Topic: Shure BG4.1's any good for taping?

[Sanjay]

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]

what are you planning on running them with?

[Sanjay]

for now a denecke ps2 into a JB3

[Brian]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Sanjay]

The Oktava's dont run off internal power do they?  They were my first choice due to the switchable caps but I have heard things about their quality issues, and finding a matched pair is pretty difficult, I guess i'll see which ones pop up on the yard sale first and at what prices.  I'm not gonna set myself on one sound just yet!  

[Brian]

if you have a ps2 it doesn't matter if they are internally powered...you have your 48v's right there. also you could easily go to Guitar center and match them yourself in the store if they have a bunch of them...which they usually do.  i matched mine in the store....found 2 that were only ~2db off.  as for the quality issues i always found them to be great mics, but then again i'm biased cause i used to own them.  i always wanted to get the hyper caps but upgraded to the TL's outright instead  like i said though it all depends on what you like. if you like the akg sound you know what mics to get.  c1000s > 390s > 480s. all great mics. people talk very highly of the 480's especially the hyper cap and there are tapes out there to prove it. there are also some fantastic oktava tapes out there as well

[spreadheadtom]

Hell...just sell the car and get the 480's

[Sanjay]

Hell...just sell the car and get the 480's

then how would i get down to bonnaroo?  

[mterry]

suprisingly enough, I actualy have a few tapes that are BG4.1's > D8......kinda crazy.......not that bad

that is just the source info, who knows......

[Sanjay]

suprisingly enough, I actualy have a few tapes that are BG4.1's > D8......kinda crazy.......not that bad

that is just the source info, who knows......

not bad as in not horrible, but your giant squids could do better, or not bad as in "surprisingly these turned out decently".

[mterry]

suprisingly enough, I actualy have a few tapes that are BG4.1's > D8......kinda crazy.......not that bad

that is just the source info, who knows......

not bad as in not horrible, but your giant squids could do better, or not bad as in "surprisingly these turned out decently".

lets say, for the venue they were used in, the turned out suprisingly decent

if you want, I'll put some tracks in my instant message download file and you can check them out

[Sanjay]

suprisingly enough, I actualy have a few tapes that are BG4.1's > D8......kinda crazy.......not that bad

that is just the source info, who knows......

not bad as in not horrible, but your giant squids could do better, or not bad as in "surprisingly these turned out decently".

lets say, for the venue they were used in, the turned out suprisingly decent

if you want, I'll put some tracks in my instant message download file and you can check them out

sure if its not too much trouble. thanks alot