Upgrading from SP CMC-20 to maybe CMC-4 ?

[Shaun]

I've been using these mics and a SP battery box for a few years now. I like them but have been thinking of upgrading. I see that the CMC-4 mics (older version) are $99 at the moment (although as I'm in the uk there will be another £30 customs to pay when they arrive at this end) Are they a worthwhile upgrade? Also not sure if the CMC-4's are bigger in size. I would like to carry on clipping the mics to my shirt lapels as I currently do with the CMC-20's.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

[acidjack]

The AT853 (SP-CMC-4) is among the best small mics in its price class (at least the cardiod).  I don't know what that SP-CMC-20 even is, looking at the entry on SP's page, but I would think the AT853 is an upgrade to it.  I have recordings with mine that are every bit as good as what I've done with much more $$ gear I've gotten since.

... I'll go ahead and cue the recommendations that you get Church CA-14s now...

[adrianf74]

... I'll go ahead and cue the recommendations that you get Church CA-14s now...

+1.  I'll say the CA-14's for the price are better mics.  I've never used the AT-853/c's (only the AT-933/c's, former SP-CMC-8's) but the CA-14's were better than the 933's.

[fmaderjr]

I'll say the CA-14's for the price are better mics.  I've never used the AT-853/c's (only the AT-933/c's, former SP-CMC-8's) but the CA-14's were better than the 933's.

The AT-853 cards are also better than the AT-933 cards, but the CA-14's are probably a bit better than the 853's and definitely a better deal for the money.

[willndmb]

I've been using these mics and a SP battery box for a few years now. I like them but have been thinking of upgrading. I see that the CMC-4 mics (older version) are $99 at the moment (although as I'm in the uk there will be another £30 customs to pay when they arrive at this end) Are they a worthwhile upgrade? Also not sure if the CMC-4's are bigger in size. I would like to carry on clipping the mics to my shirt lapels as I currently do with the CMC-20's.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

where is that?
i did not know you could get the 4 since the 4u came out

[thunderbolt]

It's here:

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-4


This seems to be a new listing.  Must be some NOS they uncovered.  Seems like a fair deal.

[willndmb]

It's here:

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-4


This seems to be a new listing.  Must be some NOS they uncovered.  Seems like a fair deal.

wow, yeah nice deal imo

[fmaderjr]

You do need to get the low sensitivity mod if you are going  to record loud stuff, so it looks like it would cost $144 with the mod & a right angle plug.

The Church mics come with the mod included (Chris invented the mod).

[shownomarcy]

I also wonder, thought not to open a new topic:
I bought (used) at853 uw mics plus homemade battery box
(and have Edirol-R09HR)

I wonder if you think  CA-11/4 or SP-cmc mics would be upgrade, or doesnt make sense to buy?
Or may I need only a CA preamp? I wonder if I could hear any difference with a preamp than a simple battery box?

May I'd try bass roll off function, since I have some recordings that has much bass...

[willndmb]

I also wonder, thought not to open a new topic:
I bought (used) at853 uw mics plus homemade battery box
(and have Edirol-R09HR)

I wonder if you think  CA-11/4 or SP-cmc mics would be upgrade, or doesnt make sense to buy?
Or may I need only a CA preamp? I wonder if I could hear any difference with a preamp than a simple battery box?

May I'd try bass roll off function, since I have some recordings that has much bass...

i would upgrade to a preamp over mics

[acidjack]

I also wonder, thought not to open a new topic:
I bought (used) at853 uw mics plus homemade battery box
(and have Edirol-R09HR)

I wonder if you think  CA-11/4 or SP-cmc mics would be upgrade, or doesnt make sense to buy?
Or may I need only a CA preamp? I wonder if I could hear any difference with a preamp than a simple battery box?

May I'd try bass roll off function, since I have some recordings that has much bass...

SP-CMC-4 is the same thing as the AT853s you already have. The CA-11 is a downgrade to those. Some people like the CA-14 more than the AT853s you have, but in my view (having owned a whole lot of mics in the past few years) I wouldn't throw money at the difference between the two.

Unless you record lots of acoustic shows, I probably also wouldn't throw money at a preamp either.  The -HR has pretty decent line-in and at a loud show you'll notice little difference. 

What I would do, if I was serious about upgrading my recordings, is (a) get better at using post-processing software - unless your recordings are distorted (not merely bassy), bass and mud can be removed in post, (b) practice getting better placement in venues (and if you are stealthing, optimizing your mounting technique) and (c) save your money until you can buy mics that are a LOT better than what you have.  IMHO the next most logical upgrades are both AKG solutions - either the ck9x series "actives" which can be found used from time to time here, or the forthcoming ck6x actives + tinybox solution that Naiant is working on, which will be a huge upgrade in this category assuming it works as advertised.

[shownomarcy]

I also wonder, thought not to open a new topic:
I bought (used) at853 uw mics plus homemade battery box
(and have Edirol-R09HR)

I wonder if you think  CA-11/4 or SP-cmc mics would be upgrade, or doesnt make sense to buy?
Or may I need only a CA preamp? I wonder if I could hear any difference with a preamp than a simple battery box?

May I'd try bass roll off function, since I have some recordings that has much bass...

SP-CMC-4 is the same thing as the AT853s you already have. The CA-11 is a downgrade to those. Some people like the CA-14 more than the AT853s you have, but in my view (having owned a whole lot of mics in the past few years) I wouldn't throw money at the difference between the two.

Unless you record lots of acoustic shows, I probably also wouldn't throw money at a preamp either.  The -HR has pretty decent line-in and at a loud show you'll notice little difference. 

What I would do, if I was serious about upgrading my recordings, is (a) get better at using post-processing software - unless your recordings are distorted (not merely bassy), bass and mud can be removed in post, (b) practice getting better placement in venues (and if you are stealthing, optimizing your mounting technique) and (c) save your money until you can buy mics that are a LOT better than what you have.  IMHO the next most logical upgrades are both AKG solutions - either the ck9x series "actives" which can be found used from time to time here, or the forthcoming ck6x actives + tinybox solution that Naiant is working on, which will be a huge upgrade in this category assuming it works as advertised.

alright, thanks for your opinions, I also think I keep my gear!
Yes, finding a good position is important and sometimes its double problem to me when I record video also... and in that case video is preferred...
And after some shows, listening to others bootlegs and so.. I feel like even more depends on the venue etc, like my gear (at least much more expensive gear should be bought to have a listenable difference...)
Thanks

[jmz93]

I have a pair of SP-CMC-4 cardioids for sale if you're interested. PM me.

[SmokinJoe]

I had a pair of CMC-20's for about a week, 5 years ago.  The CMC-20's were very thin sounding I thought, and I returned them.  The AT853's are so much better in my opinion.   I'd say CA11/C14/AT853 are all more or less in the same league.  Upgrade to any of them that you can find in EU for a decent price, and you will be happy.

If you get CMC-4's, or any other AT853, you almost surely want the "low sensitivity mod" (aka Chris Church's 4.7k mod).  Otherwise they will overload on loud music.