Topic: 480 vs. 414XLS vs. JWmod460's

[F.O.Bean]

may just get some 460 bodies and get JW to mod them, then see which i like better, keep the bodies i like better and be out no $$ on that deal

and if im not satisfied in a year or so, i'll snag the XLS's

im not unhappy by any means, the 4809>v3 rig isd TIGHT IMO, just hankering a change since ive been running the same mics since 99

[Tim]

I'd get 414's before I got another pair of akg bodies...

[F.O.Bean]

I'd get 414's before I got another pair of akg bodies...

i know if i sell the 480's, i'll never have all the caps again tho, i bet id like the 414 sound, just wanna hear more tapes first!

[spyder9]

The ONLY problem with the 414's or any LD mic is when you are in a large hall & far from the soundsource.

The new 414-XLS' have double the sensitivity of the 414-ULS.  The XLS should be no problem in a large hall or far from the source.  I taped with them in the back of the section at Mountain Jam, and they did a very nice job.  But if you are too far from the source, shit, shotguns are the way to go for that.

I just found a stereo matched pair of the 414-XLS on ebay.  $1600, BFN, shipped.  I just posted it in the eBay forum.  1 day left on the auction.  Killer deal.

I am also going to put up a sample of the 414-XLS w/ Busman2's UA5 mod.  I'll put that in the preamp forum.

[Tim]

The ONLY problem with the 414's or any LD mic is when you are in a large hall & far from the soundsource.

The new 414-XLS' have double the sensitivity of the 414-ULS. The XLS should be no problem in a large hall or far from the source. I taped with them in the back of the section at Mountain Jam, and they did a very nice job. But if you are too far from the source, shit, shotguns are the way to go for that.

I just found a stereo matched pair of the 414-XLS on ebay. $1600, BFN, shipped. I just posted it in the eBay forum. 1 day left on the auction. Killer deal.

I am also going to put up a sample of the 414-XLS w/ Busman2's UA5 mod. I'll put that in the preamp forum.

Not to speak for Carl but I think what he was referring to is that LD's suffer when recording from a distance like a TS in an arena because they're just too "slow". There's generally not enough SPL in the back of an arena to really bring out the best of an LD microphone. As a former LD owner (u89s) I can attest to this, I think there generally isn't enough air getting moved in a TS for LD mics... get them up close though and look out!

I prefer LD's up close and SD's from farther back, I think the LD's really lack detail when used from a TS

[spyder9]

The ONLY problem with the 414's or any LD mic is when you are in a large hall & far from the soundsource.

The new 414-XLS' have double the sensitivity of the 414-ULS. The XLS should be no problem in a large hall or far from the source. I taped with them in the back of the section at Mountain Jam, and they did a very nice job. But if you are too far from the source, shit, shotguns are the way to go for that.

I just found a stereo matched pair of the 414-XLS on ebay. $1600, BFN, shipped. I just posted it in the eBay forum. 1 day left on the auction. Killer deal.

I am also going to put up a sample of the 414-XLS w/ Busman2's UA5 mod. I'll put that in the preamp forum.

Not to speak for Carl but I think what he was referring to is that LD's suffer when recording from a distance like a TS in an arena because they're just too "slow". There's generally not enough SPL in the back of an arena to really bring out the best of an LD microphone. As a former LD owner (u89s) I can attest to this, I think there generally isn't enough air getting moved in a TS for LD mics... get them up close though and look out!

I prefer LD's up close and SD's from farther back, I think the LD's really lack detail when used from a TS

The sensitivity on these things are 23.  Your average mic is 11-13.  Shotguns are 35 or higher.  I am going to be taping the Allman Brothers at SPAC from the Lawn in 2 weeks.

Your point, Tim, is well taken.   I guess need to do some more testing on these.

I

[spyder9]

414 XLS sample is here.
 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=4.0

[F.O.Bean]

414 XLS sample is here.
 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=4.0

im on dialup, could you possibly be down for a small trade so i can hear the new 414's dan

thanks in advance,
Bean

[shaggy]

Bean, I know what you mean with the 'brittle' sound.  I am finding the AKGs with the CK61 caps to be a great improvement from I had been running, those Nak CM300...but something is funny at times with the upper mids...i call it the AKG 'bite'.

[spyder9]

414 XLS sample is here.
 

http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=4.0

im on dialup, could you possibly be down for a small trade so i can hear the new 414's dan

thanks in advance,
Bean

Bean,

Sure let's do a deal later today.   

[spyder9]

I am going to be taping the Allman Brothers at SPAC from the Lawn in 2 weeks.

getting psyched for this show w/ moe.
we will see how they stack up against my mighty MG hypers 

I can't wait too.  ABB Friday night in Canandaigua.  ABB Sunday night in Saratoga.  Pumped!

I might run cards for Saratoga.  I noticed the hypers on the 414s are very tight.  On a windy day, the cymbals sound like they are swirling from being so far back.

As Mills Lane once said, "Let's get it on!"   

[carlbeck]

 
Not to speak for Carl but I think what he was referring to is that LD's suffer when recording from a distance like a TS in an arena because they're just too "slow". There's generally not enough SPL in the back of an arena to really bring out the best of an LD microphone. As a former LD owner (u89s) I can attest to this, I think there generally isn't enough air getting moved in a TS for LD mics... get them up close though and look out!

I prefer LD's up close and SD's from farther back, I think the LD's really lack detail when used from a TS

Yes, Tim that is exactly what I was saying. I was not dogging the 414's at all. I believe ALL LD mic's suffer from this. Up close they are wonderfull though. It really depends on what & where you normally tape.

[spyder9]

Most of the bands I record have a "tape from your seat" policy, so I try to get in front of the SBD.

Who still has a TS section behind the SBD, besides the Phish/Dead family trees?  That would be nice info to have.  It may adjust my thinking.  I may pick up a set of Audio Technica 4073A shotguns (fluff) for those situations (slut).  The Sennheiser 416s or ME66 shotguns are phat from way out too.

[grider]

If you are hankering for something new, go the 414 route...LD sounds is very different over SD sound and if you want the warmth, then you can't go wrong with LD mics

gotta agree here completely Bean, the 414's sound sweet and make excellent recordings in all taping environments from what I have heard, and I believe like the TL's they have multiple mic pattern settings too which is a huge benefit to successful taping regardless of conditions

[Kindguy]

The ONLY problem with the 414's or any LD mic is when you are in a large hall & far from the soundsource. Now, if Phish was still around I would say NOT to get these mics but since you are seeing "smaller" bands in smaller halls then I think they will work fine for you. I loved the tapes Nick did with the 414's, we comped a few vs. the 480's. The 480's have better detail & that "bright" sound. Another route may be to add a 148 or Mini-me to your rig instead? Carrying around two sets of mic's is cool at first but (for me at least) became overkill after a year or two.

Who knows, get the 414's, you may like them enough to stop using your 480's......................................
but I doubt it 

Not to speak for Carl but I think what he was referring to is that LD's suffer when recording from a distance like a TS in an arena because they're just too "slow". There's generally not enough SPL in the back of an arena to really bring out the best of an LD microphone. As a former LD owner (u89s) I can attest to this, I think there generally isn't enough air getting moved in a TS for LD mics... get them up close though and look out!

I prefer LD's up close and SD's from farther back, I think the LD's really lack detail when used from a TS

I agree (although I've never ran the 414's.)

When I had the TL's they were great upfront or in a small place. Put them in the TS & I was real unhappy with the recordings. Keep in mind I also had the 481/3's at the same time. & almost always ran them.

If you would like to run my 148 sometime maybe we can work something out. I felt the same way you did running 48x > warm UA-5. When I picked up the 148 > ad500e it was a whole new ballgame with the 480's.