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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: carpa on November 24, 2008, 01:27:42 PM

Title: AT3032
Post by: carpa on November 24, 2008, 01:27:42 PM
This mic has been discontinued, but I find a site in Italy which has some more at a good price (167euros, while new 4021 will be over 300). I'm thinking about buying a couple if them to use with an Edirol r09hr and an external phantom  (just the same rig Didifish has).They are pretty sensitive and noise-free, as I can see from specs, so maybe noise won't be an issue with R09HR.
Two questions: having to record classical music on piano solo or ensemble, do you think this mics can be a good choice?

In the site the also can have the choice of cardioids AT3031. Which of the two models would you recommend for my needs?In other terms, which are the pros and cons of cards vs.omnis in this case?
I will go from a pretty close miking when I play solo to a two or metres distance in case of an ensemble?
Thank you very much for help
c
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: digifish_music on November 24, 2008, 07:27:34 PM
Quote from: carpa on November 24, 2008, 01:27:42 PM
...I'm thinking about buying a couple if them to use with an Edirol r09hr and an external phantom  (just the same rig Didifish has).They are pretty sensitive and noise-free, as I can see from specs, so maybe noise won't be an issue with R09HR.
...

Just a note, the noise from the R09HR preamp will be greater than that from the mics. Overall it should be pretty good however, I am not saying it will be a problem as the R09HR and R44 mic pres are similar from a noise perspective -

www.digifishmusic.com/public/articles/edirol_mic_preamps.htm

...and the R44 is very good for classical & instrument recording, so it follows the R09HR is good too.

About the AT3031 vs 3032 - in studio/instrument recording situations where you can position mics at leisure I find omni and cardioid don't sound all that different, the omni's providing more consistent bass response, almost regardless of distance.  

digifish
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: rastasean on November 25, 2008, 11:41:32 AM
What would you be using these mics for?

September of 2007 Digifish was looking for mics for nature work and settled on the 3032s. Read about the discussion here:

Mic Suggestions for nature work - Low Noise, < $1000 USD.  (http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,91253.0.html)
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: digifish_music on November 25, 2008, 11:54:50 PM
Quote from: rastasean on November 25, 2008, 11:41:32 AM
What would you be using these mics for?


He noted ... "having to record classical music on piano solo or ensemble". Which reminds me, you can hear the AT3032 used for vocal/piano here -

AT 3032 omni mic compared with Neumann TLM 103 (http://www.godsownclay.com/Equipment/Microphones/at3032p.1.html)

digifish

Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: carpa on November 26, 2008, 04:15:56 AM
Thank you digifish for the link. I listened to several samples and appreciated some of them a lot.
In the end- not having to record sounds from nature - I think that cardioids would suit my needs best, as in concerts  I may have lots of different acoustic situations, from dry to very reverbering halls.
So, talking about Audio-Technica I think that AT3031-ig still avalilable- would be ok. I have to say that I've been impressed by Rode Nt1a in terms of clarity and tone, not being too bright as nt5 or nt55 (which I don't like that much, at least from the samples I heard around).

I was wondering wether a SD (AT) or a LD(NT1a) need different "cares" in terms of easy placement or other aspects involved in order to get a good sound in all situations. In particular my rig will be put up considering a deck (Edirol R09HR+Art Phantom or the new Marantz pdm 661) plus a couple of mics on a single bar; I don't know if a not very light couple os NT1a would be safe in  this situation.
Then-I'm ignorant in mic stuffs- I don't know how such a set could be placed in x-y id needed (this not being a big issue as a spaced 17cms could be ok).
thank you
c
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: digifish_music on November 26, 2008, 05:14:23 AM
Quote from: carpa on November 26, 2008, 04:15:56 AM
Thank you digifish for the link. I listened to several samples and appreciated some of them a lot.
... I think that cardioids would suit my needs best, as in concerts  I may have lots of different acoustic situations, from dry to very reverbering halls....if a not very light couple os NT1a would be safe in  this situation.

The AT3031 will make a great mic pair, they are (currently) the performance bargain of the century, get some while they last :) I would advise against the NT1-A purely on size/bulk I find that while I really like using them for recording almost anything, they are just too much hassle (size/weight-wise/suspensions) compared to the AT3032 or NT4 and extremely sensitive to handling noise/rumble etc. You will also hear the pianists nose whistling, even from the balcony :)

digifish
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: JackHenry on November 26, 2008, 06:03:36 PM
Quote from: carpa on November 24, 2008, 01:27:42 PM
This mic has been discontinued, but I find a site in Italy which has some more at a good price (167euros, while new 4021 will be over 300).

What is the site??
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: digifish_music on November 26, 2008, 06:10:38 PM
Quote from: JackHenry on November 26, 2008, 06:03:36 PM
Quote from: carpa on November 24, 2008, 01:27:42 PM
This mic has been discontinued, but I find a site in Italy which has some more at a good price (167euros, while new 4021 will be over 300).

What is the site??

Sound professionals has 3031's for $139 USD, if you are in or can purchase from the USA...

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/AT3031

digifish
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: headroom on November 28, 2008, 07:43:02 AM
Where in italy can we buy more 3032 Omnis. Please leave a link. Thanks
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: carpa on November 28, 2008, 04:11:54 PM
Here I found the have (at least, they show it). It is a German site
http://www.musik-service.de/AudioTechnicaAT-3032-prx395501073it.aspx
I don't know if they really have it.

One question I have in thinking about a pair of studio condenser with external phantom and R09HR (or similar devices): in such a case you can't separately adjust the gain on the two channels. This is not an issue if you use a stereo mic, but could prove useful in a stereo set.
I have found this on the web from the same brand who produces phantom supplies:
http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=86&cat=9&id=132

The price is low, so I wouldn'r expect miracles from a preamp plus phantom and -if you need - computer interface. I was just wondering if some of you knows this product to tell how it compares to the R09HR's internal mic preamp.
If it is not worse, it could be an alternative to by the phantom power unit, as you would have the separate gain possibility for little more money.
Thank you
c
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: digifish_music on November 29, 2008, 09:36:46 PM
Quote from: headroom on November 28, 2008, 07:43:02 AM
Where in italy can we buy more 3032 Omnis. Please leave a link. Thanks

I live in Australia and bought a pair of AT3032's and some Binaurals from Sound Professionals, so they do ship internationally...

digifish.
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: rastasean on December 01, 2008, 10:30:51 AM
Sound Pro states they are sold out of the 3032s.   :-X
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: a-dub on December 01, 2008, 03:48:38 PM
How do the 3031's and 3032's differ in field recording?
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: rastasean on December 01, 2008, 03:53:11 PM
Self noise on the 3032 is HALF of the 3031s. (3031s: 16dBa and 3032 is 8 )
3031s are cards
3032 are omnis

Audio Technica   AT3031   16 dB(A)
Audio Technica   AT3032   8dB(A)
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: brownm84 on December 05, 2008, 06:45:21 PM
I use an At3031>R-09Hr for concerts and MY ears are very pleased with the results. I went with the R-09HR for the preamp alone since I can't afford an external preamp at the moment. Here is a show I did with this combo, not the best position in the house (under a staircase, but only spot for stands) but can show you what this combo sounds like.
http://www.archive.org/details/rre2008-10-17.AT3031
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: digifish_music on December 05, 2008, 08:27:22 PM
Quote from: mshilarious on December 05, 2008, 07:00:10 PM
Quote from: rastasean on December 01, 2008, 03:53:11 PM
Self noise on the 3032 is HALF of the 3031s. (3031s: 16dBa and 3032 is 8 )
3031s are cards
3032 are omnis

Audio Technica   AT3031   16 dB(A)
Audio Technica   AT3032   8dB(A)

I've seen this claim originate with the nature recordists and spread essentially unchallenged, but AT specs both at 16dBSPL; AT might be conservative, but they are hardly incompetent, and I doubt they would get the relative noise levels that far off.

I'm not disputing the AT3032 is quiet, but at 8dBA it would have achieved a noise rating on par with microphones twice its diaphragm size, and a spec at least 4dB better than any other company's mics of the same diaphragm size.  Since noise is mainly a function of diaphragm size, I'd really really love to see an actual measurement of its noise.

Also, half the noise would be 10dB, not 8dB.

Here's where the 8 dB claim started...

http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/archives/html/naturerecordists/2005-11/msg00190.html

digifish
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: JM Charcot on September 08, 2009, 11:22:50 AM
Do you know if it is still possible to find some 3032 somewhere in Europe?


Kind regards,

JM.
Title: Re: AT3032
Post by: illconditioned on September 08, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Does anyone know about the capsules in these AT mics?  In particular, are they gold vaporized mylar?  I'm guessing they are something else, since AT seems to mention gold on other capsules (eg., AT4033).  Also, are the capsules in the AT4021/4022, the so-called replacement, the same as those in the AT3031/3032?

Thanks,
  Richard