Topic: End of an era....no more AT853's (SP-CMC-4's).....but.....

[soundpro]

Chris is a great guy, very helpful!!!


So these new U853's....  Are the capsules the same or are both the body and capsules new?  Are the old bodys/capsules interchangable with the new ones?  It says they offer a Uniline shotgun capsule for these mics?  Is this similar to the Microline capsules for the AT943's?  

The new mics also have new capsules. The caps are backward compatible, so you can get the frequency response improvements by getting the new capsules and putting them on the old bodies. The other improvements (noise, etc) are more related to the electronics in the body.

Chris

[soundpro]

This could lead to a fall out in AT 853 prices?

Perhaps a little in the used market.....yes. There are no more new ones available.

Chris

[OOK]

Chris is a great guy, very helpful!!!


So these new U853's....  Are the capsules the same or are both the body and capsules new?  Are the old bodys/capsules interchangable with the new ones?  It says they offer a Uniline shotgun capsule for these mics?  Is this similar to the Microline capsules for the AT943's?  

The new mics also have new capsules. The caps are backward compatible, so you can get the frequency response improvements by getting the new capsules and putting them on the old bodies. The other improvements (noise, etc) are more related to the electronics in the body.

Chris

Is the reverse also true, can you use the old caps on the new bodies?

[Chanher]

I've been talking with Chris, I think I'm gonna grab some 20 fters with phantom module hard wired on. I'll have to run a comparison with my current pair. I like these mics, it'll be nice to have a couple pairs.

[run_run_run]

This could lead to a fall out in AT 853 prices?

Perhaps a little in the used market.....yes. There are no more new ones available.

Chris

yeah I was talking used. Ether way next year I am going to pick up a set of U853 or 853s.

[soundpro]

Chris is a great guy, very helpful!!!


So these new U853's....  Are the capsules the same or are both the body and capsules new?  Are the old bodys/capsules interchangable with the new ones?  It says they offer a Uniline shotgun capsule for these mics?  Is this similar to the Microline capsules for the AT943's?  

The new mics also have new capsules. The caps are backward compatible, so you can get the frequency response improvements by getting the new capsules and putting them on the old bodies. The other improvements (noise, etc) are more related to the electronics in the body.

Chris

Is the reverse also true, can you use the old caps on the new bodies?

Yes, you can use the old caps on the new bodies

Chris

[audBall]

Chris,

Just to clarify even further....can you use the U-series caps with the adapters on the 943's?

[Aaron41]

I'm really liking all the changes these new mics are said to have. After I hear some clips, maybe I'll pic up a pair.

[Will_S]

I'm really liking all the changes these new mics are said to have. After I hear some clips, maybe I'll pic up a pair.

These use the U873R, which is essentially the U853 stuffed into a normal sized mic body with built-in phantom adapter.  They use the new U-series cap, hyper flavor.

http://www.archive.org/details/jgb2006-09-09.u873r.flac16f
http://www.archive.org/details/jgb2006-10-27.U873Rhc.flac16f
http://www.archive.org/details/nm2006-10-20.u873rhc.flac16f

[Aaron41]

I'm really liking all the changes these new mics are said to have. After I hear some clips, maybe I'll pic up a pair.

These use the U873R, which is essentially the U853 stuffed into a normal sized mic body with built-in phantom adapter.  They use the new U-series cap, hyper flavor.

http://www.archive.org/details/jgb2006-09-09.u873r.flac16f
http://www.archive.org/details/jgb2006-10-27.U873Rhc.flac16f
http://www.archive.org/details/nm2006-10-20.u873rhc.flac16f

Interesting. I'll have to give those samples a listen when I get home.

I'm really interested in some small card mics that can handle loud rock shows and provide good or even great bass. I love my DPA 4061s but I don't know how many more loud clappers I can take. heh

[Chanher]

when I've compared the at853's to the akg 480's head to head (there's a few shows on the archive featuring both mics) the 480's always sounded smoother and more rich (mostly in the low end), but it was NOT that big of a difference. Seriously, as audiophiles we look for those differences, but I wouldn't be suprised if non-audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between the two.

Granted, my reference system is not up to par, and a better playback could better reveal the strengths of the akg's and the weaknesses of the AT's, but at least 50% of my recordings are requested by somebody else who is probably not an audiophile.

[poorlyconditioned]

when I've compared the at853's to the akg 480's head to head (there's a few shows on the archive featuring both mics) the 480's always sounded smoother and more rich (mostly in the low end), but it was NOT that big of a difference. Seriously, as audiophiles we look for those differences, but I wouldn't be suprised if non-audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between the two.

Granted, my reference system is not up to par, and a better playback could better reveal the strengths of the akg's and the weaknesses of the AT's, but at least 50% of my recordings are requested by somebody else who is probably not an audiophile.

I have not used 480s (yet).  But my opinion is similar.  It seems 90% of the battle is getting your mics in the right place/configuration in the room.  And it matters even less if you do a SBD+MICS mix as I often do.  Don't get me wrong, a great room with great mics will always sound better, but having a great room and position is quite rare in my experience.

  Richard

[spyder9]

480's vs AT853RX  The initial comparison was for the Zoom's Pre characteristics.  But it could also be used for the difference between these microphones.  Have a slice!! 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=74928.0

[Chanher]

when I've compared the at853's to the akg 480's head to head (there's a few shows on the archive featuring both mics) the 480's always sounded smoother and more rich (mostly in the low end), but it was NOT that big of a difference. Seriously, as audiophiles we look for those differences, but I wouldn't be suprised if non-audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between the two.

Granted, my reference system is not up to par, and a better playback could better reveal the strengths of the akg's and the weaknesses of the AT's, but at least 50% of my recordings are requested by somebody else who is probably not an audiophile.

I have not used 480s (yet).  But my opinion is similar.  It seems 90% of the battle is getting your mics in the right place/configuration in the room.  And it matters even less if you do a SBD+MICS mix as I often do.  Don't get me wrong, a great room with great mics will always sound better, but having a great room and position is quite rare in my experience.

  Richard

totally agree, not to mention the soundman taking care of business, although that has a lot to do with room.

[Chanher]

480's vs AT853RX  The initial comparison was for the Zoom's Pre characteristics.  But it could also be used for the difference between these microphones.  Have a slice!! 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=74928.0

yes, a very good example.