Topic: SP CMC-2 vs. SP CMC-8?

[bigu2fan]

Folks:

I've got a set of CMC-2 croakie mounted mics with the "low sensitivity modification for very high sound levels." I am thinking about upgrading these mics to something else. I was looking at the specs on the CMC-8 and the CMC-8 doesn't look significantly better in terms of performance than the mics I already have. Am I wrong in how I am interpreting these specs? Are the CMC-8 mics considerably better than the CMC-2 mics?

Any card mic recommendations that would upgrade my CMC-2s but not break the bank? Say, in the under $400 price range. I should add that whatever mics are recommended, they must have the ability to be croakie mounted.

Finally, I have taped a handful of shows, ranging from acoustic acts to Jane's Addiction in May 09 (which was taper friendly). Is the "low sensitivity modification for very high sound levels" option that Sound Professionals offers even worth getting on future mics? I wasn't sure whether I should have gotten that mod.

Thanks very much in advance for any help you can give.

[Belexes]

If you tape loud stuff and are worried about distortion, consider Church Audio mics in the retail section of this board.  The CA-11 series can be croakie mounted.  I have the CA-14 series and those are larger and may prove difficult to croakie mount, but I think some on this board may do that and chime in.

[bigu2fan]

Belexes:

Thanks! I will look into the CA-11 series mics. Do you think they are appreciably better than the CMC-2s? Or, do you think the CMC-8s are significantly better than the CMC-2s? All other things being equal, do you think I will get a significantly better pull with the CA-11s than with the CMC-2s?

[Belexes]

I owned the AT943's (CMC-8's), but have no experience with the SP-CMC-2's other than some members here have gotten great recordings with them.  For my ears, the CMC-8's didn't offer enough bass response for my liking.

The Church Audio gear gets fluffed on here for good reason, it gets extremely good results and at a lower cost than the AT gear.  Plus Chris Church stands by his product and will perform repairs should anything arise.

You may want to search the Live Music Archive for comparisons.

All that being said, I own a pair of AT853's and will soon have all 4 interchangable mic capsules.  I like being able to change capsules on the fly.  With the CA-11's you have omni and card caps, and the CA-14's do not have capsules that interchange.

[mterry]

I started out with the CMC-8's and liked them, I dug these up from a while back:

http://www.archive.org/details/bm2002-08-03

http://www.archive.org/details/bm2002-12-31.at853.shnf

http://www.archive.org/details/los2002-11-08.at853.shnf

http://www.archive.org/details/particle2002-08-25

[midside]

for the money and size, the SP CMC8s are very good.
plus, i'm selling mine, mounted including glasses and sunglasses for half of your budget

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,126296.0.html

[bigu2fan]

I started out with the CMC-8's and liked them, I dug these up from a while back:

http://www.archive.org/details/bm2002-08-03

http://www.archive.org/details/bm2002-12-31.at853.shnf

http://www.archive.org/details/los2002-11-08.at853.shnf

http://www.archive.org/details/particle2002-08-25

Thanks very much! I will check these out!

[illconditioned]

CMC-2 are AT831, right?  (There is also a CMC-2A, which I believe is different, though I have not seen it.)

If so, I wouldn't expect much difference between these and CMC-8, aka AT943 or AT933.  So no real need to upgrade.

Note that if you want, you can put regular AT853/U853 capsules on those AT831 bodies.  The capsules stick out a bit, but the threads are the same, and they work just fine.

So, just stick with the AT831, and maybe try a few other capsules if you feel like it.  The subcards are recommended by several people here.

  Richard

[fmaderjr]

The subcards are recommended by several people here.

When you're up close in a good sounding venue, the subcards can make some amazing recordings.

Here's a sample:
http://www.mediafire.com/?qy3gzvoyw5m
AT853 Subcards > MixPre > Korg MR-1
On Stand about 15 feet between both stereo monitors in center.

The occasional noise light noise in the left channel is an old lady clapping along with the music (the performance was at a retirement home).