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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: Gr8ful98 on July 02, 2005, 02:52:23 AM

Title: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Gr8ful98 on July 02, 2005, 02:52:23 AM
Newbie questions. 

My first mics are C4's...everyone I've met with C4's seems to run them XY.  I've been running mostly XY & having good results.

I'm getting a pair of AKG 480's w/ck61 caps...can anyone recommend a mic config for these mics?
I'll be running akg481>dmod ua5>jb3

Also...DIN: is that with the mics at a 90 degree angle away from each other?  How far apart should the mics be from each other?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, and give them to me like I'm in kindergarden (simple & easy)
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: jeromejello on July 02, 2005, 03:34:04 AM
dude.... with the akg's....  >:D

when i am ready for a upgrade, well actually my wallet, i am eyeing the 460's with 61, 62 and 63 caps and the bad ass a61 swivel things... caps will be incremental and so will a jw mod...

Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 02, 2005, 07:45:38 AM
Newbie questions.

My first mics are C4's...everyone I've met with C4's seems to run them XY. I've been running mostly XY & having good results.

I'm getting a pair of AKG 480's w/ck1 caps...can anyone recommend a mic config for these mics?
I'll be running akg481>dmod ua5>jb3

Also...DIN: is that with the mics at a 90 degree angle away from each other? How far apart should the mics be from each other?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, and give them to me like I'm in kindergarden (simple & easy)



DIN is 90deg and 6.5" apart...but you can fudge it between 6 and 8 inches and pull a great tape.
XY will still sound good w/the 480s.  but you might prefer something w/some spacing as the mics are bright.

try them all out!
go tape a show in a venue you tape a lot at.  run one set XY, another DIN or ORTF ...and then let the results tell you whats good.
:)
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: johnw on July 02, 2005, 07:46:11 AM
There is a great feature on this site called the archive, and in that section is a great thread with a bunch of different links for info on mic configurations. Here's a shortcut.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=17514.0

To answer your question DIN is 90 at 20 apart and DINA is 90 at 17 apart. I think 481s sound great ORTF, DIN and DINA. I believe Doug Oade prefers the 481 XY. I usually don't like anything XY, but try all those out yourself and see what you like. +T on getting some great mics.
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 02, 2005, 08:39:12 AM
he's refering to centimeters, fwiw.
:)

Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Bdifr78 on July 02, 2005, 02:37:56 PM
Newbie questions. 

My first mics are C4's...everyone I've met with C4's seems to run them XY.  I've been running mostly XY & having good results.

I'm getting a pair of AKG 480's w/ck1 caps...can anyone recommend a mic config for these mics?
I'll be running akg481>dmod ua5>jb3

Also...DIN: is that with the mics at a 90 degree angle away from each other?  How far apart should the mics be from each other?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, and give them to me like I'm in kindergarden (simple & easy)


Dude, that is probably the upgrade I will go for when I get the money together.  Have you been able to establish a discernable difference in the results from the AGK 480s vs. the C4s?  I am sure you have.  If you wouldn't mind explaining what you hear I would really appriciate it.  I was just about to start a thread asking people what the noticable sound differnece would be between these two sets of mics.

Thanks,
Joe
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 02, 2005, 07:30:54 PM
you are going to hear a more refined sound.  more detail...and that classic AKG "sizzle" that makes things like percussion, ride cymbals, cowbells or blocks jump right out of your speakers and smack you in the face !
classic 480 sound.
:)

Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 02, 2005, 09:09:38 PM
you are going to hear a more refined sound. more detail...and that classic AKG "sizzle" that makes things like percussion, ride cymbals, cowbells or blocks jump right out of your speakers and smack you in the face !
classic 480 sound.
:)



well put, and FWIW, i wouldnt personally EVER run 480's XY, i did it ONE set out of HUNDREDS XY and i really hated the results

if i am in a situation where id be better off running XY, i space the caps ate least 1-3inches and usually adjust the angle accordingly, usually 90* 3" spacing, or i tighten up the angle!
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Gr8ful98 on July 03, 2005, 01:31:39 AM
Thanks y'all,
   From reading these threads & some in the archive...it looks like ORTF or DIN is the way to go with cardoid caps.  DIN is the way to go with Hyper Caps.  Seems like most folks say to stay away from XY with akg481's Does this sound right?

I bought the mics from 'snoop' here on taperssection, nice dude, can't wait for them to arrive via fed ex so that I can drool all over them & start experimenting with new mic configs.

Here's another questions...in what situations should I run hyper card caps vs. cardiod caps?
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 03, 2005, 01:47:20 AM
DIN/DINa/ORTF is the way to go w/ the 480's my man!

have phun :smoking:
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: jeromejello on July 03, 2005, 03:02:37 AM
Thanks y'all,
   From reading these threads & some in the archive...it looks like ORTF or DIN is the way to go with cardoid caps.  DIN is the way to go with Hyper Caps.  Seems like most folks say to stay away from XY with akg481's Does this sound right?

I bought the mics from 'snoop' here on taperssection, nice dude, can't wait for them to arrive via fed ex so that I can drool all over them & start experimenting with new mic configs.

Here's another questions...in what situations should I run hyper card caps vs. cardiod caps?


hypers are when you are farther back... they are more directional, so you will eliminate more on the sides (but you get a little more junk in the trunk).  lots of peeps say they are wonderful for shitty sounding rooms...
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Bdifr78 on July 03, 2005, 10:14:24 AM
Thanks y'all,
   From reading these threads & some in the archive...it looks like ORTF or DIN is the way to go with cardoid caps.  DIN is the way to go with Hyper Caps.  Seems like most folks say to stay away from XY with akg481's Does this sound right?

I bought the mics from 'snoop' here on taperssection, nice dude, can't wait for them to arrive via fed ex so that I can drool all over them & start experimenting with new mic configs.

Here's another questions...in what situations should I run hyper card caps vs. cardiod caps?


hypers are when you are farther back... they are more directional, so you will eliminate more on the sides (but you get a little more junk in the trunk).  lots of peeps say they are wonderful for shitty sounding rooms...

Edit-Are there situations where you would not want to use hypers?  Just the plain ol' cards maybe...
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: sygdwm on July 03, 2005, 01:00:07 PM
cards should be run as close to the source as possible.
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 03, 2005, 02:15:04 PM
you are going to hear a more refined sound. more detail...and that classic AKG "sizzle" that makes things like percussion, ride cymbals, cowbells or blocks jump right out of your speakers and smack you in the face !
classic 480 sound.
:)



well put, and FWIW, i wouldnt personally EVER run 480's XY, i did it ONE set out of HUNDREDS XY and i really hated the results

if i am in a situation where id be better off running XY, i space the caps ate least 1-3inches and usually adjust the angle accordingly, usually 90* 3" spacing, or i tighten up the angle!


Did you hear that ARU 10-22-04 481>wmodua5>jb3 recording?  it was XY at 110deg, and sounds freakin' awesome.
look on archive.
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 03, 2005, 09:10:40 PM
you are going to hear a more refined sound. more detail...and that classic AKG "sizzle" that makes things like percussion, ride cymbals, cowbells or blocks jump right out of your speakers and smack you in the face !
classic 480 sound.
:)



well put, and FWIW, i wouldnt personally EVER run 480's XY, i did it ONE set out of HUNDREDS XY and i really hated the results

if i am in a situation where id be better off running XY, i space the caps ate least 1-3inches and usually adjust the angle accordingly, usually 90* 3" spacing, or i tighten up the angle!


Did you hear that ARU 10-22-04 481>wmodua5>jb3 recording? it was XY at 110deg, and sounds freakin' awesome.
look on archive.

the 110* thing looks nice, IF i ever ran them XY, it would be w/ an angle like that so you get some imaging out of the tape
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 03, 2005, 10:16:19 PM
snag a track and give it a listen.  its an impressive recording.  great 3d soundstage.  I think Ben who works w/the Oade Bros taped it. 
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 03, 2005, 10:18:06 PM
And to add to the recomendations...
take a grain of salt w/all of this.  try XY out.  especialy when you are really close, like at stage lip or on stage.  that is where XY sounds like reality most of all to me.
You will probably enjoy the bulk of your recordings done DIN or ORTF.  But when you get a good xy tape, you might find it superior.

personaly,  I love them at 90-110deg and between 17-23cm.  anywhere in that range w/these mics is going to produce tapes (or bits) that dont suck, no matter where you are in the venue.   They are ultimately forgiving in this setup.  shitty rooms produce nice recordings. 
You will learn to tailor it based on what the mics do or dont do well for your ear.
:)
enjoy!

Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 03, 2005, 10:25:23 PM
And to add to the recomendations...

I say dont listen to the XY nay sayers. try it out. especialy when you are really close, like at stage lip or on stage. that is where XY sounds like reality most of all to me.
You will probably find that you enjoy the bulk of your recordings done DIN or ORTF. But when you get a good xy tape, you might find it superior.

personaly, w/my tastes w/the AKGs, I love them at 90-110deg and between 17-23cm. anywhere in that range w/these mics is going to produce a tapes (or bits) that dont suck, no matter where you are in the venue.
You will learn to tailor it based on what the mics do or dont do well to you ear.
:)
enjoy!



well said, i think stage lip is a great place to run XY also, that close, the soundsatge would def shine in XY, maybe not as good as DIN/ORTF, but that close i think XY would sound good

I agre nick, i usually run my mics the way you said
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 03, 2005, 10:29:58 PM
I feel just the opposite about near coincident methods on stage..  ORTF sounds funny..too airy.  DIN...haven't really tried.
XY, MS and Blumlein produce superior results for me and my preferences.  depth, width detail..everything you could  want.
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 03, 2005, 10:40:06 PM
i have a fantastic tape of lotus from stage lip ORTF, sounds GREAT 8)

on stage tho, that may be different ;)

all it comes down to is, TRY IT OUT FOR YOURSELF
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 04, 2005, 07:50:51 AM
yup.
:)

Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: momule on July 04, 2005, 10:19:44 AM
just a heads Up gr8ful..
your signature say's . "AKG 480's w/ck1's coming FED EX!"

This should be Ck61's , as I believe only the 451's will accept the Ck1 cap's..

+T for the new toy's .
I have been running this Exact rig for about a year now and Love the results.
bout the only thing Im looking to upgrade is Mic cables. Im gonna get a chance to run Marc's Custom cables this next couple weeks and will prolly go that route..

Nick

Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 04, 2005, 03:13:46 PM
You'll be impressed with Marc's cables.  they made a HUGE difference when I was using them w/my 414s.
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Gr8ful98 on July 05, 2005, 08:50:12 AM
Marc's Custom Cables?   Tell me more!  Where can I find those?
Title: Re: Mic Config ? C4 vs. AKG 481's
Post by: Bdifr78 on July 05, 2005, 11:11:44 AM
Marc's Custom Cables?   Tell me more!  Where can I find those?

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=36812.0