Topic: Low noise, high sensitivity headworn mics?

[IanR]

I have a pair of Sonic Studios DSM-6S/EH mics which are great, but want some new headworn mics for recording in quieter environments. So need to have lower self-noise and higher sensitivity.

The DSM-1S/H's look promising but what other makes and models should go on the shortlist please?

[Petrus]

Yes, DPA 4060.

Unfortunatelly the Laws of Physics dictate that when the mic gets smaller, the noise gets higher.

Hope your next president gets this law changed.

[IanR]

The spec looks okay on Shure WL 183s:

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_WL183_content

Anyone have any experience using them?

[soundpro]

Hello:

The Shure mics are pretty good. We used to sell them, but we found that the AT943 (our sp-cmc-8 model) are smaller and actually sound a little better. If you are interested in details, here they are:

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-8

Any questions, let me know....

Best Regards,

Chris Carfagno
sales@soundprofessionals.com
www.soundprofessionals.com
The Sound Professionals, Inc.
3444 Sylon Blvd
Hainesport NJ, 08036
800-213-3021
609-267-4400
609-267-0054 fax

[Gutbucket]

DPA 4060 over the 4061 model for a bit lower noise and much higher sensitivity.  Probably more quiet and sensitive than you'll find in any small omni.  I find they excel at quiet nature recording, dynamic classical with pianissimo sections and acoustic non-amplified jazz as well as louder stuff.

[run_run_run]

Panasonic WM-61A on the cheap

[Gutbucket]

Panasonic WM-61A on the cheap

I don't believe that meets the OP's request for lower self-noise and higher sensitivity.

[Church-Audio]

I have a pair of Sonic Studios DSM-6S/EH mics which are great, but want some new headworn mics for recording in quieter environments. So need to have lower self-noise and higher sensitivity.

The DSM-1S/H's look promising but what other makes and models should go on the shortlist please?

If your looking for sensitive omni mics I really do like the DSM mics.. everything I have heard sounds good. But you really do need to run it with a very good recorder and a quiet external preamp as would be the case with any mic when your recording quiet sources.
My CAFS mics are also great but they are not sensitive they are designed for recording loud sound sources.

Chris

[run_run_run]

Panasonic WM-61A on the cheap

I don't believe that meets the OP's request for lower self-noise and higher sensitivity.

self noise could be an issue, but there very sensitive un modded

[IanR]

Many thanks for all your suggestions, plenty of food for thought there.

(That means I can't make my mind up  )

[indietaperwloo]

I currently use a headworn rig based on the Sennheiser KE4-211-2 omni measurement mics.  They sound pretty awesome.  If you want an example, see my KT Tunstall recording I have posted on Dime.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,112627.0.html

Also, check out the Countryman B6's...they're fairly expensive but they sound amazing.

[illconditioned]

I currently use a headworn rig based on the Sennheiser KE4-211-2 omni measurement mics.  They sound pretty awesome.  If you want an example, see my KT Tunstall recording I have posted on Dime.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,112627.0.html

Also, check out the Countryman B6's...they're fairly expensive but they sound amazing.

Yep the Senns sound great.  I've got three pairs of these, one on loan to Steve.  Bascially anything you put in front of those mics sounds good.  Lots of detail and nice warm sound.

If you want both realistic and great sounding, try the Countryman B3.   These mics sound great for both ambient and music, and they have low self noise (24dbA).  The only better mic is the Nevaton MKE400, but I've had reliability/consistency problems with these.

I had the B6, and they sounded great, but I had overload problems.  I did not try the low sens version.  Oh yeah, for ambient recording you can't beat the DPA 4060.  For some reason I don't like these for music recording, though.  IMO they sound a bit "harsh".  Everyone's ears are different.   I wish I liked the DPA for music, but I don't.

  Richard (still searching for the perfect omni mic...)

[IanR]

Am going for a pair of Shure WL183s. They're about an inch long, 22dB(A), 29mV/Pa. Just under £200 for the pair. I've heard some good nature recordings done with them.

Luckily Church Audio can make an ST-9100 preamp with the four-pin connectors needed for the Shures.

[rastasean]

Hello:

The Shure mics are pretty good. We used to sell them, but we found that the AT943 (our sp-cmc-8 model) are smaller and actually sound a little better. If you are interested in details, here they are:

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-8

Any questions, let me know....

Best Regards,

Chris Carfagno

Has anyone used these? SP states they are very similar to the DPA mics.

[Arni99]

Hello:

The Shure mics are pretty good. We used to sell them, but we found that the AT943 (our sp-cmc-8 model) are smaller and actually sound a little better. If you are interested in details, here they are:

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-8

Any questions, let me know....

Best Regards,

Chris Carfagno

Has anyone used these? SP states they are very similar to the DPA mics.

I use both DPA4061 and SP-CMC-8 mics.
Well, DPA are DPA.... own class with its own specific sound(omnidirectionals with FAT low frequencies!) with higher SPL-capability than the SP-CMC-8.
I mostly use my DPA4061, also at "bad" sounding indoor-venues, where I place myself close to the stacks.
In fact I used my SP-CMC-8 only once.
I like the fat DPA sound coming close to soundboard recordings.
Cardioid sound is less "boomy" but also thinner at low frequencies.

Generally said: highsens DPA4060/low-sens DPA 4061´s are my favourite mics .