Topic: ¿Omnis or Cards? The Eternal Question

[lordbelial]

Hi there!

I think it's time to upgrade my mics (they're low cost), but I don't want to spend much more than 200$ (I'm not that rich and taping is a hobby after all)

I've thought of CMC-2 as a good upgrade, I've read many good reviews about it, but, since i'm recording in small / medium halls (because Heavy metal bands does not use to play in large arenas, or stadiums, except for ACDC, Iron Maiden, Metallica and many others...), I thing Omnidirectionals could be another good option.

So, now I'm stucked in the decision. ¿What to buy, CMC-2 or BMC-6?

Any experiences would be very appreciatted.

Thanks a lot!

[madman]

There's a lot of topics on this already, search around a bit.  I had a pair of AT853s in the past, but found that they just couldn't handle loud shows in small venus with a standard batt box.  People here all recommend phantom power for them.  You might want to look around in the yard sale section too.

[Ray76]

Hi there!

I think it's time to upgrade my mics (they're low cost), but I don't want to spend much more than 200$ (I'm not that rich and taping is a hobby after all)

I've thought of CMC-2 as a good upgrade, I've read many good reviews about it, but, since i'm recording in small / medium halls (because Heavy metal bands does not use to play in large arenas, or stadiums, except for ACDC, Iron Maiden, Metallica and many others...), I thing Omnidirectionals could be another good option.

So, now I'm stucked in the decision. ¿What to buy, CMC-2 or BMC-6?

Any experiences would be very appreciatted.

Thanks a lot!

I personally dont like a lot of the tapes heard made with omnis and amplified music. I think for PA stuff , cards/hypers are more desirable to my ears.... I think the planets have to align right in my experiences with Omnis and amplified music...Howver....on acoustic non PA stuff the Omnis(my dpa 4061s) are amazing, I wouldnt use anything else..I dont think ive ever seen a review with those bmc 6 mics..however...tons of folks use those cmc 2s, and you will probably get more of an endorsement for them...like madman said, TONS of info around here, just poke around. YMMV. who really knows anyway. theres so many different opinions here. Moke here who is probably the wisest of us all prefers omnis over anything. what it comes down to is what your ears like...get tapes made with both..(go to archive .org and type in the mic name..you should find tapes...rambling...

[itook2much]

Yeah, just research & listen, then get what you like.
Opinions are like assholes, evrybody's got one & they all stink.
You can get a ton of different opinions here & none are wrong.  I myself like omnis.  While I feel that cards can kill a lot of that annoying crowd noise, I also feel that they sound less "real" than omnis...that is, I feel that the omnis sound as if you are at the show.

Go for what you like.  After all, although we all (or at least most) share our recordings, in the end we each tape for ourselves.

[fandelive]

for stealth recording purpose, good cards might eliminate chatters but won't help with screamers anyway

[lordbelial]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

After reading several threads discussing the eternal question concerning "omnis vs cards" I'm gonna order a CMC-2 matched pair.

I'll let you know of the results.

[lordbelial]

Finally I'm moving to SP-CMC-4 (AT853's) w/card caps, thinking in acquiring hyper or subs cards in the future.

Thanks for all the effort.

[~ Dan]

Good choice with the 853's T+
Get yer caps from Alpha 

[lordbelial]

Good choice with the 853's T+
Get yer caps from Alpha 

From alpha? Can you give URL? I guess it might be some internet audio parts provider or something similar...

I just found out alpha sounds and the caps...

#AT853H-ELE is a 100º Hyper-Cardioid
#AT853SC-ELE is a 170º Sub-Cardioid
#AT853O-ELE is a 360º Omni-Directional

Are those the caps which will work with the AT853 (CMC-4) from SP's ?

[~ Dan]

Yes, those caps are for the 853's.  Alpha Sound and Lighting - http://www.alphasoundandlighting.com/

Are you going with the phantom powered 853's or not?

[lordbelial]

Yes, those caps are for the 853's.  Alpha Sound and Lighting - http://www.alphasoundandlighting.com/

Are you going with the phantom powered 853's or not?

No phantom power unfortunately. Taping scene here in Spain is not like in the USA or like in most of the other countries. We need to keep our rigs as stealthier as possible, so Battery Box is the only way to go in most of the cases. And, of course, don't have the enough bucks to get a Phantom power supply and an ADC...

Just have one doubt about the caps, the SP review about the SP-CMC-4 told  me that I can swith to hyper or sub cardioid, but did not say anything about omnis (but CMC-8 can!), so, can I really adapt the omnis caps in my at853 ? Are those different when modded to 1/4'' miniplug? I guess functionally they're the same, and the only difference must remain in the phantom power (add more SPL than the battery box)

Thanks for the effort!!!

[~ Dan]

The SP-CMC-8's (as you have in your signature) are not the 853's.  I believe they are the 933's?  Very similar though I guess, you'll need an adapter though for the caps, I think SP sells it.  Oh, if you're really not going for phantom power remember what this dude said in this thread...

I had a pair of AT853s in the past, but found that they just couldn't handle loud shows in small venus with a standard batt box.  People here all recommend phantom power for them.

Although I can understand the $ issue.

[~ Dan]

Or are the CMC-8's 943's?

[lordbelial]

The SP-CMC-8's (as you have in your signature) are not the 853's.  I believe they are the 933's?  Very similar though I guess, you'll need an adapter though for the caps, I think SP sells it.  Oh, if you're really not going for phantom power remember what this dude said in this thread...

I had a pair of AT853s in the past, but found that they just couldn't handle loud shows in small venus with a standard batt box.  People here all recommend phantom power for them.

Although I can understand the $ issue.

Well, actually I'm using BMC-2 (low cost binaural mics from SP) and the recordings are quite better than when I used the ECM.717 from SONY, and the spec comparison is as follows.

BMC 12 - Maximun input Sound Level
plugin power - 105 db
9 V power (BB) - 120 db

CMC 4 - AT853 - Maximum input sound level
plugin power - 110 db
9 V power (BB) - 125 db
Phantom powered - 138 db

Ok! There's 13 db of difference when Phantom powered, but, anyway, I'm having 5 db more than with de BMC-2 in both situation (plug-in or Battery boxed), so I guess this will work fine UNTIL I have enough bucks to (maybe) switch to Phantom Power.

Talking about the adapter for the omnis cards, what's their reference in the SP catalogue? I could not find anything...

[Evil Taper]

i had major issues with my 853s (cmc-4) not handling metal bands in small venues, specifically the bass.  GOOD LUCK.