Topic: Ready to enter taping world...but how?

[MLKLuke]

yes I'm seriously considering to get JB3 in europe

the problem are the mics...the choice is: AT853 vs AT933/943 = SP-CMC-4 vs SP-CMC-8

933/943 are smaller...and maybe more "stealthing". I read that both mics set sounds pretty good for that price...and I've heard good recordings made with both of them

another thing I've not yet understood is the difference between cardioids and hyper-cardioids...is it possible to get hypers directly without paying additional costs?
 
what do you think about that?

PS redbook's AT853 are white...do you think it's a problem for stealthing taping? I've seen they're phantom modded...what does this mean? that I don't need the battery box or I still need it (for bass rolloff)?

[joolz]

yes I'm seriously considering to get JB3 in europe

the problem are the mics...the choice is: AT853 vs AT933/943 = SP-CMC-4 vs SP-CMC-8

933/943 are smaller...and maybe more "stealthing". I read that both mics set sounds pretty good for that price...and I've heard good recordings made with both of them

another thing I've not yet understood is the difference between cardioids and hyper-cardioids...is it possible to get hypers directly without paying additional costs?
 
what do you think about that?

PS redbook's AT853 are white...do you think it's a problem for stealthing taping? I've seen they're phantom modded...what does this mean? that I don't need the battery box or I still need it (for bass rolloff)?

The phantom mod enables you to use a 48V power source which will improve the quality apparently. Using a low voltage BB can cause brickwalling at very high SPL's for AT mics - only what I've read, no experience on this at all. This is why I spent the extra for DPA's, to use the phantom mod you'd need something like a PS-2, which will need another couple hundred dollars.

As for the colour, maybe put some black insulating tape on anything that may be visible, or you can get heatshrink plastic stuff that will be less weighty, or just a black marker/acrylic paint. But I guess you'll need to be careful around the caps.

Cards are directional, hyper-cards are even more directional. So with hypers the slightest movement will cause excessive phasing I think. But the directional qualities can help in a poor sounding arena, compared to omini's. You can switch between hypers, cards and omni's on AT's.

don't take my word for this though, it's just what I've read, I'm by no means an expert.

[kuba]

PS redbook's AT853 are white...do you think it's a problem for stealthing taping? I've seen they're phantom modded...what does this mean? that I don't need the battery box or I still need it (for bass rolloff)?

I think SP-CMC-4s are stealth enough (I use AT831 and no one notices I wear some mics). White, well, I wouldn't want that. Phantom is good, but not good for stealthing as it requires some more pieces of equipment (source of phantom power + adaptors).

[joolz]

if you can push it to $350+ you could try for these DPA's on ebay, you'd just need to get a SP BB for them...

http://cgi.ebay.com/DPA-4061-Tan-lavaliere-microphone-pair-for-Mini-Disc_W0QQitemZ7366586510QQcategoryZ29950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[MLKLuke]

well so now I've got to find some AT853 + SP BB in europe...not so easy white mics are dangerous in my opinion too

for the DPA's...well I considered also that option but I don't know if Omnidirectional mics are the right choice for me...in italy audience is usually really loudy and I was oriented on cardioids or hypercardioids for this reason, and DPA's + DPA MM battery box are much more expensive than SP + BB (even if they surely are much more "stealth")...as I read that being them "directionals" they usually put audience noise in the background and give more relevance to the sound source where they're pointed at

so you think hypers are maybe too much "sensible" to movements? I mean for example head movement if mounted in hat...

from what I understand...phantom is not so good for me cause it needs more space and a more expensive BB, isn't it?

[joolz]

well so now I've got to find some AT853 + SP BB in europe...not so easy white mics are dangerous in my opinion too

for the DPA's...well I considered also that option but I don't know if Omnidirectional mics are the right choice for me...in italy audience is usually really loudy and I was oriented on cardioids or hypercardioids for this reason, and DPA's + DPA MM battery box are much more expensive than SP + BB (even if they surely are much more "stealth")...as I read that being them "directionals" they usually put audience noise in the background and give more relevance to the sound source where they're pointed at

so you think hypers are maybe too much "sensible" to movements? I mean for example head movement if mounted in hat...

from what I understand...phantom is not so good for me cause it needs more space and a more expensive BB, isn't it?

Yep you will get more audience with DPA's but the trade off for a real transparent sounds suits me, you just need to be positioned well.

From what I know, for cards and hypers in a hat, you will need to be statue-like or the phasing will be obvious.

If you don't need the mics now, just keep checking the yard sale, some SP mics will pop up eventually.

[MLKLuke]

I need them for next february...my maximum cap for mics + battery box is about 300 euros...I can't go over that

[Josephine]

MICS: I've to take a decision between SP-CMC-4 (AT853) and SP-CMC-8 (AT933/943)

I've got them both and prefer the SP-CMC-8s because of their size.   I do not hear a difference between the two.  When it comes time for super-duper stealth, they're hard to beat.  I use them when I know I'll be recording under the artist's nose.

[MLKLuke]

so I think I will have to find some american guy that can buy them for me and then send to me so that I can save on shipping to europe and hopefully on taxes I've got some friends from usa...I will try...or wait SP-CMC-8 to appear on yard sale

[kuba]

AT853 is a good choice imo.

If you are skilled and wanna save some money you can make your own battery box.

[MLKLuke]

well I'm not really skilled in electronics unfortunately some persons suggested me Denecke PS-2 unit for phantom supply...in case I would use this one I would still need SP-battery box? are there european dealers of Denecke products? is it a rig setup that someone else would suggest me?

[redbook]

You've maybe a 50:50 chance of not paying import duty on a US order. Depends how sharp customs are the day it comes in.

haha, really true

it really depends on how smart is the guy who gets your package. You can put it's a gift or whatever you want, it really depends on luck lol

[MLKLuke]

so...after some thoughts I maybe came to a decision:

AT853 phantom modded + Dencecke PS2 with miniplug output + JB3

do you think is a good and quite stealth rig to begin and not to spend thousands of $/euros?

[RebelRebel]

Thats why you get someone you know and trust to hook you up. (an american) I help people out when I can.

Teddy

You've maybe a 50:50 chance of not paying import duty on a US order. Depends how sharp customs are the day it comes in.

haha, really true

it really depends on how smart is the guy who gets your package. You can put it's a gift or whatever you want, it really depends on luck lol