Topic: AKG C 480 B comb/ CK61-ULS *vs* AKG CK61-ULS > Naiant AKG Active comparison

[Chuck]

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AKG C 480 B comb/ CK61-ULS *vs* AKG CK61-ULS > Naiant AKG Active comparison recordings
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Source 1 (AUD): AKG C 480 B comb/ CK61-ULS * (DIN, FOB, center, 9 ' up) > Tascam DR-680
http://archive.org/details/moe2012-12-01.C-481


Source 2 (AUD): AKG CK61-ULS > Naiant AKG Active (DIN, FOB, center, 9 ' up) > Tascam DR-680
http://archive.org/details/moe2012-12-01.CK-61Active


   Notes:

The AKG C 480 B comb/ CK61-ULS were stand mounted 2" above the AKG CK61-ULS > Naiant AKG Active mics on the same stand same 7.8" spacing and 90 degree angle.

Both sets of microphones were shock mounted with no windscreens used.

I used ~ 5db more gain on the DR-680 to bring the gain of the AKG CK61-ULS > Naiant AKG Active > Tascam DR-680 mics up to the level of the AKG C 480 B comb/ CK61-ULS pair.

There was an opening band, so I was able to get the levels as closely matched as possible before I recorded moe.

I used CuBase to line up the raw files add fades and cut them to be exactly the same length. No EQ, optimization, limiting or compression was used. These are the RAW recordings matched with fades at the beginning and end of the sets.

I used CD Wav Editor to cut the AKG C 480 B comb/ CK61-ULS WAV recording into tracks.

Then, I made a cue file from the first set of files and used those cue files to cut the AKG CK61-ULS > Naiant AKG Active (DIN, FOB, center, 9 ' up) > Tascam DR-680 WAV files into tracks with CD Wave Editor.

I used Trader's Little Helper to make the FLACs (level .

I tagged the FLACS with Audio Shell Tag Editor and made the FLAC fingerprint files.

No other processing was done.


* Extra special thanks to CoTaper Pat for lending me the CK-61 capsules so I could make these comparison recordings.



Chuck@TapersSection.com

[achalsey]

Sorry if this answer has been posted somewhere else, but whats the story with this active set up? 

Is this a tester for what Naiant has been working on all this time or just more of a one off that came from all his work on the project?

[F.O.Bean]

First off, I think BOTH sound great! The Actives recording has a tad more lowend. I would be very happy with either of them

[Chuck]

Sorry if this answer has been posted somewhere else, but whats the story with this active set up? 

Is this a tester for what Naiant has been working on all this time or just more of a one off that came from all his work on the project?

Good question.

Jon at Naiant has made some circuit boards for this project. I have the first Naiant Active cable w/ PFA  that was made with his circuit and ts's brass coupling connector. I can't answer the question as to whether any more of this exact combination will ever be made again. I know that Jon has more circuit boards and ts has the blue prints for the coupling connectors that mate with the circuit boards.

I'm very happy with this combination of the Naiant circuit and the ts coupling connector. I hope more will be made.

[tgakidis]

I agree with bean, 480's have a little more sizzle.

[acidjack]

Agree w/ Bean that it seems the Naiant has maybe the slightest bit more low end.  But they sound essentially the same to me, which is a good thing.

[EarlyMorningRain]

got any pics of those actives in action? Off to listen to the 2 sources now....!

[Chuck]

got any pics of those actives in action? Off to listen to the 2 sources now....!

I took these photos this morning, so not actually "in action". Some taper porn:



Edit to add:

They fit nicely in the Audix MC-Micro mounts:

http://www.audixusa.com/docs_12/units/MCMICRO.shtml

[F.O.Bean]

AWESOME!

[EarlyMorningRain]

yes, nice (looking) set up !!

[jibooer]

Wow! Finally! Good job sirs! Must say that the recording made with the new actives is quite tasty, and it does hold its own against the 480's without much of a sonic difference to my ears.

[jbou]

Thanks for the pics. They look great. Cant wait to listen!

[darktrain]

If u guys are all gagga over these u should really be excited about jon's(followinbob) development, i talked to him on the phone a few days ago and these are 100% happening and nearly done(schoeps are done, akg's almost)From what he was telling me this is a full product line with support for years to come which is great, he has tons of great ideas that will be here sooner than u realize. He is dead serious to bring actives to the taper community and more importantly the knowledge and equipment to do it.

[obaaron]

If u guys are all gagga over these u should really be excited about jon's(followinbob) development, i talked to him on the phone a few days ago and these are 100% happening and nearly done(schoeps are done, akg's almost)From what he was telling me this is a full product line with support for years to come which is great, he has tons of great ideas that will be here sooner than u realize. He is dead serious to bring actives to the taper community and more importantly the knowledge and equipment to do it.

I for one am very excited for these.  I am ready to roll as soon as they are available for purchase!

[F.O.Bean]

I have also talked to Jon and he is dead nuts serious. Actives are a com in'. Btw, do naiants fit into active bars like followinbobs do?

[willndmb]

Sounds good to me

[F.O.Bean]

Does that go in the collette I take it?

[cashandkerouac]

Guts (not cleaned, don't be hating on the flux ):

those sure are pretty.   

[chinariderstl]

Marking thread. 

[datbrad]

So is there a true active cable solution in the works that I can run between my CK61/CK63 caps and C460B bodies?

The old JK Labs box sounded great, but it was sonically different than the caps with the AKG bodies, and I expect any similar setup that removes the 460/480 bodies will differ slightly in sound. If a true active cable is available one day, I will be all over it.

I'm just glad the idea of AKG actives has stayed alive all these years.

[Hypnocracy]

Brad....Naiant was not trying to make cable/circuit for the 460/480 AKG body...it is a Phantom Power Unit - Cable - Coupling/Circuit - AKG CK6X Capsule setup...and yes it will sound slightly different...check Chucks OP of sound files on the MOE show...

Sounds fucking Great to me...

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Nice Chuck!

At least someone's still getting out to record stuff

[willndmb]

so we know follow is making a bunch of collette
is anyone planning on making more for naiants?

[followinbob]

pretty cool stuff.  never thought i would be switching to a set up like this as i have stealthed cmc-6/mk4---->722 for years.

[Chuck]

A picture of the brass connectors.

[flicflac]

psyched

[jibooer]

So now that this is been 'field tested' and with positive results, how do we get a few more in circulation?   

[JimmieC]

Which version of the show to download?  Preamp on the 680 sounds pretty nice.