Author Topic: Shure BG4.1's any good for taping? (Read 6747 times)

Sanjay · « **on:** May 23, 2004, 04:59:41 PM »

I am just starting out, and I have the opportunity for a good deal on these mics, with shockmounts and xy bar. I haven't seen many people use them so I was curious if they were any good. Here are the specs.

Capsule: Condenser (electret bias)
Freq Response: 40 to 18,000 Hz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid (unidirectional, symmetrical)
Output Impedance: 600 ohm
Recommended input load impedance: 800 ohm min
Max SPL @ 2000ohm load: 131 dB (phantom) / 127dB (battery)
Output Noise 20dB, A Weighted
Dynamic Range 111 dB (phantom), 107 dB (battery)
Power: Phantom 11 to 52 Vdc or 1.5V AA battery
Current Drain: 2mA max
On / Off switch mounted on body
3 pin male XLR connector

thanks for any help
-sanjay

spreadheadtom · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2004, 05:08:07 PM »

what are you planning on running them with?

Sanjay · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2004, 05:14:15 PM »

for now a denecke ps2 into a JB3

Brian · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2004, 05:18:40 PM »

i don't think i trust anything called a "condenser dynamic microphone" (according to fullcompass)

they have also been discontinued by shure according to the shure website. i'm assuming the PG81 is the one that has replaced it. IMO opinion you could save money and go with the oktavas/superlux's/akg c1000s and get much better results. of course i'm assuming you are curious about them for concert taping. they might be good for the applications they suggest in the studio. i wasn't really happy with the frequency response graph either FWIW.

Brian

Sanjay · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2004, 05:30:10 PM »

thanks, it just seemed a good deal for around $125 with shockmounts and all. I looked into the oktava's and I have been hoping the guitar center around me was having a sale, but no luck. What model superlux's were good?

spreadheadtom · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2004, 05:30:31 PM »

i agree with brian....u must be paying at least ~80 bucks for these mics, no? throw in a couple of bucks and get the c1000's

Brian · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2004, 05:33:10 PM »

according to some retailers they are $168..... same as the new pg81s. you can get oktavas for 100 each with cardioid caps

edit: i guess you found some better deals but still the oktavas and superlux's can be had for cheaper i'm pretty sure.

the superlux model that i think most of the peeps have here are the "Superlux SMK-H8K's"

Sanjay · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2004, 06:00:27 PM »

Is there any place to get a decent pair of oktava's or c1000's for a decent price? I really would love to stay under 200 however unrealistic, but i have seen pairs of oktava's sell for around 150 and c1000's for 200 in the yard sale in the past.

jhirte · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2004, 07:48:19 PM »

I ran them for a bit.. taping my old band... this was done back in 97/98 running them to a 4 track. sounded ok, I have no idea what they'd sound like run thru a more conventional pre for taping shows... never know unless you try! and I'd be curious as to what they'd sound like!

-Jim

shroominhumpy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 24, 2004, 09:34:55 AM »

Just keep your eyes open for a set of c1000s. I found mine on this board for about 135 shipped...(I know that may be unrealistic to hope for but it can happen.) Just keep the eyes open. Also this is personal preference but I like the sound of the c1000 better than the Oktavas. Who knows though. Goodluck and keep on searching.

Jason

greenone · « **Reply #10 on:** May 24, 2004, 10:38:51 AM »

Quote from: S_TL-Taper on May 23, 2004, 05:18:40 PM

i wasn't really happy with the frequency response graph either FWIW.

That's the first thing I noticed, too...40Hz-18kHz doesn't cover what's typically assumed to be the range of human hearing (which is 20Hz-20kHz). For the price of those I'd definitely keep my eyes open on the Yard Sale here. In fact, if you got the C1000s, you wouldn't need the PS2 since the C1000s are internally powered - so you could take that into account from a cash flow perspective.

Sanjay · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2004, 11:15:14 AM »

Quote from: greenone on May 24, 2004, 10:38:51 AM

Quote from: S_TL-Taper on May 23, 2004, 05:18:40 PM
i wasn't really happy with the frequency response graph either FWIW.

That's the first thing I noticed, too...40Hz-18kHz doesn't cover what's typically assumed to be the range of human hearing (which is 20Hz-20kHz). For the price of those I'd definitely keep my eyes open on the Yard Sale here. In fact, if you got the C1000s, you wouldn't need the PS2 since the C1000s are internally powered - so you could take that into account from a cash flow perspective.

How well do the C1000's do with internal power? I always figured the performance without a battery box or the like was poor.

greenone · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2004, 11:30:36 AM »

I don't know what difference there is, if any. Specs say they run on 9v-52v and I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who use 9v batteries just fine. Never run them myself so I couldn't say for sure.

Sanjay · « **Reply #13 on:** May 24, 2004, 11:42:33 AM »

i'll probably go for the c1000's then, especially if in the long run it will save me from having to buy the ps2 up front. Currently I have giant squid mics and while they are good for stealthing I am looking to get a real rig put together. But being in college and broke I am always looking for cheap components. Thanks for all your help guys, and if anyone has any leads on good places to get c1000's for a decent price other than the yard sale (I was hoping to snag them before bonnaroo) please let me know and I will be eternally grateful.

Brian · « **Reply #14 on:** May 24, 2004, 12:12:54 PM »

i'd just like to throw up the idea of the oktava mics again just for the fact that you can get other caps later (hypers and omnis). i really like the hypers with oktavas. however if you like that akg sound and are set on it, then by all means get the c1000s. you'll be upgrading to the 480s before you know it

edit: oh yeah with a possible stop at the 390s along the way

Brian