Topic: good choice of stereo pair mics?

[rallyspacecars]

I was looking into purchasing a stereo pair of microphones. There are several brands in the $400-$800 range, and up wards from there. I was looking into some AKG C414B-ULS/SE. They seem versatile with 4 different polar patterns, a stereo bar, shockmounts, and windscreens. They also have 20Hz-20KHz frequency response. I also like how they are computer matched. Has anyone had any pleasant or unpleasant experiences with the 414s? At around $1650, that are about the most i am willing to drop, since i will still need to purchase a mic stand and 2 XLR cables to start. I see many tapers use Neumann and Schoeps brand mics, but they are more expensive (Anyone see a reason to spend the extra $?). Is there a better alternative for a better bargain? Is a large diaphram mic more suitable for live recording than other end address mics?

Thanks in advance for your opinions,
Rallyspacecars

[zhianosatch]

What's the rest of your rig like?
People prefer different mics because they all sound different.

[Ed.]

you might want to check out archive.org for different configurations samples.  also, i'm pretty sure you could find schoeps or neumanns for around the same price, althought they might not be new.  in fact, i think there were just a pair of neumann skm140's on dat-heads for around that price.

ed

[Kindguy]

Listen to some AKG 480's. I love em.

[dmonterisi]

these threads always make me laugh cause everyone chimes in with the mics they are currently running...

rallyspacecars...is lower profile a priority for you at all?  the 414's are big and will not go unnoticed....also, i wouldn't put a ton of reliance in computer matching and frequency specs.  most mics in the price range you are looking at will have a frequency range that is similar if not the same as the 414's.  re: matching, while the idea sounds nice on paper, most of the QC at that price should be pretty good so the mics are not gonna vary wildly.  whether they are within 1db may not be true, but it also should not be essential.  I have never listened to a tape and said or heard someone else say, "man this tape would smoke if only the mics had been matched."

go to the archive, search for mics your interested in and hear different samples (you don't have to grab whole shows).  ask for opinions here and remember that while the mics will be the most important aspect of your sound, the rest of your gear will influence it as well.

have fun and +t

[MattD]

The only taper I know with the 414s is Matt Casey from NYC. I've heard some of what he's done and think the mics are some of the most accurate LD mics out there. They remind me of DPAs in that you can hear the room in a recording. They don't sing like the U89s and just sound different from the TLM170s, if that means anything for you.

[plucks]

There is also Russ Flagg who uses the 414s.
They are smaller than u89s, about that same as the ADK A51TLs.  

From my listening experiences with them I really like them, good low end sound.  For a couple hundred more, you could get a Neumann SKM 1x0 set which would be a nice alternative since they are smaller.

However, the multipattern mics like the 414s give you plenty of options to make sure you get the results you want!  

What were you planning to run behind your mics?

Phil

[rallyspacecars]

I currently have a digidesign MBox, and would be using my friends laptop tempoarily until i could afford my own Mac iBook.  I've never heard of ADKs before. Are they cheaper and/or more/less versatile than the 414s?  Cheaper enough to make the laptop and mics affordable soon?

I really am just getting a rig off of the ground, but I think investing in quality mics is crucial.

Thanks

[Tim]

much cheaper

the ADK-TL has4 polar patterns, same as the 414

they sound great

[dmonterisi]

you could just go to a moe show and steal the 414's off the stage that they run for ambient noise.  that would be much cheaper.  

[Lee]

I'll throw in for both the AKG 480 series and the ADK a51TL's.  Both sound similar to the 414's, just a question if you want SD capsule design or LD multiple pattern design.  Both can be had well equipped for around a grand, give or take.

[Tim]

what's the new price on the adk a51tl's?

[Kindguy]

what's the new price on the adk a51tl's?

Around 650.00 Matched with shockmounts. But I guess it depends where you buy them.

*EDIT* I hear the price went up recently though.

[Lee]

I dunno, probably somewhere around 8-9 hundred now.  Phil was giving us the hookup but I guess that's dried up now...

[Tim]

that's what I'm wondering, what's the new price?

from the tapes I've heard they were an absolute *steal* at the old price...