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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: Billy Mumphrey on February 19, 2025, 12:06:48 PM
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I got a pair of these a while ago, and I might have a chance to permanently mount them in a venue. But I'd like to get some different capsules, but I don't know which model these are. I recognize the "uni-line" or "uni-point" removable capsule, but I am unfamiliar with bodies. These are terminated with an at8533x 48v adapter, and the actual cable has the small, white "audio technica" inscription, so they're obviously an AT product.
So many thanks in advance!
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Looks very similar to the AT 853 "uniline" miniature shotguns.
I suspect the capsule itself might be housed inside the body portion and the interference tube in front of the capsule unscrews. I say that because the rear-venting needed by the directional capsule is on the body portion, not on the interference tube section. If there are no obvious electrical contacts between the two parts that unscrew from each other, and if you can see down into the hollow interference tube by into the threaded end, then that is likely the case. If that's the case, the capsule is likely not interchangeable.
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Here is a pic I just took of a 933 series microline capsule next to a 853 cardioid capsule.
The 9 series are smaller than the 8 series.
And also mine doesn’t seem to come apart like yours did.
Seems like part of your shotgun capsule is still on the body.
I feel like yours are the 9 series but i could be wrong.
I have extra 853 cardioid capsules if thats what yours turn out to be.
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^ See those round vent holes with screening behind them? They are located just behind the capsule. The capsule is in the section with those holes.
In beatkilla's photos the capsule section is attached to the interference tube, and that combined assembly of interference tube and capsule is unscrewed from the mic-body. Often the interference tube and capsule are a single part. But maybe on your microphone there are two (or perhaps even 3) threaded junctions rather than just the typical one? One at the back of the interference tube in front of the capsule and another between the capsule and body?
I've only used the 853 cardioids, and do not have hands on experience with the microline mini shotguns, so I'm unsure of the assembly of the AT mini shotguns.
In the original photos I can see two additional feature lines around the body, one in front and one behind the vent holes. See if the section with the vent-holes can be unscrewed from the body. If so you should be able to switch to using different capsules with the same diameter.
If so, you'd change capsules by unscrewing the parts there (at the point farthest back on the mic-body), rather than unscrewing the interference tube from the capsule as shown in the photos of the original post. That will keep the capsule and its interference tube together as a unit.
Might search for the various AT miniature mics at the AT website. I bet housing diameter is listed in the specs, which should get you closer to a positive ID.
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I’m away from home now, but I definitely tried to unscrew the vented portion AFTER removing the long microline mini-shotgun portion and it didn’t budge at all. Perhaps I’ll have to try with pliers when I get home.
Thanks for the replies. Beatkilla have you tried any indoor PA recording with the microline mini-shotguns? Perhaps I should try taping a show with these before writing them off..
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It might not be a threaded connection. Be careful.
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I’m away from home now, but I definitely tried to unscrew the vented portion AFTER removing the long microline mini-shotgun portion and it didn’t budge at all. Perhaps I’ll have to try with pliers when I get home.
Thanks for the replies. Beatkilla have you tried any indoor PA recording with the microline mini-shotguns? Perhaps I should try taping a show with these before writing them off..
I haven't made any indoor recordings with them but i'm sure they will be pretty good.
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There's definitely some scratch marks that looks like someone tried the exact same thing with pliers; I just tried it as gently as I could and I'm pretty convinced there's no thread there. *shrugs
Oh well it looks like I just need to try these at a show, see if they even work for our purposes. I'm sure they're fine, although they won't be as low pro as the other standard AT capsules. Thanks guys for the help.
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As mentioned I've no first hand experience with these, but as low cost interference-tube mics they are likely to sound best on-axis. Point 'em at what counts! Used in a stereo-pair configuration, the Improved PAS arrangements for supercards will be applicable.
As an installed rig the same PAS approach applies, although you might alternately set them up as wide as the PA, with the two mics parallel to each other and in-line with the PA speaker on each side, or even pointing inward somewhat to pickup a bit more sound arriving directly from the stage sound in addition to PA.. just keep them mostly on axis to the PA speakers.
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Those side vent holes are exactly like the AT831 mic. Never seen one with an interference tube.
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I’m away from home now, but I definitely tried to unscrew the vented portion AFTER removing the long microline mini-shotgun portion and it didn’t budge at all. Perhaps I’ll have to try with pliers when I get home.
Thanks for the replies. Beatkilla have you tried any indoor PA recording with the microline mini-shotguns? Perhaps I should try taping a show with these before writing them off..
I purchased the unipoint mini shotguns for at853 a couple of times as part of package deals and always sold them without using them in the field.
After all these years, I kept a pair and today for the first time I taped a show with them.
Indoors, club sized venue. Located right behind FOH
AT853/U853 + unipoint mini-shotguns > ca9200 preamp > r-05.
I had no clue what to expect. But seriously, the recording blew me away. Came out fantastic. Very full and rich sounding recording without any audience chatter.
raw samples, no eq-ing done:
support act, piano/singer: https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/7e71bdcf-a79a-4636-8c5f-845cee8c1384
main act, full band: https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/6be6f0d4-adae-426c-99a7-0986f77f4304
needs a bit of eq-ing in the treble area but other than that I think the sound is mind-blowing good for this cheap setup.
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To their credit, Audio-Technica didn't use the word "shotgun" in the descriptions of their "MicroLine" microphones (now discontinued). Shotgun mikes work on a principle that depends on sound wavelengths. The advertised "90-degree acceptance angle" could apply only in the region of musical overtones, given the physical length of the tube in front of the capsule. Note the complete lack of any polar diagrams, especially ones that would show what happens at different frequencies.
The design makes sense in the applications that the mikes were mainly sold for: P.A. and choir miking. You don't want the sound to become dull when someone moves off axis--a constant problem with actual shotgun mikes of similar proportions.
In a way you're lucky that these aren't real shotguns. Stereo recording with coincident or (relatively) closely-spaced directional microphones is based on the microphones having fairly consistent directional patterns across the range of frequencies that you intend to pick up. If the pickup angle differs greatly at different frequencies, whatever angle you set between your mikes will be either too wide or too narrow for some significant part of the range.
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Thanks! Cool info!
They called it line cardioid.
https://soundprofessionals.com/product/ESE-ML-PAIR/?srsltid=AfmBOoqUxRL3UlKbBfyGvRxTO9FEQPOOyeCV3hfH6E67nr_VmmmiEihy
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Thanks again to everyone for the replies.
I just listened to the samples provided by robeti. Wow, yes that sounds great IMO. Didn't expect that kind of sound at all. You would never guess you could get that kind of bass response. They're bright, as expected, but I wouldn't hesitate to just boost levels on a recording like this and distribute it as-is. The solo/piano sample is pretty darn full and lively, at least to my ears.
Looks like I'll have to keep these around and put them to use. Technically these are not at853's, and I agree with goodcooker that they look like some form of at831's (my very first mics) but I can't imagine they're terribly different. I'll post samples when I finally use them.
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Yes, I was surprised as well.
Had no idea what to expect from these. For sure I keep them and will use them from time to time. They really shine in semi-acoustic singer/songwriter kinda settings with possibly some talkers.