Topic: AT943: Cards vs. Hyper-Cards

[j.mart]

Hi everyone,

I have this new gear (cmc-8) with a battery box (w/ bass roll-off) and NO extra caps. I am yet to test my new mics on a live environment, but, just out of curiosity, should I buy the Hyper-Cards set? What do they have different than the regular ones besides a longer range? Do they make up for the 120$? Would they improve the quality of my recordings at all?

I tape in clubs, theaters, arenas and a lot on open-air venues (e.g. summer festivals)

I would love if anyone could help!

cheers,
joao

p.s: since i'm here, what microphone config should i use? ORTF; XY, etc?

[audBall]

Hi everyone,

I have this new gear (cmc-8) with a battery box (w/ bass roll-off) and NO extra caps. I am yet to test my new mics on a live environment, but, just out of curiosity, should I buy the Hyper-Cards set? What do they have different than the regular ones besides a longer range? Do they make up for the 120$? Would they improve the quality of my recordings at all?

I tape in clubs, theaters, arenas and a lot on open-air venues (e.g. summer festivals)

I would love if anyone could help!

cheers,
joao

p.s: since i'm here, what microphone config should i use? ORTF; XY, etc?

Hi,  and "Welcome to the Party".  I will address the 'hypers' first.  I own them and have ran them only once.  They are typically used when you are relatively far away from the sound source.  They have a more 'directional' pickup pattern than the cardioids, therefore cutting out unwanted 'ambient' crowd noise.   HOWEVER, my experience with them wasn't that great.  It made the music come out pretty unnatural sounding (but that could have been for other reasons).  I do like the cards, but I highly recommend the omnis.  I jimmy-rigged a thick metal wire to form over my ears to hold them on top of each ear.  This is known as 'binaural' configuration.   

As far as which mic configurations to use, just do some searching on this site with the search box.   Search things like "ORTF" or "XY" or "DIN".  Check out the Archive Forum as well.  Hell, even googling "Microphone Configurations" will help. 

What's also great about these 943s is that they will accept the capsules from the 853Rx line.  Since they do not make sub-cards (a wider cardioid pickup pattern, great for closeup) for the 943s, I bought two adapters from soundpros for $5/ea. and a set of the subcards.  Try Alpha Sound first for capsules...their prices seem to be a bit lower.  Someone recently said Alpha had subcards for $28/ea.

Hope this helps

[Humbug]

OK this isn't a direct comparison, but it might be interesting for you.

I recently ran two rigs in parallel at a festival:

SPCMC2(cards)>SPSPSB1>NomadJB3
SPCMC6(hypers)>SPSPSB6>NomadJB3

For the "indoor" tent, the CMC2s ruled, sound was crisp, and full. The Hypers gave a clear sound, but lacked bass, and midrange.

For the outdoor stuff, the CMC6s worked a treat, CMC2s were muddy. I've just seeded a Status Quo* recording over on the Dime, with a Thunder show to go.

* no jokes necessary, I know full well they are a cheesy rock band.

Not compared the CMC8 Card caps yet, as the rig is on loan and the guy I'm borrowing them from can't find them right now!

Humbug

[cgrooves]

I run the AT853 version (on goosenecks).  If I only had one set of capsules, I'd choose cards.  My best advise would be for you to run your mics off of phantom power in lieu of the battery box (but that's another discussion).  As far as stereo configurations go, 99% of the time I run my cards DIN, run my hypers DINa and run my omnis spaced 12" a-b (and next time will use a J-Disc instead).

[audBall]

I run the AT853 version (on goosenecks).  If I only had one set of capsules, I'd choose cards.  My best advise would be for you to run your mics off of phantom power in lieu of the battery box (but that's another discussion).  As far as stereo configurations go, 99% of the time I run my cards DIN, run my hypers DINa and run my omnis spaced 12" a-b (and next time will use a J-Disc instead).

Oh, I forgot to note...I ran the subcards ORTF dead center about 10-12' back from the stage.  Interesting setup they have at this place.. PAs affixed to the ceiling surrounding the stage in a semi-circle.  It came out real good.  I need to try more w/ my cards and hypers tho to get a full opinion.

[j.mart]

Thanks everyone... I think i'll buy some omni's before jumping on the hypers and the subs. Thanks for your precious addvice!

[Unitmonster]

I actually prefer the sub cards to omnis.  I find that they reject the stuff I don't want (basically what's directly beside me and behind me, ie. people), and pick up all the good shit. 

.02cents

ps. I have a recording with sub-card 853's up in the kickdown forum right now if you want to check it out for comparison.

[setboy]

I bought two adapters from soundpros for $5/ea.

do you have a link? i cant seem to find them

Raphael

[audBall]

I bought two adapters from soundpros for $5/ea.

do you have a link? i cant seem to find them

Raphael

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/AT-ADAPT