more use out of them then I was. That said the Audix is small enough that it is practically an active mic. It is super lo-pro FOB and and my setup/teardown time has remained about the same.

MJ · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2008, 11:58:59 AM »

Hi stantheman1976, JasonSobel & bluegrass_brad
Thanks for the link and the input!!! I really did some more research and listened to samples there.
Yes JasonSobel,you are right about frequency response. It sounds very flat and natural, which is very good
news for me.
AT mics with Church Audio Pre can promise good recording. The recent upload of mine at Traders Den seems to receive very favorable reviews
http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=60178&highlight=asia
but these days I realize that I suffer from listening fatigue when listening to these recordings on headphones for more than 30mins. I don’t know how to describe it. I used Sound Forge to reduce the audience noise, edit ear-piercing sound, hammer the spike on the wave form and use some more features of this software but I still find it unpleasant, to say the least, irritating, to be more precise to listen to these recordings.

Audix m1290 sounds very very natural to my ears and I really like it. I know it is not easy to bring in bigger mics and extra gears like UA-5 and to use them in stealth situation. But I thinki it is very worthy of trying.
Koichi

schoff · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2008, 04:56:28 PM »

Hi there

Having a very similar stealth rig (AT 853 Rx`s mounted on sunglasses > Church Audio Preamp CA 9100 > Edirol R-09) and having considered upgrading the mics I found this particular thread very interesting.

Are there any other mics people would recommend as an upgrade for the AT 853`s

Thanks in anticipation

Schoff

JasonSobel · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2008, 07:26:44 AM »

Quote from: rocknrolljourney on June 21, 2008, 11:58:59 AM

Audix m1290 sounds very very natural to my ears and I really like it. I know it is not easy to bring in bigger mics and extra gears like UA-5 and to use them in stealth situation. But I thinki it is very worthy of trying.
Koichi

one other thing to consider is a different pre-amp. The UA-5 certainly isn't the smallest pre-amp that provides 48V phantom power. For a small, discreet setup, maybe something like the Aerco MP-2, or the Sonosax SX-M2, or something along those lines. Either of those will power your mics, give you any gain you need, would certainly be smaller than a UA-5.

George · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2008, 09:15:36 AM »

I owned the 1290 cards and quite frankly, didn't find them to be all that stealthy. Their just flat out difficult to stealth with (too long and heavy), I prefer something that just clips to your collar or hat so I went to the dpa's. The 1290's do sound nice though, I powered mine with a Sound Devices MP-2.

John Kelly · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2008, 03:42:42 PM »

I loved the 1290s when I had them, and they're a DEFINITE upgrade over the 853s. I also had no problem stealthing them - just ran them A-B inside a Kangol. Only sold them because I was getting out of taping. Great little mics.

MJ · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2008, 12:03:11 PM »

Hi JasonSobel
Thanks for the info. Yes I might need a smaller and more discreet pre. I called the local gear shop for the price of Sonosax SX-M2 and found it way too expensive for my budget. The Aerco MP-2 is a bit expensive but still affordable and seems to be well-built for. However one thing I am wondering about is whether or not MP-2 could provide enough power to M1290 without external power source. M1290 is said to be a power hungry mic. So do I need external power source for this mic in whatever setting I use?

Hi gloco
I for one use DPA4061 and love it but now I want to try a real card mic. At a smaller venue DPA rules. I want something for an arena rock show.

Hi John Kelly
Thanks for posting. I found your post very encouraging. Actually one of the reasons I started thinking M1290 could be a next step is because I read your and others’ favorable opinion in old threads. It might take some time and practice but I really want to give it a try.

Koichi

John Kelly · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2008, 12:10:51 PM »

I had good results using the m1290s with a MixPre, and could stealth using only the internal AA batteries and get through a whole show. Back when I bought mine ('02 or so) it was only $450, but I'm not sure what the current value is.

M · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2008, 12:54:22 PM »

I'm loving my 1290 > sd mp2 setup......I moved from at853 > ca9100 and am enjoying the best upgrade I've made in my 4 year taping life (which were many).

The mp2 could be tricky to smuggle sometimes but I find getting the mics pointing in the right direction much easier with the audix.

I find with each new tape I pull with these I think about other mics less and less.

I ran them with a beyer mv100 before the mp2 and imo they sound quite a bit better with the sd especially in the low end.

MJ · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2008, 12:03:26 AM »

Hi probably I will get a Marantz PMD-660 Oade ACM modded on yard sale

. It is small enough to bring in the venue and still works OK with M1290s. What do you think about it?

MJ · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2008, 12:43:35 AM »

Hi John Kelly & orestesluna
What kind of cable should you use between a Mix Pre (or MP2) and a recorder?
I checked the spec sheet but could not figure out

.

John Kelly · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:26:52 AM »

Quote from: rocknrolljourney on July 01, 2008, 12:43:35 AM

Hi John Kelly & orestesluna
What kind of cable should you use between a Mix Pre (or MP2) and a recorder?
I checked the spec sheet but could not figure out .

At the time I was running a JB3 and just used a mini (1/8") to mini cable.

M · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2008, 08:45:15 AM »

I believe there is a 10bd difference between the xlr out and tape out. I have been using the tape out (stereo mini). Using the same cable I use with my church pre. I think this way the signal is unbalanced in the pre instead of the cable.

MJ · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:51:34 AM »

Hi John Kelly & orestesluna
Thanks for the quick reply

I take a listen to several recordings at Live Music Archives and I was really impressed

I will look for a MixPre or MP-2 on yard sale...... I have yet to get M1290s first though. Thank you very much for this heads up.

Koichi

su6oxone · « **Reply #17 on:** July 02, 2008, 12:25:23 PM »

Quote from: rocknrolljourney link=topic=105713.msg1419890#msg1419890 I have yet to get M1290s first though.
Koichi
[/quote

I think someone here is selling m1280 stereo set new on the cheap, was asking for $550 total I believe. AFAIK, still for sale. Hope you put some recordings with the m1280/1290 on LMA someday, would love to hear them!

schoff · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2008, 05:09:44 PM »

Humm,

Having followed this thread quite closely, If I went for a pair of these mics would I also have to go for a new preamp rather than the Church Audio ST9100 I currently have?

M · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2008, 05:23:57 PM »

yes, these mics need 48 volt phantom power

MJ · « **Reply #20 on:** July 06, 2008, 11:49:29 PM »

Quote from: su6oxone on July 02, 2008, 12:25:23 PM

Quote from: rocknrolljourney link=topic=105713.msg1419890#msg1419890 I have yet to get M1290s first though.
Koichi
[/quote

I think someone here is selling m1280 stereo set new on the cheap, was asking for $550 total I believe. AFAIK, still for sale. Hope you put some recordings with the m1280/1290 on LMA someday, would love to hear them!

Hi su6oxone

Thank you very much for the info here and there (Yard Sale)!!! I e-mailed the seller and will buy them from him .
Now that I am short of money for Mix Pre but I am really happy now. Thanks.

schoff · « **Reply #21 on:** August 04, 2008, 05:55:25 AM »

Question

Would the Dcode PS-2 phantom power supply have enough juice to run a set of Audix M1290`s? Only the Sonsax SX-M2 looks a bit too big to smuggle into venues down my pants.

If the Dcode is not the right choice can anybody suggest an alternative?

Thanks

su6oxone · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2008, 05:59:54 AM »

Quote from: schoff on August 04, 2008, 05:55:25 AM

Question

Would the Dcode PS-2 phantom power supply have enough juice to run a set of Audix M1290`s? Only the Sonsax SX-M2 looks a bit too big to smuggle into venues down my pants.

If the Dcode is not the right choice can anybody suggest an alternative?

Thanks

I've read some reports that the PS-2 has had trouble powering the power-hungry m1280/1290s for very long, supposedly the low bat light comes on pretty soon after plugging them in, but ymmv.