Topic: upgrade from CA-11 to AT943

[shotyd]

is it worth it??? I like the CA-11, but i haven't heard much of the AT943 recordings...opinions are welcome!!

[Belexes]

More of a lateral move than an upgrade.  Chris sells his mics for less, but I think that is to capture more of the market.  I think they are of equal quality with the AT's.

[run_run_run]

more cap options

[Will_S]

I agree with both of the above posts.  Really a lateral move, you might prefer one or the other based on your individual tastes but there's no clear winner.  The only real reason to get the 943s was if you wanted to run the minishotgun capsules, since omnis are available for either mic and the CA-11 card caps are really in between a typical card and hyper.

[Ziggz]

Here's a sample with the 943 card caps -> SP-SPSB-11 -> R-09:

https://www.yousendit.com/download/TTdGZGlqb0IxUURIRGc9PQ

[SmokinJoe]

I agree with the lateral move statement.  They are a little different flavor, and you may prefer one over the other.  You can make great tapes with either... focus on getting setup in the right location, pointing the mics in the right direction, and being lucky enough to not have a screaming drunk beside you.

If you are itching for an upgrade and want to spend some money, keep what you have for low profile, and start building an open rig with like C4's > UA-5. 

[Javier Cinakowski]

I really like Chris Church and his products. I think the CA-11 is the best value in our hobby (Busman mics are a close second).   I don't think the CA-11 is nearly as good as the ES943 in several catergories, including personal preference..  A very well respected Japanesse manufactures "contractor exclusive" line of microphones, gold sputtered, sits a bit higher on the ladder than Church's modified Chinese capsules (no offense intended).  Not only are there additional capsules for the 943, but you can also use the 853 line with an adapter.  This includeds subcard(discontinued) and shotgun.  Additionally there are also a variety of microhpones, including the ES973R full bodied mic than can be used as an open taping rig.  Boundary, podium and phantom adapters and power supplies are available as well...    I think Church's 9100 preamp is the best PIP preamp currently being made by anyone.  My $0.02


                                                       Church CA-11                                                                                                   AT ES943

Frequency Response                          20 hz TO 20 khz                                                                                               30-20,000 Hz
Maximum Input Sound Level                      N/A                                                                                      110dB/125dB/145dB (depends on powering)
Dynamic Range                                        N/A                                                                                        83dB/98dB/118dB  (depends on powering)
Modular Capsules                                  Card/Omni                                          943omni/853omni/U853omni/853sub/943Card/853Card/U853Card/943hyper/853hyper/U853hyper/943micropline/853uniline
Signal To Noise Ratio                                 N/A                                                                                                             65dB
Open Circuit Sensitivity                              N/A                                                                                                             -40dB
Mounting Accessories                          Alegator Clip                                                                    Hanging, Poduim Mount, Lav Clips, SP t-bar mounts, more....
self noise                                              27 dbA                                                                                                             N/A
Matched Stereo Pair                            within 0.4dB                                                                              AT claims manuf tolerances are extreamly low
Frequency Responce and Polar Chart            NA                                                                                                          Availalbe online
Price;                                                     $119                                                                                                      $259(sound pros)

[su6oxone]

The main benefit of using the AT mics are that you can get custom "grommets" installed in a baseball cap (or any hat really) that the mic caps will fit in perfectly for stealth applications.  Also, you have the ability to use hyper caps and sub caps (for the 853 if you can find them).  Otherwise, the CA-11 and CA-14 are probably better values for a basic/stealth rig.  I liked the CA-11s when I had them but I also like my AT853s, which were my first mics.

[ballerusk]

Don't know if this will help, but here is at least a small sample of a recording done with AT943 (hypers).

[Church-Audio]

The 943 is a better mic but its also twice the price. For the money my mics are Very good. I do agree with some of the comments made that it is more of a lateral move. But when you factor in the price its a no brainer. I also have Omni caps available for my mics. Both mics are very good IMO. My CA-11 mics are designed for people that are just starting out in taping and are not sure if they want to spend a whole lot of money or dont have $250 to spend on mics alone heck for $269 you can get a 9100 + a pair of my ca-11 cardioid mics. Now if you were to compair my new CA-14 mics they would blow the 943'S away again that is just my opinion.

[Javier Cinakowski]

Now if you were to compair my new CA-14 mics they would blow the 943'S away again that is just my opinion.

If this is true, and I believe it is, you need to begin working on a full bodied 48v version of the microphone, pronto....  Perhaps a remote capsule design with the microphone electronics in the xlr plug.  If you could fit all of the electrnoics in a right angle xlr plug, you would be a hero in my book....

[Belexes]

Now if you were to compair my new CA-14 mics they would blow the 943'S away again that is just my opinion.

If this is true, and I believe it is, you need to begin working on a full bodied 48v version of the microphone, pronto....  Perhaps a remote capsule design with the microphone electronics in the xlr plug.  If you could fit all of the electrnoics in a right angle xlr plug, you would be a hero in my book....

Seconded. 

[Ziggz]

I've not been long back from a show, ran 2 rigs.
One set of mics CA-11 and the other SP-CMC-8 (AT943) Cards.

There's a sample of each in the zip file. See if you can tell what file is done with what mics.

Recorders- R-09 and iRiver HP120 (CF mod). Batterybox(s)-> Line in

http://rapidshare.com/files/156756889/MicSamples.zip

[Belexes]

I've not been long back from a show, ran 2 rigs.
One set of mics CA-11 and the other SP-CMC-8 (AT943) Cards.

There's a sample of each in the zip file. See if you can tell what file is done with what mics.

Recorders- R-09 and iRiver HP120 (CF mod). Batterybox(s)-> Line in

http://rapidshare.com/files/156756889/MicSamples.zip

File 1 are the 943's and File 2 the CA-11's.  That's my guess.  I own the SP-CMC-8's, but my only experience with the CA-11's has been via listening to recordings by members here.

[DaveG73]

File 1 are the 943's and File 2 the CA-11's.  That's my guess.  I own the SP-CMC-8's, but my only experience with the CA-11's has been via listening to recordings by members here.

Seconded but for exactly the opposite reasons. (Own the CA-11 heard the 943's)

Dave.

[heyitsmejess]

Now if you were to compair my new CA-14 mics they would blow the 943'S away again that is just my opinion.

If this is true, and I believe it is, you need to begin working on a full bodied 48v version of the microphone, pronto....  Perhaps a remote capsule design with the microphone electronics in the xlr plug.  If you could fit all of the electrnoics in a right angle xlr plug, you would be a hero in my book....

the ca-14 omnis are as sweet as they come

sample

http://www.sendspace.com/file/uf93ln

mics ran healy, 5' in front of band

CA-14 omni > CA 9100 > h120 > soundforge 8 (boost volume) > flac level 8

[Church-Audio]

Now if you were to compair my new CA-14 mics they would blow the 943'S away again that is just my opinion.

If this is true, and I believe it is, you need to begin working on a full bodied 48v version of the microphone, pronto....  Perhaps a remote capsule design with the microphone electronics in the xlr plug.  If you could fit all of the electrnoics in a right angle xlr plug, you would be a hero in my book....

the ca-14 omnis are as sweet as they come

sample

http://www.sendspace.com/file/uf93ln

mics ran healy, 5' in front of band

CA-14 omni > CA 9100 > h120 > soundforge 8 (boost volume) > flac level 8

Thanks for taking the time to post this recording great job.

Chris

[heyitsmejess]

danke!  and thank you for making/loaning them!

[Ziggz]

File 1 are the 943's and File 2 the CA-11's.  That's my guess.  I own the SP-CMC-8's, but my only experience with the CA-11's has been via listening to recordings by members here.

Seconded but for exactly the opposite reasons. (Own the CA-11 heard the 943's)

Dave.

File 1 is...... the CA-11's!

[DaveG73]

File 1 are the 943's and File 2 the CA-11's.  That's my guess.  I own the SP-CMC-8's, but my only experience with the CA-11's has been via listening to recordings by members here.

Seconded but for exactly the opposite reasons. (Own the CA-11 heard the 943's)

Dave.

File 1 is...... the CA-11's!

And now we both look stupid 

Thanks for the comparison.

Dave.

[Belexes]

I suck at these blind tests.  Both sound pretty damn good, it's just that the CA-11's cost a lot less.  I still see these mics as a lateral move between the two of them.  Anyone just starting up would be better off on the pocketbook with the Church Audio CA11's or 14's.

[Ziggz]

I love the CA mics. I picked up some CMC-8's to get hyper caps, but had some shopping points there so grabbed the omni + card caps discounted. For the price and quality the CA's can't be beat.

[carnagevisors]

      Well, i owned both mics. I love my AT943; some of my best recordings have been made with this set. I recently adquired a pair of CA-11 and i'm impressed with the result. I was looking for a good set of mics to record metal bands (especiallu death/black metal bands), from small clubes with few PA sound to medium/high clubes and venues with good/big PA amplified sound.
      I've done one recording with this set (CA-11) in a medium club and i'm quite impressed with the natural  sound and good definition of the recording.
      If you wanna hear a sample done some days ago with this set, click here , by the way, the band is call "Alfa Eridano", a good metal band from Veracruz, Mexico.
      Thank you Chris for this good product.
      M

[kbergend]

I have the 943s and the CA-11s, use both, love both, would give the 943s an edge due to slightly better presence (to my ears) and slightly smaller size, but you sure can't beat the value of the CA-11s or Church's personalized service.  The CA-11s also seem to cope with high SPLs with lower voltage requirements.

Here's a sample of the 943s with card caps.  This was recorded with a stock PMD-620 (mic in) @24/44.1 and dithered to 16 bits.

Eilen Jewell at Joe's Pub, NYC (15' from stage):  http://kbergend.tripod.com/ej2008-08-10t10.wav