Topic: Help with AT capsules...

[taperwheeler]

I have an older set of sp at mini mics that were purchased around 10 years ago.  I know now that I have the AT933 body with the adapters and a larger capsule, obviously of some 853 series.  Anyways, just wondering if there's anyway to figure out the exact caps?  They have a C and an imprint of the cardiod pattern on one side.  I can try to upload a pic if someone thinks that they can identify it.

[illconditioned]

I have an older set of sp at mini mics that were purchased around 10 years ago.  I know now that I have the AT933 body with the adapters and a larger capsule, obviously of some 853 series.  Anyways, just wondering if there's anyway to figure out the exact caps?  They have a C and an imprint of the cardiod pattern on one side.  I can try to upload a pic if someone thinks that they can identify it.

Those are standard AT853(C) caps.  The newer ones are U853, in C, O, and HC I think.  Anyway, they all fit the same (larger) size.

I think the smaller size (before adapter) is now called AT943, used to be called ES or AT933 as you noted.

  Richard

[taperwheeler]

Thanks Richard.  Have been reading through tons of old posts here in the mic section and do believe they are the at853's. 

Is it a big upgrade switching to the newer u853 caps?  Maybe I'm better adding a hyper or omni to my arsenal?

[(Evan)]

Yeah they're definitely AT853 caps. From what I understand, the U853 caps perform better off-axis than the old ones.

[illconditioned]

Yeah they're definitely AT853 caps. From what I understand, the U853 caps perform better off-axis than the old ones.

That may be true, but IMO they sound pretty similar.  This is just my experience walking around the house recording ambient sounds.  My advice is stick with what you've got.  But if you're buying new, then by all means, get the U853 capsules.  My experience with the AT853 (and many other capsules too) is that if you get way up front, they sound great, but from the back of the room, you'll need something better.  I've got clips at http://Soundmann.com.  Many fine recordings made with the '853.

  Richard

[SmokinJoe]

I'll play devil's advocate.  I had a pair of the newer U853 caps and I prefer the older style AT853 caps.  I think the "new style" sounds muddy, and older ones are more "light and airy".  After the U853 caps sat in the junk box for 2 years I just sold them for $25 because I knew I would never use them again.  So, in my opinion, it's not an upgrade.  I may be the only person who has that opinion, or I might not.  It's similar to the opinions you read about AKG 460's vs 480's vs JWmod 460s... to each his own.

[Will_S]

Thanks Richard.  Have been reading through tons of old posts here in the mic section and do believe they are the at853's. 

Is it a big upgrade switching to the newer u853 caps?  Maybe I'm better adding a hyper or omni to my arsenal?

I do prefer the U series to the old ones, but you get a bigger change and probably more utility out of a hyper or omni.  I actually really liked the subcards best (old series only), but they are hard to find.

[(Evan)]

I just bought a pair of the subcards...can't wait to try them out.

[taperwheeler]

Thanks everybody.  Have had a spending urge and been up in the air about what to purchase.  Had my at933's on the shelf for a long time...just never super happy with them, always sounded 'tinny'.  Got the 4.7k mod few months back and am now very pleased with the sound (even with my mt2!).  I've tried chris church's omni's and was blown away by them, so still considering them.  The subcard pattern sounds promising...and think the hypers will come in very handy at the Dead in Worcester next month.  Decisions, decisions!

[Ziggz]

Are the SP-CMC-6 mics at853's? A friend of mine has had them for several years, and pulls some real nice recordings with the hyper caps.

[nameloc01]

The SP-CMC-4s and CMC-4Us are the 853s.

[taperwheeler]

Just wanted to comment on how awesome this site is for tapers.  I spent the last couple of days going through previos posts in the microphone section, particularly research at933/943/853 information.  Pretty cool going back as far as 2006 and following the dialogue of distortion, mods, caps, etc.  For the historical reference alone, hope this site can remain.

[dgny]

Are the SP-CMC-6 mics at853's? A friend of mine has had them for several years, and pulls some real nice recordings with the hyper caps.

Yes, the sp-cmc-6 are at-853. I have a pair with hyper caps bought them in '99.

[Javier Cinakowski]

I'll play devil's advocate.  I had a pair of the newer U853 caps and I prefer the older style AT853 caps.  I think the "new style" sounds muddy, and older ones are more "light and airy".  After the U853 caps sat in the junk box for 2 years I just sold them for $25 because I knew I would never use them again.  So, in my opinion, it's not an upgrade.  I may be the only person who has that opinion, or I might not.  It's similar to the opinions you read about AKG 460's vs 480's vs JWmod 460s... to each his own.

From my opinion the characteristics of the 853 are more "thin and britte" as compaired to "Light and airy".  The U853 are damn similar, but have better bass response, perhaps that could be taken as "muddy".  The U853 also have better off-axis response making the recordings more natural and in my estimation more "light and airy"

It really is "to each his own"