Topic: Final decision: SP-CMC-?

[Mr.Scully]

Dede2002 - as I said, I tried to find some samples made by MM-HLSC-1, I found a Smashing Pumpkins gig on archive.org and downloaded two songs. One was acoustic (and sounded quite tiny), the other one was a rock song and the sound was definitely NOT detailed. I wasn't impressed. Plus there's this interchangeable capsules thing in SP... I think I'll really get the SP-CMC-8.

Btw. what's the thing with having SP-CMC-8 with the AT853 capsules? More people in this forum seem to have it.

[Dede2002]

Dede2002 - as I said, I tried to find some samples made by MM-HLSC-1, I found a Smashing Pumpkins gig on archive.org and downloaded two songs. One was acoustic (and sounded quite tiny), the other one was a rock song and the sound was definitely NOT detailed. I wasn't impressed. Plus there's this interchangeable capsules thing in SP... I think I'll really get the SP-CMC-8.

Btw. what's the thing with having SP-CMC-8 with the AT853 capsules? More people in this forum seem to have it.

I have to tell you that. Archive.org is not, in my opinion, a good tool for comparing mics ( or gear in general), unless you are lucky enough to find two tapers running the same recorder, on the same show, at the same location just with different mics  . Highly unlikely, hum? On this hobby, no matter how great your gear or your skills, the sound source and location are always the most important issues. A bad mix, bad PA, bad venue acoustics and a lousy location are the things to consider first.
Trust me: the HLSC-1 is a great mic.

[su6oxone]

Btw. what's the thing with having SP-CMC-8 with the AT853 capsules? More people in this forum seem to have it.

If you use an adaptor you can use the at853 caps with the 943.  But if you are stealthing mostly, I would just get 943 caps to keep the benefit of small size of the 943 mics. 

[Arni99]

Dede2002 - so do you think the SP-CMC-8 is better than MM-HLSC-1?

Arni99 - I've just browsed this forum a little more and Chris (CA) claims that his mod is NOT useful for the AT943 mics, in fact it can worsen the sound.

Anyway, I don't think I have too much card options being a stealth taper. 

Sure, go for DPA 4080ies !
 

[Belexes]

Trust me: the HLSC-1 is a great mic.

Seconded.

[Liquid Drum]

But the AT943 are better.   


 

I've had both of them but I did have a dodgy pair of HLSC-1's so I just do not trust that company anymore. Its a good mic of course and after I had them fixed by Chris Church they worked very well, but I just prefer the AT943's overall (plus they are much smaller to stealth!).

Just my opinion of course. 

[Mr.Scully]

I've just downloaded plenty of samples from dimeadozen - SP-CMC-8, CA-11 and MM-HLSC-1. Due to different venues, mic placement etc. plenty of recordings were brilliant while plenty (recorded by the same mics) were ruined. So it's hard to make a decision CA-11 sounded brilliant on acoustic stuff but rock was somehow "blurred", I couldn't almost hear the vocals (although for example drums sounded VERY natural). Something similar with the MM-HLSC-1. Blurred, muddy recording; acoustic stuff sounds brilliant. SP-CMC-8 seems to be very popular among tapers, I've downloaded about 16 samples. Sounds flat, too much treble but has by far the clearest sound to my ears.

Not an easy decision, is it? I'm almost tempted to keep my Sony ECM-719 as it has served me very well over the years...

[Dede2002]

But the AT943 are better.   


 

I've had both of them but I did have a dodgy pair of HLSC-1's so I just do not trust that company anymore. Its a good mic of course and after I had them fixed by Chris Church they worked very well, but I just prefer the AT943's overall (plus they are much smaller to stealth!).

Just my opinion of course. 

Liquid Drum,

Of course I just can't say otherwise: I don't own a 943 pair for comparison sake 
But I do second your remark on the stealth thing: the AT943 is in fact smaller.
Take care 

[Dede2002]

Dede2002 - so do you think the SP-CMC-8 is better than MM-HLSC-1?

Arni99 - I've just browsed this forum a little more and Chris (CA) claims that his mod is NOT useful for the AT943 mics, in fact it can worsen the sound.

Anyway, I don't think I have too much card options being a stealth taper. 

Sure, go for DPA 4080ies !
 

Yes  .
Any news about those mics? I'm told they're not good for this hobby...

[Mr.Scully]

Sorry guys, some more questions

I already bought the AT943 cardioid capsules and now I'm after the bodies and omnis and a battery box. However, I've got some questions mainly about the low-sens mod:

1. while many people seem to agree that the low-sens mod is useless for AT943 cardioids, I was also told that the AT943 OMNIS need it? Apparently omnis get distorted more easily?
2. if I have the low-sens mod done anyway, can it affect the sound in a bad way? Significantly more noise or something?
3. if I have the low-sens mod done, does that mean I don't really need the battery box anymore? Will the line-in of Edirol R-09 HR provide enough voltage?
4. AT943 with a battery box can handle 125 dB. Can rock gigs be even louder? I think anything over 120 dB can seriously damage ears... so I'd say rock gigs are somewhere around 110-115 dB...

[Dede2002]

Sorry guys, some more questions

I already bought the AT943 cardioid capsules and now I'm after the bodies and omnis and a battery box. However, I've got some questions mainly about the low-sens mod:

1. while many people seem to agree that the low-sens mod is useless for AT943 cardioids, I was also told that the AT943 OMNIS need it? Apparently omnis get distorted more easily?
2. if I have the low-sens mod done anyway, can it affect the sound in a bad way? Significantly more noise or something?
3. if I have the low-sens mod done, does that mean I don't really need the battery box anymore? Will the line-in of Edirol R-09 HR provide enough voltage?
4. AT943 with a battery box can handle 125 dB. Can rock gigs be even louder? I think anything over 120 dB can seriously damage ears... so I'd say rock gigs are somewhere around 110-115 dB...

1- I don't know 
2- No. It only raises the mic self-noise. Not a problem with loud music.
3- No. You still need a battery box. Only mic in provides plug in power.
4- Yes, you're right. If a rock concert goes up to 125 db, you shouldn't be there 

[Belexes]

I have the low sens 943's with all the caps now except hypers.

I don't think the mod makes them sound bad at all, it's just that the 943's have less tendency to distort than the 853's.
Unless it's a very loud show, I think you may need a pre to boost back the gain you lose with the low sens mod. I use the 9100.

For samples of the low sens Omnis, I posted a bunch of shows on recently Dime. (classic rock stuff...Starship, Sebastian Bach, Tesla...even Poison.    )

[nameloc01]

What your mics can handle is directly affected by your position in the venue. Two exact rigs in the same venue, music at 125 dbs, one rig directly FOS..the other in the back of the venue...which one is likely to clip first?
Ideally, you should go with whatever route will give the absolute maximum spl handling ability. Once you get into a FOS situation and find out that your mics just couldn't handle it (clipping) you don't get a second "at bat". If your already getting mics and a recorder in, a battery box is cake,..really. And on that thought, you might as well do it right and use a 3 wire BB (for the AT mics) then there won't be any guessing,estimating,maybes'..ect. I cannot even begin to comprehend going into a situation not being prepared to the best of your/my ability.

[Mr.Scully]

In other words, if I have the low-sens mod done, I DON'T risk anything at all (except that quiet gigs may not be recorded properly without a preamp - but I don't record quiet gigs :-)

Btw. using directly the mic input is not recommended because it generates some disturbing noise/hiss?

[su6oxone]

In other words, if I have the low-sens mod done, I DON'T risk anything at all (except that quiet gigs may not be recorded properly without a preamp - but I don't record quiet gigs :-)

Btw. using directly the mic input is not recommended because it generates some disturbing noise/hiss?

Correct.  The low sensitivity mod will basically remove any chance of distortion due to high SPL (Chris Church, the inventor of the low sens/4.7k mod, has said that some 943s may need the mod and some may not), but it will reduce the gain, which is not an issue for loud rock shows, but may be for a quieter show.  But using a preamp like the Church CA-9100 will give you back the gain you need for quieter sources.  It's the easiest way and I am quite happy with the low-sens mod on my AT853, which used to distort frequently before I got it (although only with my R-09 and not with my older MD recorder... still a mystery). 

Mic input is noisier than the line-in (that is, a higher noise floor) but will give you more gain, so you can try using it with the low-sens modded mics for quieter sources as well (instead of using an external preamp).

Hope this helps, good luck!