Topic: Upgrading from CA-14 cards

[69mako]

Been running CA-14 > CA9100 > R09HR for about a decade now.  I'm pleased with the quality of recordings I'm making, but I think it's time for an upgrade.  I'd like to keep with the same size microphone but looking for a little more "detail" in the recordings.  I've been looking at the SP and AT microphones, but that looks like more of a lateral move.  This will be for "007" recordings only.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
Mako

[guitard]

Been running CA-14 > CA9100 > R09HR for about a decade now.  I'm pleased with the quality of recordings I'm making, but I think it's time for an upgrade.  I'd like to keep with the same size microphone but looking for a little more "detail" in the recordings.  I've been looking at the SP and AT microphones, but that looks like more of a lateral move.  This will be for "007" recordings only.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
Mako

I was in your shoes just seven short years ago.  The only difference is that I was running this rig: CA-11 > CA9100 > R09HR.

Three or four years after that, I bought an AT853 package deal (Cards, 4.7k Y-Cable, Ext. Cable) from Ted (tgakidis) for $200.  So my rig became AT853 > CA9100 > R-07.  I used this rig for a few years and generally got good results; especially when I was really well positioned (yeah I know - Taper 101).

Three years ago, I bit the bullet and bought a new set of Schoeps MK41s (with the assistance of Schoeps account holder jerryfreak).  I also got a Baby / Platinum Nbox set along with active cables from Nick (schoepsnbox).  So my rig then became MK41 > Baby / Platinum Nbox > Sony A10.

I laid out around $3K for this last rig.  I'm retired, so that was a lot of cash to me.  In spite of that, I have absolutely zero regrets.  I finally upped my game to a level that I consistently find satisfying - even when I am not in or really even near the sweet spot.  I usually get out to tape once or twice a week.  Knowing that I'm going to get years (decades?) of use out of this rig making nice recordings is a how I like to think about it (especially when my wife reminds me how much I spent on it!).

[daspyknows]

^ This...   If you have the cash go for a Schoeps rig.  You won't feel the urge to upgrade again.  I made the move 30 years ago and just have bought additional capsules.

[69mako]

Been running CA-14 > CA9100 > R09HR for about a decade now.  I'm pleased with the quality of recordings I'm making, but I think it's time for an upgrade.  I'd like to keep with the same size microphone but looking for a little more "detail" in the recordings.  I've been looking at the SP and AT microphones, but that looks like more of a lateral move.  This will be for "007" recordings only.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
Mako

I was in your shoes just seven short years ago.  The only difference is that I was running this rig: CA-11 > CA9100 > R09HR.

Three or four years after that, I bought an AT853 package deal (Cards, 4.7k Y-Cable, Ext. Cable) from Ted (tgakidis) for $200.  So my rig became AT853 > CA9100 > R-07.  I used this rig for a few years and generally got good results; especially when I was really well positioned (yeah I know - Taper 101).

Three years ago, I bit the bullet and bought a new set of Schoeps MK41s (with the assistance of Schoeps account holder jerryfreak).  I also got a Baby / Platinum Nbox set along with active cables from Nick (schoepsnbox).  So my rig then became MK41 > Baby / Platinum Nbox > Sony A10.

I laid out around $3K for this last rig.  I'm retired, so that was a lot of cash to me.  In spite of that, I have absolutely zero regrets.  I finally upped my game to a level that I consistently find satisfying - even when I am not in or really even near the sweet spot.  I usually get out to tape once or twice a week.  Knowing that I'm going to get years (decades?) of use out of this rig making nice recordings is a how I like to think about it (especially when my wife reminds me how much I spent on it!).

Thank you for the feedback. This is exactly what I was looking for.  Now its off to LMA to listen to some sample and web search for some visuals on size.. 

Thanks!!

[robeti]

I agree. I started with nakamichi and church audio mics. Then at mics and finally went Schoeps.
Still got my old mics, but thr Schoeps are the final upgrade.
You won't regret it.

[goodcooker]

If you were to decide to go with mics that are not miniature lav mic size like the CA or AT type there are remote capsule options for a wide variety of other brands like Neumann, AKG, MBHO and others. If the Schoeps sound or price are not for you have a listen to some shows on the Archive with some of these other brands. I ran the AKG CK1X mics with a Naiant Tinybox for quite some time. I would put that combo up against a Schoeps active setup anytime and it was one third the price.

I agree with the other folks here that to get a significant jump in quality from the CA or AT mics you need to pony up for the upgrade to externally polarized condenser mic capsules and probably a custom setup to run them stealth like a Baby Nbox power supply with custom cables. The preference for Schoeps is personal and one that I don't necessarily agree with. I liked my MK41 caps but I liked my MBHO KA300 subcard caps better at less than half the price.

[robgronotte]

They're forgetting to give you the most important advice, although maybe it could be inferred - don't tell your wife how much you spent on the mics!

[pillowman]

upgrading from those well known lav mics was always a question I had asked myself over the last years.
finally I made a compromise ... I bought of pair of LINE AUDIO CM3 which brought the quality of my recordings up and beside that I try to find the best spot at the venue
for taping which is another important fact to lift the recording result dramaticly.
Those CM3 mics (or the successor CM4) are noticable affordable than those named Schoeps, ... and trust me location is nearly as important as quality mics !
 

[Dirtybiz]

I would consider DPA's if you can find them... I'm SUPER happy with my 4022's.

[dyneq]

upgrading from those well known lav mics was always a question I had asked myself over the last years.
finally I made a compromise ... I bought of pair of LINE AUDIO CM3 which brought the quality of my recordings up and beside that I try to find the best spot at the venue
for taping which is another important fact to lift the recording result dramaticly.
Those CM3 mics (or the successor CM4) are noticable affordable than those named Schoeps, ... and trust me location is nearly as important as quality mics !
 

Could you share a recording that you feel is representative of their quality? How do you power them?

[unidentified]

https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=172445.0

[pillowman]

upgrading from those well known lav mics was always a question I had asked myself over the last years.
finally I made a compromise ... I bought of pair of LINE AUDIO CM3 which brought the quality of my recordings up and beside that I try to find the best spot at the venue
for taping which is another important fact to lift the recording result dramaticly.
Those CM3 mics (or the successor CM4) are noticable affordable than those named Schoeps, ... and trust me location is nearly as important as quality mics !
 

Could you share a recording that you feel is representative of their quality? How do you power them?

this is my equipment chain:

Sony PCM-A10 (AUDIO IN) > 2x chopped  'GAKables' + Denecke PS-2 (1x9V) > 2x Line Audio CM3

sample will reach you

pillowman

[69mako]

They're forgetting to give you the most important advice, although maybe it could be inferred - don't tell your wife how much you spent on the mics!

My wife doesn't care.  We're in this together.  We go to shows together and she helps bring the gear in.  I've mentioned the mic upgrade and her response was "Get what you want.  Just make sure it's what you want."  She doesn't care about the details, she just wants a copy when it's done.

[69mako]

Thanks for all the replies so far.  I've been researching all the suggestions, and it appears I'll be looking at about a 20mm microphone body.  It is larger than my CA19's which are about 12mm.  Can someone send me some links of what a "stealth" setup would look like?  I've read something aboujt "actives".  How do you power them?  How big is that device?

Thanks!!

[capnhook]

They're forgetting to give you the most important advice, although maybe it could be inferred - don't tell your wife how much you spent on the mics!

My wife doesn't care.  We're in this together.  We go to shows together and she helps bring the gear in.  I've mentioned the mic upgrade and her response was "Get what you want.  Just make sure it's what you want."  She doesn't care about the details, she just wants a copy when it's done.

She's a keeper, just like mine