Topic: Distortion-Free Mics For Metal-Shows

[tod3sschu3tze]

hi guys!
i had several discussions - even in the german minidiscforum - about what mic setup ist best for very loud and bass-intensive metal/hardcore/metalcore-shows.
i want to upgrade my current setup (core sound low cost binaurals w/ low sensivity option) and these ones are in discussion:

- MM-HLSC-1 or -2
- SP-CMC-8 (cardioid or hypercardioid) + SP-SPSB8 w/ bass-roll-off
(- CSB)

i'd like to have a nice and stealthy setup, the advantage of the MM's are, they do not need a battery box even at 138dB. the SP's need one to cope with such a loudness.
but some guys said, when i tape a concert which is not as loud as crazy metal shows ( ) the SP's are the better choice, because the simply sound better. the reason is that the battery box enlarges the dynamic range of the SP's.
of course i would use them with my rockbox'ed iRiver.

so, i ask all the mic experts which of the mics is the better choice for my needs.
(perhaps some of you tape metal and can help, too)

thanks in advance!

[Javier Cinakowski]

"the SP's are the better choice, because the simply sound better."

I own both and im not so sure about that.  I like the SP's better becasue they have a better bass response, but that could be a problem in a loud metal concert.  The MM have an amazing smooth silky high end. 

I would buy the MM-HLSC-1's...

[nardo]

I would buy the MM-HLSC-1's...

Out of those listed above I would agree. The CMC-8s aren't the mics you want at extremely loud shows (maybe with a 3-wire box but definitely not with a standard 2-wire, like the ones from SoundPro's).

[M]

I also own both also and having to choose I would take the at853's over the Senns only if they were modded (4.7k resistor mod) or ran with a 3-wire power supply. 

I find it is difficult to get a nice tape with omni's if your seat is not in the sweet spot. 

If you do get the unmodded SP mics for taping loud metal shows then you can pretty much guarantee they will distort.



Edit to correct the name of the mod.

[kfrinkle]

I have issues with my cmc-8s at very bass heayy shows.    Although a little birdie told me that by replacing the 9v in the battery box with a similar sized 12v, you can get a little better dynamic range and thus less overloading.  I have not tried this, but I hope to on my next taping outing...

[BayTaynt3d]

If you go AT, you should go 3-wire or phantom for sure, otherwise you'll distort at super-high SPLs...

[Javier Cinakowski]

I had my 2-wire AT's modded with the 4.7k mod and the do not distort at all.

[Church-Audio]

hi guys!
i had several discussions - even in the german minidiscforum - about what mic setup ist best for very loud and bass-intensive metal/hardcore/metalcore-shows.
i want to upgrade my current setup (core sound low cost binaurals w/ low sensivity option) and these ones are in discussion:

- MM-HLSC-1 or -2
- SP-CMC-8 (cardioid or hypercardioid) + SP-SPSB8 w/ bass-roll-off
(- CSB)

i'd like to have a nice and stealthy setup, the advantage of the MM's are, they do not need a battery box even at 138dB. the SP's need one to cope with such a loudness.
but some guys said, when i tape a concert which is not as loud as crazy metal shows ( ) the SP's are the better choice, because the simply sound better. the reason is that the battery box enlarges the dynamic range of the SP's.
of course i would use them with my rockbox'ed iRiver.

so, i ask all the mic experts which of the mics is the better choice for my needs.
(perhaps some of you tape metal and can help, too)

thanks in advance!

I have a new battery box that is $99.99 for three wire that has a special mod I do to the AT mics built in that reduces the THD by 2.5% and only decreases the output of the mics by .5 db if your interested let me know. This battery box combined with the AT mics will provide very good recordings at very high SPL this mod has a built in switch so it can be taken out of circuit. I also have a bass roll off option for an extra $10.00.

[Church-Audio]

I had my 2-wire AT's modded with the 4.7k mod and the do not distort at all.

My new mod is even better.

[Javier Cinakowski]

every time I buy something from you, within a few months you design something better!!!   

I am gonna start saving for your next invention.

T+ to Chris Church

[Church-Audio]

every time I buy something from you, within a few months you design something better!!!   

I am gonna start saving for your next invention.

T+ to Chris Church

Actually your new preamp has that mod built in

[kfrinkle]

Hey Church, I might actually hit you up for that mod after the holidays.  I am getting tired of my recordings getting all distorted.  ACK!  Would I have to send my CMC-8s to you (I assume so) and how big is the battery box you create?

[Church-Audio]

Hey Church, I might actually hit you up for that mod after the holidays.  I am getting tired of my recordings getting all distorted.  ACK!  Would I have to send my CMC-8s to you (I assume so) and how big is the battery box you create?

The battery box is 3.5 x 2.5 x 1 inch I can build it into a mint tin but to be honest its a little tacky, I like my box much better. I dont need the mics unless they are two wire then I need to solder on a pair of mini xlr connectors to them.

Chris Church

[kfrinkle]

Yeah, mine are the stock cmc-8's, two wire that I use the SP battery box with.

[tod3sschu3tze]

I would buy the MM-HLSC-1's...

Out of those listed above I would agree.

If you do get the unmodded SP mics for taping loud metal shows then you can pretty much guarantee they will distort.

okay, i contacted microphone madness, too.
they recommended me that mics for my proposition, but they recommend the use with a filter/bbox.
is it a fallacy when i say i will get best results with on from microphone madness?
just want one with bass roll off and it should be SMALL.