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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: hhf32 on July 12, 2004, 06:53:37 PM

Title: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: hhf32 on July 12, 2004, 06:53:37 PM
I'm looking to upgrade my mics and wanted to get everyones opinion on what would be my best bet for the $400 range. I've been leaning toward some AKG 391 or 393's. I currently have Okatava Mc-012's>ua-5>JB3.

                                                    Thanks
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: dnsacks on July 12, 2004, 07:09:30 PM
Doug Oade sure seems to like the new studio projects mics a LOT -- see http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/Forum/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=100&topic_id=1553&mesg_id=1553&page=2
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: plucks on July 12, 2004, 07:31:56 PM
I would definitely try the AKG bluelines, which you already suggested.  Since they are a modular cap microphone, you can try all sorts of recording techniques.  They are a great deal and when you are ready to upgrade, they always seem to be easy to sell again! 
Other than that, you could investigate the ADK mics too.  lots of great things have been said about them and there are a lot of happy users on this board!
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: jpschust on July 12, 2004, 07:43:56 PM
i highly reccomend the studio projects c4 pair.
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: creekfreak on July 12, 2004, 07:46:10 PM
what reasons are you looking to upgrade? what mics you want will depend on what you don't like about the octava's
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: hhf32 on July 12, 2004, 08:52:13 PM
The thing I'm looking to improve is the low end response. I want to get as true a representation of, what I'm actually hearing, as possible.
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: hhf32 on July 12, 2004, 10:55:55 PM
I was checking out some samples of the c4's and they sound nice. From what I can find for info it looks like the card cap is 40-20,000 response and the omni is 20-20,000, is that correct?? Just wondering because I'd like to get better low end then 40??
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: Sean Gallemore on July 13, 2004, 01:34:52 AM
AT853 has 30-20,000 for the card caps
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: nickgregory on July 13, 2004, 07:50:18 AM
the bluelines are as good a bang for your buck type microphone as you are going to find...just my .02
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: rmouk on July 13, 2004, 01:45:05 PM
I made the exact upgrade you're considering, MK-012s to AKG 393s, and I run the UA-5 as well, and I've been very pleased so far.  The 393s tighten up the bass significantly as compared to the Oktavas.  I can point you to some samples on etree if you're interested.

Bob
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: hhf32 on July 13, 2004, 01:56:59 PM
I've actually heard a few shows made with the 391's>ua-5>jb3 and liked the sound. If I could only afford one cap right now what should I get, the cards or hypers? I'd be mostly be using them from small clubs to theater sized venues and for the most part indoors.
  Thanks for all the input from everyone, I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible and then go check out some shows made with my combo.
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: jkoch on July 13, 2004, 02:05:17 PM
had the oktavas about 3 weeks and ditched them for the akg 391s. much warmer and less muddy low end in my opinion. i personally hated the oktava cards from more than about 10-15 feet away. the hypers are pretty nice on the oktavas though. i was pleased with them the few times i ran them on loan. i'd try those out before upgrading the overall mics unless you just want to get new ones.
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: grider on July 13, 2004, 02:06:38 PM
either of those would be excellent choices, I have owned them both, the 393's will be the more utilitarian of the two and will, imho, be more easy to resell, I now own 480's which are much less foregiving and it is often that I wish for the simple and reliable 393's, hell I remember making outstanding recordings with them even outside and inside they will tend to filter out much of the chatter and crowd noice common with smaller venues, I think my old 393's are for sale right now in the yard sale, come to think of it some of my recordings with them are on archive.org, look and listen to Signal Path from 9-12-03 (inside) and 9-13-03 (outside), good examples
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: hhf32 on July 14, 2004, 12:21:19 AM
Thanks for the the link to the shows, I'll check them out. So far I'm leaning towards 393's. I need the more versitile cap cause I won't be able to afford another set anytime soon.
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: grider on July 14, 2004, 01:02:51 PM
the ck93 caps, alone, are very hard to find used, I don't recall ever seeing a used pair for sale
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: hhf32 on July 14, 2004, 02:12:55 PM
I've checked with a couple people that had them for sale but it looks like they may be gone :( I'll have to keep my eyes on the yard sale and if anyone is looking to get rid of some 393's let me know.
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: Zaphod on July 14, 2004, 07:58:10 PM
Always seems like those AKG 300s go fast!!!!
Title: Re: What mics to upgrade to??
Post by: hhf32 on July 15, 2004, 06:24:01 PM
Yeah, I have a feeling I may be waiting awhile for these. Oh well!!