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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: acidjack on February 26, 2013, 05:16:50 PM

Title: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: acidjack on February 26, 2013, 05:16:50 PM
Thought some folks would be interested to hear a first run with the new MBHO PFA setup.  For anyone looking to put one together, you need:

MBHO mic capsules
Two of these active adapters: http://www.daleproaudio.com/p-13273-mbho-603a-capsule-cartridge-for-mbp603a-microphone.aspx
mini-XLR terminated cables
Naiant PFAs: http://www.naiant.com/naiant/inlinedevices.html [Note, you will need to specify these are for MBHOs]

From what I understand, Jon had to rejigger the PFA circuit to work with the MBHOs, which require a balanced signal.  This was my first time running them, and they worked great.  Note that there are kwon bars, etc out there for MBHOs for those so inclined. 

You can check out my pull here: http://archive.org/details/gpn2013-02-23.capitol_acidjack_MBHO
While it's hard to "comp" these since the Schoeps were M-S and both sources have been edited, you can compare to the Schoeps pull here: http://archive.org/details/gpn2013-02-23.capitol_acidjack_schoeps
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: hi and lo on February 26, 2013, 05:52:26 PM
I will upload my MK41 recording soon to compare. I think we need to take some pics of that sweet sweet rig of yours. :)
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: OOK on February 26, 2013, 06:33:51 PM
Nice.... ;)
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 27, 2013, 11:09:21 PM
Sweet!
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: bryonsos on February 28, 2013, 01:32:47 AM
I will upload my MK41 recording soon to compare. I think we need to take some pics of that sweet sweet rig of yours. :)

I'm really interested to hear that unscientific comp!  ;D
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: bryonsos on February 28, 2013, 12:21:01 PM
I hate you a bit right now AJ. This made me start checking out MBHO sources on LMA. I'm really liking what I'm hearing, and I can feel the sluttiness being activated. ;)
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: acidjack on February 28, 2013, 12:45:41 PM
I hate you a bit right now AJ. This made me start checking out MBHO sources on LMA. I'm really liking what I'm hearing, and I can feel the sluttiness being activated. ;)

Heh.  I will say this - the KA200N cardiod is really, really different than other cardiod mics we usually play with around here.  They are super-bright - and oddly, much brighter than the hyper.  I consider them to be a useful tool if I know I'm going to get a bassy show, but I don't want to get the 'tunnel effect' of using hypers.  I ultimately got them after comparing sources where I ran Schoeps and just found the MBHOs put the sound more "front and center".  Now, a lot of times, I still prefer the sound of the Schoeps... 

The KA500N hyper MBHO does has a very interesting sonic signature, too, in that it seems to have more bass than a Schoeps MK41, and also has a bit "tighter" feel to the sound. 

To be honest, I see myself reaching for the cardiods more than the hypers if I'm going to run MBHOs.  MBHO hypers vs. MK41s, I feel like the MK41s are probably just the better mic - based on what I've tried so far.  Though, that said, check out some of the recordings Bean did with them prior to his turn to the darkside. Most of them I like, and some of the pulls are exceptionally sick. AFAIK (I'll let him chime in) he doesn't EQ, either, so you're pretty much hearing the mic raw.

I do also have MBHO omnis, but I've never run them (they came with my set).  Hoping to try them outdoors this summer.

I think in their price range, the MBHOs are a great competitor.  They are going to be a bit more of a love 'em or hate 'em situation than some mics, I think.
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: hi and lo on February 28, 2013, 01:05:10 PM
I agree with everything AJ just said and absolutely love the KA200N MBHO's after picking them up 8-9 months ago. They have such 'utility' and just 'suck the sound' right from the PA not unlike a pair of Neumann KM150s, but are less extreme. They're not necessarily an everyday mic (although I wouldn't be bothered if they were the only capsules in my bag) and Schoeps are always going to be more 'well-rounded,' but there are plenty of venues where their sonic signature is of tremendous value.

And yes... the mbho hypers have more bass than the mbho cardioids or the Schoeps MK41. To a degree, I think this negates their utility vs. the KA200n Cardioids, but it makes them way better than most hypers that are thin and tunneled.

I also like the KA300 sub-card recordings I've listened to on the LMA. Certainly, they too have more bass than the cardioids.
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 28, 2013, 05:24:44 PM
Ka500 hypers were peer the most used when I owned the k200/ka500 caps. The hypers are def killer for a killer price. IMO they aren't as brassy as schoeps, because that's why I love my mk41 caps, but they are damn close. I ran ka500>littlebox(ot) and a phriend ran mk41>sax and they are damn close in recording quality. The mbhos are often overlooked IMO!
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: axomxa on March 10, 2013, 09:44:52 AM
Is Atlas Pro Audio the only vendor available for MBHO ??

Never mind I just looked up Dale Pro (much better price too!) and can contact Dan who I have dealt with for years.
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: acidjack on March 10, 2013, 12:06:11 PM
^^. No. If you look at my links above, they are to Dale Pro Audio, who have excellent customer service.
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: OOK on March 10, 2013, 12:27:24 PM
If you like the KA200 you will love the KA300(wide cards).  I find myself running them when is good acoustical enviorments, up close and on stage. The omnis are great on stage or close to a pa....and are also nice outside.
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: Sebastian on March 14, 2013, 08:33:34 AM
I like the recording, but the amound of background crowd chatter is freaking me out.
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: acidjack on March 14, 2013, 12:20:06 PM
I like the recording, but the amound of background crowd chatter is freaking me out.

Don't disagree w/ you, though nothing could be done about that.  Insanely chatty crowds at this venue generally, not helped by 7ft height restriction, further not helped by it being Saturday night  :P
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 14, 2013, 09:07:48 PM
I like the recording, but the amound of background crowd chatter is freaking me out.

Agreed. Exactly why I run hypers 99% of the time
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: adrianf74 on March 14, 2013, 09:42:26 PM
I like the recording, but the amound of background crowd chatter is freaking me out.

Agreed. Exactly why I run hypers 99% of the time

Which really won't help you _THAT_ much when a) you can't fly high and b) are deally with too many Chatty Cathys.   

From my own experience: Noisty Crowd = CRAP recording.   Too many people feel they need to talk LOUDER than the music these days...  *facepalm*
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 14, 2013, 10:04:04 PM
I like the recording, but the amound of background crowd chatter is freaking me out.

Agreed. Exactly why I run hypers 99% of the time

Which really won't help you _THAT_ much when a) you can't fly high and b) are deally with too many Chatty Cathys.   

From my own experience: Noisty Crowd = CRAP recording.   Too many people feel they need to talk LOUDER than the music these days...  *facepalm*

true, but it does help some
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: kubacheck on March 14, 2013, 10:09:34 PM
And for a sorta comparison, here are a couple of shows I recorded with basically the exact same setup, but done  >:D at:

Small club

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=430066&page=0#startcomments

Arena

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=428094&page=0#startcomments

Samples posted there so you don't have to actually download anything......





Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: adrianf74 on March 14, 2013, 10:15:34 PM
true, but it does help some
If I'm flying at 7' because of height limitations (as per AJ), then you're pretty much done in regardless of what cap you're using because you're not far enough above the crowd.   :)
Title: Re: First outing with new MBHO PFAs
Post by: acidjack on March 14, 2013, 11:08:52 PM
I like the recording, but the amound of background crowd chatter is freaking me out.

Agreed. Exactly why I run hypers 99% of the time

Which really won't help you _THAT_ much when a) you can't fly high and b) are deally with too many Chatty Cathys.   

From my own experience: Noisty Crowd = CRAP recording.   Too many people feel they need to talk LOUDER than the music these days...  *facepalm*

true, but it does help some

I agree... It absolutely helps.  In one club I go to there are always tons of drunk people and it's always a chatty situation.  I've run MK41 side by side with MK5, MBHO KA200N, etc.  The 41s smoke the other mics every time in that place.