Topic: MBHO ?

[rowjimmytour]

I am pretty convinced I want to upgrade my mics to ADK A51TL's due to the four pattern set up w/o buyin' more caps but I am still entertaining some MBHO's set up but am not sure the extra money is worth it. Any how I have a few questions for MBHO users like does the MBHO MBP-603A preamp body allow you to screw the capsule on and use it as a active for stealth? Also if you could only afford one set of capsules at first would ya buy the hypers or cards ? Thanks for your input and may all your tapes come out perfect.
Peace

[Sebastian]

does the MBHO MBP-603A preamp body allow you to screw the capsule on and use it as a active for stealth?

Yes.

Also if you could only afford one set of capsules at first would ya buy the hypers or cards ?

Cards because I think they are more universal than hypers.

[shaggy]

You may also want to consider the 648a set up if stealthing is what you plan on mainly doing.  The 603a have this funky connector near the active head that makes them not as stealth friendly as you might expect (too long).  The 648a have the cable permently attached to the active head and body and do not have this issue....you just gotta deal with the inconvience of the head being permanently attached to the bodies via a cable.  Also the spec are better and supposedly the sound is better with the 603 vs the 648 bodies.

Quite frankly, if you spend that kind of money $1300-1500, you can toss another $500 and get an Nbox and used MK4 set up.  It is as stealthy as it comes for a super HQ set up.

[F.O.Bean]

I havent heard the mbho hypers yt, but IMO hypers are the most versatile capsules

[beanstalk]

I havent heard the mbho hypers yt, but IMO hypers are the most versatile capsules

I have to agree.

I still need to get some MBHO hypers, not cheap.

[Teen Age Riot]

I havent heard the mbho hypers yt, but IMO hypers are the most versatile capsules

I disagree. The MBHO cards already have an emphasis on the high end and are very forgiving mics overall - no need for hypers in my opinion.

[Sanjay]

I would go with the hypers, my reasoning

1. they sound great
2. check out the audix scx-one, same friggen capsule as the MBHO's, scx card mics have sold on ebay for $100, a hell of alot cheaper to buy that, and take the card capsules from em. 

[F.O.Bean]

I havent heard the mbho hypers yt, but IMO hypers are the most versatile capsules

I disagree. The MBHO cards already have an emphasis on the high end and are very forgiving mics overall - no need for hypers in my opinion.

not saying they dont sound good, I love the ho card tapes I have, but for a more versatile setup, the directional pattern of hypers is more versatile IMO

[Brian Skalinder]

Re cards v. hypers, it depends on your individual needs.  I mostly record in small, reasonably good sounding venues, with crowds that aren't uber-obnoxious, almost always way up front.  So, for me, cards first makes sense.  Evaluate by and make the decision based on your intended usage.

[rowjimmytour]

I record at mostly small venues and they mostly sound crappy but I do like to go to taper friendly out door festivals like HSMF also. I really don't need to go stealth but I thought it might be good to have if I go to a reggae show or Jazz and want to roll tape semi stealth. I also was wonderin' if the MBHO preamps and capsules come with clips or shocks and windscreens. Still thinking but I was thinkin' LD'S w/ al the size and all still might be my best bet w/ all the capsules in one mic.
Peace

[fozzy]

I record at mostly small venues and they mostly sound crappy but I do like to go to taper friendly out door festivals like HSMF also. I really don't need to go stealth but I thought it might be good to have if I go to a reggae show or Jazz and want to roll tape semi stealth. I also was wonderin' if the MBHO preamps and capsules come with clips or shocks and windscreens. Still thinking but I was thinkin' LD'S w/ al the size and all still might be my best bet w/ all the capsules in one mic.
Peace

Don't know of the specifics when ordering new HOs but I use the standard DPA windscreens (19mm) and I have a DIN and DINa Kwon bar for mounting in a  shure A53M.  The used set i purchased came w/ clips that attach to the active cables and have standard 5/8 threads.

[beanstalk]

Re cards v. hypers, it depends on your individual needs.  I mostly record in small, reasonably good sounding venues, with crowds that aren't uber-obnoxious, almost always way up front.  So, for me, cards first makes sense.  Evaluate by and make the decision based on your intended usage.

I couldn't said it better myself.

But being versatile, I would go with hypers (in my opinion). But it always better to have both.

[beanstalk]

I also was wonderin' if the MBHO preamps and capsules come with clips or shocks and windscreens.

I got mine on the board (not actives) so I couldn't give 100%, but I don't believe so. I know you won't get shocks with an MBHO active setup.

Still thinking but I was thinkin' LD'S w/ al the size and all still might be my best bet w/ all the capsules in one mic.

Studio Projects LD? If so, know that there is no hyper setting.

[beanstalk]

One last thing, if you were looking for great alt microphones, Peluso's are great and a active system is in the works. Stereo matched sets for CEMC6 run approx. $600 and matched caps are about $180 (Super/Hypers, Omni, Wide/Sub cards)

Peluso Site
http://www.pelusomicrophonelab.com/

Alt. Buying Site
1- http://www.soundpure.com/showManufacturer.do?id=72
2- http://www.audiolot.com/proaudio/sales/peluso


Nick's Pick's Review
http://www.nickspicks.com/mic-peluso.htm

Peluso shows in the Archive
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Peluso%20AND%20mediatype%3Aetree%20AND%20collection%3Aetree

Team Board
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=48320.0

[OOK]

I am pretty convinced I want to upgrade my mics to ADK A51TL's due to the four pattern set up w/o buyin' more caps but I am still entertaining some MBHO's set up but am not sure the extra money is worth it. Any how I have a few questions for MBHO users like does the MBHO MBP-603A preamp body allow you to screw the capsule on and use it as a active for stealth? Also if you could only afford one set of capsules at first would ya buy the hypers or cards ? Thanks for your input and may all your tapes come out perfect.
Peace

I Run a set of Ho's  I use the MBHO648/Ka200's...........And I absolutely love them.  The cards are the most versatile cap.  HO's do tend to be on the bright side, but they are not exactly bass shy either.  The hypers(KA500) are superior in indoor venues.
And to answer your question on the actives, which mine are not, you can not screw the cap onto the body.  The cap screws onto the active cable attachment which can be attached to the body without the cable in between.  The preamp bodies on the actives have a mini 3?or 1? pin attachment vs the normal screw on tip that the nonactives have.  That was something I checked out prior to ordering.  I had no need for the active set up, because I use them for open taping, I use AT853's for those situations that need to be stealthed   HEHEHEHEHE

[shaggy]

Concerning the other active based choices outside of MBHOs

I would also reccomend listening carefully to MBHOs that have been used up front.  I have noticed a slight compression of the highs and mids as the volume increases to very loud levels....at least with the KA200N caps and 648a bodies.  Don't get me wrong, I think they are great mics but go into this informed and you won't be swapping gear out as much.

[OOK]

Concerning the other active based choices outside of MBHOs

I would also reccomend listening carefully to MBHOs that have been used up front.  I have noticed a slight compression of the highs and mids as the volume increases to very loud levels....at least with the KA200N caps and 648a bodies.  Don't get me wrong, I think they are great mics but go into this informed and you won't be swapping gear out as much.

I can't disagree with this...however I will try.... I have some FOB Loud as Shit Widespread From Shawnee Ski Area that are clear as glass freshly cleaned with windex.....So I would say acoustics play a role in it...in otherwords if the pa sounds congested loud so will your discs... there are just so many factors..and my opion is just mine...

The suggestion of peluso is also a good one..I think they are the best bang for the buck out there...I might even pick up a pair myself just to have a different flavor.    Mics are like ice cream there are so many different flavors.

[shaggy]

I had made a great Coldplay tape this year with 648a/KA200N at Fuji Rock that was very FOB.  Some of my best work but we still have to be critical and ask outrselves how it could have been better.  I have to say, the loud passages being compressed could have been an artifact of the Mini-me pre.  I remember the sound being some of the best sound I have heard since I listened to the Grateful Dead (or what I could recall).  So, yes...many factors.

[Sanjay]

I have had experiences with the MBHO's where there has been compression in the sound.  I was able to isolatee it by switching out my MBHO's with some phantomed 933's and they were fine.  HOWEVER, even with the compression that sometimes occur, they have been my favorite mics i've run ever. 

[beanstalk]

Anyone every hear anything from the MBHO MBP 604 N ?

http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_mbho_mbp_microphone/index.html

[johnw]

I think it may be a newish mic. It isn't on their website, but that website has been under construction and incomplete for a long time.

[mmmatt]

I absolutely love my ho's!!!  I don't have hypers but I have cards and omni's.  I love em' both and highly recomend them to anyone.  Yhey are not painfully bright and not compressed in the highs to my ears.  Here is a thread with a link to a head to head from the sweetspot with  km140's both ortf, and both into an r4 so identical pre's

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=54573.0

Matt

[beanstalk]

I think it may be a newish mic. It isn't on their website, but that website has been under construction and incomplete for a long time.

The guy that reviewed it, did in May 2005. There website is always messed up for some reason.

[ehren]

I think "compression" is the wrong term to use when describing the sound of MBHOs at high SPLs. I think the most accurate way to describe it would be midrange smear, the image becomes distorted and the midrange detail goes out the window. It tends to make the mics sound farther from the source than they actually are.

That said, they do make some amazing tapes, especially in acoustic or other low spl situations. I ran them for 2 years and did make some great tapes, but not at really loud rock shows, there are better mics for rock. I do think that the omni cap is somewhat an exception to this rule, it sounds amazing in most outdoor situations I've heard it in. The hypers lack presence and offer the worst characteristics of all the MBHO caps. This is all just my opinion, YMMV.

[svenkid]

Ive ran hypers In the back of a theatre, and onstage. I usually run them FOB at indoor clubs. Ive pulled some great onstage tapes, but the best sounds Ive gotten from them come from being about 20-30 ft back and not further. Id like to try the cards though to compare.