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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: nic on September 20, 2004, 07:46:00 PM

Title: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: nic on September 20, 2004, 07:46:00 PM
pros/cons of each? similar size and sound.
would be paired with either mod-FR2 or 722 come jan/feb.

anyone done a comparison of these mics?

thanks in advance
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: BC on September 21, 2004, 01:15:54 PM
There is a lot of good info on these mics over on the Oade tapers forum.

www.oade.com

Take care,
Ben

Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: LeftoverSammy on September 26, 2004, 04:28:03 PM
I think the M300's smoke the 184's hands down. The 184's are damn good mics, but they just don't have that amazing mids that the MG's do. The highs on the MG's seem more defined to my ears as well. Don't know, maybe just MG fluffin, but I almost bought a pair of 184's until I heard the MG's. I just happen to find a pair of M200/210's for a very good price. Haven't looked back since!  ;D

They are both great mics! Bottom line is its gonna boil down what sounds best to YOUR ears!! Thats all that really matters, not what I say or what anyone else thinks. YOU'RE to one who is spending all this cash record and you better be happy with what you pull otherwise you are waisting your time and $!!

I also liked the fact that MG mics are still HAND MADE in Germany & are still owned by the Neumann family. Neumann mics were bought out  by Sennhiser years ago. Everything is now mass produced now.....

MG's FUCKIN A!!

LoS
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: BobW on September 26, 2004, 04:45:46 PM
Luvean-

If you didn't like the MHBO440s, you won't like the KM184s at almost three times the price.
MG300s have great presence, but a lot more and cleaner bottom end, IMHO.
Josephson's should be considered in this mic size and price class.
C42s are also more full bodied and flavorful than the KM184s to my ears.
Check out the Antabalas Afrobeat sample from Bonnaroo.

Bottom line, you should be over at archive listening to a few samples of each.
My ears aren't yours, and I really like the 440s in the Chinese/Tibetan Orchestra setting.
No PA and little bass, alot of buzzy strings and tom-tom-sized drums and cymbals and wierd horns.

Got to think about the application and try and get as many samples as possible.

Good luck ! And let us hear what you decide on.

-Bob
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: T.J. on October 08, 2004, 04:40:16 PM
what is a good price for a MG m300 and m200?
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: nickgregory on October 08, 2004, 04:42:28 PM
300s when they show up used go for ~$600, and the M200 series with one set of caps ~$1k
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: thoman8r on October 08, 2004, 04:44:40 PM
300s when they show up used go for ~$600, and the M200 series with one set of caps ~$1k

I got my m210s for $850...

although I've never seen another pair go for that low. :)
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: jhirte on October 08, 2004, 07:02:31 PM
Luvean-

If you didn't like the MHBO440s, you won't like the KM184s at almost three times the price.
MG300s have great presence, but a lot more and cleaner bottom end, IMHO.
Josephson's should be considered in this mic size and price class.
C42s are also more full bodied and flavorful than the KM184s to my ears.
Check out the Antabalas Afrobeat sample from Bonnaroo.

Bottom line, you should be over at archive listening to a few samples of each.
My ears aren't yours, and I really like the 440s in the Chinese/Tibetan Orchestra setting.
No PA and little bass, alot of buzzy strings and tom-tom-sized drums and cymbals and wierd horns.

Got to think about the application and try and get as many samples as possible.

Good luck ! And let us hear what you decide on.

-Bob

I demo'd a pair of Josephsons from Cascademedia earlier this year (C42mp) ran em thru my V3. I thought they had a little to much high end to my ear.. I also ran that night my AKG 461 -> Aerco which I think sounds flatter (not a very good comparison since diff pre's and all...)..
I really wanna check out the Gefells (SMS2000) thru the v3! I've got a bunch of tapes of em thru a Sonosax and wow!

-Jim
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: nickgregory on October 08, 2004, 07:05:04 PM
I really wanna check out the Gefells (SMS2000) thru the v3!

I will have my V3 in the next couple of weeks and will be running it with the MG21s at Mule on the 29th!
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: jnorman34 on October 08, 2004, 07:14:48 PM
i've owned and extensively used both the km184s and gefell m300s.  they are actually quite similar in sound, with the gefells having a bit more low-mid response.  both are a tad bright for my taste, but are both pretty good all-around mics.  i tended to have to use each of them slightly off-axis to round off the top end some when close-micing in the studio, and both are rather thin for diffuse field applications (distant micing).  both mics are designed for near field use, but can be effective in the diffuse field with careful bottom end EQ added, or some judicious low-mid band compression.  if i were pressed, i would probably give a very slight nod to the gefells - both have excellent build quality and generally professional sound.  the gefells are a bit more affordable, the neumanns have a bit more cachet...
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: nic on October 09, 2004, 04:50:06 PM
I ended up going the Gefell m20/JK Lab actives route.
I've always loved the Gefell sound and when I originally posted this thread I didnt think I would have the funds that I ended up with.

now I get the mics I always wanted instead of having to 'settle' for second   ;D

now the main question is will I go the FR2/722 route or just get a V3 and stick with DAT. . .
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 09, 2004, 07:24:17 PM
I ended up going the Gefell m20/JK Lab actives route.
I've always loved the Gefell sound and when I originally posted this thread I didnt think I would have the funds that I ended up with.

now I get the mics I always wanted instead of having to 'settle' for second   ;D

now the main question is will I go the FR2/722 route or just get a V3 and stick with DAT. . .

v3>722/fr-2 :)

i am at the point where these new boxes better sound fantastic, but i dont think they'll sound as good as grace :P ;D

so grace v4 come on out
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: BobW on October 10, 2004, 12:40:55 PM

so grace v4 come on out

Grace Design V4 - That's the one with the 40GB built-in harddrive and the CF slot, too.   ;)
Firewire/ USB2.0 / breaks .wavs on the fly w/no lost samples.  I'm in !
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: creekfreak on October 10, 2004, 01:33:47 PM
I hope they continue to improve upon the V3 in the future. I emailed them asking if they did, they said for the time being they have no plans to make a V3 type box with a solid state or HD based recording system integrated...but that can always change
Title: Re: MG m300 vs Neumann 184
Post by: jkoch on October 10, 2004, 09:57:26 PM
300s when they show up used go for ~$600, and the M200 series with one set of caps ~$1k

I got my m210s for $850...

although I've never seen another pair go for that low. :)
yes and you're a bastard for it =P

IMO though, 300s all the way...i think my most loathed sounding combo of all time is 184s > stock/digi mod ua5..